Pack hosting RFA NT from the Steelers

[woodbuck27]

Valid points; some teams bring their guys in and nail a deal down before letting them go to the next location; of course some would argue numbers have already been discussed. But there have been reported times where a player has another trip planned and the team he's with nails him down to a contract before he leaves down. Lately GB brings guys in and then they leave and shortly after sign with somebody else. Happened with Woodson and Pickett...but they came back. I'm not sure I recall bringing a guy in and closing the deal before he leaves. Not that it's always a bad thing....I am probably just stating the obvious

Maybe it's simply TT and a bad case of 'halitosis'?

I'm so puzzled.

[pbmax]

Be careful equating his public appearances as indicative of his private interactions. Its not likely the same impression. He had no trouble attracting and getting good performances from his personnel guys. Three of them are now running teams.

[woodbuck27]

Be careful equating his public appearances as indicative of his private interactions. Its not likely the same impression. He had no trouble attracting and getting good performances from his personnel guys. Three of them are now running teams.

Seriously though pb?

Why can't TT step in there and get it done in terms of an acquisition and few solid FA's? This really isn't any joking matter. I handle it that way as a Packer fan; as it's so fricken' frustrating and so choose that approach. There's no sense in going all Jack Nicholson.

Seriously what's with TT and sealing the deal with more worthy FA's?

Yes people that work close to him say decent things about TT. ie Schneider,McKenzie and Dorsey.

All the same... doesn't TT and the Green Bay Packers Organization at least upon inspection from the outside. Seem to need to look at a better approach to coaxing a decent player to signing as a Green Bay Packer?

The Green Bay Packers !

[Patler]

PB hit the nail on the head, and many Packer people have said TT is a very nice, friendly and even funny guy in person. They often describe him as a bit of an introvert, but completely honest and reliable. Maybe players don't like honesty? ("Heck, no, kid! I'm not offering a guaranteed roster spot!")

I seriously doubt a player cares much about getting the warm and fuzzies from the GM. The head coach? Maybe. His position coach? Perhaps. A player's interaction with the GM isn't much after being signed.

[Patler]

As for TT "closing the deal", GB has had that problem forever. There was a time under Wolf when it wasn't the case. but two factors entered into that. The Packers were one of the teams that got an early handle on salary cap issues, so they had money to offer and not as many competitors for the players. Now, most teams have the cap issue under control, so players have options of where they can be signed,

The second advantage that Wolf had is that the Packers made significant upgrades to their facilities that directly impacted the players on a daily basis, to the point that in the '90s it was often said by players that the Packers facilities for players were the best in the league. Wolf mentioned that often as a huge factor in the team turnaround. The creature comforts offered to players on a daily basis. The Packers have continued to improve, but now many in the league offer the same or even more.

[Fritz]

No one ever says a GM has to be a salesman but it's a very good thought... it can't just be about numbers, there has to be a warm-fuzzy feeling and a "I like these guys" kind of vibe. TT is just not that guy. I wonder how much having zero personality has affected his ability to get guys to come to GB. We always blame it on location and not offering enough money, but it could be just as much his inability/unwillingness to offer a reach-around every now and then.

So you think maybe the occasional ol' reach-around might help?

[woodbuck27]

PB hit the nail on the head, and many Packer people have said TT is a very nice, friendly and even funny guy in person. They often describe him as a bit of an introvert, but completely honest and reliable. Maybe players don't like honesty? ("Heck, no, kid! I'm not offering a guaranteed roster spot!")

I seriously doubt a player cares much about getting the warm and fuzzies from the GM. The head coach? Maybe. His position coach? Perhaps. A player's interaction with the GM isn't much after being signed.

This isn't exactly 'earth shaking' news. It's an old story and real. This isn't any attack on the integrity of ther Green Bay Packers honoured and esteemed GM.

This is simply a 'What in the HELL is going on around here' Vince Lombardi ... thing.

Of course there will be a serious division of TRUST between any regular fella worker and a GM (Management). That's just simple common sense...normal. A 'fact of life'.

That's not always there ( I've been hired by the equivalent of GM's in my past) and shouldn't be in the case of TT courting any possible new signing. Too often the same crap gets in our face. A man is coming to Green bay to possibly be a Packer and zippo... ziltch... didely squat...nothing... 'only' no action >>> develops ... that's real. It's just that over and over and over again.

If TT doesn't have the parts (the personality) to deliver a warm and fuzzy feeling to a man that has traveled all the way to Green Bay to possibly work/play for the Green Bay Packers?

