Jason Wilde : Ted Thompson's plans won't change

[red]

like joe said, next years schedule mean squat at this point

we were suppose to have the easiest schedule this year, and it turned out to be pretty tuff with all those 4-12 teams and worse from last year actually looking good

we have no clue how tuff next years schedule will be until sometime during next season, when we see what teams are really like

if recent history shows us anything its that the bears could very well go 2-14 next year, dallas could completely fall apart, who knows about the giants without tiki

theres some question marks for almost every team next year

[Scott Campbell]

In a couple a years all these positions will need to be replaced, so IMO its either we go for the superbowl now or in another 6-7 years.

Somebody forgot to tell New Orleans that they were supposed to wait 6 or 7 years to contend for a Superbowl berth. There are teams every year that prove you don't have to take half a decade to rebuild.

[Packnut]

Formula

In a couple a years all these positions will need to be replaced, so IMO its either we go for the superbowl now or in another 6-7 years.

Somebody forgot to tell New Orleans that they were supposed to wait 6 or 7 years to contend for a Superbowl berth. There are teams every year that prove you don't have to take half a decade to rebuild.

The formula is very simple. Yes you build through the draft, but you also sprinkle in some key FA signings along the way. TT hit 2 out of 3 last season. IF he can go 2-3 this season, we're back in the play-offs.

[ahaha]

Free agents can help, but the biggest factor in a team getting better is the improvement of young players. Hawk, Jennings, Spitz, College, Poppinga, Blackmon, Collins, Underwood, Morency, Moll, Wells, Raynor, Ryan, Hodge, Miree, etc. If a magority of these guys can take it to the next level, combined with only a small drop-off in veteren play, added with a good crop of rookies and a few decent free-agents, and the Packers become a legitimate playoff team.

[Lurker64]

Re: FA

You don't have to sell the farm. Johnson or Graham is an upgrade over what we have now and will not cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of DB's out there also. Are you gonna tell me Woodson was'nt over-paid for? Yet I believe we all are happy to have him.

If we sign Graham and one of the DBs out there, that's not exactly "going hog-wild" in free agency I'd say. It's the same kind of "incrementally getting better" in free agency that appears to be Thompson's modus operandi. It seemed to me that what the article was presenting as the alternative to that sort of thing was a Redskin's style spending spree, which is neither really possible nor wise with this free agent crop.

[wist43]

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves... if I have to be the voice of optimism!!!

I can see the '07 Packers making a run at the playoffs - the NFC is an embarrassment as a conference, and the NFC North is an embarrassment as a division. The overall schedule may be more difficult, but a lot can happen.

That said, if Favre had retired, I could just as easily see this team making a run at the #1 pick for '08. My criticism of the offensive system is grounded in the post-Favre era. Favre coming back, legitimizes the offense to some extent.

And while I hate the defensive scheme, the addition of Hawk and Woodson, an upgrade at safety, and a healthy and productive Jenkins at RDE for a full season, could make the defense at least average.

Those things combined could be enough for the '07 Packers to make a run at the playoffs.

[vince]

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves... if I have to be the voice of optimism!!!

I can see the '07 Packers making a run at the playoffs - the NFC is an embarrassment as a conference, and the NFC North is an embarrassment as a division. The overall schedule may be more difficult, but a lot can happen.

That said, if Favre had retired, I could just as easily see this team making a run at the #1 pick for '08. My criticism of the offensive system is grounded in the post-Favre era. Favre coming back, legitimizes the offense to some extent.

And while I hate the defensive scheme, the addition of Hawk and Woodson, an upgrade at safety, and a healthy and productive Jenkins at RDE for a full season, could make the defense at least average.

Those things combined could be enough for the '07 Packers to make a run at the playoffs.

It's good to see you've recovered from your "We're two years away from being even remotely competitive." statements from earlier in the season wist.

[retailguy]

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves... if I have to be the voice of optimism!!!

I can see the '07 Packers making a run at the playoffs - the NFC is an embarrassment as a conference, and the NFC North is an embarrassment as a division. The overall schedule may be more difficult, but a lot can happen.

That said, if Favre had retired, I could just as easily see this team making a run at the #1 pick for '08. My criticism of the offensive system is grounded in the post-Favre era. Favre coming back, legitimizes the offense to some extent.

And while I hate the defensive scheme, the addition of Hawk and Woodson, an upgrade at safety, and a healthy and productive Jenkins at RDE for a full season, could make the defense at least average.

Those things combined could be enough for the '07 Packers to make a run at the playoffs.

I'll give you one chance before I ban you - WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH WIST?.....

I'm not on the "playoff" bandwagon yet, but am happy I get to see Favre play once more in person, and 15 more times on TV.

[wist43]

Don't go anointing me the new "Tex"... I'm not drunk on Kool-Aid.

And long term, I think their philosophies on both sides of the ball are flawed - with the caveat on offense being whether or not they have an all-pro calibur QB under center.

Defensively, I still think the scheme is junk, i.e. far too passive, and can really only be played to an average level. By design, I don't think it will ever dominate, or be enough to carry a team to a championship.

Short term, or year and year out, given a good enough QB, they can make token runs at the playoffs.

After Favre retires, unless they find a true heir apparent, they'll be drafting in the top 10 b/c the defense can never be a dominating unit that can carry a QB'less offense.

That said, I'm thrilled to have Favre back... and, expect to enjoy the '08 season - while watching him break records. Should be a lot of fun.

[wist43]

You guys should be ashamed of yourselves... if I have to be the voice of optimism!!!

I can see the '07 Packers making a run at the playoffs - the NFC is an embarrassment as a conference, and the NFC North is an embarrassment as a division. The overall schedule may be more difficult, but a lot can happen.

That said, if Favre had retired, I could just as easily see this team making a run at the #1 pick for '08. My criticism of the offensive system is grounded in the post-Favre era. Favre coming back, legitimizes the offense to some extent.

And while I hate the defensive scheme, the addition of Hawk and Woodson, an upgrade at safety, and a healthy and productive Jenkins at RDE for a full season, could make the defense at least average.

Those things combined could be enough for the '07 Packers to make a run at the playoffs.

I'll give you one chance before I ban you - WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH WIST?.....

I'm not on the "playoff" bandwagon yet, but am happy I get to see Favre play once more in person, and 15 more times on TV.

LOL!!!

I'm still here...