October 29th, 2009

Linkageddon!

Aaron Nagler in Brett Favre, Ted Thompson, Tom Pelissero, Vikings Suck

Insane day here at work and I haven’t had a chance to post anything, but did read quite a little bit. Let’s take a stroll around the blogosphere, shall we?

  • The absolutle must-read of the day is this fantastic Thompson profile piece from Elizabeth Merrill of ESPN.com
  • Bedard pointed out that Lori Nickel wrote her own piece on Thompson a few years ago, before Favregate exploded.
  • Cliff Cristal, who apparently can just mail in a column whenever he feels like it, takes a look at the Packers’ hiring of Ari Fliescher and throws around all sorts of unsubstantiated rumors about the executive committee, the Board and Fliescher’s role in last summers drama. I like Christl and would never quible with him when it comes to the history of the team. But I had come to expect much better when he’s dealing in the present.
  • John Clayton leads off with the Packers in his First and 10 column and accurately points out what most in Packer Fandom are surely feeling, if not saying outright – Favre homecoming or no, ALL the pressure is on the Packers this Sunday
  • Tom Pelissero drew the short straw over at the Green Bay Press Gazette and is in Minnesota all week. He got great stuff from the Vikings’ staff and players, the most interesting of which was defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier saying that the Vikings are spending extra time focusing on taking the deep ball away from the Packers.
  • Finally, Jason Wilde has a great write up of Favre’s comments to the media regarding his Lambeau home coming.

25 Responses to “Linkageddon!”

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I strongly disagree that all the pressure is on the Packers. If they lose this game, they’re still in a good position to make the playoffs and have plenty of time to get their act together and make a solid run. The Vikes, on the other hand, are SUPPOSED to be a playoff team and are defending division champs(that hurt to type). Basically, if the Packers win, it’s just gravy, as they’d be exceeding expectations. If the Vikings win, they’ll likely get little credit, as they are supposed to be the team to beat in the North. If the Vikings LOSE, however, all of the sudden the questions start to creep in about the Favre move and Peterson’s happiness and the schism and all of that. Some pressure might be on TT, but he doesn’t play the games, as he likes to point out as much as possible. The team with the PLAYERS facing pressure is clearly the Vikings. They aren’t coming off a 6-10 season.

Packsmack said in October 29th, 2009 at 7:15 pm

That article from Merril is as in-depth as I’ve read about Thompson. Great read

Graffin said in October 29th, 2009 at 7:47 pm

Great article about Thompson. I love how he’s l
not letting this whole thing get to him. Sign some free agents though.

PACKERS said in October 29th, 2009 at 8:49 pm

I can’t agree with Clayton either…. The goal of every NFL team is to qualify for the playoffs………. This game isn’t going to eliminate anyone from the playoffs ….. The Pack will either be 5-3 or 6-2 at the halfway mark….. Either record has GB in great position for a playoff run the final 8 games….. Actually, this game may very well be the home-field clincher (for either team) for a January playoff game….. Another week of the BF PR BS …… Oh, joy. (sarcasm)

WoodyG said in October 29th, 2009 at 10:11 pm

“I strongly disagree that all the pressure is on the Packers. If they lose this game, they’re still in a good position to make the playoffs and have plenty of time to get their act together and make a solid run. The Vikes, on the other hand, are SUPPOSED to be a playoff team and are defending division champs(that hurt to type). Basically, if the Packers win, it’s just gravy, as they’d be exceeding expectations. If the Vikings win, they’ll likely get little credit, as they are supposed to be the team to beat in the North. If the Vikings LOSE, however, all of the sudden the questions start to creep in about the Favre move and Peterson’s happiness and the schism and all of that. Some pressure might be on TT, but he doesn’t play the games, as he likes to point out as much as possible. The team with the PLAYERS facing pressure is clearly the Vikings. They aren’t coming off a 6-10 season.” ——————–

I don’t know that I’ve ever disagreed with a post from top to bottom as much as this P.O.S.

We’ll still be in good position to make the playoff… REALLY? The division will pretty much be out the window, that leaves TWO wildcard spots. Philly, Dallas, Giants, Atlanta, Chicago all will be in our way (remember the 2nd half of our schedule).

And don’t tell me there was no expectations for the GBP this year coming off of 6-10, THERE WAS!

Sorry my man, if pressure is involved in this game, it’s on the PACK. For one, it won’t just be letting a nemesis sweep us, AT OUR HOUSE, they will be doing it with DARTH VADER @ QB. Secondly, from a pure standings perspective, this could be a 2 game swing. The queens already enjoy a W over us, and if they split… oh well. But for us??? Oh, and there’s the whole thing of “Aaron couldn’t beat Brett, which you know you’ll hear). WAKE UP DUDE!

