Better GM...Thompson or Wolf

[vince]

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[Patler]

You have to give Thompson credit for signing Woodson too, but you also have to say based on what Charles has said about his free agent experience that if every other GM in the league wouldn’t have shit the can on Woodson and shown even some interest, he likely wouldn’t be a Packer. It doesn’t quite measure up to White, and there isn’t another free agent move or trade that rivals the Favre trade. But Thompson has more than made up for those shortcomings with his drafting and UDFA signings.

Or, instead of blaming the other GMs, you could give credit to Thompson for seeing in Woodson what no other GM did, including the one he was playing for. But, even if they had, no guarantee Woodson wouldn't have ended up in GB anyway. White had no intention of coming to GB either, and wasn't even going to visit, but did so out of courtesy. God and the largest contract offer might have gotten Woodson, just as it did White.

I really don't see much difference between Wolf trading a 1st round draft pick for Favre and TT using his for Rodgers. Wolf only used one pick for a QB he believed in, just as TT did.

[vince]

Agreed. Thompson has matched a few free agent offers in signing his own guys, but pretty much the only time he's signed a guy with the "highest" bid is when there haven't been any other bids. In that regard, his management of the cap has been far more shrewd than Wolf's, although he has the benefit of time and experience.

[Joemailman]

Thompson deserves credit for recognizing that Woodson could still play CB at a high level. Woodson was coming off a stretch of 4 years in which he had missed 24 starts. There were reports that teams thought Woodson needed to be moved to safety to finish out his career. With Al Harris on one side, Thompson recognized what an impact Woodson could make by solidifying the other side.

[vince]

I really don't see much difference between Wolf trading a 1st round draft pick for Favre and TT using his for Rodgers. Wolf only used one pick for a QB he believed in, just as TT did.

Rodgers is perhaps equal to Favre at this point in their careers which is saying a lot. Rodgers has probably played the most efficient quarterback ever thus far while Favre had won 3 MVP's by this point in their respective careers - a feat that had never been accomplished before.

Rodgers will have to continue to play at the highest level for quite a few more years to become a cinch first-ballot Hall of Famer as Favre did as a Packer.

[Patler]

Rodgers is perhaps equal to Favre at this point in their careers which is saying a lot. Rodgers has probably played the most efficient quarterback ever thus far while Favre had won 3 MVP's by this point in their respective careers - a feat that had never been accomplished before.

Rodgers will have to continue to play at the highest level for quite a few more years to become a cinch first-ballot Hall of Famer as Favre did as a Packer.

I was referring to the investment each made in a franchise QB. Each invested their 1st round pick in the guy they thought could do it. The GM's job is done at that point. It is then up to the player and coaches. In that way, Wolf and TT did the same things. They identified the player to build around, and used a 1st round pick to get him.

[RashanGary]

Wolf admits that he didn't do enough and his biggest mistake after the Super Bowl run was not building up the talent, especially around the prime years of Brett Favre. Something that Thompson was smart enough to learn from. Thompson and McCarthy are building a juggernut of an offense around Rodgers, using high picks on offensive linemen, wide outs, running backs, and tight ends.

His defense is better than his offense too. Matthews, Raji, Woodson, Williams, Collins. . . There aren't many teams in the league with that type of talent on defense.

Thompson has a great young team all the way around. Not just offense. He has talent everywhere, and it's mostly young. He has cap space to keep it together and he has arguably one of the deepest rosters in the history of the league. The number of injuries we had and still won the SB was special, maybe unprecedented.

Rodgers is that steady, champion type QB. Aikman, Montana, Brady, Starr. . . . All steady guys. Rodgers has the temperament of a champion, the work ethic and the tools.

McCarthy and Capers are a great tandem of coaches. . . .

The whole package is elite right now and it seems like it will be that way for some time. That's why I think people are higher on Thompson than Wolf at times. It looks like we can win a couple championships here. Well, if coaching, talent, QB, young playmakers and cap space mean anything to winning, that is.

[RashanGary]

And here is one last reason to kiss Thompson's ring. . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK0VmrZIGSI This guy is a superstar. Big, vision, breaks tackles, acceleration, durability, great hands, worked his way from the bottom up to get here. RB's have short shelf lives, but right now, we're in our window. It's the perfect time to add a star back. His prime (age 22 to 28) coincides with our window (next 5 years)

[Joemailman]

The Packers appear poised to have a great shot at a couple more titles, given the youth of their core players. It's a very tough thing to win the Super Bowl though. The Packers of 1996 also had a young group of talented players, yet never won another one:

Brett Favre 27
Edgar Bennett 27
William Henderson 25
Robert Brooks 26
Antonio Freeman 24
Mark Chmura 27
Aaron Taylor 25
Adam Timmerman 25
Gilbert Brown 25
Craig Newsome 25
Doug Evans 26
Santana Dotson 27
Gabe Wilkins 25
Wayne Simmons 27

Perhaps the think that gives this team a better shot at multiple titles is the likelihood that they won't lose their HC 2 years after winning the Super Bowl.

[Gunakor]

That's an impressive list, but still doesn't compare to the list of young talents TT has assembled on this roster. Josh Sitton, for example, is far more talented IMO than Adam Timmerman was at that age. Jennings and Nelson would beat the pants right off of Brooks and Freeman. Craig Newsome couldn't shake a stick at Tramon Williams. Wayne Simmons isn't nearly in Clay Matthews' league.

