What's the Deal with Ted Thompson?

Green Bay Packers General Manager Ted Thompson spoke on Thursday and every time he does, it leads me to ask: "What's the deal with Ted Thompson?"

Shortly after the 2015 season ended, Packers President Mark Murphy indicated that he had a good idea of how much longer Thompson would remain in his role.  Murphy's words, paraphrased, were "that's kind of personal between Ted and I, but we have a plan".  Many thought Eliot Wolf was the obvious choice but shortly after Murphy's comments, Wolf confused us all and went on an interview tour around the league before remaining with the Packers.

Some thought Russ Ball might step in and assume the role of GM if Wolf were to depart.  Ball negotiates player contracts, something many general managers around the league do on their own.  To assume Ball is at least a candidate would be a valid one.  Brian Gutekunst, who also had a few interviews this past offseason, is another possibility.

But then just one month ago, Murphy added more confusion to the Thompson saga by saying that Thompson is doing a great job and he hopes that Ted will continue to be the team's general manager.  So which is it?

Things can and do change over time.  Maybe the Packers thought Thompson would be stepping down at a certain point but Thompson wasn't quite ready.  Perhaps the team thought they had a succession plan in place and now, for whatever reason, they don't.

There have been rumors floating around that Thompson will step down after the 2017 season and move into a consulting role with the Packers.  Obviously, neither the team nor Thompson are going to substantiate those rumors anytime soon.

Much has been written here about Thompson and his track record.  He's been with the team over 12 calendar years and is heading into his 13th season as general manager.  The Packers' success and Super Bowl championship in 2010 are all credits to Thompson's handy work.  He also assembled a cast of personnel and scouts who went on to become NFL general managers themselves.

But when I listen to Ted over the past few years, it's painful.  He sounds slow, sometimes aloof and, for lack of a better way to describe it, drunk. It's not lost on me that Thompson may have or may still be dealing with health issues leading to some of what we see and hear.  That he's still Packers GM leads me to believe that those issues can't be life-threatening but how much might they be affecting Ted? 

When asked yesterday for his reaction to one of his players deciding to sit down during the national anthem, Thompson swiftly answered that he believes that individuals are free to make their own choices and do what they want.  He is aware of the current issues and has clearly thought about how they might impact his team.

The words Thomson uses make sense and he's clearly still a brilliant football mind.  But that seems to get more and more lost in his demeanor and tone with each passing season.  As with any of us, Thompson isn't getting any younger and life in the NFL is constantly moving, changing and requires a lot of desire and energy to keep up.

This past offseason seemed to signal a different mentality in Green Bay.  Veteran free agents Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Ricky-Jean Francois and Jahri Evans were all added to the Packers roster after nearly a decade of very little play in free agency by Thompson.  Was that Ted showing he still has the desire and energy to keep up?  Or was it that Thompson handed over some of the personnel decisions to someone else?

We may learn the answer some day but for now, we're simply left to wonder what will become of Thompson after this year.  And will the Packers really be ready with a plan to replace the man who navigated some very tough waters (see: summer, 2008) to keep the Packers churning out winning season after winning season?

 

 

 

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Jason is a freelance writer on staff since 2012 and also co-hosts Cheesehead TV Live, Pulse of the Pack and Pack A Day podcasts.  You can follow him on Twitter here

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Comments (53)

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Lphill's picture

August 18, 2017 at 06:10 am

We will never know the truth unless maybe the Russians hack in and find out his plans . But I guess when all is said and done TT will go down as one of the most successful GM's in the NFL .

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Roadrunner23's picture

August 18, 2017 at 06:35 am

Ted should just stay behind the scenes as the puppet master and let Wolf & Gutekunst be the spokes-persons.
He doesn't like press conferences, never really says anything and is painful to watch in front of a camera.
He is still a great football mind although he "slur sheems lak he'sh bin shmokin shom great California shtuff".
Either that or he's on med's of some sort and all kidding aside hopefully doesn't have a real medical issue.
I still like the old Albino Barn Owl though, he knows football talent, just don't put him in front of a camera.

