JSO has had two Russ Ball stories up this week

[pbmax]

This after a long period of Eliot Wolf speculation. Those extended from unfounded rumors of Ted's retirement to Wolf getting interviewed for jobs in the offseason.

The Ball stuff seems driven by family and old connections (Schottenheimer Chiefs) because they were the only ones to talk directly about this.

So is this the second shot fired in a PR battle to determine who succeeds Ted in Green Bay?

Might the actually qualified Ball replace the completely unknown princeling Wolf as the fans favorite future GM?

Agents on him: http://www.packersnews.com/story/spo...art/349607001/


Background on him: http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports...t-1/349589001/

[Joemailman]

This after a long period of Eliot Wolf speculation. Those extended from unfounded rumors of Ted's retirement to Wolf getting interviewed for jobs in the offseason.

The Ball stuff seems driven by family and old connections (Schottenheimer Chiefs) because they were the only ones to talk directly about this.

So is this the second shot fired in a PR battle to determine who succeeds Ted in Green Bay?

Might the actually qualified Ball replace the completely unknown princeling Wolf as the fans favorite future GM?

Agents on him: http://www.packersnews.com/story/spo...art/349607001/


Background on him: http://www.jsonline.com/story/sports...t-1/349589001/

I agree that Ball is probably more qualified. However, people who dislike Thompson's free agency policy might see him as too similar to Thompson. A big question is how long can they expect Ball to wait. He's 57 years old. Wolf is 35, so he can afford to be more patient than Ball.

[MadScientist]

I don't think this is a 'test the waters for Ball as the next GM' kind of piece. Ball's name pops up regularly, but nobody has really put the pieces on how he does his job. It's a good piece for this time of year. The reason I don't see Ball as GM is that while he is a excellent negotiator, GM really requires talent evaluation and projecting and nothing in this article gives me a sense that those are strong points with him. He could probably do ok by relying totally on the scouting departments, but the top people there often get poached.

[bobblehead]

I agree that Ball is probably more qualified. However, people who dislike Thompson's free agency policy might see him as too similar to Thompson. A big question is how long can they expect Ball to wait. He's 57 years old. Wolf is 35, so he can afford to be more patient than Ball.

No one is patient when it comes to their own ascension and a multi million dollar payday. Both Wolf and/or Ball will take the first GM job offered is my bet.