I think the reason these Packers have a better shot at multiple titles than those Packers had is the fact that the young core of our roster is miles ahead of where our young core was back then. Miles and miles. Not in the same ballpark, hell, not even in the same time zone. Wolf's strength was, as has been mentioned, picking up proven veterans either via trade or free agency. Building a roster comprised mostly of proven players vs. drafting and developing homegrown superstars. Thompson doesn't ever stop drafting and developing superstars. Ever. Win the Super Bowl, then get a new LT, new WR, new RB... each of whom will be starting on a championship football team within the next 3 years, each of whom have Pro Bowl potential. There's a real benefit to doing it Thompson's way. More difficult, bigger gamble... but when it works, dynasties are born and sustained.

I don't hope for multiple titles from this group. I expect it. I'd be highly disappointed if it didn't happen. This roster has dynasty written all over it. Anything less from this group is a major disappointment IMO. After all, the first of many was won with a number of players from our Junior Varsity squad. The window is wide open - that is to say, they broke the damn window. There's no window there to be closed on us anymore. Just a mammoth hole to funnel Lombardi Trophies through for years to come.

16 players on IR wasn't enough to stop this train. Imagine how good we'll be when we don't have 16 players on IR.

[Iron Mike]

Sean Jones was replaced with nobody

Sean Jones was replaced by Gabe Wilkins. Remember? The guy with a bigger mangina than Jay Cutler??

[Smeefers]

I have such a difficult time with this post. For me, it's not an either or for these two guys. Both of them are awesome. And hell, everyone's been talking about who replaced who and continuation, but you guys forget... Wolf left us TT. Sure, it was a round about way of getting here, but he did and TT always points to Wolf, giving him credit for what we're doing even now. More than once I've heard him say "we're all disciples of Ron Wolf, we're just doing what he taught us to do." It's the same thing when you start mentioning the best QB's of all time. No one can come down to a #1. The reason is, when you get to that level, one is just as good as the other. If you had to choose between Marino, montana, Starr or Manning, who would you pick to win your game? Who cares, it's a personal choice. Same thing between TT and RW.

[Deputy Nutz]

That's an impressive list, but still doesn't compare to the list of young talents TT has assembled on this roster. Josh Sitton, for example, is far more talented IMO than Adam Timmerman was at that age. Jennings and Nelson would beat the pants right off of Brooks and Freeman. Craig Newsome couldn't shake a stick at Tramon Williams. Wayne Simmons isn't nearly in Clay Matthews' league.

I think the reason these Packers have a better shot at multiple titles than those Packers had is the fact that the young core of our roster is miles ahead of where our young core was back then. Miles and miles. Not in the same ballpark, hell, not even in the same time zone. Wolf's strength was, as has been mentioned, picking up proven veterans either via trade or free agency. Building a roster comprised mostly of proven players vs. drafting and developing homegrown superstars. Thompson doesn't ever stop drafting and developing superstars. Ever. Win the Super Bowl, then get a new LT, new WR, new RB... each of whom will be starting on a championship football team within the next 3 years, each of whom have Pro Bowl potential. There's a real benefit to doing it Thompson's way. More difficult, bigger gamble... but when it works, dynasties are born and sustained.

I don't hope for multiple titles from this group. I expect it. I'd be highly disappointed if it didn't happen. This roster has dynasty written all over it. Anything less from this group is a major disappointment IMO. After all, the first of many was won with a number of players from our Junior Varsity squad. The window is wide open - that is to say, they broke the damn window. There's no window there to be closed on us anymore. Just a mammoth hole to funnel Lombardi Trophies through for years to come.

16 players on IR wasn't enough to stop this train. Imagine how good we'll be when we don't have 16 players on IR.

The 1996 and 1997 Freeman was a top 5 receiver in the league, and Brooks caught 92 balls in 1995 before being injured, and then coming back in 1997 to have a 1000 yard receiving season. Jennings is a terrific WR, reminds me a lot of Robert Brooks probably better than Brooks if he can stay away from a season ending knee injury(explosion). Nelson is not a Freeman or a Brooks in their prime.

Timmerman and Taylor were very good offensive guards. Timmerman was a very solid football player considering he was a 6th round pick, and turned into a big time free agent signing of the Rams.

Expecting another Super Bowl Championship is a bit foolish considering the talent in the NFL. Jets, Pats, Colts might have something to say about expecting another title. I like McCarthy's take on it "entitlement is our enemy."

Expecting or feeling entitled to another Championship in the near future is foolish.

[bobblehead]

Rison was picked up off waivers, Don Beebe was a free agent pick but so was Mike Prior, and Keith Jackson was trade to the Packers by the Miami Dolphins for a 2nd round draft pick. Don Beebe started several games, but he was never supposed to be more than a 4th wide out for the Packers.

Your memory is better than mine grasshopper. I forgot we dished a 2nd for Jackson. I still consider Rison on this list though, waiver/FA....about the same. Beebe wasn't supposed to be much, but he was huge in a few playoff games. Think if TT had pulled the trigger and traded a 2nd for Tony Gonzalez....the parallels would be freaky.

[bobblehead]

I think the biggest contrast between Wolf and Thompson is Wolf sold out to, "win now" with several veteran players via trade, free agency, waivers and otherwise. The cap was already becoming a problem in 1997 when Wolf was being forced to make (this guy or that guy) choices. Thompson has taken more of a build from within approach.

That's the big reason I think Thompson will have more success when it's all said and done. Everything he's done, the key players are all younger. The cap (assuming it comes back and i looks like it is) is in excellent shape. We have several young players looking to make the next step as well as stars who will be here for a long time and very few aging players. And the aging players we do have, we have good young replacements in line.

These Packers, unlike the 96 Packers have more long term pieces in place and a better cap situation. My gut tells me these Packers are going to win a championship or two, more.

I agree with you largely, but TT may have to make a few "this or that guy" choices soon enough. He has simply drafted too well.