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croatpackfan's picture

August 19, 2017 at 07:52 am

One of the most important part of the GM job is possibility to tell you a lot of nothing, while that sounds very content, and that looks like a good answer to your question.
Why? Because running the NFL team is all about not giving the information to the public. What do you think, why Mike McCarthy do not want to talk on injuries more than he is obligated by league rules?
At the moment you hear any GM to talk about team's info, you may bet that he will be fired.
Also, Ted has one very nice quality. He always talks about his business as group effort, but also, at the same time, he takes full responsibility for all decisions he brings out.

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Daniel Herro's picture

July 20, 2018 at 01:48 pm

Way late to conversation but Ted Thompson has lost it I’m sorry. He used to be a good maybe even great evaluator of Football talent, but not any more. Proof in point ie. Casey Hayward and than the next year Micha Hyde!!! Both awful and just plain blind decisions. Almost everyone in Packer nation knew what kind of player Casey Hayward was and most of us knew about Micha Hyde. I’ll leave it there.

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flackcatcher's picture

August 18, 2017 at 06:44 am

Ted is very smart on this. He understands the media watching is global, not merely local. The speaking style my seem slow and halting, but this is a deliberate choice on Teds part. Southern politicians use this style to avoid parsing and to avoid follow up questions. You see this up in Capital Hill in Washington DC all the time. Teds not doing this, but he is using the style to give long detailed answers while avoiding follow up questions. He's not avoiding the questions, but is limiting the reporters, so they don't hog time. By the way, Teds presser was very detailed and interesting. He did not turn away a single question and gave long and very detailed answers on how he evaluates players, as compared to the packer coaching staff. Jason don't let the drawl fool you. Thompson was in complete control of his presser the entire time.

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Finwiz's picture

August 18, 2017 at 08:42 am

@flackcatcher - good post. I pretty much agree 100%.

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flackcatcher's picture

August 18, 2017 at 06:48 am

Forgot to add, good questions Jason, good article.

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Bearmeat's picture

August 18, 2017 at 06:56 am

As a musician, I know LOTS of brilliant people who do not represent themselves well in public. TT has always been of that ilk, and I don't think casting aspersions at him is very kind, nor accurate. Calling the former Redskins GM "drunk" would be unkind, but reasonable. We've never seen anything like that from TT. Not once in 13 years on the job, and several before that as an assistant right here in GB.

And this is coming from someone who wishes TT would retire.

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chugwater's picture

August 18, 2017 at 08:06 am

I'm with you on this one Bearmeat. I stated my view on this back in March.

http://m.cheeseheadtv.com/blog/a-healthy-perry-is-a-force-to-be-reckoned...

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marpag1's picture

August 18, 2017 at 09:29 am

"I don't think casting aspersions at him is very kind, nor accurate ... We've never seen anything like that from TT. Not once in 13 years on the job, and several before that as an assistant right here in GB."

Spot on, Bearmeat, not only on the "drunk" part, but even more for the "gosh, I don't know if his imaginary health problems are life-threatening or not..."

Life-threatening health problems? Really?? This is just a very small step above tabloid conspiracy theory.

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packrulz's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:10 am

TT lives for football, and most of his success comes from his love of scouting. He never was a great speaker, but his mind is still sharp as ever. I have wondered if his speech may have been affected from blows to the head as a player. I watched him play linebacker for the Houston Oilers, and he wasn't afraid to make a jarring tackle.
"As an undrafted free agent in 1975, Thompson was signed by the Houston Oilers. The Oilers' GM and coach was Bum Phillips who had briefly coached Thompson at Southern Methodist. Thompson won a spot as a backup linebacker and special teams player and held this position for 10 years. Thompson started most games during his career, he proved durable and invaluable playing in 146 of 147 games. In a 1980 game against the New York Jets, Thompson successfully converted four extra-point attempts as the emergency kicker"

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carusotrap's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:21 am

"Was that Ted showing he still has the desire and energy to keep up? Or was it that Thompson handed over some of the personnel decisions to someone else?"

