Ted Thompson Era Should Be Over

[JLW_51]

I have been advocating for Thompson to selectively use free agency to upgrade obvious positions of need for several years. Unfortunately I don't see it happening this offseason either.

I agree, his unwillingness to utilize free agency, more than 1 every 2 seasons, has hurt this roster. What upsets me, is that he is actually good at free agency, when he does.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Decent article, information that has been hashed and rehashed in the other TT threads. One point I don't agree with fully, that the writer makes and its his closing point:

"It will be difficult to take the college scout out of Thompson, but if the Packers are going to get back to the Super Bowl, they are going to need for him to do so."

IMO, that part of TT can stay, its one of his best attributes. What he does need to do, is stop relying on it so heavily and use other tools available to require the needed players to get the Packers to the SB. I know that is a fine line and maybe just semantics, but the truth is, TT knows how to build a decent team with depth, while keeping an eye on the cap and the future, he just needs to possibly roll the dice a bit more on FA's and go after the few missing pieces.

 

[rodell330]

Unless TT gets to another couple of SBS or at least wins another one? I will forever remember him as the GM who wasted the talents of the most talented QB in NFL history.

 

[JLW_51]

Decent article, information that has been hashed and rehashed in the other TT threads. One point I don't agree with fully, that the writer makes and its his closing point:

"It will be difficult to take the college scout out of Thompson, but if the Packers are going to get back to the Super Bowl, they are going to need for him to do so."

IMO, that part of TT can stay, its one of his best attributes. What he does need to do, is stop relying on it so heavily and use other tools available to require the needed players to get the Packers to the SB. I know that is a fine line and maybe just semantics, but the truth is, TT knows how to build a decent team with depth, while keeping an eye on the cap and the future, he just needs to possibly roll the dice a bit more on FA's and go after the few missing pieces.

I agree, I tried getting that point across on the last paragraph of my article. By no means does he have to stop utilizing the draft, but he needs to spend more time in free agency and trades, something he has rarely done, even less than he has signed free agents

 

[Half Empty]

Decent article, information that has been hashed and rehashed in the other TT threads. One point I don't agree with fully, that the writer makes and its his closing point:

"It will be difficult to take the college scout out of Thompson, but if the Packers are going to get back to the Super Bowl, they are going to need for him to do so."

IMO, that part of TT can stay, its one of his best attributes. What he does need to do, is stop relying on it so heavily and use other tools available to require the needed players to get the Packers to the SB. I know that is a fine line and maybe just semantics, but the truth is, TT knows how to build a decent team with depth, while keeping an eye on the cap and the future, he just needs to possibly roll the dice a bit more on FA's and go after the few missing pieces.

Was going to start arguing, but when I read the bold underline, there didn't seem to be any point in it. Almost everything we 'discuss' here is a matter of degree and interpretation. Good point.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I agree, I tried getting that point across on the last paragraph of my article. By no means does he have to stop utilizing the draft, but he needs to spend more time in free agency and trades, something he has rarely done, even less than he has signed free agents

Oh heck.....you wrote the article? I would like to retract what I said and say "Well done!" LOL

But in all seriousness, a nice piece and like I said, somewhat semantics on the scouting part.

What I find interesting is that TT's hesitation with using the FA market more has probably been the #1 beef that we hear about him, how does he honestly explain it to himself? We hear general PR statements from the Packer organization, but when TT closes his eyes at night, does he seriously think he isn't missing this piece of the puzzle?

Reminds me a bit of the famous scene in Animal House...

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[longtimefan]

Merged yet another TT thread...

 

[Packer Brother]

Well Murphy is just as much to blame.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Well Murphy is just as much to blame.

How so? Because he hasn't fired TT? Ultimately, that is the Packers Executive Committee's decision that Murphy sits on and has a lot of influence, but if you look at what Murphy has done for the organization, the facility and the areas surrounding, I think he has been doing his job quite well.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

What upsets me, is that he is actually good at free agency, when he does.

Thompson being pretty successful at signing free agents makes it especially mind-boggling that he doesn't use it more often.

How so? Because he hasn't fired TT? Ultimately, that is the Packers Executive Committee's decision that Murphy sits on and has a lot of influence, but if you look at what Murphy has done for the organization, the facility and the areas surrounding, I think he has been doing his job quite well.

Murphy could and should have advocated for Thompson to use all methods available to upgrade the team a long time ago.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Murphy could and should have advocated for Thompson to use all methods available to upgrade the team a long time ago.

You are correct, if he hasn't been, he should be. For all we know, that was why Cook was signed last off season. Yes, its ultimately Murphy and the EC's decision if TT should continue as GM and Murphy might be whispering things in TT's ear at times, but in the end, TT controls the Football side of the operation with Murphy controlling the business side. Short of what might be a good or bad move of firing TT, I think Murphy has done a nice job on the business end of the Packers.

 

[GBkrzygrl]

Well, unfortunately Thompson standing pat instead of upgrading the cornerback position was the main reason the Packers didn't make it to the Super Bowl. Murphy should hold him accountable for failing to improve the roster.

This is not a sarcastic comment...But what exactly does Murphy do? How much interaction does he have with TT/MM on a regular basis? The way it looks is that he just lets things fall where they may. Isn't he supposed to act like an 'owner'?... Have some input?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

This is not a sarcastic comment...But what exactly does Murphy do? How much interaction does he have with TT/MM on a regular basis? The way it looks is that he just lets things fall where they may. Isn't he supposed to act like an 'owner'?... Have some input?

