McGinn Q&A with TT

[Patler]

Being an asshole is not such a bad strategy for a reporter. If you get your subject upset, they might say things that they wouldn't otherwise say. I'm not saying that TT is likely to start screaming and say that its true, he hates Brett Favre. But inside that robotic exterieor is, well, a robotic interior. But inside the robotic interior is a human too.

Look how trial lawyers behave. McGinn is a good reporter, he knows what he's doing.

That works best for trial lawyers on TV.
But there is a huge difference between a witness under oath who is obliged to sit in an intimidating environment in which he/she has no control whatsoever, and an individual at his own place who has consented to an interview. I doubt you can intimidate TT into answering anything.

[sharpe1027]

Being an asshole is not such a bad strategy for a reporter. If you get your subject upset, they might say things that they wouldn't otherwise say. I'm not saying that TT is likely to start screaming and say that its true, he hates Brett Favre. But inside that robotic exterieor is, well, a robotic interior. But inside the robotic interior is a human too.

Look how trial lawyers behave. McGinn is a good reporter, he knows what he's doing.

Yeah, Mattlock never lost a case using that technique.

Maybe McGinn knows what he is doing, but to me it lookes like it aint working at all. If anything, it drums up support for TT.

Like I said early, if he truly wanted to get something out of TT I don't think he would have used a sledge hammer techinque. It just looks like he was more interested in making his questions read like acqusations than getting any meaningful response.

[pbmax]

... Yet, those are the things that he is constantly asked and avoids answering, same as most GMs....

... I think maybe reporters feel he is being evasive because he doesn't hide it. He comes right out and tells them he is not answering the damn question and why he is not answering it.

It is an art form, certainly, saying little while appearing to comment. But its a skill lots of people need in their job, not just GMs and many have it. But not every GM is Thompson/Belicheck secretive either.

The other issue at play is if you are going to stray from the conventional wisdom as a GM, then you are going to generate additional questions. By being closed about the thought process and the details, he leaves more questions unanswered than most. In a slew of other public professions (including other NFL teams), Thompson could not operate this way. The Packers unique structure and market size make this possible.

But all that said, I am happy his plan and formula are more important to him than his PR or relationship to media and fans. And Patler is right, Bedard and McGinn make themselves look small by the constant sniping.

[Bossman641]

Being an asshole is not such a bad strategy for a reporter. If you get your subject upset, they might say things that they wouldn't otherwise say. I'm not saying that TT is likely to start screaming and say that its true, he hates Brett Favre. But inside that robotic exterieor is, well, a robotic interior. But inside the robotic interior is a human too.

Look how trial lawyers behave. McGinn is a good reporter, he knows what he's doing.

Yeah, Mattlock never lost a case using that technique.

Maybe McGinn knows what he is doing, but to me it lookes like it aint working at all. If anything, it drums up support for TT.

Like I said early, if he truly wanted to get something out of TT I don't think he would have used a sledge hammer techinque. It just looks like he was more interested in making his questions read like acqusations than getting any meaningful response.

Exactly how I read the interview as well.

[sharpe1027]

It is an art form, certainly, saying little while appearing to comment. But its a skill lots of people need in their job, not just GMs and many have it. But not every GM is Thompson/Belicheck secretive either.

The other issue at play is if you are going to stray from the conventional wisdom as a GM, then you are going to generate additional questions. By being closed about the thought process and the details, he leaves more questions unanswered than most. In a slew of other public professions (including other NFL teams), Thompson could not operate this way. The Packers unique structure and market size make this possible.

But all that said, I am happy his plan and formula are more important to him than his PR or relationship to media and fans. And Patler is right, Bedard and McGinn make themselves look small by the constant sniping.

I agree that there are NFL teams he would not be a good fit for, but I'd bet that there are even more that he would be just fine at. It's pretty hypothetical and not very well supported, but I bet if he were on the open market earlier this year he would have had a job in no time flat.

My personal opinion is that his strategy is nothing out of the ordinary, all the perceptions aside. The media labelled him as "draft only" and "adverse to FA" early on and it stuck. The facts be damned, that's the story they put out and that's the story we merrily go along with. To change that story means they'd have to admit they were wrong and, perhaps more importantly, they'd have to come up with a new topic to write about.

