Bob McGinn: Decision to cut Carroll was definitely premature

[Bretsky]

I think the PR Website had better points regarding AC; but I guess one could argue I'm a bit biased

[KYPack]

I think the PR Website had better points regarding AC; but I guess one could argue I'm a bit biased

Yer own article, right B?

[Fritz]

Patler's right. GB picked up former #1 pick Bryant Westbrook who was a bust in Detroit, and he was someone who generally fit in (until he got hurt...again). They've picked up other #1's like Rod Gardner, who filled a role at the end of last season, and Ryan Pickett, whom St. Louis obviously did not outbid GB for.

Happens all the time.

[Rastak]

From ESPN Insider:


Packers couldn't wait on 'potential'posted: Thursday, October 5, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry
filed under: Green Bay Packers

With their team ranked next-to-last in the league in pass defense, the Green Bay Packers' brass was not impressed with the poor play of cornerback Ahmad Carroll. In fact, the Packers were disappointed enough to cut Carroll after thinking enough of him in 2004 to make him a first-round draft pick.


CarrollIs this a knee jerk reaction by Green Bay, making Carroll a scapegoat for the poor performance of a defense that was expected to keep the Packers in games, rather than losing those games?
No. Simply put, Carroll had been given many opportunities to achieve his potential but never played up to expectations. Carroll was a reach as a first-round draft selection. The Packers made that decision based more on his measurables and potential than on his collegiate on-field performance. Since arriving in Green Bay, Carroll didn't lack for confidence, but he also didn't walk the walk on the field to back up his constantly talking the talk.

In his rookie season, Carroll started 11 games but was penalized regularly for holding, pass interference and illegal use of hands. He also was consistently out of position, often getting beaten deep and giving up explosive plays. It didn't take opponents long to take advantage of him.

When I was coaching in Minnesota and we game-planned against the Packers, our staff designed ways to isolate Carroll and create a mismatch that would give our receivers opportunities to make plays. Even worse, our receivers would argue over who should get Carroll in those individual matchups. Even without an injured Randy Moss in 2004 we matched up Nate Burleson twice against Carroll. In both games Nate dominated, toasting Carroll for 141 yards and a score at Lambeau Field followed by another 110 yards at the Metrodome, including a 42-yard catch-and- run and a 68-yard touchdown catch.

Due to the economics of the NFL, high draft picks will be given many opportunities to succeed. First, the team has a tremendous investment in them, with huge bonuses and high salary. Second, the decision-makers have egos that often force coaches to get players on the field for reasons other than their ability to make plays.

Players drafted higher will be kept around longer and given more chances so the people who made the pick won't look bad. Unfortunately, sometimes the competitive ego interferes with putting the best players on the field. And sometimes coaches can get fired for losing games while playing players they have been forced to put on the field.

During his short time in Green Bay, Carroll couldn't establish himself as a consistent starter, and this year he found himself playing nickel cornerback. Now, after giving up more game-breaking big plays that cost Green Bay another game, he's gone. A favorite player of many Packers opponents, Carroll turned out to be a liability based on his performance, not his potential.

To quote the famous college coach, Jerry Claiborne, "Son, your potential is going to get me fired!" Current Packers general manager Ted Thompson and first-year head coach Mike McCarthy inherited Carroll from the previous regime, but they didn't want his "potential" to cost them any more games -- or their jobs.

[GBRulz]

I still say kudos for TT not wearing the tighty whities that day and having some guts on making this decision. I agree 100% with his move, I think it sends a message.

To Carroll's defense, I feel he was thrown to the wolves before he was ready, but he's had enough time to develop, which he has not. I also think if the kid wasn't such an egotistical punk, we might have been a little more patient with him.

[GBRulz]

BTW,, no offense to the guys wearing tighty whitie underwear in my last comment

[MJZiggy]

I still say kudos for TT not wearing the tighty whities that day and having some guts on making this decision.

This brings up thoughts I'd just rather not think...