Murphy is situated more on the business decision side of the Packers and I believe gives more freedom of player decisions to TT and McCarthy. That doesn't mean he doesn't get involved in decisions revolving around players. His first big decisions as Packer CEO, was back in 2008, when he was the guy who ultimately made the decision to trade Favre.

If you haven't already read it, this will give you more details on what is expected of Mark Murphy and what he has done. I would never view Murphy in the same light as an "owner".

http://www.packers.com/team/staff/mark-murphy/1e6572d2-1c0e-496c-8743-9a15333aed42

 

[GBkrzygrl]

If you haven't already read it, this will give you more details on what is expected of Mark Murphy. I would never view Murphy in the same light as an "owner".

http://www.packers.com/team/staff/mark-murphy/1e6572d2-1c0e-496c-8743-9a15333aed42

I mainly was referring to input. I know that Murphy is involved in the business part of the franchise and on the Competition Committee. It's great what he has done with the franchise. I'm just wondering how much input if any does he have with player acquisition? Does he leave that completely in TT's hands. I wonder if he ever puts in his .02.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm just wondering how much input if any does he have with player acquisition? Does he leave that completely in TT's hands. I wonder if he ever puts in his .02.

Guessing in a very limited capacity, much like the Favre thing. However, he is the one over seeing TT, so one would speculate that he is at least in discussions with him if the situation warrants it (season end reviews).

 

[Packer Brother]

Clearly Murphy works more for the business side of things. He's into Titletown district stuff. He raises ticket prices etc. In otherwords, the status quo will continue.

 

[swhitset]

Because you are penalizing a team for identifying talent and having the skill to trade. At no point did i say it was sustainable but you are penalizing the team that moves up because they have traded two picks that would be considered in your scenario, therefore you are tilting your analysis against the team that made a good trade. You are removing their two draft picks and NOT including the results of those picks. That's an incomplete analysis.

You guys are arguing at cross purposes simply to win an argument... both of you have valid points about what you choose to argue about, but you are definitely looking at different ideas.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Here what Mark Murphy is saying and how he views the Packers in comparison to the Patriots.

"No team in the league matches up to New England, and they've achieved a level of consistency in the modern era that others haven't," Murphy said. "But I’d say we're pretty close to them. It's not something that we’re ashamed of and I'm excited for the future. I don't think the future of our organization has been closed. I think we have a chance to be very good for a number of years into the future."


http://gnb.247sports.com/Bolt/Packers-president-says-team-is-close-to-Patriots-success-51078514

 

[rodell330]

Here what Mark Murphy is saying and how he views the Packers in comparison to the Patriots.

"No team in the league matches up to New England, and they've achieved a level of consistency in the modern era that others haven't," Murphy said. "But I’d say we're pretty close to them. It's not something that we’re ashamed of and I'm excited for the future. I don't think the future of our organization has been closed. I think we have a chance to be very good for a number of years into the future."


http://gnb.247sports.com/Bolt/Packers-president-says-team-is-close-to-Patriots-success-51078514

Blah blah blah...the only thing we have in common with New England is they have an elite QB...and so do we. That's the End of that

 

[TomBrownFan40]

Interesting. There is some truth in this however, a major difference between the two franchises is the Pats are not as dogmatic as the Packers. They seem to have a "whatever works" philosophy whereas the Packers tend to pound square pegs into round holes both in terms of personnel and scheme.

A better and more ironic comparison is between the Packers and Steelers. McCarthy is from Pittsburgh and Dom Capers is from the Steelers school. TT's philosophy is very much in line with the Pittsburgh grow within and stability is the ultimate virtue. Generally, I like it. I'd rather be one of those franchises that is always in the conversation when it comes to picking a champion every year than one of those teams that is 12-4 or 4-12 and nothing in between. However, another irony is that the Pack and Steelers were both bounced a game away from the Super Bowl on the same day. Both teams have the same dilemma, the clock is ticking on the Rodgers and Roethlisberger eras and tough decisions have to be made in this offseason. It will be interesting to see if either franchises bend a bit from orthodoxy.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

You are correct, if he hasn't been, he should be. For all we know, that was why Cook was signed last off season. Yes, its ultimately Murphy and the EC's decision if TT should continue as GM and Murphy might be whispering things in TT's ear at times, but in the end, TT controls the Football side of the operation with Murphy controlling the business side. Short of what might be a good or bad move of firing TT, I think Murphy has done a nice job on the business end of the Packers.

There's no doubt Murphy has done an excellent job regarding the business side of his responsibilities. It doesn't seem he has pushed Thompson to use free agency more often in the past nor that he will going forward though.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/sport...rphy-wont-push-thompson-free-agency/97414124/

 

[Packer Brother]

There's no doubt Murphy has done an excellent job regarding the business side of his responsibilities. It doesn't seem he has pushed Thompson to use free agency more often in the past nor that he will going forward though.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/sport...rphy-wont-push-thompson-free-agency/97414124/

I've resigned myself to the fact TT won't use F.A. I don't expect this team to win a SB in the next few years.

 

[PackerfaninCarolina]

Well Murphy is just as much to blame.

So then I guess that means the board of directors are as much to blame and then .... oh no could it be we the stockholders are causing this too?

 

[PackerDNA]

So then I guess that means the board of directors are as much to blame and then .... oh no could it be we the stockholders are causing this too?

I think the problem for a lot of people is just who is in charge. Specifically, who's in charge of Thompson.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I think the problem for a lot of people is just who is in charge. Specifically, who's in charge of Thompson.

The way I understand it, that would by Murphy and the Executive Committee who oversee TT. I have read that TT is pretty much free to run the football side of the Packers, but ultimately, he has to answer to Murphy and the EC.