Bob McGinn has a "tude about TT apparently.

[swede]

I was surprised at the tone of McGinn's article summarizing TT's address to shareholders at Lambeau:

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=474221

I don't think he said anything that was incorrect, but it had a very sharp edge to it nonetheless. For me, I hold TT responsible for everything that happens from this season forward. He has now had time to turn over the roster and bring in his own coaching people. I thought McGinn made it seem as if this was a desperate team with trouble at the top instead of an up and coming team that should inspire optimism.

[FavreChild]

Look, I thought the speech was pretty sub-par. And I'm going to claim some expertise in this area, because I've frequently written speeches/presentations for high-level execs.

But I wasn't really expecting much. TT has never been a rah-rah type of guy. He never tells us the words we want to hear.

Words *do* speak as loudly as actions - particulary, to quote TT himself, in the age of "media proliferation." And his words are perplexing to me. I know his actions have been perplexing to many of you.

What McGinn is saying (and I agree) is how can we believe that TT will "walk the walk" when he doesn't even talk the talk?

[FavreChild]

"But as impressed as he is with the team's venue and fan base, Thompson referred to the Packers' employees as primarily responsible for what he called a "special" place."

Listening to the speech in person, that part struck me as rather offensive. The whole point of the day was to show appreciation for the shareholders - to make them feel like they are part of the organization (as misguided of a notion as some may think that is). TT undermined that whole concept. He basically said, no, it's not you (the fans/owners) that make this team great; it's us, the staff. It pissed me off.

I don't think that's really what he meant, but it was very poorly worded and presented.

[woodbuck27]

I'm not getting that tone.

I read the article on Ted's speech carefully , and all his quotes 'I feel' , paint an accurate picture of today and OUR immediate future.

Ted is as I am - quietly confident anf patient with the stage of re-building we find ourselves in. This will be a season to measure where we are and what must be done to improve in season's to come

I agree that TT did an excellent job to mold OUR future at both the OL and LBer positions. He drafted potentially difference makers at WR/KR and CB/WR/KR in Greg Jennings and Wil Blackmon respectivey.These young men are very exciting prospects. It will take time of course, but the picks of Colledge and Spitz for OUR OL and AJ Hawk and Abdul Hodge I believe asures OUR future at the LBer position. Solid picks all.

Ted used the FA pool to tool OUR team somewhat conservatively, but these fella's - CB Charles Woodson , S Marquis Manuel and NT Ryan Pickett, certainly together, will upgrade a "D" that should be very exciting to watch.

WR Marc Boerigter has a real shot with us and time will tell the story.

All of these FA's, plus those others he re-signed to OUR team and the DT out of the Giants Organization, Kenderick Allen were all logical/solid moves by Ted Thompson. As a group they will certainly improve OUR team if they just step in and play to their potential.

TC will be very intense.

We will see a battle to determine spots on ST's - at kicker,punter and the kick and punt return and coverage teams.

The battle to find the best we have on the lines will be an interesting watch as well.

We need to find the BEST 5-6 WR's to supplement a running game to help Brett Favre be most effective. We need the BEST 53-man, no matter the consequence to the players that need to be cut. I want to see the BEST 53 ! Ted will get - just to that. His job depends on it, total objectivity.

It's all about now - to a better future, and I believe that TT must and will take a fair and judicious approach.

Mike McCarthy and his coaching staff, augmented by heads up management of Ted Thompson, to go out and get any fella that will upgrade us - as we see the Pat's do, is a necessary element.

Ted Thompson showed me a man in that speech who is down to earth - REAL in today and I give him full value, for an excellent off season to date. Now comes the tough part for Ted. The cuts! TC.

I hope we will trust Ted Thompson to field a much better product than he did last season? I felt he left alot to be desiresd as a GM in 2005. He's been picking up his game since, in my view.

It's all about NOW - in 8 days time,

Finally -Training Camp.

[woodbuck27]

"But as impressed as he is with the team's venue and fan base, Thompson referred to the Packers' employees as primarily responsible for what he called a "special" place."

Listening to the speech in person, that part struck me as rather offensive. The whole point of the day was to show appreciation for the shareholders - to make them feel like they are part of the organization (as misguided of a notion as some may think that is). TT undermined that whole concept. He basically said, no, it's not you (the fans/owners) that make this team great; it's us, the staff. It pissed me off.

I don't think that's really what he meant, but it was very poorly worded and presented.

