The Real Ted Thompson

Maybe TT can snooker Joe Thomas away for Holmgren.

When Ron Wolf came in, he hired a good coach in Mike Holmgren, got a franchise quarterback in Brett Favre and he got a standout defensive player in Reggie White. And that was our foundation in the 90s. Now Ted Thompson comes in, gets a good coach in Mike McCarthy, gets a franchise quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and has a sound defense formed around Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews. So these two men have worked very much alike. And after what we went through in the ‘70s and ‘80s when we could never win, what Ron accomplished in the ‘90s and what Ted Thompson has accomplished in the last six years, it’s just good to see the Packers back among the elite teams where they belong.

“They are different type people. Ron Wolf, he will take more chances. And he did appreciate the spotlight more. Ted is really a back room guy. I remember when I was going to hire him, I went to one of the PR individuals and told him what I was going to do, and the first thing the person said to me was, ‘Boy, Ted’s not very good with the press.’ And I said, ‘I’m not hiring him to be good with the press. I’m hiring him to build a football team for us. And he will do that.’ And he has done that. The personality doesn’t matter.”

He's not real good with the Diggr's either. Uncle Ted's ability to perceive when to let a player walk may be his best attribute.

Great read. People will continue to question his GM philosophy - though this trip to Dallas should really end that nonsense - but no one can question that he is the best in the biz at identifying talent.

I've trusted in him since he came on board and drafted Rodgers, and I wouldn't have anyone else running this team.

The quote in RatPack's post comes from Bob Harlan.

Never can thank that man enough. Saved the franchise through the stadium referendum, brought in Wolf, recognized his mistake with Sherman, brought in Thompson. ThanksBob.

This threw me a bit:

quote:

When veteran cornerback Al Harris was eligible to come off the physically unable to perform list, Thompson opted to cut the two-time Pro Bowler for fear that he would become a malcontent if buried on the depth chart.

I don't remember anything about Al being a possible problem.

Al was certainly a great Packer, but stories of "malcontent" have surfaced before (but not worded that strongly). About 4/5 years ago, IIRC, he threatened to hold out of camp b/c of a contract dispute.

I think Al has a strong personality, and he probably would not have been happy about being unseated by an undrafted rookie. I'm guessing Ted made the right decision.