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Originally posted by Patler
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The credibility of this analysis is suspect when he uses Hornung, Taylor and Green as evidence of the Packers not treating aging running backs well.
Hornung was lost in the expansion draft. Hornung was physically a wreak by then, and in fact never played another game because of the condition of his back. Teams could protect only a small number of players. It was known the Packers couldn't protect Hornung, but it was doubted the Saints would take him because of the likelihood he might not ever play again. Tom Fears, a former Packer Assistant, was the Saints head coach and took Hornung to draw fans. It ended up being a wasted pick for the Saints. The Packers also lost two other very good players in that expansion. The Saints first took Bill Curry from the Packers, then traded him to the Colts for Gary Cuozo to be their starting QB. Curry went on to a multiple Pro Bowl career with the Colts. The Packers also lost Phil Vandersea, who Lombardi liked so much that he traded a draft pick to reacquire him a year later.
Taylor was lost when his contract expired. There were stories of a fractured relationship by then between Taylor and Lombardi, but Taylor was also able to return home by signing a lucrative contract with the Saints. Taylor is from Baton Rouge and played at LSU. Some say it was what Taylor wanted and Lombardi let happen for him. Taylor only played one more year, and not all that well.
Green? The Packers tried to keep him, but the Texans gave him an outrageous contract. $23 million 4 year contract with $7 million guaranteed for a beat up running back who played very little after that. As it was, if I recall correctly, the Packers offered a two year contract that with incentives could have made him as much per year, but with a smaller guarantee.
I don't think any of those three situations over the last 44 years indicates that the Packers jettison useful running backs just for the heck of it.
Hornung was lost in the expansion draft. Hornung was physically a wreak by then, and in fact never played another game because of the condition of his back. Teams could protect only a small number of players. It was known the Packers couldn't protect Hornung, but it was doubted the Saints would take him because of the likelihood he might not ever play again. Tom Fears, a former Packer Assistant, was the Saints head coach and took Hornung to draw fans. It ended up being a wasted pick for the Saints. The Packers also lost two other very good players in that expansion. The Saints first took Bill Curry from the Packers, then traded him to the Colts for Gary Cuozo to be their starting QB. Curry went on to a multiple Pro Bowl career with the Colts. The Packers also lost Phil Vandersea, who Lombardi liked so much that he traded a draft pick to reacquire him a year later.
Taylor was lost when his contract expired. There were stories of a fractured relationship by then between Taylor and Lombardi, but Taylor was also able to return home by signing a lucrative contract with the Saints. Taylor is from Baton Rouge and played at LSU. Some say it was what Taylor wanted and Lombardi let happen for him. Taylor only played one more year, and not all that well.
Green? The Packers tried to keep him, but the Texans gave him an outrageous contract. $23 million 4 year contract with $7 million guaranteed for a beat up running back who played very little after that. As it was, if I recall correctly, the Packers offered a two year contract that with incentives could have made him as much per year, but with a smaller guarantee.
I don't think any of those three situations over the last 44 years indicates that the Packers jettison useful running backs just for the heck of it.
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