How Good is TT at Draft Decisions?

[Patler]

Very good, especially compared to his NFC North rivals. The following article is filled with data, is not very long, and is a good read:

http://www.packersnews.com/article/2...egins-quantity

Some tidbits:

Since Thompson came on board, the Packers have made 76 selections. That averages out to two more draft picks each year (9.5) than the next-closest division rival, Chicago (7.5).

Among those 76 picks, the Packers have hit on seven players who have combined for an NFC North-leading 15 Pro Bowl selections.

...

Today, Thompson’s selections have combined to play in a total of 2,886 NFL games, including 2,357 for the Packers. The next closest in the division is the Bears’ 60 selections combining for 1,990 NFL games.

However, nearly a quarter of Chicago’s picks since 2005 haven’t played a down in the NFL. Prorated to the amount of picks they’ve had, each Packers draftee has averaged 38 games in the NFL and 31 in Green Bay, trumping the rest of the division in both categories.

...

Locked into the cellar of the division for the better part of the 21st century, the Lions’ 59 selections have played in 1,782 games with only 1,434 of those coming in Detroit (24.3 games per draftee).

Outside of the Packers, the Vikings have had the most success with seven players combining for 12 Pro Bowl selections against 11 draft picks who never played in Minnesota. Their biggest blunder remains drafting Troy Williamson in the first round in 2005, but otherwise they have fared well enough.

[smuggler]

I feel Thompson is better than most in the draft, but he's not perfect. Pat Lee and Justin Harrell. To be fair, I think Harrell would have been an AJ Hawk type pick if not for his injury meltdown. (Meaning, solid, but not really ideal.)

[Joemailman]

TT has been outstanding both in terms of drafting impact players, and drafting players who give you a deep roster. His ability to do the latter made possible a Super Bowl run in a year when the number of injuries would have sunk most teams.

Now if he could just do something about those 5th round picks:

Junius Coston (2005)
Mike Hawkins (2005)
Ingle Martin (2006)
Tony Moll (2006)
David Clowney (2007)
Breno Giacomini (2008)
Quinn Johnson (2009)
Jamon Meredith (2009)
Andrew Quarless (2010)
Marshall Newhouse (2010)
D.J. Williams (2011)
Terrell Manning (2012)

[Patler]

I feel Thompson is better than most in the draft, but he's not perfect. Pat Lee and Justin Harrell. To be fair, I think Harrell would have been an AJ Hawk type pick if not for his injury meltdown. (Meaning, solid, but not really ideal.)

I've never understood the "...but he isn't perfect" type comments.
Do you expect him to be perfect?
Is any GM perfect when it comes to the draft?

Is anyone actually perfect at what they do?

[woodbuck27]

Very good, especially compared to his NFC North rivals. The following article is filled with data, is not very long, and is a good read:

http://www.packersnews.com/article/2...egins-quantity

Some tidbits:

Awesome Dawson but now TT has to use all that experience and only do one thing :

IMPROVE.

This comparing him to the Vikings, Bears and 'are you kidding me'...Lions ! Is for corner store teen NFL fan talk. It's not for mature Packer fans.

The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are thumping the crap out of us in this off season. TT has to somehow manage even two soild starters from this draft in Rounds 1-3/4.

His track record in later rounds? How's that working for you? Are you really comfortable with his performance there?

Ted Thompson must ACE the top half of this draft. Find two real difference makers. Two starters or solid rotational guys. That's why going with an Eric Reid looks attractive as an option at #26. That's why maybe this draft looking BPA and Grade. Isn't, the way to go.

GO TED GO !

[rbaloha1]

Very good.

Selecting is going to be tougher moving forward with TT's disciples scattered throughout the league.

On the hand, maybe TT has more trading partners.

[Patler]

TT has been outstanding both in terms of drafting impact players, and drafting players who give you a deep roster. His ability to do the latter made possible a Super Bowl run in a year when the number of injuries would have sunk most teams.

Now if he could just do something about those 5th round picks:

Junius Coston (2005)
Mike Hawkins (2005)
Ingle Martin (2006)
Tony Moll (2006)
David Clowney (2007)
Breno Giacomini (2008)
Quinn Johnson (2009)
Jamon Meredith (2009)
Andrew Quarless (2010)
Marshall Newhouse (2010)
D.J. Williams (2011)
Terrell Manning (2012)

Considering its the 5th round, those picks look pretty good to me. I don't have high expectations for 5th round picks, yet in that group you have players that have started a lot of games for the Packers, and players who lasted for decent careers or are still playing.

