Ted Thompson's Tendencies

[Joemailman]

So you're trying to figure out who Ted is going to go after in this year's draft. You've analyzed the Packers needs (because you can't help yourself), and you've created your own Big Board or am using someone else's. All well and good. However, this will be Ted's 8th draft with the Packers and there are some established tendencies you may want to consider:

1. Ted never drafts cornerbacks shorter than 6 feet tall.

2. Ted never drafts character risks in the early rounds.

3. Ted has never drafted a running back or wide receiver in the 1st round.

4. However, in 4 of the 7 years, Ted has drafted a wide receiver in the 2nd round.

5. Ted has never drafted a college interior offensive lineman earlier than the 3rd round.

6. Six years in a row Ted has drafted at least 1 college offensive tackle.

7. Ted has never trade his 1st round pick plus another pick to move up in the 1st round. In 2007, he traded out of the 1st round and picked up Jordy Nelson in the 2nd. The other 6 years he has stood pat in the 1st round.

8. Ted has never drafted defensive players with his first 3 picks in the draft.

Discuss and feel free to add your own.

[sharpe1027]

5. Ted has never drafted a college interior offensive lineman earlier than the 3rd round.

6. Six years in a row Ted has drafted at least 1 college offensive tackle.

Most of the linemen he drafts played tackle in college, and some then get moved to guard. He must prefer the traits found more often in college tackles, regardless of whether they are going to play at tackle or guard in the NFL.

[Brandon494]

8. Ted has never drafted defensive players with his first 3 picks in the draft.

Wasn't Nick Collins a 2nd round pick?

[Joemailman]

Wasn't Nick Collins a 2nd round pick?

I meant all 3 picks.

[pbmax]

Wasn't Nick Collins a 2nd round pick?

He means 3 defensive picks in a row ala the Randy Moss panic draft. Which, it should be noted years later, was not among Wolf's better decisions.

[sharpe1027]

7. Ted has never trade his 1st round pick plus another pick to move up in the 1st round. In 2007, he traded out of the 1st round and picked up Jordy Nelson in the 2nd. The other 6 years he has stood pat in the 1st round.

You could add an "*" for that one: he traded into the first round using a second and two thirds to get Clay.

[Brandon494]

ah gotcha

[Fritz]

He means 3 defensive picks in a row ala the Randy Moss panic draft. Which, it should be noted years later, was not among Wolf's better decisions.

Wait, wasn't that the Antuan/Antwan Edwards, Fred Vinson (?), Mike Mckenzie one-two-three punch? If so, it should be noted that while Edwards was a bitter failure, Mckenzie proved to be very solid, and Wolf turned straw into gold when he traded Vinson (or whatever his name was) to Seattle for Ahman Green.

So...Mike Mckenzie and Ahman Green in the first three rounds? Not too shabby. Though I grant that Edwards sucked large, oblong-shaped objects.

[red]

almost all of the guys he picks are "high motor" or "high character" or "team leader" types

[Smidgeon]

We could probably have a list of items that used to be on the list that have since been proven wrong, then posting odds on which cut and clear rule from this year he'll go against.

[Joemailman]

We could probably have a list of items that used to be on the list that have since been proven wrong, then posting odds on which cut and clear rule from this year he'll go against.

True. Until 2010 Ted had never drafted an offensive lineman in the 1st round, and then did it 2 years in a row. Some, like not drafting character risks early, are things I believe he will never stray from. The most likely one he'll go against this year is 5. Ted has never drafted a college interior offensive lineman earlier than the 3rd round. In fact, in my mock I have Ted taking Ben Jones, C, Georgia in the 2nd round.

[KYPack]

Daryn Colledge was a 2 in 2006 for our TT, unless you don't count Tackles as an int OL.

[Scott Campbell]

Daryn Colledge was a 2 in 2006 for our TT, unless you don't count Tackles as an int OL.

Did anyone even miss that guy a little after he left?

[Joemailman]

Daryn Colledge was a 2 in 2006 for our TT, unless you don't count Tackles as an int OL.

Correct. I meant Centers and Guards. Spitz in the 3rd round is the earliest TT has taken a guy who played primarily Center and/or Guard in college.

[packrulz]

9. Ted keeps his mouth shut, never tips his hand, and is unpredictable as hell.