Ted Thompson Truths or Myths

[Smidgeon]

Mostly because I read more and more about "That's just the way [TT] operates" as an excuse explanation, I thought it would be interesting to gather all those opinions in one thread.

I think it all starts because TT is a private person. So fans and journalists (and wannabe journalists) and bloggists and Bedard come up with a frame of reference that seems to fit and then follow that to the death regardless of whether or not it plays out in real life. For example, it used to be that TT would never trade up in the draft. Now he's done it three times and apparantly successfully. It also used to be that people didn't think he'd sign veterans (and I still hear that one a lot) despite him resigning/extending Tauscher, Clifton, Driver, and Woodson on the aged side of 30.

So add all the definitive statements about Thompson's modus operandi that you've heard out there, and we can debate endlessly (or until we get bored) on whether it's a truism or a myth.

Ones I've heard/read as recently as today (outside PR):
1) Thompson doesn't like veterans from other teams
2) Thompson doesn't like free agents
3) Thompson doesn't like retreads

[bobblehead]

1) Most veteran FA signings from other teams flop

2) Most FA signings in general are not worth the price.

3) Most retreads are just that...guys that have proven they can't play in the NFL.

Any other questions?

Oh yea, and the most valuable veteran is the one who has proven that he can succeed in your system under your philosophy.

[Bossman641]

It sorta ties into yours, but TT only likes "his" guys

[Pugger]

TT won't cut a player he drafted or signed.

TT has a huge ego.

TT wants the Packers to be the youngest team in the league.

[Lurker64]

Ted Thompson wants to trade down until he possesses every single pick in the sixth and seventh rounds!

[vince]

Ted Thompson wants to trade down until he possesses every single pick in the sixth and seventh rounds!

I love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgtiEsmBPB4

[Bossman641]

It's questions like this that make my blood boil...

[Comment From gene from chicagogene from chicago: ]
thanks for taking my question. Did Ted sign Dmitri Nance instead of a veteran back because he wanted to save money?

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20100916/PKR01/309160013/Rob-Demovsky-chat-Questions-about-the-offense

[Smidgeon]

It's questions like this that make my blood boil...

[Comment From gene from chicagogene from chicago: ]
thanks for taking my question. Did Ted sign Dmitri Nance instead of a veteran back because he wanted to save money?

http://packersnews.greenbaypressgaze...ut-the-offense

Yeah, that one got me too. And I also read a bunch on Packerchatters that made me roll my eyes badly.

What really gets me is that the JSO and GBPG reporters who are running the chats go right along with it as if it's established gospel.

[DannoMac21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUpLi1DBmh0&NR=1

[hoosier]

Ted is a lousy GM because he won't give straight answers in his press conferences.

[pbmax]

1. Ted is cheap.

2. Ted makes moves (or doesn't make moves) to establish that he is the smartest guy in the room.

#2 is my favorite. Its a real insight into how people simply suspend all reason to discuss pro football as a topic. They believe themselves so well informed by ESPN and their Fantasy League that if a roster move is made for a player they don't know, it is immediately judged as cynical.

It never occurs to them that someone who has had a lifetime of training and is (theoretically, at least) one of the 32 best at the job has more and better information than they do.

I am not saying any front office is above reproach, but to reduce the debate down to personal failings like ego really makes following the league with other fans difficult.

[Joemailman]

Ted Is Trapped In The Closet.

[cheesner]

Ted hates playmakers.

Ted ran Butt Favre out of town (or him out to pasture)

TT is afraid

Funniest thing was someone criticizing TT for using HIS draft board making him an egomaniac. Poster was upset he wasn't using the fan's draft suggestions.

[mraynrand]

Ted killed James T. Kirk

[Guiness]

Ted Thompson wants to trade down until he possesses every single pick in the sixth and seventh rounds!

I love this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgtiEsmBPB4

That's great! I've never heard it before. Love the line "Roger came out and said 'well not today' the Pack has traded their pick away"

btw - is his pronounciation of Kipper correct? With a long 'i'? I always thought it rhymed with skipper.