Heard This Before: Packers Tried To Trade Rodgers Pick in 2005?

[pbmax]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000210844/article/whos-ireallyi-in-charge-general-managers-reign-in-nfc-north

The drafting of Aaron Rodgers, for instance, only occurred after Thompson's attempts to trade down failed, leaving the club to take the highest-rated player on its board at a position that wasn't of immediate need.

[King Friday]

It is not all that surprising. Favre clearly had at least 3 more years in him, so it was a little early to draft his "successor". Rodgers was too good to pass up though, and Thompson didn't give up value just to trade down. He probably figured someone would be willing to move up to get Rodgers and he could get value from the pick in a trade. It didn't happen, and the key is that Thompson didn't stray from his draft board even if it wasn't a position of need. Too many other GMs make the mistake of reaching if the guy/position they wanted is taken a few picks before theirs.

[pbmax]

It is not all that surprising. Favre clearly had at least 3 more years in him, so it was a little early to draft his "successor". Rodgers was too good to pass up though, and Thompson didn't give up value just to trade down. He probably figured someone would be willing to move up to get Rodgers and he could get value from the pick in a trade. It didn't happen, and the key is that Thompson didn't stray from his draft board even if it wasn't a position of need. Too many other GMs make the mistake of reaching if the guy/position they wanted is taken a few picks before theirs.

Rodgers had to have a high grade because Thompson has traded down quite a bit for lower than chart value to get out of a situation where he has a lot of similar choices left.

[pbmax]

Here is the front page of this article, which has links to most divisions and the front office structures.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000210536/article/whos-ireallyi-in-charge-power-structures-for-all-32-nfl-teams

[Guiness]

I imagine he did try to get out of that pick, or at least waited by the phone until the last possible minute before sending it in. Obviously he, nor any other GM, had an inkling of the player Rodgers would become. Can't be sure, of course, but probably that year's 2nd round and the following year's 1st would've gotten the pick from TT. Although he doesn't seem to trade for or with non-current year picks, seeming to prefer to move around in the current draft. Has he traded for or with future picks since being with the Pack?

To bring up another old debate, I wonder how much sitting behind Favre contributed to Rodger's success? Not learning from Favre particularly, but maturing and improving as a player. Rodgers certainly didn't look like an MVP his first TC. Or his second! If the Pack had passed on Rodgers, and the Redskins had picked him instead of Jason Campbell and started Rodgers week 1, I wonder how his career would've turned out?

[falco]

I suppose this shall only add fuel to the fire for those who say Rodgers fell into Thompson's lap?

[Guiness]

I suppose this shall only add fuel to the fire for those who say Rodgers fell into Thompson's lap?

Of course he fell into Thompson's lap. Right after he fell into the lap of 23 other teams, one of them twice

[Pugger]

I wouldn't be surprised if TT waited by the phone to see if anyone would call with a deal but in the end he took the highest rated player on the board. I don't know if he benefited by watching Favre but he was fortunate that he got the coaching from MM and Clements those first couple of years. I don't buy the "AR feel into TT's lap" scenario. TT didn't have to pick him. TT could have followed what those other GMs did and picked for need over the BPA. I am so grateful Ted didn't pass him up and I'm sure there are several other gentlemen kicking themselves in hindsight.

[falco]

I wouldn't be surprised if TT waited by the phone to see if anyone would call with a deal but in the end he took the highest rated player on the board. I don't know if he benefited by watching Favre but he was fortunate that he got the coaching from MM and Clements those first couple of years. I don't buy the "AR feel into TT's lap" scenario. TT didn't have to pick him. TT could have followed what those other GMs did and picked for need over the BPA. I am so grateful Ted didn't pass him up and I'm sure there are several other gentlemen kicking themselves in hindsight.

Not taking anything away from AROD either, but I am also of the opinion that he benefited greatly from tutoring under Mike McCarthy et al. It was a good pick, but I also think Thompson invested in a staff that could develop a good QB.

[woodbuck27]

I wouldn't be surprised if TT waited by the phone to see if anyone would call with a deal but in the end he took the highest rated player on the board. I don't know if he benefited by watching Favre but he was fortunate that he got the coaching from MM and Clements those first couple of years. I don't buy the "AR feel into TT's lap" scenario. TT didn't have to pick him. TT could have followed what those other GMs did and picked for need over the BPA. I am so grateful Ted didn't pass him up and I'm sure there are several other gentlemen kicking themselves in hindsight.

I believe that Aaron Rodgers fell into TT's lap because he did. That today TT would say that he did. That he feels fortunate that he used pick #24 in the 2005 Draft to pick him.

PACKERS !

[RashanGary]

Tom Brady fell into NEs lap. Sucess is what happens when great things continually fall into our laps. These things, success, are so random and unpredictable. Its like rolling the yatzee die. You get what you get, but the surprise of it all makes real life the erratic, chaotic gamble that it is. TT has had a good, lucky yatzee run. Hed tell you the same

[RashanGary]

The Packers don't have a highly successful draft strategy that allows them to continually get quality talent from the draft. Its like Yatzee, everyone knows five 6's when they see them

A probowl player falls to every slot in the draft. If you weren't an arrogant old canadian, you'd probably realize the hard part is knowing enough to select the pro bowl player every time. Welcome to reality, woodbuck. The Packers could have picked anyone. They picked AR. It was a bit of a contraversy if you recall. People didnt think of AR as a sure thing or he would have went number 1. Just ask MM. He liked Alex Smith better.

[sharpe1027]

I believe that Aaron Rodgers fell into TT's lap because he did. That today TT would say that he did. That he feels fortunate that he used pick #24 in the 2005 Draft to pick him.

PACKERS !

Unless you have the first pick, every player falls into ever GMs lap.

[Pugger]

I believe that Aaron Rodgers fell into TT's lap because he did. That today TT would say that he did. That he feels fortunate that he used pick #24 in the 2005 Draft to pick him.

PACKERS !

Yes, Rodgers did fall but Ted didn't necessarily have to pick him. Every top player - except the first overall pick - falls to you but the smarter GMs will take the BPA and not just draft for need. If memory serves there were folks who weren't thrilled with this pick because we had other needs and #4 still playing at a high level.

[Smeefers]

I remember Rodgers absolutely blowing for his first two years. He also broke his foot in his second year and I could remember all the durability questions that came into play with him. I was cursing TT's name back then. Boy, do I have egg on my face or what?