As this year's free agency played out, this was my immediate thought. This off-season was really out of character.

(I also think it's crass for us to be speculating about TT's health in the comments section of this or any blog. Relevant, maybe, but just not something we armchair neurologists should be doing.)

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dobber's picture

August 18, 2017 at 09:05 am

I just don't buy the "someone else calling the shots" argument on any level. Why would TT hang his legacy on someone else's--especially neophytes like Wolf, Gutekunst, or Ball--calls? I don't believe he's been forced into it. It could be with the reorganization of upper-management, he's got different people whispering in his ear. In the end, the buck stops with him, though, regardless of who has his ear.

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jasonperone's picture

August 18, 2017 at 03:29 pm

Caruso, to be fair, I completely speculated about it in the article so I'm included in with the crass crowd in the comments. No issue with the opinion or comment on your part, I just want to take ownership for starting that part of the discussion.

That said, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. There's nothing wrong with asking a question. It doesn't mean or imply I think there IS something wrong, I'm asking IF there is something wrong. Obviously I, and many of us, can't answer that question. Maybe some can so I threw it out there.

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marpag1's picture

August 18, 2017 at 11:37 pm

"I completely speculated... There's nothing wrong with asking a question. It doesn't mean or imply I think there IS something wrong, I'm asking IF there is something wrong."

I disagree. There definitely CAN be something wrong with "just asking a question," especially when by your own admission the question is complete speculation and you know that it is not based on any sort of factual evidence.

The principle here is a little bit akin to mud-slinging, which people often use as a convenient and slippery way to defame others. Repeat something a few times, and even if it is the wildest of wild-eyed speculation, people start to believe it. Throw enough mud and some of it will stick. I think most people would agree that this is unethical.

SO 100% HYPOTHETICALLY AND FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY... let's just say that some poster on this board starts associating the words "Jason Perone" and "pedophile." He has no factual basis whatsoever even to make that speculation. "But hey... I'm not saying that Jason Perone actually IS a pedophile, I'm just... y'know... asking the question. But IF - hey, I'm just saying 'IF' - Jason Perone is a pedophile, let me write this article about what we ought to do about Jason Perone. Because pedophilia is a horrible crime, you know!"

Obviously you are not implying anything nearly as vulgar and reprehensible about Ted Thompson. And I'm not saying that you're being unethical. But I do think the question is rather bad form. If the hypothetical poster mentioned above decided to "completely speculate" and "just ask the question" about you, would you be cool with that? I wouldn't.

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jasonperone's picture

August 18, 2017 at 11:53 pm

If someone were asking that about me, I know it's not true and anyone can say what they want so I can't spend a ton of time trying to control other people. I know what I think and what those most important to me think and that's good enough for me. I'm not just saying that out of convenience.

I get plenty of criticism about what and how I write here and that's fine. I hear it, I listen to it, I'm not deaf to other points of view. It doesn't mean I'll change mine. Some are up in arms because I'm speculating about Thompson's health and I said he sometimes sounds drunk. I know that those statements aren't going to sit well with some but I'm also not here to please everyone. That's impossible. My goal is to promote discussion and I try to do it on the up and up. Sometimes maybe I fail but I like the conversation that this produced. I tweeted about it today, we have some of the smartest fans around the NFL on this site. I'm OK with not getting rave reviews. It's more important that the site continues to attract our audience and puts out something worth reading.

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flackcatcher's picture

August 19, 2017 at 01:22 am

I saw no disrespect in your article Jason. I thought the construction was a bit clumsy, The context was not clearly spelled out, and it muddied up your questions. I understood what you were trying to do, no worries. My advice, (for what it's worth) in the future, when dealing with sensitive issues like health finish up your article then save it. Don't post it right away. Take a breath and reread what you wrote, taking a fresh look never hurts anyone.

