Ted's Rong.

packerboiI lick rainbows

quote:

Green Bay -

Ted Thompson sounded incredulous.

"I don't think we're anywhere near the youngest anymore," he said Wednesday. "I don't think we're even in the runnin'."

The general manager of the Green Bay Packers was referring to the average age tables that circulate shortly after National Football League teams pare down to 53 players.

Sorry, Ted. The Packers are right where they've always been under his stewardship, one of the youngest teams in the league.

Sunday, when Green Bay kicks off against San Francisco, the Packers' average age will be 25.70 years. Remarkably, that is exactly what it was for the 2009 and 2011 openers, and close to the 25.91 mark in 2010.

According to STATS, Inc., the Packers will enter the season ranked No. 6, behind Philadelphia and four of the weakest teams: St. Louis, Cleveland, Miami and Minnesota.

In 2004, when Mike Sherman was both coach and GM, the Packers ranked 22nd at 27.00 years, their highest average since 1989. Although Sherman remained the coach for another year, Thompson had the average age chopped back to 26.19 (tied for ninth) by the opener in 2005.

Coach Mike McCarthy's first three seasons saw averages of 25.57 in 2006, 25.74 in '07 and 25.57 again in '08. Each time, Green Bay either led or was tied for the youngest roster.

"Do you think I sit up there at nights figuring this out?" Thompson said. " 'Look at this, this puts us at 24.2?'

"I honestly can tell you we never consider any of this when we're doing what we do. I can't explain it."

On the other end of the spectrum is Detroit, which always ranked among the oldest teams under Matt Millen and still does under GM Martin Mayhew. The Lions, the NFL's oldest team at 27.40 years, have 16 players 30 or older, the most for an NFC North team since they had 17 in 2003.

More....

Fascinating that he's developed such a talented roster yet he's up there with 4 teams in rebuild mode. Says quite a lot of him and his scouts finding constant draft picks all 31 teams passed up on previously (including undrafted players the team brings in).

9/6/121:09 AM

Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

saguaroMember

Driver and Merling ruined the average. What was Ted thinking?

9/6/121:15 AM

ammoCheese Master

Don't forget Jeff Saturday. Remove those 3 and many would be picking the youngest team to win it all.

9/6/126:14 AM

IL_Pack_FanMember

I think Ted's just cranky people are calling attention to his strategy. "Nothing to see here other GMs. Keep filling out the bottom quarter of your roster with no-upside vets at four times the cost of these rookies making minimum."

9/6/128:39 AM

TdogProspective Member

SSSSHHHHH!

9/6/128:41 AM

FandameMember

Don't forget to give props to MM and the coaching boys. Without them being good teachers it wouldn't matter how much talent there is on the roster. The young'uns need good coaching to maximize their talent and they get that in Green Bay.

9/6/129:11 AM

sschumer - Packer Fan HoF'rMember

quote:
Originally posted by saguaro:
Driver and Merling ruined the average. What was Ted thinking?

What's really amazing is that the Packers have only 4 players on their roster 30 or older (!), with 3 of them starters: Driver (37,backup), Saturday (37), Woodson (35) and Pickett (32). Even better, Driver's, Woodson's and Pickett's replacements already likely on the roster being groomed, with only Saturday's needing to be drafted next year. Thompson really has done an outstanding job.

Not sure why Merling was mentioned. He's only 27.

9/6/129:17 AM

fightphoe93Member

SSchumer, I was just curious who you think the Pack is grooming as Pickett's replacement?

Maybe Merling is the replacement for Pickett? Or do you think Worthy is the guy? I look at Worthy as more someone on the right side than the left, but perhaps he would be the replacement. I'm not as confident as you that the replacement for Pickett is currently on the roster, but maybe I am missing something.

9/6/129:27 AM

sschumer - Packer Fan HoF'rMember

Fair question fightphoe93. I think between Worthy and Neal (both obviously #2 picks), Thompson was drafting with replacing Pickett down the line in mind. The coaches have said they expect Worthy to develop into a full-time 3-4 DE, and Neal -- if he can prove he's past his injuries -- could still be that guy. In fact, both are more inherently talented than C.J. Wilson, who at worst would be a good back-up next year if Worthy & Neal started (at RE and LE respectively). Merling still young enough to emerge as a viable alternative, as is Lawrence Guy. Don't think Daniels big enough to envision as a run-stuffing base 3-4 DE. By the way, Pickett, at 32, could possibly still play another year or two as just a run-stuffing DE.

Woodson's replacement at CB effectively House, Shields or Heyward, and Driver's is Nelson, Jones, Cobb. Though they say EDS getting better, and one of the free agent rookies could grow to replace Saturday, I see Thompson spending his #1 or #2 pick next year on some 6-5, 320 lb. C that would replace Saturday and could really make our OL an incredible strength.

9/6/129:38 AM

Ghost of LambeauMember

Irresponsible!!! We should age like any other over paid veteran team!

9/6/1212:26 PM

Dr._BobMember

The Packers age in reverse. At least Favre did.

9/6/121:41 PM

HerschelMember

The funny thing is that when using this metric, the difference sure doesn't look like much. 2004 vs. today is under one year, three months.

That's it.

Gives us an interesting (and harsh) perspective on the actual career span of NFL players.

9/6/122:30 PM

antiworstMember

If we can get our average down to 7 or 8 years old, we'll be UNSTOPPABLE!!!

9/6/124:11 PM

Blair KielGOOD OL' FAKE BLAIR KIEL - My Hood? nice Henry. Fuck You!

But then Penn State wouldn't leave us alone.

(I'm a bad, bad person)

That said, if an entire State Unversity can let that happen, they deserve to be the butt of jokes.

Damn, I did it again.

No wonder Timmy! hates me.

9/6/127:05 PM