The Packer Plan - Looking Ahead

[The Shadow]

As we all suffer through the bumps & bruises of this season, it might be comforting to keep the big picture in mind.
What is the plan Ted Thompson envisions to return the Green Bay Packers to glory?
Thompson inherited a team on a slippery slope to the the downside with a quarterback icon - one regarded as a veritable god by much of the fan base - at the helm.
What to do?
For better or worse, he realized he is tied to Favre; rebuilding must take place around him.

05 : a. First draft to begin infusing new blood.
b. Acquire Favre's successor.
c. Evaluate team.
d. Terminate Sherman & staff
06 : a. New coaching staff
b. 2nd draft : add potential big-play playmakers like Hawk &
Jennings,as well as valuable pieces like Hodge, Spitz, Colledge.
c. Continue incorporating new talent, esp. into the offensive line.
d. Continue developing Rodgers.
07 : It's a pretty safe bet that Favre will not reach the qb milestones he
desires this year, so he will return for a last hurrah.
a. Draft/Free Agency : Acquire a top-notch running back, the pass-
rusher we need; continue adding solid 'football players' to team
b. The offensive line continues to get better by working together.
c. Rodgers gets one last year of seasoning
08 : Favre retires. The cap money is used wisely to acquire some primo-
quality free agent talent.
The Rodgers' era begins.
The offensive line is now a veteran one, stocked with still young,
experienced talent.
Hawk, Hodge, Barnett, Collins, etc. are now an experienced, tough, &
hungry defensive core.
We return to the playoffs (as Rodgers settles in)
09 : Watch out!

[Harlan Huckleby]

grim. Wait until 2008 before finding out whether Rodgers can play? He'll be in his fourth season. Got to fish or cut bait.

[Bretsky]

Good Post Shadow; the pro TT guys will definitely like the details as well. You have more faith than I do; I'm not sure TT has an exact plan with the exception 100% rebuilding. In this day and age if one uses free agency I'm not convinced that has to occur.

B

[The Shadow]

I think the Favre factor had huge implications in Thompson's plan.
It requires him to implement rebuilding while keeping good public relations with a good portion of the fan base.

[mmmdk]

Shadow, are you saying Favre is playing for NFL records? I hope not, we need to know if Rodgers is man in post-Favre era. Again, Favre might come back to play next season, for the love of the game, not records...please.

[The Shadow]

Do you truly believe Brett Favre is not extremely concerned with his place in the record books?

[Harlan Huckleby]

What happens if 2008 comes and Rodgers is no damn good? Start planning for 2012?

[The Shadow]

No one can predict what players might be added by Thompson in the years ahead.
If Rodgers does not appear to be the answer, Thompson could very well make a move to obtain someone else.

[vince]

Re: The Packer Plan - Looking Ahead

As we all suffer through the bumps & bruises of this season, it might be comforting to keep the big picture in mind.
What is the plan Ted Thompson envisions to return the Green Bay Packers to glory?
Thompson inherited a team on a slippery slope to the the downside with a quarterback icon - one regarded as a veritable god by much of the fan base - at the helm.
What to do?
For better or worse, he realized he is tied to Favre; rebuilding must take place around him.

05 : a. First draft to begin infusing new blood.
b. Acquire Favre's successor.
c. Evaluate team.
d. Terminate Sherman & staff
06 : a. New coaching staff
b. 2nd draft : add potential big-play playmakers like Hawk &
Jennings,as well as valuable pieces like Hodge, Spitz, Colledge.
c. Continue incorporating new talent, esp. into the offensive line.
d. Continue developing Rodgers.
07 : It's a pretty safe bet that Favre will not reach the qb milestones he
desires this year, so he will return for a last hurrah.
a. Draft/Free Agency : Acquire a top-notch running back, the pass-
rusher we need; continue adding solid 'football players' to team
b. The offensive line continues to get better by working together.
c. Rodgers gets one last year of seasoning
08 : Favre retires. The cap money is used wisely to acquire some primo-
quality free agent talent.
The Rodgers' era begins.
The offensive line is now a veteran one, stocked with still young,
experienced talent.
Hawk, Hodge, Barnett, Collins, etc. are now an experienced, tough, &
hungry defensive core.
We return to the playoffs (as Rodgers settles in)
09 : Watch out!

Shadow, it's refreshing to see someone with the vision to see the big picture. I think it can happen sooner than you say. This team can really turn the corner, beginning next year. Recent NFL history is full of teams that go from losing seasons to winners in one year. That won't happen this year, because there are too many new pieces throughout both coaces and players... But after a year of seasoning, and a talented foundation of young players (which I believe is already substantially onboard). TT will be in position to sign and draft the players and make substantial improvement to this core after this year. I believe he'll do just that. We may not be superbowl bound in 07, but well on the path to glory...

[Harlan Huckleby]

No one can predict what players might be added by Thompson in the years ahead.
If Rodgers does not appear to be the answer, Thompson could very well make a move to obtain someone else.

Well, most likely way to get a franchise QB is to draft one. Thompson can't know whether to invest a high draft pick until Rodgers gets some significant playing time.

[Patler]

Do you truly believe Brett Favre is not extremely concerned with his place in the record books?

It's easy to be cynical and say all pro athletes are concerned with their place in the record books, and the records they may establish.

It's easy to be naive and believe our favorite players play for the love of the game.

It's easy to believe most athletes fall somewhere in between, but two "Barrys", Bonds and Sanders have proven that the extremes do exist. One plays for the records (Bonds). The other walked away when records could have been his (Sanders).

[The Shadow]

Well, every so often a Drew Brees situation pops up, right?

[Patler]

What happens if 2008 comes and Rodgers is no damn good? Start planning for 2012?

If the rest of the pieces are in place, Favre, Rothlisberger and others have proven that the right QB doesn't have to be a 4 year project. Not that they won't get better for 4, 5 or 6 years, but the team can win with them early, especially if the coaches play to the QBs strengths and avoid his weaknesses when young.

[The Shadow]

Of course, John Hadl is always a fallback position, too.
How old will he in 08?

[KYPack]

I keep hoping that the "Carolina model" (NFC championship game in 2 yrs') can still be achieved.

In order to do that, you've got to be well-versed in the vet FA market. TT has shown the vet FA market is over his head and against his religion or something.

We are gonna have to improve the talent on this team and soon, or it's gonna be a horror show.