Biggest addition TT has made.

[Zool]

Drafting Jennings over Jackson should get a nod as well.

[Pugger]

The QB was probably the biggest because it was Favre. You don't draft a QB in the first round without the intention of having him play. That pick made it crystal clear that Favre's days in GB were numbered.

Runner up is the move for Matthews. That wasn't as big, based on the criteria for this thread, because Matthews wasn't all that well known. Still, Favre was angry that the Packers didn't get him more weapons.

I suspect the move was made because Favre hinted at retirement for a couple of years and Aaron was the unquestioned BPA at that spot. I truly didn't think Thompson would pull the trigger because not many do when they have a QB like #4 already on the roster. It showed us TT was thinking about the long term interests of the franchise and not just a win now mentality. I'll bet TT thought to himself if Favre was pissed tough shit. The QB isn't running the show any more.

[Patler]

Wells and Rivera were seldom injured and you can't extrapolate that because they did elsewhere, that they would have here. To advance the sophistry that our Oline was the problem in the late 90s and early 2000s is really a stretch. We had two things going for us during that time period, one of which was our Oline.

Who is this "more talent" at "cheaper prices" that TT has assembled for our Oline?

Don't confuse being able to start with not being injured. Wells and Rivera were injured all the time. Rivera rarely practiced the last few years. Wells missed a lot of practice time various years, as well as a few games several years. Sooner or later that was bound to catch up with each of them, especially Rivera, who was what, 32 going on 33?

TT was walking a salary cap high wire in 2005. A misstep or two and they would have been in big trouble. He was willing to risk a bit on one of the guards, reportedly focused on Rivera who it was thought could be had a bit cheaper (Wahle was never a happy camper in GB and seemed unlikely to negotiate), but Dallas blew that out of the water. Even without signing Rivera and with releasing Wahle, they also had to release Ruegamer just to get under the salary cap. Only after Sharper refused to renegotiate, forcing the Packers to release him 10 days later, did the Packers gain some cap flexibility for that off season.

Wahle - talked about leaving for years, apparently felt unappreciated, had the Packers over a barrel with his roster bonus (thanks Mike Sherman!) and gave no indication of being interested in negotiating, or staying for that matter.

Rivera - was offered more than the Packers could have or should have paid to keep him.

Wells - much like Wahle, conveyed the impression that he felt under appreciated for years and was disinterested in returning. MM having given the starting spot to Spitz a few seasons earlier didn't help, I'm sure.

GMs have to make tough decisions, including letting players go when they know the team is likely to be worse at those positions because of it. Wahle, Rivera and Wells all fall in to that category, but I think were still the right decisions at the time each was made.

[run pMc]

Biggest addition?

Trading Favre (addition by subtraction, TC was gonna be a zoo)
Drafting Rodgers with Favre on the roster
Woodson
Matthews
Hiring McCarthy
Peppers
Drafting (take your pick): Jennings, Jordy, Lacy
Not signing Randy Moss -- sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make

[Fritz]

When he traded that second rounder to the Bills for Marshawn Lynch.

[woodbuck27]

Woodson is the popurlar choice and TT finding Tramon Williams and Sam Shields as undrafted free agents were big additions as well. I think the clear answer though is Aaron Rodgers, some GMs would have given into the fan pressure and drafted a player to help Favre get to another Super Bowl. Rodgers still has a long ways to go but I think he will end up being a better QB than Favre.

WOW! That's a gutsy prediction. I hope your correct.

To focus on your prediction the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers will go 49W - 15L over the next four regular seasons. That's a winning percentage of 0.7656 or a lofty position of all NFL teams in NFL history for a four consecutive season record.

To keep it in perspective and simply looking at the Bret Favre Era:

From 1995 -2004 with Brett Favre under center the Green Bay Packers had an accumulated record of 109W - 51L....or a 0.68125 Winning Percentage.

** That included a terrific four (4) season stretch between 1995-98 when the Green Bay Packers had a combined 48W-16L record ( a lofty 0.750 Winning Percentage).

** Brett Favre won three consecutive NFL MVP awards 1995-97 (sharing the 1997 award with Barry Sanders - Detroit Lions).

** In that same period Brett Favre led the Green Bay Packers to consecutive Super Bowl appearances and winning once.

It's a lot like that breakfast saying;

Let's get crackin'.

[mraynrand]

I'll bet TT thought to himself if Favre was pissed tough shit. The QB isn't running the show any more.

As much as anything else, the drafting of Rodgers did show that TT was in charge and that constructing a team the way he saw fit was going to trump any individual player's concerns and ego.

[woodbuck27]

The QB was probably the biggest because it was Favre. You don't draft a QB in the first round without the intention of having him play. That pick made it crystal clear that Favre's days in GB were numbered.

Runner up is the move for Matthews. That wasn't as big, based on the criteria for this thread, because Matthews wasn't all that well known. Still, Favre was angry that the Packers didn't get him more weapons.

Brett Favre... angry!? ... that he didn't get enough weapons !?:

Was he angry or disappointed too very disappointed, that he didn't get enough offensive support at receiver?

