What the heck is this?

[Patler]

I would be willing to bet that most GMs dictate some of the playing time in preseason games. The GM needs to see what he needs to see to make his roster decisions.

On your last point, I'd be very very surprised if this were the case..

I would be very surprised if it wasn't, especially in a situation like this. An aging QB, maybe in his last year. A first round draft pick from a year ago maybe being able to take over, maybe not. Decisions have to be made, and TT needs to go into the offseason knowing if he should look to sign a free agent QB, try to pick up a veteran who becomes available, invest a high draft pick (or picks to trade up) in another QB.

A lot of the Packer future will be determined by having an able replacement for Favre in the next year or two. Deciding about Rodgers is a key decision for TT.

[Rastak]

Yea, I understand your points Patler and don't disagree with what you are saying....here is an example of how it should work...the phone rings

TT: Mike, I really would like to see Rodgers play with the first team so can you start him.

MM: No can do Ted, I already have my gameplan set, but I'll leave the 1st unit in a bit longer and give Rodgers two seriers with the first team.

TT: Great! Thanks Mike, what are you doing for dinner tonight? Hello? Hello?

NOT

TT: Mike, Rodgers is starting this week.

MM: But but.....hello? Ted, we seem to have been disconnected....hello?

[vince]

As I see it, Patler is exactly right on this.

Training camp and the preseason are for:

1.evaluating talent, establishing the roster,
2. honing timing, learning schemes and reads, and building skill sets of the players
3. establishing the foundations for regular season in-game strategy

#1 lies squarely on the shoulders of Ted Thompson
#2 and #3 lies squarely on the shoulders of MM and the coaching staff


Also, Mike McCarthy reports directly to Ted Thompson, so Ted is responsible for all that goes on on the field, but like all successful heirarchical business relationships, there is a high level of trust, mutual respect and communication.

In order for Ted to fulfill his responsibilities, he may want to see Rodgers start a game. While McCarthy would obviously want to start his best people and play them as long as possible to win as much as possible, this time of the year is not 100% for that purpose.

This is completely in line with the long term needs evaluation of the team, and completely in line with the standard GM/Head Coach relationship. To say that McCarthy is Head Coach "in name only" is to misunderstand the nature of this relationship and to misunderstand the importance of #'s 2 and 3 above, which Ted Thompson is not directly involved in, and never will be - unless McCarthy is about to be fired.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Actually, I was thinking this was a typo. It's happened before. I can't believe Thompson would decide who plays in the preseason, and Thompson didn't micro-manage when Sherman was here. I think the need for McCarthy to see what he has in his players trumps the need for Thompson to see what he has in his players. Maybe not. I wonder how they do things elsewhere. I wonder if Ron Wolf every did something like this to Sherman. Either way, I don't think it's a big deal--if McCarthy is okay with the arrangement. He probably agrees with doing it.

[Patler]

TT: Mike, I really would like to see Rodgers play with the first team so can you start him.

MM: No can do Ted, I already have my gameplan set, but I'll leave the 1st unit in a bit longer and give Rodgers two seriers with the first team.

Except that might not be enough. Maybe he wants to see how Rodgers handles the start of the game, with all the excitement, anticipation and nervousness that mellows out as the game progresses. Not just in him, but the team as a whole. He is to be the leader of the offense. How does he handle the first huddle, the first series,etc?

Favre is the starter. TT knows it. MM knows it. They have nothing to evaluate with respect to Favre in the preseason. Nothing Favre does in preseason, except for being injured, will prevent him from starting the first game. The only decisions the staff will make regarding Favre will result from how he performs in the regular season games.

[esoxx]

Re: What the heck is this?

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=482701

By the way, offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski wasn't sure whether Favre would start all four exhibition games or Aaron Rodgers might get a start.

"That will be up to Ted," Jagodzinski said.

WHAT? Ted names the starters?

The problem here is Jags has got a big mouth and often talks before he thinks. I like Jags and his straight forward candor is refreshing, but at times he needs to put a sock in it. I guarantee you he's going to go off half cocked in the media against a player and wished he hadn't. That kind of stuff can catch up to you and can cause players to tune you out. Wish he would get some media savvy, at least just a little.

[MJZiggy]

Uhhh guys? I think Jags misspoke. If any of you caught TT's last press conference, if I'm not mistaken he said he doesn't make those decisions. He even said that when he hangs out behind the sidelines, sometimes people get annoyed with him for beng there. He said he's there trying to determine how the guys fit in and to listen to what's going on. M3 has set the gameplan, roster, reps and the rest of it. I'm sure he meant to say M3.

[fan4life]

When Holmgren left after the 98 season, the word was that he wanted more control over personnel. According to Wolf's business model, the GM picks the talent and the Coach plays with what he's got; the pre-season is for player evaluation.

We've been fortunate in GB to have an ironman behind center, but he'll be leaving soon. TT will have to have at least two QB's in the stable, to take over as #1 and #2. There's no doubt AR is proving himself worthy as a #2. The question is, can he be "The Man?" TT's got this year to figure out whether he should acquire another potential #1 (expensive) or go after a good back-up. AR's got a lot to prove, and it's hard to do that in mop-up duty with the second squad.