Then ... simply get that fixed pronto. If ** that 'in reality' does exist .... fix it ... yesterday.

** PR skills.

PACKERS !

[woodbuck27]

So you think maybe the occasional ol' reach-around might help?

No...The poor fella likely already got that feel good treatment at the closest to Green Bay airport. More certainly got that before his departure from....... wherever.

All that 'fresh in his mind' and not thrillin'.

[Patler]

In case anyone missed it, this is how the Steelers gave him the warm and fuzzy feeling he apparently did not get in GB:

A three-year contract worth $7.25 million, with $1.675 million guaranteed.

[smuggler]

They had to guarantee seasons and dollars to a largely unproven commodity because they have no alternative at NT and couldn't compete for single-season salary. If he's a nobody, we come out ahead. However, if he develops into a good player, the Steelers win.

[rbaloha1]

Thank goodness no one is employed in intelligence.

This would have been a good signing since Raji is not worth the $ his agent shall be seeking.

[woodbuck27]

In case anyone missed it, this is how the Steelers gave him the warm and fuzzy feeling he apparently did not get in GB:

A three-year contract worth $7.25 million, with $1.675 million guaranteed.

Yes... I just read that in this LINK Patler. The Steelers reacted quickly and with authority to the fact that NT Steve McLendon was being courted by the Packers.

I'll bet that TT offered as a max. The Vet minumum at max for one season. If so that could hardly compare to the Steelers decent offer. That >>> 'earn as you may go' plan. That TT offers, isn't often going to cut the mustard.

That NT 'obviously' was worth more than a backwards insult of a minumum Vet offer.

Did you read the Steeler fan reaction to him possibly slipping away to the Green Bay Packers? They liked this NT and wern't impressed if Pittsburg lost Steve McLendon.

Secondly the offer he did sign is certainly creditable. This is...the Pittsburg Steelers afterall. Arguably the TOP Organization in the NFL. Your certainly not / hardly going to suggest that TT has it over their GM. Especially given that Pittsburg knew his skills.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-still-too-soft-to-be-favorites-td9klcm-203946331.html

GO Ted Thompson GO !

[Patler]

Yes... I just read that in this LINK Patler. The Steelers reacted quickly and with authority to the fact that NT Steve McLendon was being courted by the Packers.

I'll bet that TT offered as a max. The Vet minumum at max for one season. If so that could hardly compare to the Steelers decent offer. That >>> 'earn as you may go' plan. That TT offers, isn't often going to cut the mustard.

That NT 'obviously' was worth more than a backwards insult of a minumum Vet offer.

Did you read the Steeler fan reaction to him possibly slipping away to the Green Bay Packers? They liked this NT and wern't impressed if Pittsburg lost Steve McLendon.

Secondly the offer he did sign is certainly creditable. This is...the Pittsburg Steelers afterall. Arguably the TOP Organization in the NFL. Your certainly not / hardly going to suggest that TT has it over their GM. Especially given that Pittsburg knew his skills.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/packers-still-too-soft-to-be-favorites-td9klcm-203946331.html

GO Ted Thompson GO !

I'm not at all suggesting the Steelers made a mistake, that TT knows more than they do, or anything at all like that. What makes you think so or even ask? I made no comment at all, other than to note that it took a decent sized contract to give him the warm & fuzzy feeling that some questioned whether TT can provide. Sort of like God telling White to come to GB, which by mere coincidence had made the best contract offer.

Since some may not have read the story attached to the link, I just wanted it out front that this was a guy thought to be a decent player, and one who would have cost a fair amount to sign. Just wanted the facts on the table. If he had signed the Steelers tender offer, or a one year contract, or a cheap contract, questioning TT's "ability to close" has more credibility. Signing a decent contract to return to a team that likes him, where he is expected to be a starter, shows it might have been a hard sell for the Packers right from the start.

Now a couple questions for you:
How do you have the slightest idea about what the Packers might have offered, or if they even offered anything at all????
Why do you even allude to a "backwards insult".

[rbaloha1]

Too many thin skinned rats -- no wonder you guys are always cold.

[Patler]

Thank goodness no one is employed in intelligence.

This would have been a good signing since Raji is not worth the $ his agent shall be seeking.

I think Raji will be a tough signing. Just get the feeling he might be one of those players that will be lost in FA. Might be a better player in a role that gives him more freedom than in a 3-4.