THE UNTOUCHABLE GETS SOME CRITICISM

[Patler]

Having watched a lot of Broncos games, I would be surprised if this were true. Davis has not been worth the compensation they gave for him and has dropped multiple balls in crucial situations. He got benched for some time after one of those.

Owen Daniels was a much better TE acquisition.

A couple weeks ago, I saw an article from one of the Denver sports guys. He basically stated that when they got Davis he thought they couldn't go wrong with the trade. He then said he was wrong, it was wasted. Davis had added nothing, and more importantly failed to come through in the situations he was acquired for..

[Rutnstrut]

I think TT is a good GM

I no longer think TT is a great GM

This is a great reply. Myself I think he is an average GM. A good/great GM wouldn't be so close minded towards improving the team. I have always said there is no reason to go nuts in free agency. But to absolutely refuse to use certain tools is just ignorant.

[mraynrand]

A good/great GM wouldn't be so close minded towards improving the team. I have always said there is no reason to go nuts in free agency. But to absolutely refuse to use certain tools is just ignorant.

More straw man arguments. It doesn't help your case.

[pbmax]

Let's all take a moment to remember all the times Bob advocated the hiring of bigger and tougher for those December games.

They now have that kind of team.

And now they are missing speed at certain key areas. I wonder what the offseason articles will focus on?

This was always opportunistic criticism for bad outcomes. The margin for error with a winning team is small. And they missed their best opportunity last year.

/soft 'n small was always bullshit

[Harlan Huckleby]

I 'member the day after Jordy went down McGinn wrote an article saying "not to worry", TT has stockpiled plenty of talent for a Super Bowl run.

[Patler]

This is a great reply. Myself I think he is an average GM. A good/great GM wouldn't be so close minded towards improving the team. I have always said there is no reason to go nuts in free agency. But to absolutely refuse to use certain tools is just ignorant.

What tools does he "absolutely refuse to use"?

Free Agency? James Jones, Letroy Guion, Julius Peppers, Senecca Wallace, Matt Mulligan, Vince Young, Jeff Saturday, Ryan Grant, Cedric Benson, Phillip Merling, Jeff Saturday were all very experienced, veterans signed as free agents in the last 5 years. Does he go after the high priced, big name free agents? Only now and then, but he certainly does not absolutely refuse to use it.

Trades? First, trades to acquire players are not real common as it is. Secondly, it has been reported that he has been close to completed trades for several players a number of times. We don't know how many other discussions he may have had. Admittedly, he has completed only a few trades for players, and none recently. He doesn't refuse to do it, but he does refuse to get in bidding wars and/or give whatever it takes to get a certain player. If the Packers were never tied to discussions about trades, maybe you could accuse him of absolutely refusing, but that is not the case.

[Maxie the Taxi]

We need an ILB. C'mon, TT. Sign Vontaze Burfict. He's sure to be a free agent real soon.

[Zool]

I love that the Vernon Davis trade is brought up as an example. Ask anyone who has watched more than 3 minutes of Bronco football since. The 3 Bronco fans I know say he's done absolutely nothing.

[Rutnstrut]

What tools does he "absolutely refuse to use"?

Free Agency? James Jones, Letroy Guion, Julius Peppers, Senecca Wallace, Matt Mulligan, Vince Young, Jeff Saturday, Ryan Grant, Cedric Benson, Phillip Merling, Jeff Saturday were all very experienced, veterans signed as free agents in the last 5 years. Does he go after the high priced, big name free agents? Only now and then, but he certainly does not absolutely refuse to use it.

Trades? First, trades to acquire players are not real common as it is. Secondly, it has been reported that he has been close to completed trades for several players a number of times. We don't know how many other discussions he may have had. Admittedly, he has completed only a few trades for players, and none recently. He doesn't refuse to do it, but he does refuse to get in bidding wars and/or give whatever it takes to get a certain player. If the Packers were never tied to discussions about trades, maybe you could accuse him of absolutely refusing, but that is not the case.

You keep telling yourself that TT uses free agency and or trades if it makes you feel better.

[mraynrand]

You keep telling yourself that TT uses free agency and or trades if it makes you feel better.

the truth feels good

[Patler]

You keep telling yourself that TT uses free agency and or trades if it makes you feel better.

Five starters in the last 5 years.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Since 2005, including that 4-12 season with a coach not of his own choosing.

Point Differential

                                       Poin Poin  Poin Poin
Rk    Tm From   To   G   W   L T  W-L%   PF   PA    PD   PC
1    NWE 2005 2015 196 146  50 0 0.745 5698 3827  1871 9525
2    PIT 2005 2015 190 121  69 0 0.637 4483 3522   961 8005
[B]3    GNB 2005 2015 189 115  73 1 0.611 4937 4046   891 8983[/B]
4    SDG 2005 2015 185 105  80 0 0.568 4659 3887   772 8546
5    SEA 2005 2015 193 112  81 0 0.580 4484 3784   700 8268
6    BAL 2005 2015 192 111  81 0 0.578 4234 3629   605 7863
7    IND 2005 2015 193 127  66 0 0.658 4706 4176   530 8882
8    NOR 2005 2015 186 103  83 0 0.554 4917 4420   497 9337
9    DEN 2005 2015 185 111  74 0 0.600 4496 4196   300 8692
10   DAL 2005 2015 182  99  83 0 0.544 4367 4075   292 8442

