First-round draft picks have saved the Packers

[vince]

can you point me to one of these "fair" articles where football and the Packers was actually discussed without a bunch of misdirection, or better, an answer that doesn't say anything at all?

I'd say the article from which this thread is started does that. Thompson said he believes the key to winning is not in 3 players, but it takes all 53. That says a lot about his philosophy. He also gives the credit to the players rather than accepting the credit himself for the roster. That shows his deference and humility.

[vince]

And you're entitled to it Vince. You just don't have to mock my opinion in the process. It's pretty clear that you were mocking me personally, since I'm the ONLY one here that talks about his crappy media skills.

You're not the only one with that opinion RG, as misguided as I believe it is. 1234 stated that opinion above and it is that which I was actually responding to. It wasn't directed personally to you.

[retailguy]

If a GM doesn't introduce some misdirection, he's not doing his job adequately. You want him to tell the whole league everything he has planned? Wolf used to outright lie and everyone thought he was a genius with the media because he'd say stuff like "fart in the wind." Thompson does the same thing. He just doesn't have gas.

I will try to find you the interview I'm thinking of. It was posted in here as an example of how to interview Ted Thompson fairly shortly after some idiot pissed him off and he was roundly criticized for finishing the interview with one word answers. To be frank, I'd have walked out of the room and never interviewed with that reporter again. There's a way to conduct an interview and not many in the GB press are versed at it.

Nobody, including me, expects him to give away all the company secrets. Problem is, he answers deceptively even when he doesn't have to. Reporters asking is a part of their jobs. Truly, not many people expect him to answer those questions, including the reporter who asked them. Early on, those interviews were much, much worse. He wouldn't answer ANYTHING, including those softball questions that the reporters ask to give him an opportunity to say whatever he wants and "pump up" his team. Fortunately, those idiot answers seem to be going away.

But, realistically, Thompson purposely makes it tougher for them to do their jobs, mostly unnecessarily in my opinion.

Giving a reporter an exclusive tip once in a while, might be a nice thing to do. For example, when he decided to release Al Harris, he could have given an exclusive interview in 5 minutes talking about the great contributions he's made to the team over the years, and that he released him because he wanted him to be able to start and those opportunities were not available here, and Al deserved better than being the 4th string cornerback.

What did we get? Silence and a three line press release.

I see that as a missed opportunity.

[vince]

it has EVERYTHING to do with winning.

Agree wholeheartedly. NONE OF THE REST MATTERS, whether you think it's bad and I think it's good - it doesn't matter one bit.

[Patler]

I do care vince. It's an important part of his job. It becomes more important when the team doesn't win, but there is a plan, and TIME is needed. If he had spent the last 5 years cultivating a relationship with the media, doing the right things, saying the right things, approaching things the right way, this season, when the team has been decimated with injury you'd be seeing more stories about the team pulling together and winning and less stories about how Thompson won't have veterans, and how he won't have free agents, and how he gets rid of older players who have leadership.

Thompson and the Packers are bearing the brunt of 5 years of screwing with the media, largely unnecessarily.

You're right, I don't like Thompson. You described him as "modest". Bullshit. Modest people don't fuck with people trying to do their jobs. They don't get enjoyment out of screwing with people by not answering their questions and smirking at them for asking. That's not modesty. I think it's ego. I don't admire it, I don't aspire to it, I don't want it in my organization.

At the end of the day Vince, it has EVERYTHING to do with winning.

As a fan, I want to be proud of the team, and proud of the organization whether they win or lose. I smile when I hear that one of the best places to go as an away fan is Lambeau. I'm proud of the team when I watch someone like Donald Drive cry when he gets a contract, and then gives it away. I'm proud when I see Woodson donate millions to his College. When I look at Thompson misdirect and smirk, I'm not so proud. That doesn't mean I have a "personal vendetta", it just means I don't appreciate ego.

I couldn't disagree more with everything you have said. I am 100% opposite to your opinion, which I guess is to be expected on a fan website (Insert smiley face here!).

- The GM has very little PR responsibility, unlike the HC who has several press conferences each week.
- Wolf was not much more direct with the press than TT is, he was just better at not answering their questions because he was willing to lead them down false paths. Instead of that, TT simply refuses to answer. I have always felt that TT is extremely uncomfortable with deceit, therefore he simply refuses to answer because he can't bring himself to be untruthful.
- The people who work with TT and actually know him, (unlike us) consistently describe him as almost totally ego-less and completely modest.
- We both see TT do the same things, and you and I have developed polar opposite opinions as to what that means about his personality. Probably due to our own pre-conceived notions about him. However, those who really know him and work with him continually comment on his lack of ego and his modesty, often volunteering it when asked general questions which didn't require that response. I suspect they know him a heck of a lot better than either you or I.

From what I have seen from him, I would hire TT in a heartbeat.

[swede]

Obviously we disagree RG and that's OK. I'm just giving my opinions here.

In my opinion, your admitted hatred paints the picture you're predisposed to see. I have seen nothing but the highest character from Thompson and I think his dry sense of humor and lack of personality are misinterpreted by some.

Ted Thompson is a huge asset to the Packers franchise, both in the product he has put on the field and in the manner he condusts his business, including with the media. That's my opinion.

+1 Vince. I LOVE TT's handling of the press. He answers interesting questions with interesting answers. He answers stupid questions with dismissive solemnity.

[The Shadow]

If a GM doesn't introduce some misdirection, he's not doing his job adequately. You want him to tell the whole league everything he has planned? Wolf used to outright lie and everyone thought he was a genius with the media because he'd say stuff like "fart in the wind." Thompson does the same thing. He just doesn't have gas.

