An unbiased look at Thompson's job.

[falco]

Re: An unbiased look at Thompson's job.

Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.

I think this was the operative portion of the entry Falco.

Agreed. But for some reason the other part looked better in bold.

[falco]

I don't know one way or the other, but is this a word that was added to the dictionary because it's used in spoken word a lot? It's happened a lot. They even put slang terms in many dictionaries now.

If I looked at a dictionary from 200 years ago, would this word be in it?

I love how they add words because people incorrectly use them in spoken word.

I remember three or four years ago, the word "doh" and the phrase "my bad" were both added to the dictionary because of their common usage. Language certainly evolves.

[Deputy Nutz]

Everyone will always have something to bitch about. If it isn't the running back situation it is the tight end position, and before that it was the defense, and before that it was the offensive line.

Building a team isn't like playing fantasy football or Madden.

Blah blah blah, no matter how you want to cover it or paint it, it is the same fucking story with Packerblues. Blah Blah Blah.

What about the defensive line? On Paper, and lets face it thats all we have to look at right now regardless of position, the Packers have one of the strongest d-lines in the game. You can ask any NFL personal in the game and they will tell you that a solid defensive line from top to bottom is the key to a strong defense and also a key cog to your football team.

What about Linebacker? agreed that the unit lacks depth, but the Packers had scraps at that position three years ago and Thompson has rebuilt the position to one of the tops in the league.

Aaron Rodgers was one of the most hated draft picks that I can remember, he is still a back up until Favre retires but he has improved and very few are now grumbling about Favre's replacement.

The secondary was weakened in 2005 and the Packers only had one starting caliber player in Al Harris and up and coming rookie Nick Collins. The Packers still have a ? at safety but Thompson did something that very few thought he was going to do and that was to go out and sign Chuck Woodson. Now some of you scoff at that signing, but he went out payed big buck for a player that has produced. He cut Ahmad Carroll and got rid of the dead weight.

The offensive line was a shell when Thompson allowed Wahle and Rivera go to free agency, and replaced them with walk throughs, but he spent a number of high picks in order to straighten out the line and although young, the line is on the upswing to being on the top line in the league.

Thompson had contact issues with Walker but took a stand and went after young high draft picks to try to solidify the depth at receiver behind Driver. Driver has been rewarded two years in a row for his hard work. Thompson has spent three first day picks the last three years on receivers along with a number of others in the second day. He brought in troubled but yet dynamic receiver in Koren Robinson, but his suspension kept him from contributing for the Packers.

now the two positions that Thompson is currently working to improve, Tight End and Running back.

Thompson, a two years ago gave Franks a huge contract. Money speaks, it is tough to look at that contract and release Franks knowing the cap hit your going to take. Donald Lee has been up and down in Green Bay, but yet Thompson has not used significant draft picks or free agents to improve this position. And yes other than Franks remarkable turn around in Pre-season many in the media and fans of the organization are still scratching our heads at what Thompson was thinking for this position in 2007. If this position hurts this team in 2007 Ted Thompson will be held directly responsible.

Running back Ted Thompson believes that Vernand Morency is a capable starter in the NFL, but realized that he may not be an every down work horse type back, and he entered the draft and spent a 2nd round pick on Brandon Jackson, and a 7th rounder on Wynn. Thompson did not seek any veteran players to compete with the younger backs. Regardless of what some think, Thompson has addressed the loss of Green, with younger talent, although unproven at this point. Running back is important position, but many teams have decided to go with younger talent rather than the more expensive veteran free agents. The Colts in 2006 made a decision to allow Edgrin James go who was the most productive back in the NFL, and go with a younger draft pick as his replacement. It is now common practice, and Green's time in Green Bay was up. The bottom line is that Thompson has had to deal with injuries to two out of his top three backs, and he has made adjustments with a trade and a waiver wire pickup, as I said earlier these moves weren't breakthrough deals but deals that needed to be done to stabilize the roster.