[vince]

When I was coaching in Minnesota and we game-planned against the Packers, our staff designed ways to isolate Carroll and create a mismatch that would give our receivers opportunities to make plays. Even worse, our receivers would argue over who should get Carroll in those individual matchups. Even without an injured Randy Moss in 2004 we matched up Nate Burleson twice against Carroll. In both games Nate dominated, toasting Carroll for 141 yards and a score at Lambeau Field followed by another 110 yards at the Metrodome, including a 42-yard catch-and- run and a 68-yard touchdown catch.

If the combination of Carroll getting toasted with regularity, the consistent stream of yellow flags flying on the field as a result of his actions, and this competitor's former coach's comments doesn't convince people that Ahmad Carroll was a serious liability on this team, and that moving on without him was a good idea, it's absolutely hopeless.

Few things in football are as clear as this situation. It's difficult to imagine a bigger liability for a football team than Ahmad Carroll was for the Packers.

Tough strategy for opponents: Wait until Carroll gets into the game. Isolate him in coverage. Kick the extra point.

How any objective observer could still want him on a team that you actually root for to WIN is beyond me.

[Rastak]

When I was coaching in Minnesota and we game-planned against the Packers, our staff designed ways to isolate Carroll and create a mismatch that would give our receivers opportunities to make plays. Even worse, our receivers would argue over who should get Carroll in those individual matchups. Even without an injured Randy Moss in 2004 we matched up Nate Burleson twice against Carroll. In both games Nate dominated, toasting Carroll for 141 yards and a score at Lambeau Field followed by another 110 yards at the Metrodome, including a 42-yard catch-and- run and a 68-yard touchdown catch.

If the combination of Carroll getting toasted with regularity, the consistent stream of yellow flags flying on the field as a result of his actions, and this competitor's former coach's comments doesn't convince people that Ahmad Carroll was a serious liability on this team, and that moving on without him was a good idea, it's absolutely hopeless.

Few things in football are as clear as this situation. It's difficult to imagine a bigger liability for a football team than Ahmad Carroll was for the Packers.

Tough strategy for opponents: Wait until Carroll gets into the game. Isolate him in coverage. Kick the extra point.

How any objective observer could still want him on a team that you actually root for to WIN is beyond me.

FYI in case you didn't know, it was written by Dean Dalton who was the Vikings running back coach the last few years. He does paint an ugly picture
of Carroll, that's for sure.

[woodbuck27]

Personally, I don't agree with the article.

"Well, we just felt it was time for a change," Thompson said Friday. "I think he busted his tail. I like the kid. I wanted to make a player out of him. I felt like maybe give these other guys a shot and see if they can do it." Ted Thompson "wanna be GM of "the Green Bay Packers".

Ted Thompson "the no account Champion of the double talk". The biggest phony I have ever witnessed in all my years of following sports.

Ted Thompson makes me sick as a dedicated a Packer fan.

He is the worst I've ever witnessed in an Organization's front office.

Tripping on his pathetic ego lift, that will take OUR team to the dogs.

FIRE Ted Thompson's phony ass.

Packer fans have to finally stand up and demonstrate some credibility "in outrage ", for what he's done/doing to OUR team.

Ted Thompson is pathetic.

Ted Thompson must be FIRED ASAP !

Dump him.

[Zool]

Good gracious. How do you feel about Mr Thompson? Maybe you could just start a thread and consolidate your hatred to one intense beam of death towards his head?

[BooHoo]

Carroll was in Green Bay way to long. We should have never drafted him.

[sharpe1027]

The fact that no team bothered to pick him up off of waivers says it all. Not to mention, that no team even bothered picking him up for the league minimum.

[KYPack]

The fact that no team bothered to pick him up off of waivers says it all. Not to mention, that no team even bothered picking him up for the league minimum.

He signed with Jax.

Teams wait for a short period to sign vets. That was they aren't on the hook fo any of the old contract.

[woodbuck27]

Carrol is BAD REAL BAD. Who cares he sucked we are rebuilding cut him and then kick him in the head!

Ohhhhuuu Maaaan.

Brutal.