Cleft Crusty: Post Bengals Preseason Game Mock Chat

[Bretsky]

Cliff,

Do you think nobody wants to come to GB anymore if the money is right, or did Ted Thompson just choose to not pursue the early free agents and instead front load contracts to use up cap space ?

[mraynrand]

do you honestly think he believes two starting rookies can make an OL unit competent ?

I think Thompson is looking to the future. He has a five year contract and can be pretty awful in the first few years. Excellent GMs can have a few bad years, if only because of bad luck - look at Matt Millen in Detroit - there's a GM talent that's had a lot of bad breaks with draft picks and coaches, and you don't see his owner panicking. If the team is bad two seasons from now, then Thompson might have to re-assess his picks and overall strategy, but I don't think he's expecting to win many games in the next year or two.

[No Mo Moss]

As wierd as it sounds I think this is good for the team. They probably thought they were pretty hot shit after last week. This aught to teach them a lesson and get them in focus for the bears.

[VegasPackFan]

Cleft,

I blame Sherman.

[mraynrand]

Cliff,

Do you think nobody wants to come to GB anymore if the money is right, or did Ted Thompson just choose to not pursue the early free agents and instead front load contracts to use up cap space ?

What difference would free agents have made? How many teams have been successful through signing high priced FAs? Still, you're idea that FAs wouldn't want to come to GB may have some merit. If you knew a company was firing every employee and trying to make do with the cheapest, unknown talent in the business and with interns, would you risk working for them?

[mraynrand]

As wierd as it sounds I think this is good for the team. They probably thought they were pretty hot shit after last week. This aught to teach them a lesson and get them in focus for the bears.

By this logic, the Packers should endeavor to lose every game this season, because that would make them more focused for next year. Get real, do you get encouraged by your own failures, or do you get depressed. When I write a collumn and my editor says it sucks, I usually poison myself with Jack Daniels until they pump my stomach at the hospital. I come back and write again, but how is this a good thing?

[mraynrand]

Cleft,

I blame Sherman.

Sherman can take some of the blame for some blown picks, but Thompson is putting his stamp on the team and at some point, will have to be held accountable. Are you still blaming Jimmy Carter for the economy?

[VegasPackFan]

Well Cleft, you just said that TT should not be judged until the 4th or 5th year of his GM tenure. Now you say he should take the blame this year. Which is it? Someone must take the blame.

Why do you contradict yourself with these answers?

[Bretsky]

Cliff,

Do thoughts of having to chat with Diehard Packer fans drive you to drink before answering our questions ?

[mraynrand]

Well Cleft, you just said that TT should not be judged until the 4th or 5th year of his GM tenure. Now you say he should take the blame this year. Which is it? Someone must take the blame.

Why do you contradict yourself with these answers?

I said that at some point Thompson would have to be held accountable. Since he has a five year deal, and won't get a senile or brain dead owner to extend his contract like in Detroint, I would expect that if the Packers aren't winning more than losing by 2008, Thompson will be seeking other employment oppotunities.

[mraynrand]

Cliff,

Do thoughts of having to chat with Diehard Packer fans drive you to drink before answering our questions ?

I'm not allowed to drink on the job, and I respect that rule. That doesn't prevent me from dowining a fifth on the plane home, however. But Liquor and my nitroglycerin don't mix well. Also, free tip: stents work better than sterno for clearing up blocked arteries.

[VegasPackFan]

In a follow up to Bretsky's question:

Would please share your pre-chat warm up regimen?

I have a grade school dance recital to attend this week, and of course, winter will bring the dreaded nativity plays.

[Bretsky]

Cliff,

Jim Bates seemed to have this defense flying around last year and playing up to or above their ability. Why hire a guy who's never been a DC his entire life when several former defensive coordinators were available ? Bates had fire; the new DC seems rather unemotional and a defense with more talent than last year seems to be off cylinder. What are your thought regarding the hire and his ability to achieve more than Bates did last year ?

[mraynrand]

In a follow up to Bretsky's question:

Would please share your pre-chat warm up regimen?

I have a grade school dance recital to attend this week, and of course, winter will bring the dreaded nativity plays.

I go through my game notes, look at the box score statistics, and interview players and coaches (or listen to press conferences/statements), if possible. I also do two pushups and drink a bottle of Pepto Bismol.

[mraynrand]

Cliff,

Jim Bates seemed to have this defense flying around last year and playing up to or above their ability. Why hire a guy who's never been a DC his entire life when several former defensive coordinators were available ? Bates had fire; the new DC seems rather unemotional and a defense with more talent than last year seems to be off cylinder. What are your thought regarding the hire and his ability to achieve more than Bates did last year ?

If Bates is such a defensive treasure, then why is he sitting at home collecting social security checks? What gives you any insight into how good a defensive coordinator the Packers have, when they have yet to play a regular season game and are running vanilla defenses? Seems I recall people having doubts about Donatell in the 2000 preseason. Perhaps waiting for some real action would be advisable. But since fans can't wait, how about this: If you were a seasoned pro playing in a meaningless preseason game, how hard would you be throwing your body (and meal ticket) around? Want to get injured and ruin your chances at a contract extension?