So who thinks TT is actually doing a good job now?

[Scott Campbell]

I don't know how to judge him yet. He's been busy getting out of the hole Sherman dug. I think he's done that pretty effectively. But now it's time to take that next step.

[Patler]

I agree with alot of what Red said. I'm tired of signing Taco Wallace type players to fill our roster. I'm not saying break the bank, but I would like to see us a little more agressive with FA. Last year TT got involved too late. While I agree that the key to a good team is building through the draft, I think you need to compliment that as well with FA. Ron Wolf was a genius with that.

Last year TT got involved too late? Manual was signed the first day of free agency and Picket was signed 4 days later. He tried to sign Vinatieri and a few others. How is that "too late?" Just because his most expensive deal, Woodson, was late?

I also think you have to separate the in season signings for injury replacements, as Taco Wallace was, from the off-season FA signings. During the season you are stuck with what happens to be on the street. In 2005 it was Taco Wallace and others. In 2006 it was Robinson and Holliday.

[Bretsky]

I agree with alot of what Red said. I'm tired of signing Taco Wallace type players to fill our roster. I'm not saying break the bank, but I would like to see us a little more agressive with FA. Last year TT got involved too late. While I agree that the key to a good team is building through the draft, I think you need to compliment that as well with FA. Ron Wolf was a genius with that.

Last year TT got involved too late? Manual was signed the first day of free agency and Picket was signed 4 days later. He tried to sign Vinatieri and a few others. How is that "too late?" Just because his most expensive deal, Woodson, was late?

I also think you have to separate the in season signings for injury replacements, as Taco Wallace was, from the off-season FA signings. During the season you are stuck with what happens to be on the street. In 2005 it was Taco Wallace and others. In 2006 it was Robinson and Holliday.

Does Manuel even count ?

[LL2]

I always felt too many were judging TT too soon. It's his first time being a GM. You need to give him at least 3-4 years. Wolf built a championship team in 5 years, and it looks like TT has some type of 5 year plan. This is evident in that half the roster last year was made of of rookies and 2nd year players. If the Pack finish 9-7 or 10-6 many will start to think he's a genius.

[b bulldog]

I love to see a team that is built via the draft and makes the ascension up the NFL ladder.

[GBRulz]

I agree with alot of what Red said. I'm tired of signing Taco Wallace type players to fill our roster. I'm not saying break the bank, but I would like to see us a little more agressive with FA. Last year TT got involved too late. While I agree that the key to a good team is building through the draft, I think you need to compliment that as well with FA. Ron Wolf was a genius with that.

Last year TT got involved too late? Manual was signed the first day of free agency and Picket was signed 4 days later. He tried to sign Vinatieri and a few others. How is that "too late?" Just because his most expensive deal, Woodson, was late?

I also think you have to separate the in season signings for injury replacements, as Taco Wallace was, from the off-season FA signings. During the season you are stuck with what happens to be on the street. In 2005 it was Taco Wallace and others. In 2006 it was Robinson and Holliday.

How easily one can forget about Manual. I guess he isn't exactly what I had in mind. However, if I remember correctly, TT was out of town or something for the first week of FA. that is what I mean by acting too late.

I don't care if it's injury replacements or FA, I'm just saying that about the only gripe I have about him is his inability to fill a void with known talent. I don't like to wait !!! 8)

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'd be cool with the same success in FA this offseason as last. Thompson plucked out two solid starters without hurting the cap down the line. Too bad he missed on Manuel. I'd love to get 2-3 solid starters out of FA this year. Maybe Ken Hamlin and Daniel Graham. In case people haven't noticed, the FA list was weak and there's been a shitload of players resigned and franchised. I can't say there's more than about 15 players that I'd be real happy to sign.

[The Shadow]

After TT took over, for the first time since Ron Wolf left, I am confident in the Packer's direction toward a championship.

[Bretsky]

I'd be cool with the same success in FA this offseason as last. Thompson plucked out two solid starters without hurting the cap down the line. Too bad he missed on Manuel. I'd love to get 2-3 solid starters out of FA this year. Maybe Ken Hamlin and Daniel Graham. In case people haven't noticed, the FA list was weak and there's been a shitload of players resigned and franchised. I can't say there's more than about 15 players that I'd be real happy to sign.