[PackerBlues]

OK then, regardless as to whether or not irregardless is a word......

numerous times, people have mentioned that losing Green was HUGE and were expecting a viable replacement. Instead we end up with a group of guys who altogether (by committee?) couldn't lift Green's Jock strap.

After seeing the mess we have now, was Green really to expensive to keep? Should the Packers have spent the money in Free Agency to get a proven veteran for the RB position? Perhaps say, someone who has played the position in the NFL and shown the ability to handle the work load for the entire season?

I can understand saying that the TE position couldn't be upgraded because there simply were not any TE's available that were any better than what we had. However, for anyone to claim that there were no RB's available better than what we ended up with since the departure of Green.......... that goes beyond laughable and into idiocy.

I understand what you are saying about my choice of words SC, point well taken.

JH, saying "We'll see how it goes, and that we have to let this thing play out", is what we have been hearing from those that support Thompson whole heartedly ever since Greens departure. Look at where it has gotten us. Also, I am not using the word "idiocy" to describe anything other than the idea that spending money on a proven veteran FA RB, would have been a waste. It should be obvious by now, that going that route would have shored up the RB position sooner, instead of going into the season with what we have now. Other than Morency, none of these guys we have now, know enough about the system / playbook to instill any kind of confidence that we will even be average in the running game this year.

[RashanGary]

This whole team is much stronger from top to bottom than the 2005 team. I don't think we are going to see a situation that is anything like that this year. Sure, it's a weakness but we don't know how good Jackson, Wynn or Grant can be. We had a bunch of question marks last year too. Poppinga, Jennings, Colledge, Spitz, ect. . . A few didn't pan out in 2005. A bunch did pan out in 2006. Now we have a much better team. If Jackson pans out, we'll have an average running back and a bunch of other good players.

It's a question mark. I'll definitly say that but nobody knows what is going to happen right now. That's why we watch the games on Sunday. Nothing is given.

If you guys go to the Philly forums you'll see a bunch of question marks but instead of young players that might step up like Jackson, they have old players that they know suck. It could be worse and it is worse on many playoff teams across the league.

[Deputy Nutz]

Green is gone, I see you can't let it go, but just for the sake, if not Green, who would you have had the Packers sign to fill the hole at running back? Travis Henry? He couldn't cut it in two different places, each spot teams brought in younger replacements for him.

[PackerBlues]

Blah blah blah, no matter how you want to cover it or paint it, it is the same fucking story with Packerblues. Blah Blah Blah.

The bottom line is that Thompson has had to deal with injuries to two out of his top three backs, and he has made adjustments with a trade and a waiver wire pickup, as I said earlier these moves weren't breakthrough deals but deals that needed to be done to stabilize the roster.

Well blah blah blah back at ya Nutz. It's also the same old story from guys like you. Defending Thompson by pointing out the good things that he has done, giving him credit for shit that was already in place, while at the same time, completely ignoring all of his mistakes. Believe me, there are just as many people sick and tired of your method of describing Thompsons tenure, as there are of people sick of my point of view on such things.

Bottom line? The RB position was already questionable enough before your excuse about injuries came along, and people were already worried about the position before your pathetic injury excuse. You are right about one thing, they were not breakthrough deals, I doubt anyone would / will ever accuse Thompson of making one of those.

[PackerBlues]

Green is gone, I see you can't let it go, but just for the sake, if not Green, who would you have had the Packers sign to fill the hole at running back? Travis Henry? He couldn't cut it in two different places, each spot teams brought in younger replacements for him.

Why do guys like you always point directly to Travis Henry as if he were the only FA RB available? Is it because he is the only guy that fits your limited argument on the issue?

To answer your question, and to point out that there were in fact (contrary to what you would like everyone to believe) other options.