I bow to YOU FavreChild. You felt that speech and thanks for that input. I'm sad for you what you felt and obviously many others as well. Of course it's all about the shareholders the fans. Seems to me he needs to do a little damage control. Ted's just plain n' simple a little awkward at the podium but he better employ a solid speech writer and learn to cover the right base's RIGHT.

I still having ascended more to you, believe we have to be somewhat patient with Ted thompson. Last season I was pissed at his ways. We lost the entire benefit of what TC should be somehow in 2005, and I blamed that on Ted's ego.

WOW ! I feel bad for you and others that were shocked/hurt by Ted's incorrect approach - of passing off the shareholders and fans.

He's out to lunch there.

[RashanGary]

He should have thanked the fans more IMO. He's honest and he's not going to pretend like he takes into consideration fan approval in his daily decisions. He believes that winning is what the fans want and he will let the play on the field do the talking, as hard as that may be to believe after last season. There were many things taht went into last years record including teh sudden overhaul of Sherman's vets to Thompsons rookies and injuries. It was a quick, hard transition. Either way, his goal is to produce winning football teams and to be honest, other than dumping money into the team, the fans don't mean much nor do they know much. Thompson doesn't realize that winning isn't everything. Fans want to have their buts kissed. I know when I buy something on ebay and I get my package and there is a thank you note inside I fell all warm and fuzzy. It might not be exactly as discribed, but if it's packaged well and has an ass kissing note, I feel all warm and fuzzy about the whole deal. It's great that he's so focused on producing a successfull organization. He should do a better job packaging it and kissing the asses of the people who buy it.

I personally like Thompson because I relate to him in alot of ways. I guess if I owned stock, I would want my butt kissed a little too. Maybe I'll drop him an email and give him a heads up. Harlan is a very communication savvy person and so is JJ from what I understand. I'm sure he'll get briefed on proper butt kissing tactics for next years expected schmoozing.

[MJZiggy]

but he better employ a solid speech writer and learn to cover the right base's RIGHT.

I wonder if he knows I'm available...

[woodbuck27]

but he better employ a solid speech writer and learn to cover the right base's RIGHT.

I wonder if he knows I'm available...

Ahhh !

Ziggy your a Lady of many talents. "May the force be with you."

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm not sure a "we will fight them on the beaches" speech would have gone over very well, the critics would really have a laugh at that. It's another rebuilding season.

Does a GM need to have charisma? nah.

[MJZiggy]

I'd be willing to bet that to the people who really know TT well, when he starts talking about potential players and their possibilities, you will find a lot more charisma than you think. You may not agree with everything he does, but the guy does seem to love finding hidden talent.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'd be willing to bet that to the people who really know TT well,

Ziggy, you are tempting me to post the "Village People" pic again.

I think it is funny to make fun of Ted being gay. That;s because it is so silly, what's the difference what he wants to put in his mouth? Being gay is just like any other sexual taste. And sex is funny, sort of an embarasshing moment.

[MJZiggy]

I can't do it. Just can't. But you're gonna get Tank all started again and I really don't want to renew that Brokeback movie discussion.

[Creepy]

A BS speech at a meeting of people who boughtstock and own nothing. Hey, if you bought a share great, but it makes you about as much an owner as me when I but the Sunday ticket.

He should have kissed the ass of the fans more. Why? We love the team wether Thompson is here or not. The stadium was filled and there were no black-outs when we had some of the worst teams in the NFL. I think everybody reads too much into this speech. It is typical TT, he doesn't get rah, rah, he is about business. This speech was business not pleasure.

[FavreChild]

It's not about charisma, it's not about sucking up to the shareholders, it's not even about his lousy speech on Wednesday.

It's about communication - a critical component of management.

The speech was business? Yep, sure was. The NFL is a business. And successful businesses know how to communicate with and express appeciation to both customers and employees. The organnization as a whole is good at this, but TT has not been, is not, and probably will never be a good communicator.

The worst instance, in my opinion, was when several players reported that they had to find out from the media that M3 was the new head coach. Particularly William Henderson, who commented that he was at Lambeau every day, and specifically approached TT several times to make sure that he (and the other players) would be informed immediately.

Do I hope TT is successful as a GM? Yes, of course. Personally, however, I do not respect his management style. Hopefully the players are more willing to put up with it than I would be.

[mraynrand]

"Being gay is just like any other sexual taste."


It is? Except for the small exception that it's impossible to procreate. But I guess that's just a minor point.