Seattle releases Grant Wistrom

[Patler]

I'm not sure this has been discussed anywhere here, but it is an interesting case. Its an example of a "bad signing" by a team trying to get over the hump, so to speak. Seattle made it to the Super Bowl, but Wistrom never became the factor they thought he would.

Wistrom signed a six-year, $33 million contract in 2004, which included $14 million in guaranteed money, Seattles largest ever at the time.

He had 11.5 sacks and 98 tackles in three years for Seattle. He missed 7 games in 2004.

With the cap having skyrocketed the last two years, this will not have a crippling effect on Seattle's future. It is more interesting to think about the efffect it has had the three years he was with the team,with significant cap money tied up in a player that was not making a difference.[/quote]

[prsnfoto]

WOW even KGB has better ststs than him what a bargain we got.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Tennessee S Chris Hope had 121 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 15 passes defensed. He had the most tackles, second most interceptions, and the second most passes defensed among all safeties in 2005. He was signed for a nice contract last offseason from Pittsburgh. It's an example of a big name FA acquisition working. Perhaps if Thompson hadn't gone cheap with the Manuel signing at S, we would have the S position fixed.

[Patler]

Tennessee S Chris Hope had 121 tackles, 5 interceptions, and 15 passes defensed. He had the most tackles, second most interceptions, and the second most passes defensed among all safeties in 2005. He was signed for a nice contract last offseason from Pittsburgh. It's an example of a big name FA acquisition working. Perhaps if Thompson hadn't gone cheap with the Manuel signing at S, we would have the S position fixed.

Apparently every thread has to get back to an analysis (criticism) of TT.

To be honest, I wasn't even thinking of TT or the Packers when I started this. I was just thinking about everything that Seattle was trying to do to improve what was a very suspect defense back then. They had high hopes for Wistrom. For whatever reason, it didn't work out for them.

As I said, the future impact is negligible. I wonder what else they could have done at the time rather than investing in Wistrom. I really don't recall.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Or defending Thompson for his methods. See first post in this thread. I think he's dropped the ball this offseason. I've defended him in the past. I think he's drafted well, but if he signed the right FAs this offseason, I could have seen the Packers being a threat in the playoffs. Right now, I have no hope of that happening, and there aren't many FAs that would give me that hope. He won't be able to fill all of the needs in the draft. Hell, he needs a great draft just to keep this team at .500 with the schedule. He's giving himself a small margin for error.

[Patler]

Or defending Thompson for his method. See first post in this thread.

Huh? You are reading way to much in it. Where did TT come into this?

I edited my first response to you as you typed this one, so I will repeat it here:

To be honest, I wasn't even thinking of TT or the Packers when I started this. I was just thinking about everything that Seattle was trying to do to improve what was a very suspect defense back then. They had high hopes for Wistrom. For whatever reason, it didn't work out for them.

As I said, the future impact is negligible. I wonder what else they could have done at the time rather than investing in Wistrom. I really don't recall.

They were very close. They made it to the Super Bowl. In fact, had they picked the right FA they may have made it over the top. Wistrom was not the right one. Its really no different than having picked the wrong player in the draft, except the FA can cost a bit more.

I honestly was looking at this from Seattle's perspective. What else could they have done to have a better shot at winning the big one. Note, that probably WOULD involve signing a FA, but a different one than Wistrom.

[mmmdk]

TT did ok last season in free agency; he got Woodson & Pickett. Found sound kicker project in Rayner and made some fine trades here and there. What puzzles me is that TT blew it with Manuel; TT was supposed to have insight on the guy and that insight turned out to be a really bad judgement of talent (the talent he apparently saw in Manuel). TT will stick with Manuel but he might pick up a free agent safety for camp but for petty cash. Underwood is the real hope here for Packers and possibly a rookie.

Manuel is just a guy - at best!

[Patler]

OK. I give up. Let's make this into ANOTHER thread about TT and free agency.

[MJZiggy]

I wonder who will pick him up.,,

[prsnfoto]

Actually all the poeple screaming at TT might want to think about this he was the one who signed this guy right? This was a huge contract at that time maybe he is learning from his mistakes! Sorry Patler I had the KGB thought first and second thought was maybe this is the exact kinda guy TT is talking about when he says there will be plenty of good players cut, granted he didn't produce for that contract but he is not a complete bum either, he would be worth a million plus a year, though we don't need him. Lets hope there will be similar cuts at positions we are thin or bare at.

[Chester Marcol]

Patler, did you not think there weren't enough threads about TT and his lack of action in free agency so you just had to start another?

However, when there is a frustration with something, all posts tend to gravitate back to it. I remember that from the Walker ordeal. I think we are finally getting over the fact Wahle was not resigned.

[KYPack]

I wonder who will pick him up.,,

He'll get a look, but I think he's played out.

Speed rusher with bad knees and back trouble.

I hope we don't make "the look".

[prsnfoto]

TT did ok last season in free agency; he got Woodson & Pickett. Found sound kicker project in Rayner and made some fine trades here and there. What puzzles me is that TT blew it with Manuel; TT was supposed to have insight on the guy and that insight turned out to be a really bad judgement of talent (the talent he apparently saw in Manuel). TT will stick with Manuel but he might pick up a free agent safety for camp but for petty cash. Underwood is the real hope here for Packers and possibly a rookie.

Manuel is just a guy - at best!

That is true but it is a different system Manuel looked good in Seattle TT's mistake was thinking he would be good in this system and allowing MM to hire Shitty. It is like all the poeple that want Hamlin in here he and Manuel play similar there was no drop off when Hamlin was hurt and Manuel took over unless a guy in his mid twenties just lost it overnite which is possible, my guess is it is the system.

[Patler]

Actually all the poeple screaming at TT might want to think about this he was the one who signed this guy right? This was a huge contract at that time maybe he is learning from his mistakes! Sorry Patler I had the KGB thought first and second thought was maybe this is the exact kinda guy TT is talking about when he says there will be plenty of good players cut, granted he didn't produce for that contract but he is not a complete bum either, he would be worth a million plus a year, though we don't need him. Lets hope there will be similar cuts at positions we are thin or bare at.

Well, heck, I might as well give in and join in. No, I don't think Wistrom was TT's signing. TT was not the overall GM at Seattle. He ran their draft more than anything else. Seattle had kind of a multi-headed organization in their front office at the time, as I recall.

[woodbuck27]

Or defending Thompson for his methods. See first post in this thread. I think he's dropped the ball this offseason. I've defended him in the past. I think he's drafted well, but if he signed the right FAs this offseason, I could have seen the Packers being a threat in the playoffs. Right now, I have no hope of that happening, and there aren't many FAs that would give me that hope. He won't be able to fill all of the needs in the draft. Hell, he needs a great draft just to keep this team at .500 with the schedule. He's giving himself a small margin for error.

To be totally honest. I had high hopes that Ted Thompson would have all his homework done and that we would make more impact out of the free agent market.

I had my doubts that we'd be able to retain Ahman Green, but not to fret as Ted Thompson would have a backup plan to quickly put in place. To cover the possible loss of Ahman.

Of course this is based in reasonable thinking; the fact I am just a fan and hoped that we'd progress in 2007 similiar to Brett Favre.

Boy !! Was I wrong.