**Not-so-offical Green Bay Packers Off-season Thread** (1 Viewer)

[Chicago Hooligan]

Kind of disingenuous to say "Not many general managers elect to stand pat after a 6-10 season, but Ted Thompson isn't like most." and then later "Murphy cited your decision on draft day to trade up into the first round for Matthews as a watershed moment in putting 2008 behind the organization. It probably was your boldest move ever in a draft."Also questions (or rather passively voiced statements) like this, in my opinion, are pretty bogus - "Sometimes your unwillingness to explain decisions can be taken as an insult to the intelligence of the fans who support this team."

"Why are you such a secretive person?""Part of being an NFL GM is serving as the face of the franchise. Can you be an effective leader if you're uncomfortable in such a role?""Do you feel you were wronged by the so-called "national" media in its coverage of you and Favre?""You seem to ponder and anguish over decisions. Have you always been like that?"

I don't see any of this as productive or informative.

 

[Aaronstory]

I'm usually a McGinn fan, but I was really turned off by that interview and really, really came away liking Thompson.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

I'm usually a McGinn fan, but I was really turned off by that interview and really, really came away liking Thompson.

Some of the questions were a bit snide, but McGinn asked him some very appropriate and direct questions. A few were silly....or rather, McGinn should have known that TT would pass on some of the questions. Guess I'm curious why you were turned off.

 

[ookook]

I'm usually a McGinn fan, but I was really turned off by that interview and really, really came away liking Thompson.

Some of the questions were a bit snide, but McGinn asked him some very appropriate and direct questions. A few were silly....or rather, McGinn should have known that TT would pass on some of the questions. Guess I'm curious why you were turned off.

Although as a TT critic, I appreciate attempting to take him to task, I did not think the questions showed much football knowledge. I would like to have heard more on draft strategy, where he sees the team going, potential downsides to the 3-4, etc. What would we like to have had asked?

 

[Aaronstory]

I'm usually a McGinn fan, but I was really turned off by that interview and really, really came away liking Thompson.

Some of the questions were a bit snide, but McGinn asked him some very appropriate and direct questions. A few were silly....or rather, McGinn should have known that TT would pass on some of the questions. Guess I'm curious why you were turned off.

The whole 'are you concerned for your job or are you so well off now that you don't worry about it?" part was cringe worthy. WHAT does that have to do with football exactly? That and I guess McGinn's obvious frustrations with Thompson's style. I get that Wolf and even Sherman were a lot more open and engaging. Thompson just isn't. McGinn needs to accept that instead of throwing in snide comments how Thompson is 'insulting the intelligence of fans'. That's just absurd.

 

[sho nuff]

Interesting how different sites say different things. I've been reading good things about Hawk from the Green Bay Press Gazette blog and from fans in attendance.

As for Ngata...its amazing what hindsight will allow us to do.

I had this discussion with Packer fans on this and another board leading up to that draft. I made my case for Ngata but the majority of Packer fans wanted Hawk. Watching Ngata at Oregon, it was obvious he was the kind of player that would anchor the middle of a defense. The guy couldn't be moved.This isn't a hey look at me post, because I have been wrong on a ton of players (I think I was lukewarm on Mario Williams that draft). I just couldn't understand why a guy like Hawk (who I liked as a 1st rounder, just not so early) who plays linebacker, would be taken so high, when a guy like Ngata who plays such a valuable position, and was dominant wasn't considered.

++Actually found the link to our discussion (yikes, I said Williams can't hold up at the point? Missed on that one) I wasn't the only fan who wanted Ngata over Hawk.++

Link To Ngata Discussion on this Board

I think part of it was at the time there was not as much of a need at DT for that team. LB was a big time need and Hawk fit that need.It was almost more of the safe pick to get a solid player than anything IMO.

 

[sho nuff]

Id say questions like this are a bit out there too...

Q. You have spoken eloquently about the importance of the team concept in pro sports. Isn't it hypocritical for an organization then to make the unprecedented decision to can seven coaches and persuade another to retire?A. I think you're always trying to do whatever you can to make the team better. If you feel like you can get better from a competitive standpoint, you try to do that. Sometimes that means letting people go. That's the hard part of our business. It will happen on cutdowns this year. It happens during the course of all of our lives. We're in positions that people that make those decisions make changes from time to time.