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jasonperone's picture

August 19, 2017 at 08:11 am

Thanks Flack. I usually write my pieces a day before they go up and schedule them prior. Many times I do think of something else or learn something new to add or change. In this case, I'm 100% good with what I put out. This discussion has covered a wide spectrum and may be one of my favorites since I started doing this. I'm well aware that the topics of alcohol use and health are going to touch a nerve with some readers. I don't want to sound cliche, but I'm not trying to be offensive. I wish everyone would relish in what I write but I saw very early on in my writings that it's just not possible. So I put out my own words, own them and do the best I can.

Admittedly, it's been a long time since I sat in an English class but I'm not here to win any type of prize for literature or be compared to the top writers in the sports world. It's a fan site and as long as the gist of what I'm saying comes through, mission accomplished.

I appreciate your reading our work and your constructive feedback. We have a great group of fans and readers here!

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al bundy's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:24 am

To me its simple, he hasnt decided to retire. Hey I worked with a stubborn mule who had more than 40 years in. We convinced him, with his retirement check and soc sec he could be making more money by not working. He finally gave it up.
Sometimes you get people that just dont beleive any can do their job but them.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 19, 2017 at 09:16 am

How many touchdowns against Polk High?

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NickPerry's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:34 am

I think Thompson has been a good GM, but I've never understood the undying support and loyalty he gets. Aaron Rodgers is good enough to get 10 wins a year, and 10 wins 9 time out of 10 gets you in the playoffs. IMO he hasn't done nearly enough to help them get over the hump. With all that said I think Thompson has built a team this season that may be good enough. He FINALLY dove into FA somewhat and made the Packers a better football team. This offense will be borderline unstoppable as long as the O-Line is healthy and holds up. The defense will be better as long as they can stay even somewhat healthy. Hopefully it's enough for Ted and the Packers to win SB #2 under Ted. If that happens it will be because of the FA additions, a little luck on the injury front, and Thompson's last 3 drafts finally starting to pay off on the defensive side of the ball. Well that and Aaron Freaking Rodgers!

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:45 am

I'm somewhat with you on this.
I do wish Thompson would have went out like this year and got some free agents to help fill voids. Like you said as an example the TE position. Why did it take so long after losing Finley that we finally got a good TE. Other positions were similar. ILB, S, RB.

And I do wish he would have went out and got more guys like Francois for example. A really good solid veteran that can come in and at the very least be a rotational player.

That being said, he had a team worthy of going to the super bowl in 2014. That team no doubt should have went to the Super Bowl. That was not Thompsons fault.

Last year I thought we had a chance as well and that was in despite of our injury riddled secondary. But with the injuries to the WR's and the early mishaps in that game, the game got away from them quickly.

This year I think is one of the best rosters overall that Thompson has put together. Going out and getting the veterans is huge! Getting 2 TE's changes the offense. Adding Evans basically gives no drop offs to the offense. Adding Francois is the quiet move that I think will really pay dividends. To go along with the veterans the rookie class is strong despite some early injuries to Adams and Biegel.

I'm excited about this year.

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NickPerry's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:56 am

I like Francois too. I think that signing will prove to be really valuable as the season wears on. He looked good against Philly even though it was against 2nd and 3rd stringers but all in all it's a good signing.

I was really looking forward to watching Biegel and M Adams after the draft. I think Biegel will be a successful player in this league, I really do and it has nothing to do with being a Badger. If the Packers can get M Adams to play like he did his last year in school, they might have a guy to pair with Daniels on passing downs who can really disrupt up the middle. With that said I really like Lowry. He could actually turn out better than Clark. I don't really care who's better as long as they're not busts which doesn't seem to be the case. It looks like Ted might have gotten it right with those two.

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RCPackerFan's picture

August 18, 2017 at 10:36 am

For me the Francois signing was the types of signings that we have been lacking. The guy who doesn't cost much and could come in and fill a big need.

I agree. Sounds like Adams is getting healthier and Biegel is getting closer to returning. I think Adams will probably play more as the season goes on. I'm guessing they will ease him into playing after missing a few weeks of camp. Biegel if he can return soon, I think could earn playing time sooner.