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2007/nfl/freeagentsRB.html

Michael Turner, RFA, San Diego Chargers
Turner takes a beating and keeps going. Turner isn’t well known to the general public, but the kid has talent. He gets a handful of carries behind Ladainian Tomlinson and has maximized those carries, averaging six yards per carry in his short career. He carried just 80 times this season, but it was a career high for Turner, and he was still able to crack the 500 yard-mark with a pair of touchdowns. With his strong running style and production in San Diego this season, it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Turner sign elsewhere—but the Chargers may look to keep their dangerous rushing combo together.

Dominic Rhodes, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Rhodes’ performance throughout the season was not as impressive as some speculated it might be, after he was given a chance to earn more carries with the departure of Edgerrin James. He carried 187 times for just 641 yards on the season, and rookie Joseph Addai was the more impressive runner on the roster. Rhodes was able to find the endzone five times by being a power back type for the team, but did not catch the attention of many. Super Bowl XLI may have changed that. With 113 yards on the ground—his largest rushing total since 2001—and a score, Rhodes was arguably the best player on the field in the biggest game of the season. Indianapolis may look to keep him, but he may be the target of a few teams looking to take a chance on a back that stepped it up when he needed to most.

Chris Brown, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Brown might wind up back in Tennessee when all is said and done, but there could be interest from teams looking for a decent backup or desperate for a starter with some experience under his belt. A team might like to use Brown in a running back by committee scenario, but his 41 carries for less than four yards per carry in 2006 hurt his stock. His upright running style might make him an appealing change of pace back, but it is also a weakness at times. He did rush for over 1,000 yards in just 11 games during the 2004 season, but Brown’s health is a concern. In his three seasons, he’s never played in all 16 games.

Correll Buckhalter, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
With Brian Westbrook starting and Ryan Moats waiting in the wings, Buckhalter may look for an expanded role outside of Philadelphia. The third year running back was called upon for just 83 carries this season, his lowest total of his career. He averaged more than four yards per carry and some extra muscle for the Eagles’ run game. His potential combined with his adequate ability as a receiving back means that he could become a strong contributor for a team willing to use him more often.

Jamal Lewis, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens cut the former first round pick on the final day of February, but will make an attempt to re-sign the running back to a lesser contract. Even though Lewis had a poor 2005 outing, his 2006 effort was improved as he rushed for over 1,100 yards and found the end zone on five occasions. There may be a team or two willing to gamble on one of the few players in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. He will probably be overpaid, if he doesn’t re-sign with Baltimore. Still only 27, there may be some strong production left for Lewis.

Ron Dayne, UFA, Houston Texans
The former Heisman winner will be hard-pressed to find a team that can best utilize what Dayne brings to the field. He was able to average more than five yards per rush two seasons ago for Denver, and over four yards per rush this past season with Houston, but he isn’t the type of back that you can count on to carry the load all of the time. He has worked best in a committee approach to the backfield, making Dayne’s options somewhat limited based on where he can be effective. He may have to settle for being a spot player on a team with a clear number one.

T.J. Duckett, UFA, Washington Redskins
The running back has a visit scheduled with the Lions, and his age of just 26 means that teams will give him a look. He could fit well behind a quick and shifty back like he did behind Warrick Dunn in Atlanta, but he may not find the playing time he’s looking for at the moment. His talent isn’t that of a top back, and he shouldn’t expect to command much on the market. He is the two of a one-two punch at best.

Other Free Agent Running Backs
Najeh Davenport, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Nick Goings, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Maurice Hicks, RFA, San Francisco 49ers
Patrick Pass, UFA, New England Patriots
B.J. Sams, RFA, Baltimore Ravens
Marcel Shipp, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Antowain Smith, UFA, Houston Texans

Maybe a few of these guys would not have been a perfect fit, however, some of them would have easily have been an upgrade to what we thought we were going into the season with and what we are actually going into the season with now due to your injury excuse.

[HarveyWallbangers]

With that list, I think you just made Nutz's point about RBs. What an ugly list. Would anybody besides Turner (who would have taken high draft pick(s) to get) made anybody feel better? Doubt it. That's a motley crew.