[Cleft Crusty]

This was a good interview although the 'revolving door' question was asked poorly and the questions didn't always have a flow. Sure, you coulda lobbed a few more softballs possibly to ease Thompson a bit, but that's unlikely to get anything out of him, except pure GM speak. McGinn elicited some interesting responses, such as:

"Jeremy is a marvelous athlete with unbelievable flexibility and athleticism"

"It's a wonderfully simple thing at times and it's wonderfully complicated at times. It really gets down to blocking and tackling. But if you get down underneath that, it's even more complicated." (You can tell that Thompson was thinking 'Pad level.')

"This is kind of going back to the old Ron Wolf thing. If you like a player and you have a spot for him, then just go get him."

Regarding Tackle:

"We think so. We think we have several candidates. We've put a lot of investment in our offensive line. We're trying to see if one of them at right tackle is ready to step up and play. I'd like to get the core established and set. I have liked (Allen) Barbre for some time. He's a very athletic 310-pound guy that has some nastiness to him." (I think this shows that they are not at all certain about their O-line - but are hopeful with the personnel)

About info and the fans:

"I think they know a lot about this team. I think our fans are a lot smarter than that. And I think they understand where I'm coming from. There's absolutely no reason for me to tell anything of a proprietary nature to a group of 15,000. Even though they're all fans, it's not going to remain a secret." (I think that most on Packerrats pretty much understand Ted Thompson and his strategy, no?)

Reporters:

"I've always been accessible (to reporters). I've probably not ever taken a phone call." (Interesting. I think Fisher at TN calls reporters to have lunch with them)


On leadership:

"I hope I'm a servant. I think in order to lead you have to serve first. Which means sacrificing, going above and beyond, trying to set an example, trying to be a good guy." (That's completely revealing. Good get by McGinn)


On Favre:

Q. Murphy promised an institutional review of the situation with Brett Favre in 2008 and I'm sure you were part of it. In retrospect, did you handle it properly? Did you do the right things?

A. We tried to. I don't want to get into specifics. I'm not going to talk about this very much. I'm sure there were mistakes made along the way, but it was a very volatile, complicated situation. (like pad level)

[Bretsky]

What we have to compare him up against that I can remember was Ron Wolf and Tom Braatz. Both gave enough information to write a story. Not our TT

I don't know, Wolf may have been a better politician and dodged questions more eloquantly, but I don't remember him giving up much more in the way of hard information/content in the things he said.

I guess to me the difference was that Wolf would joke around when he couldn't answer a question, whereas TT just kinda drones on with a standard response. So, at a high-level, Wolf would come off as a nice guy saying about the same in substance as TT, while TT comes off as an ass.

Like I said, perception is often not reality. IDK, maybe I just didn't pay close enough attention to Wolf.

Bretsky, I would agree with Sharpe here. I think Wolf was more fun to listen to but I understand that sometimes he'd mislead reporters instead of just giving the boring company line.

And if you would enjoy reporters getting edgier and edgier with TT, then you're probably having lots of fun right now. They seem to be getting after Ted pretty good.

You'd be correct in assuming that.

IMO at times I think Wolf was honest and at other times miseleading

[Gunakor]

My thoughts exactly. Bedard was on 'the Big Show' today, and was talking about how reporters all dislike working with TT (but like him as a person) because he doesn't give them any content, and is so stubborn to his beliefs. Bedard hypothesized TT is the only GM who would not jump on a single starting FA after a 6-10 season. Especially given the generous cap space.

Perception is often not reality.

Besides, does he really give so much less than other GMs? Really? I have listened to his interviews and he gives thoughtful responses with some interesting insight on many points. What GM are we comparing against? Billicheat is notorious for giving reporters crap information, but reporters like him because he is always in the middle of some controversy. Making reporters happy is not always a good thing...

What we have to compare him up against that I can remember was Ron Wolf and Tom Braatz. Both gave enough information to write a story. Not our TT

As it should be. The less TT says, the better. No fan needs to know more than what they see on Fox on Sunday afternoons anyway. Just cause Wolf told more complete stories doesn't mean that's the way it has to be or should be done. I'd prefer it if TT remained as vague as possible in every interview he ever does. He shouldn't say anything to Packer fans through the media that he wouldn't say to Brad Childress or Lovie Smith in person. Which is to say, nothing at all.

