For three years now, I’ve watched the same thing unfold during the first days of free agency. Packer fans get up-in-arms about the lack of activity coming from 1265 Lombardi Avenue, and they take to the internet, to the forums and the ‘comment’ sections. They call in to the radio shows. The vitriol directed at Ted Thompson for his lack of activity in the free agent market is only superseded by the incredible stupidity of the people offering their opinions.
A bit harsh? Perhaps.
But if getting the Packers to the NFC Championship, and being within an ill-advised throw from Brett Favre of going to the Super Bowl, all after signing all but one free agent the year before, (who barely made a difference) doesn’t prove to these morons that Ted Thompson knows what he’s doing, nothing will.
I’ll only add that I don’t think even the more levelheaded of my Packer-fan bretheren (and sisteren) fully grasp how well the off-season is shaping up already for the Green and Gold. Ted Thompson has two second round picks. That’s akin to giving Bobby Fisher an extra Bishop. Yes, that’s how good Thompson is at evaluating players and working the draft. The man has shown an incredible eye for talent, throughout all stages of the draft, and the ability to play the board, effortlessly moving picks and acquiring players, almost as though the draft were an instrument and he was the worlds most distinguished virtuoso when playing.
Do I overstate? No, I don’t believe I do. And I hope the mongoloid fools who howl in protest now are paying attention on April 26th and 27th. That’s when the Packers really start the off-season. And the man in charge of the Packers draft does it better than anybody.