I really think people undervalue Clark. I really think Clark is going to have a monster year. His strength and ability to throw people around will be huge. I really do like Lowry and think he will be good. Just think that Clark gets underrated.
I agree though too. That he got it right with these 2.

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zeke's picture

August 18, 2017 at 12:32 pm

I am as big of an Arod fan as anyone and believe that here are plenty of legitimate reasons to criticise Thompson, but there is no player alive or dead that guarantees you 10 victories a year. Make Rodgers (or Brady, or Unitas, or Montana) Cleveland's QB and they win 4, maybe 5 games. Same with Chicago, LA, Jax, etc. I get being frustrated with only one SB with Arod, but the idea that you can throw out a franchise QB with 21 other bodies and expect to be a contender is whatever is the opposite of realistic, IMO.

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NickPerry's picture

August 19, 2017 at 07:47 am

Hmmm...I respectfully disagree. Look at Peyton Manning for example. They were 14-2 and then 10-6 in Mannings last 2 seasons he played there. The FIRST season he was hurt they were 2-14 and won the Andrew Luck sweepstakes with the WORST record.

The Packers were cruising in 2013 at 5-2 with Aaron Rodgers at QB. When he was hurt they went 2-5-1 and the ONLY reason they won 2 games was Thompson FINALLY brought back Flynn. They were 0-3 on their way to 0-4 when they finally put in Flynn against the Vikings and he salvaged a tie in that game.

Great, great, great QB's like Rodgers CAN win you 10 games a year IMO. Lets hope we don't have to find out anytime soon. I'd rather you disagree without having it proved to you... : )

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NickPerry's picture

August 19, 2017 at 10:02 am

Well then lets just hope Rodgers doesn't get injured anytime soon because it will look like the 70's and 80's all over again. Take Rodgers off this football team and you have a team that drafts in the Top 10 with maybe 4 or 5 wins. Rodgers is that good and makes everybody else around him better than they really are. Even if the defense jumped to a top 15 defense which would be a HUGE jump, it wouldn't make that much difference without Rodgers. Give Rodgers that type of Defense the Packers are in the SB. Them's just the facts pal, no matter if you think it's realistic or not.

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Razer's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:34 am

There has been a steady hand on the tiller for the last 25 years or so and for that we should be thankful. Ted's done a good job despite being a little too conservative. The investment into more veteran FAs is a significant change and may mark an urgency to his future. Leaving gaps in the roster has been a big handicap to Rodgers winning more championships. Maybe that is changing.

As for his pressers, yeah he sounds stoned but at least he has them and he never lets his ego get in front of the team. I like that about him.

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Finwiz's picture

August 18, 2017 at 08:40 am

I didn't really like your description of him as sounding "drunk" in his speech. To me he doesn't sound much different than he always has. He's evasive, plodding and unemotional in his speaking style. I'm not a huge fan of his at this point, because I judge the GM on the talent he produces, but I think your assessment is a bit harsh. This article is based on your perception of the man and may reflect your own personal agenda with him. Until you get to the point where you can examine the man physically or psychologically, and get the necessary education and experience to do so, I'd suggest you leave the emotion behind, and base your future articles on the facts alone.

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NickPerry's picture

August 19, 2017 at 07:50 am

LOL... I've actually wondered more than once if he was drunk at the podium. Between his speech and the look on his face most days, mouth hanging wide open, it's fair to wonder is he's knocking a few back.

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jasonperone's picture

August 19, 2017 at 11:00 am

No emotion in this and I have no personal agenda with Ted. Put together a winning roster and I don't give a you-know-what how he did it.

To suggest that we not speculate and base our writings strictly on fact is to suggest we change our format. This isn't the Journal Sentinel. We're here to promote discussion. That doesn't mean we toss garbage out there and try to report false information but we're not bound by the same standards those publications are. We can share opinions. I shared some thoughts, asked some questions. Why do humans ask questions? Because we want other points of view. To simply spit out facts turns this into a lecture site, not a fan site, which is what CHTV is. You won't see much of a change in this writer's style anytime soon. Thanks for reading, hope you continue to do so.