I will try to find you the interview I'm thinking of. It was posted in here as an example of how to interview Ted Thompson fairly shortly after some idiot pissed him off and he was roundly criticized for finishing the interview with one word answers. To be frank, I'd have walked out of the room and never interviewed with that reporter again. There's a way to conduct an interview and not many in the GB press are versed at it.

Agree wholeheartedly.

[denverYooper]

If a GM doesn't introduce some misdirection, he's not doing his job adequately. You want him to tell the whole league everything he has planned? Wolf used to outright lie and everyone thought he was a genius with the media because he'd say stuff like "fart in the wind." Thompson does the same thing. He just doesn't have gas

Wolf got that from working for Al Davis. Al used to bullshit the media all the time because he thought they were idiots but he was usually entertaining about it.

[Pugger]

I think he's still sad not to have gotten a big name like Haynesworth; he's really tearing it up in his $100 million backup role. I don't care if Ted Thompson never gets in front of a microphone again. I don't care if he decides to become a hermit and live in a hovel underneath the stadium and grow a Moses beard so long as he keeps building the kind of team that can lose a ton of starters and still compete for the division. This team is grade A personnel-wise and that is what TT gets paid to do. Not stand in front of a podium and say what you want to hear. Since Al left, he's my favorite interview. Ask a stupid question and see what kind of answer you get.

+1

[Pugger]

Wolf got that from working for Al Davis. Al used to bullshit the media all the time because he thought they were idiots but he was usually entertaining about it.

TT isn't the most charasmatic guy around and isn't entertaining but I don't care. All I care about is the quality and quantity of the players he supplies our coaches.

[Patler]

And you're entitled to it Vince. You just don't have to mock my opinion in the process. It's pretty clear that you were mocking me personally, since I'm the ONLY one here that talks about his crappy media skills.

You are the only one???? I beg to differ. Many have acknowledged his lack of media skills. It is really rather obvious. However, you are one of a few, maybe the only one, who thinks it is a huge part of his job and clouds his overall performance to a significant degree.

Heck, I even proposed on here that the Packers really should hire a PR guy to be the face of the front office.

[pbmax]

Apologies in advance for the Woodbuckian length of this post.

I think Thompson's most important constituencies are his employees in the front office, the Head Coach/Staff and the folks who hired him (CEO and Exec Council). Given the complete lack of squawking from those fronts (and there has been turnover in all three areas), it is clear Thompson has the trust of those who count. Whether by stubbornness or ego-less task completion, they believe in him. They believed in him when he refused to allow Favre back into camp and they believed in him when he won't invite the FA flavor of the week for a workout without knowing the parameters of a contract first.

In contrast, the squawking about Sherman began the moment he lost coaches, then filtered through the personnel department. All while he was winning.

At its highest, courting the media is 4th on his list of people to impress. And like Patler, I doubt it's even that high. Given that he has the trust of those with whom he works, it is a secondary or tertiary consideration. Thompson is not going to see his efforts cut short because of a media uprising. But I do take issue with that idea that Thompson is "f*ck[ing]" with the media. Refusing to take bait when offered or rejecting the premise of a question is not messing with someone else's job. He does it less artfully than Wolf (though I would argue he is no more uncomfortable than Sherman) but he is doing the same thing. I am a believer that the media and reporters should be everywhere, nosy and rude (or whatever skill might serve the end) to dig up what others would prefer be left buried. But Thompson refusing to play their tennis match is hardly a violation of his contract or his ethical duty to do all he can.

And if this year has proven anything, its that signing veteran FAs is just as big a gamble as counting on youth. Having depth has not changed in importance, but Thomspon seems to have demonstrated this year that the only question to ask of depth is to be talented enough to play, not whether it has years of experience.

Thompson is not a saint, not without flaws. He has made player acquisition and roster decision mistakes. And Andrew Brandt has written well several times that Thompson prefers not to have uncomfortable conversations. From the National Football Post:

Like many people, though, Ted is uncomfortable being open with people when the situation may require it. Difficult conversations are just that -- difficult -- yet necessary to clear up ambiguities. Dealing with conflict is part of leadership and management of elite athletes with fragile egos and insecurities. Avoidance is a dangerous option when handling the raw emotion of player-management relations.

But despite his limitations, Thompson has won over McCarthy, the coaches, Murphy, the Exec Council and his lieutenants. He has gathered one of the most talented rosters in the League. You cannot do that and have the organization pointed in the correct direction (following your lead) without skills beyond "scouting". To insist otherwise ignores conducting the actual draft, trades, the hiring of Capers, cap management, the replacement of Brandt and the resigning of veterans.

There will be doubt until the team captures a Lombardi. He has won all the accolades and hardware one could win as an executive without winning a Super Bowl. Its possible his flaws might prevent the team from capturing one. But more likely it would be the same nearly random chance that has allowed lesser teams to win Super Bowls, or arranged for the presence of equally matched or superior competition that year in the playoffs.

I think his approach will win out. But there are no guarantees.

[Bretsky]

Ted is a hell of a drafter and a good gm; I won't waste anytime idolizing him until he brings a title to Green Bay. After that happens he'll be on the pedestal with Ron Wolf. Bring us two and then he'll be above Ron

[ThunderDan]

If the Packers dumped TT there would be about 27 teams standing in line to get him.

[Packgator]

I couldn't disagree more with everything you have said.

I would hire TT in a heartbeat.

Along with close to 30 other teams.