[MJZiggy]

This was a good interview although the 'revolving door' question was asked poorly and the questions didn't always have a flow. Sure, you coulda lobbed a few more softballs possibly to ease Thompson a bit, but that's unlikely to get anything out of him, except pure GM speak. McGinn elicited some interesting responses, such as:

"Jeremy is a marvelous athlete with unbelievable flexibility and athleticism"

"It's a wonderfully simple thing at times and it's wonderfully complicated at times. It really gets down to blocking and tackling. But if you get down underneath that, it's even more complicated." (You can tell that Thompson was thinking 'Pad level.')

"This is kind of going back to the old Ron Wolf thing. If you like a player and you have a spot for him, then just go get him."

Regarding Tackle:

"We think so. We think we have several candidates. We've put a lot of investment in our offensive line. We're trying to see if one of them at right tackle is ready to step up and play. I'd like to get the core established and set. I have liked (Allen) Barbre for some time. He's a very athletic 310-pound guy that has some nastiness to him." (I think this shows that they are not at all certain about their O-line - but are hopeful with the personnel)

About info and the fans:

"I think they know a lot about this team. I think our fans are a lot smarter than that. And I think they understand where I'm coming from. There's absolutely no reason for me to tell anything of a proprietary nature to a group of 15,000. Even though they're all fans, it's not going to remain a secret." (I think that most on Packerrats pretty much understand Ted Thompson and his strategy, no?)

Reporters:

"I've always been accessible (to reporters). I've probably not ever taken a phone call." (Interesting. I think Fisher at TN calls reporters to have lunch with them)


On leadership:

"I hope I'm a servant. I think in order to lead you have to serve first. Which means sacrificing, going above and beyond, trying to set an example, trying to be a good guy." (That's completely revealing. Good get by McGinn)


On Favre:

Q. Murphy promised an institutional review of the situation with Brett Favre in 2008 and I'm sure you were part of it. In retrospect, did you handle it properly? Did you do the right things?

A. We tried to. I don't want to get into specifics. I'm not going to talk about this very much. I'm sure there were mistakes made along the way, but it was a very volatile, complicated situation. (like pad level)

Not everyone speaks TT. Apparently Bedard doesn't either which is a huge failing for a reporter. You need to be able to read through the words and get at what your interviewee is actually saying to you. McGinn is overly combative, but we go through this every year. He always does this and beyond just saying that TT is used to it, for all of McGinn's gruff, he doesn't manage to get under TTs skin. Hell, a roomful of fans booing him didn't get under his skin. McGinn should lighten up because he's the one who comes out looking bad when he does this, not TT.

[woodbuck27]

This was a good interview although the 'revolving door' question was asked poorly and the questions didn't always have a flow. Sure, you coulda lobbed a few more softballs possibly to ease Thompson a bit, but that's unlikely to get anything out of him, except pure GM speak. McGinn elicited some interesting responses, such as:

"Jeremy is a marvelous athlete with unbelievable flexibility and athleticism"

"It's a wonderfully simple thing at times and it's wonderfully complicated at times. It really gets down to blocking and tackling. But if you get down underneath that, it's even more complicated." (You can tell that Thompson was thinking 'Pad level.')

"This is kind of going back to the old Ron Wolf thing. If you like a player and you have a spot for him, then just go get him."

Regarding Tackle:

"We think so. We think we have several candidates. We've put a lot of investment in our offensive line. We're trying to see if one of them at right tackle is ready to step up and play. I'd like to get the core established and set. I have liked (Allen) Barbre for some time. He's a very athletic 310-pound guy that has some nastiness to him." (I think this shows that they are not at all certain about their O-line - but are hopeful with the personnel)

About info and the fans:

"I think they know a lot about this team. I think our fans are a lot smarter than that. And I think they understand where I'm coming from. There's absolutely no reason for me to tell anything of a proprietary nature to a group of 15,000. Even though they're all fans, it's not going to remain a secret." (I think that most on Packerrats pretty much understand Ted Thompson and his strategy, no?)