However, once we win the game it will all be a mute point.

GBP 4 LIFE

FITZCORE1252 said in October 29th, 2009 at 11:16 pm

A win here is not necessary but it makes the rest of the year much easier. This IS a must win, and that’s how the Packers should take it. Their season isn’t over if they lose, but this is their chance to show they’re a GREAT team, not just a good team. I honestly don’t think the talent on the Vikings is any better than the Packers, so at home this should be a game they put everything into, especially with Tampa Bay next…

NickGBP said in October 29th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

Make that a MOOT point, WOOT!

GBP 4 LIFE

FITZCORE1252 said in October 29th, 2009 at 11:28 pm

Comeon Fitz, my opinion is a POS? Harsh. I’m simply stating that the Packers don’t necessarily have that much pressure. If they don’t win, you’re right, they’ll have a tough road, but they’ll still control their own fate, since they play Dallas, Chicago, San Fran, and Arizona and with wins against those teams would be back in great position. The Vikes also play Chicago twice, Arizona, and the Giants, meaning the outcomes in those games could help the Pack as well.

And yes, they aren’t EXPECTED to win the division. Only the people who went bonkers over the preseason showing honestly thought that the Packers were the front-runners in the North. I think they’re a playoff team, win or lose. You’d have to hope they believe that too.

Packsmack said in October 30th, 2009 at 12:23 am

Loved the article on Ted Thompson. Finally, a well-reasoned, insightful profile of the guy. Hope it gets a large audience.

Jack said in October 30th, 2009 at 2:40 am

For those of you that haven’t been reading Clayton since about 05′ you need to realize that he’s been hanging off of Favre’s jock like no other writer out there. He either states or implies that anything Favre does is pure gold. He has never backed off of comments about any of Favre’s recent collapses being everybody’s fault, or the circumstances, but Favre himself.

Take a sampling of his reading when Brett is part of the story and you will see the pattern.

CSS said in October 30th, 2009 at 7:29 am

I have to agree with Fitzcore here. We need this win to keep any season hopes alive. Remember, we haven’t played any of the tough teams in the AFC North yet. We have the following 3 game stretch:
Home against Ravens
At Bears
At Pittsburgh
Not easy, and when you add in games against Dallas and San Fran, neither of which will be a pushover, the rest of the season will not be easy.
Even if we win, the Vikings will still be .5 games ahead, which means we need to win another game just to catch up, and their toughest games are 2 against Chicago, and the Bengals and Giants at home.
I think that this puts the pressure on the Packers to win this one.

PackerBacker said in October 30th, 2009 at 8:14 am

heres a little incouraging news:

Packers | Finley may be able to play Week 8
Thu, 29 Oct 2009 09:39:15 -0700

Tom Silverstein, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy said TE Jermichael Finley (knee) may be able to play in Week 8 despite not practicing this week.

PackerFan4LIfe said in October 30th, 2009 at 9:53 am

Random thoughts:
-Would you rather have Ted as “the GM who replaced Favre” or “the GM who never replaced Favre”.
-Darth Vader with horns on the helmet would be a timely halloween costume.

bomdad said in October 30th, 2009 at 10:17 am

Every Game is important and a division game is even more important. Anyone saying that this game is just another game is a fool. Bring IT!!!

Todd From Minnesota said in October 30th, 2009 at 10:20 am

Todd looks like your boy winfield is out, Aaron is going to have fun shredding your secondary apart I can hear it now….Rodgers to Jennings for a TD or Rodgers to Driver for a 35 yard td!

PackerFan4LIfe said in October 30th, 2009 at 10:38 am

This is the weekend that makes champions. The two teams will smash into each other and the best man will leave standing. In the name of Football it doesn’t get any better than this. Let’s finally end the Ted Thompson revenge match. This is what Ted tried to avoid by trading the man to the Jets but that was not going to stop him. Yes the man for three years gave the Packer Organization a headache but the man on Sunday will show the Packers why. Don’t kid yourselves people this is revenge match and revenge is the only motive. This is for everyone who out there who has experienced the embarrassment that one gets from being let go from their company. That company after 16 years of service deserves what is coming on Sunday. I spit on the very soil you Packer fans call the Best Team in NFL. This team is controlled by a zealous arrogant micro management that will destroy all the great accomplishment that has been achieved.

