Some Super Thoughts

[vince]

Clark Harris was a TE who didn't make the cut, although he is still in the league I believe as a long snapper. At least he was last year.

I'm as big a TT supporter as any (I think he's the best in the business), but I never thought I'd encounter someone citing Justin Harrell as support for the '07 draft!

OK, maybe that draft isn't totally worthless like some Vikings drafts or Sherman drafts, but it certainly wasn't Thompson's finest weekend.

That said, I strongly believe the Packers roster (including the IR'd players) has as much or more young developing talent on it than any other in the league. You can't ask for anything else from a GM.

[Smidgeon]

Clark Harris was a TE who didn't make the cut, although he is still in the league I believe as a long snapper. At least he was last year.

I'm as big a TT supporter as any (I think he's the best in the business), but I never thought I'd encounter someone citing Justin Harrell as support for the '07 draft!

OK, maybe that draft isn't totally worthless like some Vikings drafts or Sherman drafts, but it certainly wasn't Thompson's finest weekend.

That said, I strongly believe the Packers roster (including the IR'd players) has as much or more young developing talent on it than any other in the league. You can't ask for anything else from a GM.

Harrell's back injury (and now ACL) isn't TT's fault. He flashed as a rookie and got some really bad luck since. It doesn't mean it was a bad pick. It was an unlucky pick. Just like Terrance Murphy.

[vince]

Harrell's back injury (and now ACL) isn't TT's fault. He flashed as a rookie and got some really bad luck since. It doesn't mean it was a bad pick. It was an unlucky pick. Just like Terrance Murphy.

Agreed. It's been an unlucky pick, which by definition is bad. Not TT's fault though.

[pbmax]

If only Marty Schottenheimer wouldn't have taught Ernest Byner to fumble in that game, he coulda been a good coach.

OK. OK. Enough with reliving that game, that player and that coach. I went through this once this week with Harv's video thread, I am not tearing open that wound again. Never has there been a more painful game. Blowout, yards from tying it up with all the momentum and GAH!

[Patler]

It's downright depressing looking at TT's 2007 draft. He's made up for it with the others but man that one was bad.

Harrell, Jackson, Jones, Rouse, Barbre, Clowney, Hall, Bishop, Crosby, Wynn, Harris

You are depressed by a draft 4 seasons ago that brought a very decent 3rd down back, a #3 wide receiver who makes plays but has warts, a starting fullback who is a solid ST guy, a starting linebacker, your placekicker and another player still with the team? Expecting a bit too much perhaps!

If every 6 years that type of draft is his worst, the Packers will be in outstanding shape.

[vince]

You are depressed by a draft 4 seasons ago that brought a very decent 3rd down back, a #3 wide receiver who makes plays but has warts, a starting fullback who is a solid ST guy, a starting linebacker, your placekicker and another player still with the team? Expecting a bit too much perhaps!

If every 6 years that type of draft is his worst, the Packers will be in outstanding shape.

OK so I'm not really depressed about it... I was just reflecting back on the Thompson era. I already softened my original description, but if you're going to press me on it then here goes.

I'm not high on the top end of that draft - at all. Bishop is a starter that you can readily find in the middle of a lot of drafts, Crosby is a strong-legged kicker that hasn't distinguished himself from the rest of the kickers in the league. Hall the special teams demon. I like him - for a special teams demon. Jones is inconsistent to this point and has been a liability as much as an asset - and may not even be retained. Jackson - good blocker/3rd down back. Poor runner. 2nd round pick. No need to even mention Harrell or Clowney or Rouse or Barbre or Clarke - almost zero out of that bunch. Maybe less than that even.

Relatively speaking - not TT's finest hour. I agree that the team is in excellent shape when you look at TT's body of work, which is the only objective way to evaluate the value of a GM.

[Patler]

OK so I'm not really depressed about it... I was just reflecting back on the Thompson era. I already softened my original description, but if you're going to press me on it then here goes.

I'm not high on the top end of that draft - at all. Bishop is a starter that you can readily find in the middle of a lot of drafts, Crosby is a strong-legged kicker that hasn't distinguished himself from the rest of the kickers in the league. Hall the special teams demon. I like him - for a special teams demon. Jones is inconsistent to this point and has been a liability as much as an asset - and may not even be retained. Jackson - good blocker/3rd down back. Poor runner. 2nd round pick. No need to even mention Harrell or Clowney or Rouse or Barbre or Clarke - almost zero out of that bunch. Maybe less than that even.

Relatively speaking - not TT's finest hour. I agree that the team is in excellent shape when you look at TT's body of work, which is the only objective way to evaluate the value of a GM.

I think Bishop is more than a starter that you can find in the middle of a lot of drafts; his recent contract would suggest that he is.
I value guys on the team filling roles, even if they aren't the best in the league. I know I like Crosby a lot more than some on here, perhaps more than you do. Same for Jones and Jackson. Its not Jackson's fault he has been asked to fill a role he isn't suited for. Left as a 3rd down back he is quite valuable. Maybe Jones isn't good enough to start, but he isn't being asked to. He is a #3 and productive in spite of his short commings.

I might even argue the next draft was as bad, or worse. In order, TT drafted:

Nelson - a #4 WR
Brohm - a waste
Lee - a #4, 5 or 6 corner
Finley- a TE who has been a flash, but not more due to a lost rookie year and injuries
Thompson - gone due to injury, but not showing much before that
Sitton - a right guard, perhaps the easiest spot to fill on the line.
Giacomini - a waste
Flynn - a backup QB who played and lost a game. Anyone can lose a game
Swain - a #5 WR

The top of that draft had three second round picks that are not very big factors. Only Nelson is really contributing much. Overall, I think that draft is contributing less right now than the previous year's draft.

BUT - it is nice to argue over which is worse among drafts that produced starters and reserves.

[Fritz]

Well, if Patler says that Jones is a receiver with warts, and if those warts are on his hands, that explains the drops.

[vince]

Finleyt and Sitton alone blow away the '07 draft. 2 all-pro guys. Plus Flynn and Nelson. No comparison IMO

[Smidgeon]

Can I withdraw my original post? Now that it's no longer accurate...