Reporters:

"I've always been accessible (to reporters). I've probably not ever taken a phone call." (Interesting. I think Fisher at TN calls reporters to have lunch with them)


On leadership:

"I hope I'm a servant. I think in order to lead you have to serve first. Which means sacrificing, going above and beyond, trying to set an example, trying to be a good guy." (That's completely revealing. Good get by McGinn)


On Favre:

Q. Murphy promised an institutional review of the situation with Brett Favre in 2008 and I'm sure you were part of it. In retrospect, did you handle it properly? Did you do the right things?

A. We tried to. I don't want to get into specifics. I'm not going to talk about this very much. I'm sure there were mistakes made along the way, but it was a very volatile, complicated situation. (like pad level)

Not everyone speaks TT. Apparently Bedard doesn't either which is a huge failing for a reporter. You need to be able to read through the words and get at what your interviewee is actually saying to you. McGinn is overly combative, but we go through this every year. He always does this and beyond just saying that TT is used to it, for all of McGinn's gruff, he doesn't manage to get under TTs skin. Hell, a roomful of fans booing him didn't get under his skin. McGinn should lighten up because he's the one who comes out looking bad when he does this, not TT.

It's just personalitys and sometimes they always clash in terms of the strict sense of what is most important to each other.

[Bretsky]

My thoughts exactly. Bedard was on 'the Big Show' today, and was talking about how reporters all dislike working with TT (but like him as a person) because he doesn't give them any content, and is so stubborn to his beliefs. Bedard hypothesized TT is the only GM who would not jump on a single starting FA after a 6-10 season. Especially given the generous cap space.

Perception is often not reality.

Besides, does he really give so much less than other GMs? Really? I have listened to his interviews and he gives thoughtful responses with some interesting insight on many points. What GM are we comparing against? Billicheat is notorious for giving reporters crap information, but reporters like him because he is always in the middle of some controversy. Making reporters happy is not always a good thing...

What we have to compare him up against that I can remember was Ron Wolf and Tom Braatz. Both gave enough information to write a story. Not our TT

As it should be. The less TT says, the better. No fan needs to know more than what they see on Fox on Sunday afternoons anyway. Just cause Wolf told more complete stories doesn't mean that's the way it has to be or should be done. I'd prefer it if TT remained as vague as possible in every interview he ever does. He shouldn't say anything to Packer fans through the media that he wouldn't say to Brad Childress or Lovie Smith in person. Which is to say, nothing at all.

I prefer the Wolf route, but I'd agree that there is no right or wrong way.

But if we accept TT as somebody who will say Nada to every question asked

Then acccept the reporters who get brash with him because they are trying to find a story somewhere from that interview and TT won't give them one

[Scott Campbell]

The media labelled him as "draft only" and "adverse to FA" early on and it stuck. The facts be damned, that's the story they put out and that's the story we merrily go along with. To change that story means they'd have to admit they were wrong and, perhaps more importantly, they'd have to come up with a new topic to write about.

They can't write about how Ted will never trade up any more.

[Bossman641]

I think there is a difference between being brash and being rude. McGinn seemed more interested in painting TT a certain way, based on the wording of the questions, then to actually probe for information.

[sharpe1027]

I think there is a difference between being brash and being rude. McGinn seemed more interested in painting TT a certain way, based on the wording of the questions, then to actually probe for information.

My thoughts exactly. It is one thing to present a series of well-thoughout questions that force the issue. It is another to throw out obviously deragatory "questions" that read like a pissed off blogger's rant.

For example Mcginn asks: Do you worry about losing your job, or are you so financially set now that those thoughts don't even enter your equation?

Translation: (I think that) you don't care about how well you do now that you have a fat contract.

Better angle: You recently received a huge contract extension. What do you say to fans that feel your extension was premature, especially in view of last years disappointing season?

Follow up with questions based upon the answer....

Another possible angle: What do you say to fans that believe your building process is too slow and relies too heavily upon slowly building from draft dicks and lacks veteran additions that seem to work so well for teams like the Patriots?

Instead Mcginn sounds like a jaded ex-girlfriend just trying to get some personal barbs in.