I was thinking the same thing; last year their was a number of players I'd have been elated to have.

The year the pickings are slim and the available money is plentiful. With the demand being high and supply thin, some of these guys will not be bargains.

[ny10804]

One thing I love about Ted, he knows how to manage the cap. Nearly every big contract he's made has been frontloaded, so each year we gain cap relief despite not losing any players through FA. For example, out of 15 million dollars over 4 years, Jenkins will be paid 6.8, meaning the last three years will average out to 2.73 million dollars, much less than the 4 year average of 3.75. For so many years, contracts were backloaded, but I sense that will begin to change, and more GMs will give TT-like contracts.

[Patler]

One thing I love about Ted, he knows how to manage the cap. Nearly every big contract he's made has been frontloaded, so each year we gain cap relief despite not losing any players through FA. For example, out of 15 million dollars over 4 years, Jenkins will be paid 6.8, meaning the last three years will average out to 2.73 million dollars, much less than the 4 year average of 3.75. For so many years, contracts were backloaded, but I sense that will begin to change, and more GMs will give TT-like contracts.

Just because he will be paid $6.8 million this year doesn't mean his cap number for this year will be $6.8 million. In fact, it appears clear that the cap impact in 2007 will be less than that. Some of what he will receive, about $6 million, is said to be a "roster and signing bonus". The roster bonus portion will count agaiinst the 2007 cap. The signing bonus portion will be counted against all four years equally.

[wist43]

Overall, I give him a passing grade...

On the plus side:

He's straightened out the cap mess he inherited from Sherman; he fired Sherman; he recognized that the defense was soft and weak, and brought in some tougher players; he's had one good draft; and he's had a modicum of success signing FA's (Woodson and Pickett).

On the negative side:

His first draft was less than inspiring (Rodgers can't play); he bolloxed up the Walker situation; he should have kept Wahle (and, yes, the money was there); he brought in MM who installed the philosophically flawed ZBS, which in conjunction with the tenants of the WCO all but ensures that the team has no chance at a SB until they find another Favre; and, instead of changing over to an aggressive/power type of defense, he stayed with the passive philosophy the Packers have had for the past 7-8 years.

Overall:

He righted a sinking ship, but in the end, he set the team up for long term medicrity with the philosophies he's installed on both sides of the ball.

[GBRulz]

Have there really been any teams in cap trouble over the past 2 years?

[cheesner]

Overall, I give him a passing grade...

On the plus side:

He's straightened out the cap mess he inherited from Sherman; he fired Sherman; he recognized that the defense was soft and weak, and brought in some tougher players; he's had one good draft; and he's had a modicum of success signing FA's (Woodson and Pickett).

On the negative side:

His first draft was less than inspiring (Rodgers can't play); he bolloxed up the Walker situation; he should have kept Wahle (and, yes, the money was there); he brought in MM who installed the philosophically flawed ZBS, which in conjunction with the tenants of the WCO all but ensures that the team has no chance at a SB until they find another Favre; and, instead of changing over to an aggressive/power type of defense, he stayed with the passive philosophy the Packers have had for the past 7-8 years.

Overall:

He righted a sinking ship, but in the end, he set the team up for long term medicrity with the philosophies he's installed on both sides of the ball.

Rodgers can't play - How do you know? He has spent very little time on the field. WHen he was on the field he looked okay. Not great - but none of the great players looked great early. Favre, Elway, Montana, Bradshaw, etc. all struggled early.

Bolloxed up Walker situation - How do you know what he had to work with here? He may have had no choice.

He should have kept Wahle - Okay, at $6M per year, we would not have carried over the salary cap by reworking contracts. We would right now have $7M in salary cap instead of $25M. Would we be better off now with Wahle? Talk about dooming us to mediocrity.

ZBS philosophically flawed - Denver and Atlanta seem to have success with it.

Finding another Favre - 31 teams have been looking for another Favre over the last 10 years or so. No one has found one yet.
Aggressive/Power Defense - matter of opinion on which is best

[BooHoo]

Sorry but I am not a Rodgers fan either. I know he hasn't had the opportunity to shine and has not gained any real experience sitting on the bench and holding a chart all game but I really don't think he was a good choice as first rounder. I believe time will tell his true value.