What free agent "risk" did Ron Wolf ever take?

[Patler]

It most certainly look Rivera and Wahle several seasons to come into their own. It wasn't like they stepped in and were immediately pro-bowlers. Just wanted to note that.

Exactly. Rivera was considered the "weak link" on the line for several years. Wahle became the "weak link" when he took over at guard even in 2001. It was a couple years until he was considered the equal of the other four.

Actually, Whittaker is far ahead of either Wahle or Rivera in playing experience after one year. Neither Wahle nor Rivera played as rookies, and each was highly suspect when they first began to play in later years. Rivera didn't become a starter until his 3rd year. Wahle played more his second year, but was out of the picture again his third year.

[Guiness]

Well put Shamrockfan and Partial. I thought that a couple of times this year - Whittaker got a lot more field time as a rookie than either of the departed guards people moon over. Of course, that could also be comment on what was backing them up. GB didn't have a Verba or McKenzie to insert this year.

BTW shamrock - you post a little like BatPack. Good knowledge, but a rough side to your tongue when peeved. Dunno if that's who Tarlam was refering to.

[Patler]

BTW shamrock - you post a little like BatPack. Good knowledge, but a rough side to your tongue when peeved. Dunno if that's who Tarlam was refering to.

Rough side? Really? It's certainly not intended. I quess maybe I just have strong opinions. I will try to show my "softer, gentler" side!

[Guiness]

I think Rison was a risk for a different reason that mentioned in other posts.

Rison HAD to fit in. Wolf could've went for a safer pick that would've definitely worked, but instead grabbed the most talented guy available, even if he did have some warts. He needed to do something, and went for the brass ring.

You rarely see mid-season trades in the NFL. Teams are much more likely to grab a street FA, or promote from the practice squad. That alone makes it a balsy move.

*awaiting the list of 20 mid-season trades that worked, that I'm sure someone will post*

[HarveyWallbangers]

I acknowledged in my first post to start this topic that Dotson was his biggest risk. As I wrote, "ABout the biggest risk that I recall was signing Santana Dotson to a fairly lucrative contract. Dotson had been inconsistent at Tampa Bay, and was not even a full-time starter for them. But he was young, and had shown real potential (sound a little like Pickett?)"

I'd say it isn't quite the same. Dotson was good in his rookie year, but got worse as his career went on. He looked like a big risk because he looked like he was on the downside. Pickett was disappointing his first year or two, okay the next year, and finally had a breakout year last year. He appears to be on the upside. I don't see a ton of risk there.

I won't blame Thompson so much for last year because he didn't have money--although who he signed stunk (Klemm, O'Dwyer, Thompson, Freeman, and Little). However, Ron Wolf never had this much money to play with and he still managed to bring in Sean Jones, Reggie White, Dotson, Seth Joyner, Hardy Nickerson, Andre Rison. Add to this Keith Jackson, Brett Favre, and Ahman Green via risk taking trades. I understand that some of his signings were not the high budget kinds (Reggie Cobb, Mark Ingram, Mark Clayton). Maybe the crux of this whole thing is that Ron Wolf now has a proven track record of success and nobody can feel all that confident that who Thompson brings in will be that great. Like I said, Ron Wolf never had this much money to play with. I would imagine Wolf would have targetted more players, big names or not, and would have brought them in by now. I don't think he was the penny pincher that Thompson is. Wolf's teams were always at or near the cap limit--while Thompson is always looking for a deal--at the expense of losing some good players--even with $30M+ to spend.

[jack's smirking revenge]

I think what was also working in Wolf's favor was the "perception" of the Packers. Right now, we are a team with so many question marks and so much negativity surrounding it that we're not a "preferred" destination. We're a team bottoming out right now. That's not very attractive to free agents. At the beginning of Wolf's era, there was so much positive buzz and the perception of a team on the rise that free agents were attracted to GB for many reasons.

Right now, it's really hard to find a reason for a FA to come to GB other than for the money.

tyler

[swede]

Gureski,

What a thoughtful post. Your recall of the facts regarding Heinrich and Wolf are spot on. To me, the Wolf era was a perfect storm that involved Favre, White, Holmgren, and that awesome draft--was it '93?--that brought us so many starters. But Wolf was by no means perfect. As you point out, along the way we lost players to free agency and we missed on players in free agency. That's just gonna happen.


Shamrock, you also add a lot to the quality of the debate in this forum. I like the civility you usually bring to football argumentation. You'll notice that Gureski, Patler, Harv, and Bretsky (usually) tend to be civil as well.

KY, I like your posts, too, but please take it easy on Tank. He's like the little brother that you know is an idiot but you'll defend him against anyone. Forum life is better with a variety of personalities.

Overall, I understand how people could be getting impatient with TT, but I'm surprised at how vehemently people criticize him, believing his reticence translates somehow to incompetence.

[esoxx]

"BTW shamrock - you post a little like BatPack. Good knowledge, but a rough side to your tongue when peeved. Dunno if that's who Tarlam was refering to."

Ouch! Not a flattering comparison. Any Packer fan (or football fan) who doesn't know how the Packers acquired Brett Favre doesn't have very good knowledge.

[Patler]

"BTW shamrock - you post a little like BatPack. Good knowledge, but a rough side to your tongue when peeved. Dunno if that's who Tarlam was refering to."

Ouch! Not a flattering comparison. Any Packer fan (or football fan) who doesn't know how the Packers acquired Brett Favre doesn't have very good knowledge.

Well, I'm definately NOT BatPack!

BTW, Favre fell off a turnip truck on its way through Green Bay, didn't he? (Is that even a phrase anyone uses anymore?)

[Patler]

Shamrock, you also add a lot to the quality of the debate in this forum. I like the civility you usually bring to football argumentation. You'll notice that Gureski, Patler, Harv, and Bretsky (usually) tend to be civil as well.

Thanks Swede. I normally try to be civil, albeit persuasive.
I thought Patler was a "no show" on this board?

[HarveyWallbangers]

shamrock,

If I had a salary cap question, would you be able to answer it?

[jack's smirking revenge]

Shamrock, do you have a favorite cartoon character?

tyler

[Little Whiskey]

the differance between the two GM's is time. We can look back on Wolf and say he did this right and that right, he had his bases covered when he refused to make this or that move. but with Thompson, he dosen't have a history in GB. So we can't make the same comparisons. ya we can look back to seatle but then the argument is made was it the holmgren or him. who is to say whether or not he made offers to players that came thru greenbay this year or not. maybe he was outbid. he is not as open as wolf IS. especially now when he has no ties to the franchise.

my thought is that we have to give this guy a chance, whether he succeds or fails give him a chance. he has only had one year. how can you be judged on that alone! give the guy some time.

[Patler]

shamrock,

If I had a salary cap question, would you be able to answer it?

What sport?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Football, baby.