Todd From Minnesota said in October 30th, 2009 at 10:45 am

“In my opinion, if you’re a true fan, you’re a true fan,” Favre said, echoing a statement he made upon signing with the Vikings on Aug. 18 before altering it slightly. “If you’re a true Packer fan, you want the Packers to win. If you’re (also) a Brett Favre fan, then this week obviously you don’t want me to win, but for the most part, (you’re saying), ‘Hey, hope this guy does well but hope the Packers go all the way.’ To me that’s (how it should be). ”

What irritates me is there are actually fans who feel this way. I’m sorry, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too, Brett. Your on the Vikings and are simply the enemy. Let’s reserve this fan talk for years down the road. Then maybe we’ll talk.

Asshalo said in October 30th, 2009 at 10:52 am

Yes Todd, burning bridges is one way to handle changes in employment. Networking with former co-workers and associates usually makes one more successful in both the short and long term.
I do agree the game is very important for both teams success this season.

bomdad said in October 30th, 2009 at 11:25 am

One link that you missed, or perhaps posted too early to have had access to: http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....2934.story

Fox will have a dedicated Favre-Cam that will stream live to their website. I’m kinda curious to watch it, but not curious enough to actually do it. Don’t wanna encourage this sort of thing in the future.

Jayme said in October 30th, 2009 at 11:50 am

Pelissero didn’t draw the short straw. He was a writer for the Minnesota paper for years before he came to Green Bay. I’m sure he fought for all the straws.

C.D. Angeli said in October 30th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

It was joke CD – man, tense week… ;)

Aaron Nagler said in October 30th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

That Christl column about Ari & the Packers really chapped my hide.
To claim that the Packers were running a smear campaign against Favre is beyond belief.
.
With exception to “the Timeline” (Which, by the way, was a defensive posture assumed only after Favre was making statements in attempt to smear the Packers somewhat), the Packers went out of their way to ensure they never said a harsh word about Favre, due to the fact that they fully understand the importance of Favre’s undeniable place in Packers history and the positive role he will eventually play in the future for the organization.
.
It is also a major case of hilarity when Christl assumes that the Vikings-Favre tampering charges was a leak manufactured by Ari Fleisher designed to defame Favre.. First, because the vikings tampering with Favre does nothing to portray Favre in a negative light (it’s the vikings who are committing the infraction, not Favre), and secondly, because in light of the current situation with Favre actually playing for the Vikings as of this year after escaping from his Contract with the Jets, one could reasonably assess that it’s at least possible if not probable that the tampering actually occurred.
.
Christl has shown he’s the epitome of the blindly supportive Favre-fan going out of his way to look for evidence that an anti-favre agenda existed. When no evidence can be found, manufactured evidence in the form of gross assumption will suffice. PLease, Mr. Christl, if you would- point to the evidence of lying, deceit and betrayal on the part of the Packers if you’d like to be taken seriously…Because there are multiple, easily identifiable examples of inconsistencies, twisted semantics, and blatant untruths to be taken from the direct words of Brett Favre.
.
The bottom line, Mr. Christl, is that the Packers most probably hired the likes of Ari Fleisher to be a PR consultant during that difficult time because the Packers were keenly aware of two things: Favre is a media manipulator who would, fueled by his feelings of entitlement and rejection, attempt to defame the Packers organization; and, secondly, that the world is full of people that have placed Favre on such a high pedestal that they have a need to blame someone or something for driving their knight in white armor from camelot, without regard for common sense, facts, or reason.
.
Wow, I feel alot better now. Sorry for the rant :P

Oppy said in October 30th, 2009 at 10:27 pm

“The bottom line, Mr. Christl, is that the Packers most probably hired the likes of Ari Fleisher to be a PR consultant during that difficult time because the Packers were keenly aware of two things: Favre is a media manipulator who would, fueled by his feelings of entitlement and rejection, attempt to defame the Packers organization; and, secondly, that the world is full of people that have placed Favre on such a high pedestal that they have a need to blame someone or something for driving their knight in white armor from camelot, without regard for common sense, facts, or reason.”

You should’ve submitted this to the editor of the GBPG. On_The_Money.
.

Jack said in October 31st, 2009 at 1:13 am

About the Brett quote. Good luck finding a true Pack fan who will cheer for the opposing qb at home. Your not a Packer anymore Brett. No one likes you anymore.

PACKERS said in October 31st, 2009 at 10:11 am

“About the Brett quote. Good luck finding a true Pack fan who will cheer for the opposing qb at home. Your not a Packer anymore Brett. No one likes you anymore.”

WORD!

GBP 4 LIFE

FITZCORE1252 said in November 1st, 2009 at 1:25 am

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