[Rastak]

With that list, I think you just made Nutz's point about RBs. What an ugly list. Would anybody besides Turner (who would have taken high draft pick(s) to get) made anybody feel better? Doubt it. That's a motley crew.

I would think Henry, Turner, and Rhodes pre suspension would have been good options. Turner might have cost too much in picks though.


Chris Brown is solid when he isn't hurt. Green could have been resigned albeit at an inflated price. It seems GB could afford that given their cap space.

[Deputy Nutz]

Blah blah blah, no matter how you want to cover it or paint it, it is the same fucking story with Packerblues. Blah Blah Blah.

The bottom line is that Thompson has had to deal with injuries to two out of his top three backs, and he has made adjustments with a trade and a waiver wire pickup, as I said earlier these moves weren't breakthrough deals but deals that needed to be done to stabilize the roster.

Well blah blah blah back at ya Nutz. It's also the same old story from guys like you. Defending Thompson by pointing out the good things that he has done, giving him credit for shit that was already in place, while at the same time, completely ignoring all of his mistakes. Believe me, there are just as many people sick and tired of your method of describing Thompsons tenure, as there are of people sick of my point of view on such things.

Bottom line? The RB position was already questionable enough before your excuse about injuries came along, and people were already worried about the position before your pathetic injury excuse. You are right about one thing, they were not breakthrough deals, I doubt anyone would / will ever accuse Thompson of making one of those.

The difference is the season hasn't even started yet. I haven't claimed that Jackson is all we need or Morency will be the savior, I have not said those things. I have decided to wait and see, and I can bet if these players can't cut the load in 2008 Thompson will stop at nothing to revamp the running back position.

you on the other hand have already put your stamp on the failure at the running back position.

I think before you go off on me and try to attack me like you did my buddy Skin, I will back off before it becomes dirty, because I honestly can't stand you or your rambling bullshit posts, I guess I don't understand why you don't keep one thread and leave it at that? Consider it your blog of bullshit.

Reputation is what we have here and I can say I won't sink to your bullshit rambling when I know I can't prove your wrong, whats the point? you can tell the future and I can't you win.

[wist43]

Turner was the guy I zeroed in on...

I've argued from the beginning that a 2nd rounder + would have gotten him... a 2nd and 4th, a 2nd and a 3rd (next year maybe)... TT wouldn't have had to endure all of the pain in one year.

Certainly the current RB situation is untenable.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Rhodes? Is he better than most 2nd round picks at RB? Not really. He's like Morency. Who is like Jackson.

Turner would have cost a lot in draft picks.

Henry? Get the feeling scouts are mixed on him. His career as a starter looked over before last year. He wasn't even supposed to start last year.

Ahman might have been the top option. Of course, they would have had to pay a 30-year-old RB: 4y, $26M to keep him.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't think RB is a disaster. Good blocking, and they'll be fine.

[The Leaper]

Re: TT

I believe Thompson has one fatal flaw and if he can correct it, he can be an outstanding GM. He has to check that massive ego at the door. This "I'm smarter than anyone else attitude" is holding us back right now. Harrell was an ego pick plain and simple. DL is not a position of need and at this point in time, it was not a good pick, not in terms of talent or potential, but in terms of what the GB Packers need.

I disagree. I don't feel that Thompson took Harrell because of ego. He thought Harrell possessed the kind of physical talent to be an impact player on the DL. He has shown flashes of that talent...and the jury will still be out until this time next year IMO.

To me, Thompson's fatal flaw to this point is his lack of knowledge on the offensive side of the ball. The reason why the Seahawks had success with Thompson was because Holmgren was also there to force Thompson to take guys like Alexander, because Holmgren knows the importance of playmakers on offense.

By running Javon Walker out of town and the blunders Thompson has made on the OL and at RB, I think it is fairly clear that Thompson does not value playmakers enough on offense. While I also like Jennings and Jones, they do not possess the potential to be playmakers in the NFL. When Favre and Driver leave, will we even have any Pro Bowl level players on the roster on offense?