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Handsback's picture

August 18, 2017 at 09:25 am

I think you are reading wayyyyyy too much into what you think should happen verses what is actually going on. I don't see TT, never met him nor do I have any vested interest in him. That being said....I have been a fan of Green Bay since Kramer was kicking field goals.
TT has brought a SB to the Packers and has them set-up as a perpetual play-off team. To me that's what I want in a GM. He doesn't like being the COA (center of attention) and is very upfront about that. If you don't like his demeanor and tone, well that's OK. Just don't be critical of his performance as a GM because you thought another guy should have that position or that he's mentally not there.

I will share what that I'm writing a book about a UDFA QB. When I tried to ask the PR person from the Packers some questions...they pretty much refused to answer much although they sent me the media guide from last year that will help. My point is...I can get the same information from the Dallas Cowboys, but TT keeps a very tight rein on any information that would let anybody how they either look at prospects or the process of evaluating players. To me, that shows how much he's willing to share.....NOTHING!

So maybe if you look at the Packer's front office as a CIA complex, but w/o the leaks, you better understand how and why he acts like he does.

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phillythedane's picture

August 18, 2017 at 07:38 pm

Dude runs a tight ship, no question. Loyalty in spades.

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Gianich's picture

August 18, 2017 at 10:01 am

Tinkerin Ted scheming again!

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Since'61's picture

August 18, 2017 at 10:22 am

Overall TT has done an excellent job as GM of the Packers. He has built for the future while simultaneously keeping the Packers out of salary cap hell. However, since his tenure began in 2005 the future has come and gone twice in NFL terms. He built a young team which won an SB in 2010 behind brilliant QB play and a solid defense. Considering the team he inherited that is a good job. However, at some point building for the future has to reach the point of winning today. 4-5 years into a GMs term should result in playoff and SB appearances. Since 2010 we have had the playoffs and division titles but we come up short for the SB. TT was actually on schedule to win again in 2014 until the NFCCG when Rodgers played on one leg and a season's worth of mistakes were committed during the final 3 and 1/2 minutes to cost the trip to the SB. This season we're finally seeing some actions taken in FA to hopefully get us over the hump and back to an SB. I still question why we're sitting on $14 million of cap space but maybe TT will be looking to sign another player or two when final cuts are made in a few weeks. It's time to go all in and win now and worry about next season and the next when they get here. If TT can't get us to the win now mode maybe the time has come for him to step aside. We won't have the answer until January but we are there on offense. It will be a shame if the defense holds this team back again. Thanks, Since '61

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

August 18, 2017 at 12:15 pm

Ordinarily I'd question having so much cap space while a couple of holes remain on defense. (BTW, overthecap and spotrac have the Packers cap number higher - about 21.2M and $19.4M regarding the top 51 salaries respectively.) But Rodgers' deal is up after the 2019 season and I don't think they'll wait until 2019 to extend him. My guess is that'll happen next season so having a lot of cap space going into 2018 makes a lot of sense.

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dobber's picture

August 19, 2017 at 04:47 pm

Still a lot of room to sign a Linsley, Adams, or HHCD to a front-loaded deal. While they back-loaded Bakhtiari's contract last season, they could do the opposite with one of these other guys.

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

August 18, 2017 at 10:49 am

Thompson has always seemed very awkward speaking in public. My guess is he's a very shy person and that combined with his mannerisms results in what we see during press conferences. I don't think there's any basis for speculating about his medical condition and certainly not about substance abuse.