[mraynrand]

Brett Favre... angry!? ... that he didn't get enough weapons !?:

Was he angry or disappointed too very disappointed, that he didn't get enough offensive support at receiver?

you have no sense of humor - at all. Do you realize I was referring to a draft two years removed from Favre's departure? I realize the 'joke' wasn't very funny, but you should have at least recognized that drafting Matthews had nothing to do with appeasing or pissing off Favre. thick, thick, thick

[woodbuck27]

I suspect the move was made because Favre hinted at retirement for a couple of years and Aaron was the unquestioned BPA at that spot. I truly didn't think Thompson would pull the trigger because not many do when they have a QB like #4 already on the roster. It showed us TT was thinking about the long term interests of the franchise and not just a win now mentality. I'll bet TT thought to himself if Favre was pissed tough shit. The QB isn't running the show any more.

" I'll bet TT thought to himself if Favre was pissed tough shit. The QB isn't running the show any more. " ... Pugger

Maybe you might rethink your position;

If TT ever came off to Brett Favre regarding what Favre desired as weapons and the realistic proposition of winning with "a tough shit " attitude. Would that be a sensible position and winning big? Maybe TT didn't plan on winning then with Brett Favre but rather phase Brett Favre out?

If that was the case was Ted Thompson selling out?

Bringing it up to speed/date:

How much attention did TT pay to the receiving and overall offensive positions in this most recent draft?

Maybe Aaron Rodgers is having some input into what TT does in the draft?

Shouldn't Aaron Rodgers have some influence on what his teams GM drafts?

Should a smart GM take the attitude of "tough shit' and any possibility of the above being a reality?

Back to Ted Thompson and his respect for his first Green Bay QB Brett Favre.

[woodbuck27]

you have no sense of humor - at all. Do you realize I was referring to a draft two years removed from Favre's departure? I realize the 'joke' wasn't very funny, but you should have at least recognized that drafting Matthews had nothing to do with appeasing or pissing off Favre. thick, thick, thick

As a matter of fact I have an outstanding sense of humor. I read your posts and laugh at them heartedly.


Why are you such an angry poster?

Try to get a grip...calm...down mister.

[Fritz]

" I'll bet TT thought to himself if Favre was pissed tough shit. The QB isn't running the show any more. " ... Pugger

Maybe you might rethink your position;

If TT ever came off to Brett Favre regarding what Favre desired as weapons and the realistic proposition of winning with "a tough shit " attitude. Would that be a sensible position and winning big? Maybe TT didn't plan on winning then with Brett Favre but rather phase Brett Favre out?

If that was the case was Ted Thompson selling out?

Bringing it up to speed/date:

How much attention did TT pay to the receiving and overall offensive positions in this most recent draft?

Maybe Aaron Rodgers is having some input into what TT does in the draft?

Shouldn't Aaron Rodgers have some influence on what his teams GM drafts?

Should a smart GM take the attitude of "tough shit' and any possibility of the above being a reality?

Back to Ted Thompson and his respect for his first Green Bay QB Brett Favre.

I don't think Aaron Rodgers, or any player, should have any direct influence on a draft. At all. Sure, since he's "The Franchise," he has indirect influence as far as the organization wanting to draft guys to be weapons for him or to keep him upright. But as far as ARod picking up the phone and suggesting to Ted that the team really could use a new running back or safety, or doesn't need to draft a QB, or whatever, no. Hell no.

[Just Jeff]

I don't think Aaron Rodgers, or any player, should have any direct influence on a draft. At all. Sure, since he's "The Franchise," he has indirect influence as far as the organization wanting to draft guys to be weapons for him or to keep him upright. But as far as ARod picking up the phone and suggesting to Ted that the team really could use a new running back or safety, or doesn't need to draft a QB, or whatever, no. Hell no.

But I'm sure the influence is there. Recent comments by AR in the media, about the center position, were very possibly not the first time he opined on the subject, and its unlikely that TT is not aware of his opinion on the subject. I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in the substance of

"Hey TT, you homo, sign Moss"

and

"I would like to see some stability at center"

The form is very different, but the substance is the same. Message sent. Message received.

[woodbuck27]

But I'm sure the influence is there. Recent comments by AR in the media, about the center position, were very possibly not the first time he opined on the subject, and its unlikely that TT is not aware of his opinion on the subject. I don't think there is a whole lot of difference in the substance of

"Hey TT, you homo, sign Moss"

and

"I would like to see some stability at center"

The form is very different, but the substance is the same. Message sent. Message received.

"Hey TT, you homo, sign Moss" Just Jeff

What Packer fan said that? Who .... said that?

[Pugger]

" I'll bet TT thought to himself if Favre was pissed tough shit. The QB isn't running the show any more. " ... Pugger

Maybe you might rethink your position;

If TT ever came off to Brett Favre regarding what Favre desired as weapons and the realistic proposition of winning with "a tough shit " attitude. Would that be a sensible position and winning big? Maybe TT didn't plan on winning then with Brett Favre but rather phase Brett Favre out?

If that was the case was Ted Thompson selling out?

Bringing it up to speed/date:

How much attention did TT pay to the receiving and overall offensive positions in this most recent draft?

Maybe Aaron Rodgers is having some input into what TT does in the draft?

Shouldn't Aaron Rodgers have some influence on what his teams GM drafts?

Should a smart GM take the attitude of "tough shit' and any possibility of the above being a reality?

Back to Ted Thompson and his respect for his first Green Bay QB Brett Favre.

Do you honestly believe Favre didn't have a lot of influence on Sherman?