Wins

                                       Poin Poin  Poin Poin
Rk    Tm From   To   G   W   L T  W-L%   PF   PA    PD   PC
1    NWE 2005 2015 196 146  50 0 0.745 5698 3827  1871 9525
2    IND 2005 2015 193 127  66 0 0.658 4706 4176   530 8882
3    PIT 2005 2015 190 121  69 0 0.637 4483 3522   961 8005
[B]4    GNB 2005 2015 189 115  73 1 0.611 4937 4046   891 8983[/B]
5    SEA 2005 2015 193 112  81 0 0.580 4484 3784   700 8268
6    BAL 2005 2015 192 111  81 0 0.578 4234 3629   605 7863
7    DEN 2005 2015 185 111  74 0 0.600 4496 4196   300 8692
8    SDG 2005 2015 185 105  80 0 0.568 4659 3887   772 8546
9    NYG 2005 2015 187 104  83 0 0.556 4508 4254   254 8762
10   NOR 2005 2015 186 103  83 0 0.554 4917 4420   497 9337
11   DAL 2005 2015 182  99  83 0 0.544 4367 4075   292 8442
12   CHI 2005 2015 182  98  84 0 0.538 4037 3892   145 7929
13   CAR 2005 2015 183  98  84 1 0.538 3954 3829   125 7783
14   PHI 2005 2015 184  96  87 1 0.524 4472 4188   284 8660
15   CIN 2005 2015 183  96  85 2 0.530 4044 3863   181 7907
16   ATL 2005 2015 181  94  87 0 0.519 4065 4033    32 8098
17   ARI 2005 2015 183  93  90 0 0.508 4059 4207  -148 8266
18   SFO 2005 2015 184  91  92 1 0.497 3677 3907  -230 7584
19   MIN 2005 2015 180  88  91 1 0.492 3969 3981   -12 7950
20   NYJ 2005 2015 183  87  96 0 0.475 3700 3897  -197 7597
21   HOU 2005 2015 181  83  98 0 0.459 3925 4106  -181 8031
22   KAN 2005 2015 180  80 100 0 0.444 3611 3899  -288 7510
23   MIA 2005 2015 177  76 101 0 0.429 3464 3831  -367 7295
24   TEN 2005 2015 178  76 102 0 0.427 3595 4153  -558 7748
25   WAS 2005 2015 180  74 106 0 0.411 3635 4127  -492 7762
26   BUF 2005 2015 176  71 105 0 0.403 3477 4030  -553 7507
27   JAX 2005 2015 179  71 108 0 0.397 3512 4183  -671 7695
28   TAM 2005 2015 178  69 109 0 0.388 3398 4083  -685 7481
29   DET 2005 2015 178  62 116 0 0.348 3765 4518  -753 8283
30   CLE 2005 2015 176  57 119 0 0.324 3025 3946  -921 6971
31   STL 2005 2015 176  56 119 1 0.321 3133 4280 -1147 7413
32   OAK 2005 2015 176  54 122 0 0.307 3194 4431 -1237 7625

And since he got his own coach in there, they are second in point differential and at least second in winning pct (maybe 1st). Not sure how many games NE won in 2005.

[Deputy Nutz]

Its really tough to win in the NFL and to think that Thompson/McCarthy have been doing it since 2006 with 8 straight trips to the playoffs is pretty impressive. The pressure does add up when you have two quarterbacks in Favre and Rodgers and fans feel they deserve more than 2 Super Bowls between the two of them. Unless the Packers are playing and winning Super Bowls every year there is always going to be something to complain about. I just watched the 30 for 30 Four Falls in Buffalo, and it was amazing how supportive the fans were in Buffalo through the four straight Super Bowls, but Ralph Wilson fired Bill Pollan in the middle of the run because the Bills couldn't close the deal. Eventually this game is about winning championships and eventually the fan base and the board will get fed up with being a consistent brides maid.

[pbmax]

Buffalo is a fair comparison, but they never got even one SB and its an easy question whether or not firing Polian made them better. They got worse and stayed worse for a long, long time.

Fans do get tired, but that doesn't make the decision a better one.

[pbmax]

In answer to Harv's question:

                                       Poin Poin  Poin Poin
Rk    Tm From   To   G   W   L T  W-L%   PF   PA    PD   PC
1    NWE 2006 2015 160 124  36 0 0.775 4776 3057  1719 7833
2    GNB 2006 2015 160 104  55 1 0.653 4268 3368   900 7636
3    PIT 2006 2015 160 100  60 0 0.625 3735 2961   774 6696

                                       Poin Poin  Poin Poin
Rk    Tm From   To   G   W   L T  W-L%   PF   PA    PD   PC
1    NWE 2006 2015 160 124  36 0 0.775 4776 3057  1719 7833
2    GNB 2006 2015 160 104  55 1 0.653 4268 3368   900 7636
3    IND 2006 2015 160 104  56 0 0.650 3887 3545   342 7432
4    PIT 2006 2015 160 100  60 0 0.625 3735 2961   774 6696