But why care how Thompson appears in public? I don't care at all: All I care about is how well he does his job. I think Thompson was the ideal GM to rejuvenate the Packers. He restocked the roster with young talent by trading down in the draft. In his first four years, the Packers exercised more picks than any other team in the NFL. His discipline led him to pick Aaron Rodgers, a certain HOF'er and in my opinion one of the best QBs in NFL history. But once the roster was largely rebuilt, I think he should have adapted to changing circumstances and used all avenues available to improve the team (something he finally did this offseason). For example, Dom Capers' defenses require veteran experience, but year after year Thompson supplied Capers with youngsters to fill holes. Either Thompson should have changed his strategy or the DC should have been replaced. I hope Thompson's actions this offseason signal that change in strategy if his contract is extended. Whether you agree with this critique of Thompson or not, none of it has anything to do with Thompson's public speaking.

In addition to Jason's characterization of Thompson, I also disagree with his writing, "He also assembled a cast of personnel and scouts who went on to become NFL general managers themselves." It was Ron Wolf who "assembled" and trained Seahawks GM John Schneider, Chiefs GM John Dorsey, Washington GM Scot McCloughan, and the Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie. And of course, Thompson.

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jasonperone's picture

August 18, 2017 at 03:32 pm

DT, yes, Wolf brought those who are listed in to begin with and perhaps "assembled" wasn't the best word choice there. But when Thompson took over in '05, he had the choice whether to keep or not keep them. And most spent at least 5 more years with the team so Ted deserves at least some credit for what they are now.

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GBPDAN1's picture

August 18, 2017 at 12:18 pm

Ted has done a good job with the cap. Maybe to good as he's failed, several times, to add a piece or 2 in FA to put the Packers over the top to win the SB. ( this year back-up OLB and OL?).Although I can make a case for Aaron Rodgers falling in his lap, I have to give him props for selecting Rodgers while he had other needs and a Hall of Fame QB running the team. He has also done a good job of unearthing gems in the mid rounds and with some good late and UDA players.

That being said, I believe its time for Ted to step down. We haven't won a SB for 7 years with the best QB in the business. The D is usually a big question mark and a lot of Teds higher draft choices were the wrong pick. I also believe he has a mild form of mental illness? It's hard to watch him talk. I too believe he's sand bagging at pressers, but what worries me is everytime I see him off camera, his mouth is hanging open. Poor guy. I wish him well.

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TKWorldWide's picture

August 18, 2017 at 12:40 pm

I definitely hear you, but I think the "one or two more pieces to put GB over the top to win a SB" is a myth, as if those one or two pieces would guarantee a SB trophy.
Improve the team? Maybe.
Damage the cap? Maybe.
Short change the future? Maybe.
That's still a whole lotta uncertainty.

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dobber's picture

August 18, 2017 at 02:59 pm

Not to mention the fact that as you look back after the season, it would often be hard to identify what pieces those would have been in the previous offseason. Who thought they would've needed CBs before the Jacksonville game last year? Or WRs the year before?

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bandnerd007's picture

August 18, 2017 at 12:48 pm

I have always thought that TT's "wandered away from the nursing home" look was all part of an act. I'd be terrified to play poker against him.

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Mojo's picture

August 18, 2017 at 02:38 pm

Recently a study came out using donated former football players brains with nearly all of the samples testing positive for CTE. What the test shows, whether constructed in the best possible manner or not, is that a high percentage of football players end up with brain damage.

TT played ten years, a long time by NFL standards. I'm sure he took his share of jarring hits. Back then they didn't take the precautions they do now with concussion symptoms.

So just based on the era he played in combined with the odds any player has CTE it would be surprising if Ted didn't have some measure of the disease. Combine that with the natural effects of aging to neurological brain functions (he is 64 now), it would be against the odds for Ted not to have lost some cognitive ablility. Nothing to be ashamed of.

Now the question is IF he has lost significant brain function, should he be making the most important decisions effecting his organizations success? It's a fair question.

People here shouldn't feign distaste at the question being raised. It doesn't make you better than the person asking it. If that person is cruel and mocking in describing Ted, then yes, that's inappropriate, otherwise for everyone's sake, the question should be considered, especially by the GB brass.

Now since Ted has been here for around a dozen years, it would be interesting to me to hear some of his earlier speeches compared to now. If it's changed as noticeably as I would expect at least you could take the "southern drawl" excuse out of the equation.

