Why Thompson Is GM...and We\'re Not

It's posts like this that let you know how screwed up the Packers would be if some Joe-Fan got his way and became GM, even for a day. After singing their praises earlier this month, Tundra Vision has one of the most misguided posts up that I have ever read in the Packer Blogosphere. According to LosAngelis (yes), Thompson should sign Grant quickly because, and I quote:

With the Packers swimming in salary cap room and few players up for extension at the end of the season, it seems kind of silly to not end this potential PR nightmare sooner than later. Grant may end up being a complete washout, perhaps even the next Samkon Gado.

But for now, he is viewed as our starting halfback, and when we've already got the furor with our former starting quarterback, this is a headache Ted Thompson and the Packers don't need right now. If the Packers seem willing to swallow $12 million to tell Favre to stay home for the season, why wouldn't they be willing to spend an extra million to tell Grant to come to camp?

Seriously? What headache? Grant can sign with the Packers or get a job. He has no, and I mean NO, leverage here.

Grant and his agent, Alan Herman, don't seem to have been paying attention to the Packers organization over the last three years. They don't overpay. Ever. They set what they think a player is worth, and they stick to it. Is their initial offer what they think Grant is worth? Of course not. It's called negotiating. You start low and work your way up. That is, if the agent doesn't start yapping to every reporter who calls, and starts ripping the team in public. How unbelievably stupid is Herman? Grant and Herman need the Packers a hell of a lot more than the Packers need Grant.

Giving into press posturing by a desperate agent is just about the last thing you can expect out of Thompson and the Packers, which is why he has the job he has, and we all just blog about it.

 

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Comments (2)

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Keith's picture

July 29, 2008 at 03:57 pm

And this is why, despite my fervent defense of Favre, I'm not wringing my hands over the situation. Sure, I would personally have brought Brett back into the fold, but I trust Thompson because he has done a very good job building this team. His decision-making has been quite prudent, imo.

This situation is a perfect example. Green Bay has a nice stable of backs ready to step in should Grant hold out. And let's not pull punches here, Grant is likely a system back more than anything. He was without question a huge part of the team's success in 2007. However, it is 2008, and Brandon Jackson has had a year to learn and Morency's knee has had a year to heal. That's not even counting Wynn and whatever other backs are in camp. Remember, Thompson acquired Grant from the Giants' practice squad. I'm not buying that Grant is suddenly indispensible.

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PackerAaron's picture

July 29, 2008 at 04:07 pm

For once, we find ourselves in total agreement.:)

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