[RashanGary]

I like the GM picking playing time in the preseason. The coach should have full say in the regular season and post season but in preseason it's all about roster uncertainty and Thompson's needs being met are more important than M3's needs being met right now. I agree 100% w/ Patler. I'd be concerned if TT was choosing opening day depth charts but Thompson is a damn roster general out there and if he wants to see Cory Rodgers return punts with the lights on then he's going to see Cory Rodgers return punts and I wouldn't want it any other way just as an example.

[Patler]

Re: What the heck is this?

The problem here is Jags has got a big mouth and often talks before he thinks. I like Jags and his straight forward candor is refreshing, but at times he needs to put a sock in it. I guarantee you he's going to go off half cocked in the media against a player and wished he hadn't. That kind of stuff can catch up to you and can cause players to tune you out. Wish he would get some media savvy, at least just a little.

I agree completely. We've already heard quite a few remarks from Jagodzinski, belittling what was done by Sherman etc. Maybe the days of the U-71 were past, but for a few years it was extremely productive. At times Jagodzinski gave an impression that his mind was made about about players before camp even started. Hopefully experience will help.

I don't want him completely muzzled, just a bit more careful about the ramifications of what he says. It is a big change for the fans. We've heard more from Jagodzinski in one off season than we heard from Rossley in five years!

Was it Sherman who prohibited the assistant coaches from giving separate interviews apart from scheduled news conferences? Or was that on a different team about a season or two ago?

[Terry]

At least one person said it could have been a typo and another a slip of the tongue. I was looking for that in the thread after the very first post.

[Creepy]

Earlier in the week I thought I read where MM was not quite sure how long Brett would play in the first pre-season game. I think you will see the #1 offense on the field for the whole 1st and possibly 2d quarter. These OL have got to learn to play together in the new scheme. One or two series with Brett won't do it. You may see shuffling of WRs between Favre & Rodgers, but again other than Driver everybody else is trying to start.

Tonight’s game is going to be more important to Wroebel & Martin, as they will have to show something for one of them to remain. It also may make the difference if TT may have to look for a different #3. Players who have been on the fence or have shown potential in TC, will now have the opportunity to show they can do it during a game. #d stringers of last year and poor playing #2s better watch their backs. The new guys will be trying to take there place. Considering GB finished 4-12 last year, nobody other hat the 1st team are exempt from being cut.

[gbgary]

That's why the media needs to keep on this. Make them confirm or deny it, so we can put it behind us.

confirm or deny all they want...it's out there now and from an insider no less.

[woodbuck27]

Who makes the personnel decisions? - Ted Thompson.
Who picks the final roster? - Ted Thompson
Who decides what positions to fortify with a trade or signing? - Ted Thompson
Who evaluates players for future replacement? - Ted Thompson
Who needs to decide if Rodgers is to be Favre's replacement? - Ted Thompson

This is preseason, the time to evaluate players both for this year and for the future. If Thompson wants to see Rodgers start a game and play an extended time with the #1 offense, to help decide if Rodgers can be the Packers' future starter, he SHOULD have him start a game in preseason. He needs to know if he should be looking for another possible starter, or if he has a guy he is comfortable with.

I agree Patler. It's the Pre-Season and now is that prudent time, for not only Ted Thompson but for all to see. Let's see what Aaron Rodgers ( really is now ) and if he needs more time to develop and how far he must come.

How close is Aaron Rodgers, to really stepping into the role that Mike McCarthy needs to lead OUR offense?

Test by fire ? NO ! This is Pre Season.

Could there be a price for this test? Many will say no, as Favre is and certainly will be ready. Thus we have a win-win situation for Ted Thompson, who as I sense it is running the show.

I don't feel that Mike McCarthy will be slighted in the least, as he is T3's man and in his apprenticeship as a HC.

As far as what other HC's in the NFL desire, as far as control of the personnel supplied by the Team's GM in game situations, I am ignorant. Yet that is moot, as Ted Thompson is GM of the Green Bay Packers. How the relationship goes between the HC and GM in the other 31 teams is of no concern to Ted Thompson.

GO PACKERS ! HOLD THE FAITH in 2006 !!

[woodbuck27]

Uhhh guys? I think Jags misspoke. If any of you caught TT's last press conference, if I'm not mistaken he said he doesn't make those decisions. He even said that when he hangs out behind the sidelines, sometimes people get annoyed with him for beng there. He said he's there trying to determine how the guys fit in and to listen to what's going on. M3 has set the gameplan, roster, reps and the rest of it. I'm sure he meant to say M3.

Ziggy. You don't have to cover Ted's ass now. The cat's out of the bag.

What some of us suspected ( well I'll speak for myself) is just this and let's face it and move on.

Ted Thompson is in charge in Green Bay.

Mike McCarthy will do what Ted tells him to. He's Ted's man. Is that a great shock to you MJ?

Jago let the cat out of the bag.

Was that wrong for him to do so? Yes. Very uncool.

Will he (Jago) get spanked for that? Yes! Will we hear about that ? No !

That's as I see and it's all too clear.