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dobber's picture

August 18, 2017 at 03:01 pm

I find this an ironic thread given that people here seem to agree that this last off-season was one of TTs best...

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Mojo's picture

August 18, 2017 at 03:54 pm

I'm not sure what you're saying Dobber. By 'best' I'm assuming you mean player acquisition. As far as the draft and UDFA's I think most people seem to agree that it takes years to determine that. As for the FA's he picked-up they were almost entirely to fill holes created by the ones we lost. Evans for Lang, RJF for Peppers and Jones, Kendricks and Bennett for Cook, House replaces Shields. Really as far as the FA's go we just treaded water.

Whether the replacements are better than what left is debatable.

Besides, it's possible to have a good year with player personnel without being the sharpest knife in shed. By draft time most players are slotted in certain ranges. It's just a matter what flavor you want at the time.

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dobber's picture

August 18, 2017 at 08:03 pm

<<tips hat>>

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ThxJackVainisi's picture

August 19, 2017 at 10:20 am

Mojo: "As for the FA's he picked-up they were almost entirely to fill holes created by the ones we lost."

And that's different than previous off seasons when 'next man up' or 'draft his replacement' was the plan.

You may disagree with the characterization this was Thompson's "best" off season - no doubt his first was best: How else do you evaluate waiting until the bottom quarter of the first round of the draft to pick a HOF QB? But what is demonstrably different about Thompson's activity in free agency this season is it shows a sense of urgency - for the first time.

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chugwater's picture

August 19, 2017 at 07:28 am

One item to point out about the study, the tests overwhelmingly showed the presence of CTE in the samples tested. However, the samples weren't selected randomly. They were donated by families who suspected the former NFL player in their family had CTE so the selection is skewed. The true rate of occurrence is lower. How much is uncertain.

I don't want to minimize the very real and tragic condition of CTE, but at least wanted to clarify some of the background.

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egbertsouse's picture

August 18, 2017 at 04:02 pm

Give me Ted's money and every a-hole on earth can speculate about my health. It's like AR and Olivia, when you're in the public eye, it goes with the territory. I was on the city council once and every time I missed a meeting the whole town was speculating whether I was drunk, had cancer, or was getting a divorce. Of course, I was drunk, you had to be to stand the city council meetings.

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PETER MAIZ's picture

August 19, 2017 at 12:31 am

Who knows about TT. I'm glad he's filled holes that are not "draft and develop". He's made major mistakes recruiting and some major great choices. However, the team is always close, but no cigar. This could b the coaching or that TT never gets to recruit in the top 20. I'm more scared of McCarthy's nervous speech a lot of times.
Ted is an enigma but the fact that they went out and got older, season players sounds good to me. As to whether he's drinking, it's pure speculation. Maybe he's bored living by himself. Even so,he'll have to leave sooner rather than later.
He's from east Texas and they have a Texas drawl that is slower than most arts of the country. Why speculate on a man that tends to be secretive? If GB doesn't make a presence at the SB this year, Ted should retire.

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Spock's picture

August 19, 2017 at 09:31 am

Sorry, Jason, I don't buy into your defense of the character bashing "assumptions". Ted has a very dry sense of humor and I actually enjoy his "scintillating" responses to questions. I also don't buy the speculation that others on his staff were responsible for bringing in the FA's. TT has repeatedly said the Packers look at all options. This year, with a huge loss of Packer players, the very affordable FA's just happened to meet his cap/need ratio. As others have pointed out we SHOULD have gone to the Super Bowl in 2014. Had that happened, and I believe the Packers would have won, would we still be speculating about this. IMO the answer is no. It's darn hard to get to a Super Bowl. There are teams out there who NEVER have been to one, so the complaints about 'only' winning one in the last seven years are ridiculous to me.

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Cartwright's picture

August 19, 2017 at 03:00 pm

If anything, Ted is a competitor. I don't think he leaves until he gets another Super Bowl or two to solidify his legacy. He's almost there.

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