[woodbuck27]

Very good.

Selecting is going to be tougher moving forward with TT's disciples scattered throughout the league.

On the hand, maybe TT has more trading partners.

Good points.

PACKERS !

[rbaloha1]

Good points.

PACKERS !

Nah -- Rather have Angry White Men acting like Leno making snarky comments.

[Patler]

Awesome Dawson but now TT has to use all that experience and only do one thing :

IMPROVE.

This comparing him to the Vikings, Bears and 'are you kidding me'...Lions ! Is for corner store teen NFL fan talk. It's not for mature Packer fans.

The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are thumping the crap out of us in this off season. TT has to somehow manage even two soild starters from this draft in Rounds 1-3/4.

His track record in later rounds? How's that working for you? Are you really comfortable with his performance there?

Ted Thompson must ACE the top half of this draft. Find two real difference makers. Two starters or solid rotational guys. That's why going with an Eric Reid looks attractive as an option at #26. That's why maybe this draft looking BPA and Grade. Isn't, the way to go.

GO TED GO !

Ya, I don't worry too much about teams that are "thumping the crap out of us in this off season." The off season isn't done, no one has won a game yet in 2013. Every year it seems a different team or two wins the off season hype, and more often than not they fail miserably the next season. That said, I expect the 49ers to be tough, I'm not yet convinced about what is going on in Seattle for the long haul.

Which rounds do you consider to be the later rounds? 6th & 7th? 5th too? What do you expect from the later rounds? I have some theories about TT's approach in the 6th & 7th rounds in view of what he does with URFA signings, but I haven't thought it through completely.

[rbaloha1]

Ya, I don't worry too much about teams that are "thumping the crap out of us in this off season." The off season isn't done, no one has won a game yet in 2013. Every year it seems a different team or two wins the off season hype, and more often than not they fail miserably the next season. That said, I expect the 49ers to be tough, I'm not yet convinced about what is going on in Seattle for the long haul.

Which rounds do you consider to be the later rounds? 6th & 7th? 5th too? What do you expect from the later rounds? I have some theories about TT's approach in the 6th & 7th rounds in view of what he does with URFA signings, but I haven't thought it through completely.

TT is excellent in the late rounds finding gems.

TT has proven to be flexible -- moves up or down depending on the board.

The Packers have a good roster -- imo if certain players are available maybe some of the lower round picks are packaged to move up to take certain player(s).

Seattle has a young roster and dominated the 49ers late in the season.

[Patler]

Very good.

Selecting is going to be tougher moving forward with TT's disciples scattered throughout the league.

On the hand, maybe TT has more trading partners.

It will be interesting to look back on this in 5 years or so. Compare the successes of the disciples and the mentor.
I kind of hoped McKenzie might follow TT as GM, but it seemed like a long shot because TT could be around a while yet. Dorsey didn't seem to have GM aspirations, seemed content doing what he was doing and staying in GB. It appears that only one other team was of interest to him, and unfortunately for the Packers they had an opening.

[Joemailman]

Considering its the 5th round, those picks look pretty good to me. I don't have high expectations for 5th round picks, yet in that group you have players that have started a lot of games for the Packers, and players who lasted for decent careers or are still playing.

I see one player (Newhouse) who has started a lot of games, and some would argue that was be default as much as anything. Tony Moll started some games (badly) when others were hurt. Quinn Johnson was a bad fit. Coston, Hawkins, Martin, Clowney and Giacomini never started a game for the Packers. I will concede the possibility that starting in 2010, the picks have gotten better.

[red]

time to stir some shit

some of those draft picks have gained playing time when maybe they wouldn't have on other teams because of the lack of options TT leaves us by not using free agency

some of those late rounders HAVE TO play, just because there is no other option on the team

guys like will whitiker not only play, but get thrust into starting roles

add to that the fact that we draft special teamers, guys that have no business being on the field for the offense or defense but gets drafted and makes the team because they're a good gunner.........

jarrett bush

and like what was already said. how good will TT and M3 be with all the grunt work guys moved on to other teams?

[Patler]

I'm not dismissing what Seattle did last year. I'm just not convinced they will continue to play at that level. Every year it seems like a team or two gets hot, plays very well and looks to be an up and coming team to be dealt with in the future. The next year, many regress drastically. For some reason, I get that feeling from Seattle. No one factor, just a lot of things that make me skeptical.