I like McGinn...I think he is a very talented writer...but sometimes lets his own feelings towards a person grind away a bit and it gets annoying to an extent.

 

[sho nuff]

The other part that bothered me was Thompson gave a good answer here...

Q. Sometimes your unwillingness to explain decisions can be taken as an insult to the intelligence of the fans who support this team. There are decision-makers in the league who feel it's important to get their side of the story out there. Why don't you?A. First of all, most of those kind of questions have to do either with a player that's not on your team or is on another team, or it has to do in some respects to money. Neither one of those things are appropriate to talk about.

And sure...as fans we always want more info...but the guy is much more reserved than that and that has been obvious...the follow up IMO was McGinn grinding away again..

Q. I don't think you're going to get in trouble with Commissioner Goodell for talking about this punter who happens to be in Washington. The league directive regarding not talking about players on other teams has to do with tampering during free agency or maybe controversial-type players, doesn't it?A. Well, I try to stay consistent, if nothing else.

Well...all of the follow ups really getting to the image of Thompson.

 

[Sabertooth]

McGinn is really trying to grill Thompson. But the problem for McGinn is that he is not going to get Thompson to respond, because Thompson is reserved and not controversial. I personally love how Thompson conducts himself. I don't need to know every detail.

 

[sho nuff]

McGinn is really trying to grill Thompson. But the problem for McGinn is that he is not going to get Thompson to respond, because Thompson is reserved and not controversial. I personally love how Thompson conducts himself. I don't need to know every detail.

I think Thompson did well in that interview.Though, like others, I wish McGinn would stick to football a bit more.

 

[sho nuff]

Another about Wynn coming on. Im surprised as I never saw a lot in him and the coaches all seemed to love him. I preferred how Lumpkin ran last year to Wynn. But good for him that he has kept working and come in and impressed.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/52627567.html

Its interesting because the one thing I have seen from him is that he is pretty good catching the ball. Could they ever get back to being a good screen team again?

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Just saw on KFFL that Tyson Jackson just signed with KC. Maybe this means the dominoes will start falling and Raji can get a deal done. Doesn't Raji have the same pr!ck agent as Jackson?

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Just saw on KFFL that Tyson Jackson just signed with KC. Maybe this means the dominoes will start falling and Raji can get a deal done. Doesn't Raji have the same pr!ck agent as Jackson?

Not sure about Jackson, but I know Raji has the same agent as Clay Mathews. I think Raji's in a real bad place being one pick before Crabtree. Raji's agent has to feel some pressure not to allow his client to sign for less at #9 than Crabtree gets at #10.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Just saw on KFFL that Tyson Jackson just signed with KC. Maybe this means the dominoes will start falling and Raji can get a deal done. Doesn't Raji have the same pr!ck agent as Jackson?

Not sure about Jackson, but I know Raji has the same agent as Clay Mathews. I think Raji's in a real bad place being one pick before Crabtree. Raji's agent has to feel some pressure not to allow his client to sign for less at #9 than Crabtree gets at #10.

The good news for the Packers is that Raji is a DT. Probably one of the easiest positions to come right in and play - at least it isn't an offensive skill position where timing is huge.

 

[massraider]

Just saw on KFFL that Tyson Jackson just signed with KC. Maybe this means the dominoes will start falling and Raji can get a deal done. Doesn't Raji have the same pr!ck agent as Jackson?

Not sure about Jackson, but I know Raji has the same agent as Clay Mathews. I think Raji's in a real bad place being one pick before Crabtree. Raji's agent has to feel some pressure not to allow his client to sign for less at #9 than Crabtree gets at #10.

The good news for the Packers is that Raji is a DT. Probably one of the easiest positions to come right in and play - at least it isn't an offensive skill position where timing is huge.

I pretty much feel exactly the opposite of this.

 

[ScottyFargo]

Just saw on KFFL that Tyson Jackson just signed with KC. Maybe this means the dominoes will start falling and Raji can get a deal done. Doesn't Raji have the same pr!ck agent as Jackson?

Not sure about Jackson, but I know Raji has the same agent as Clay Mathews. I think Raji's in a real bad place being one pick before Crabtree. Raji's agent has to feel some pressure not to allow his client to sign for less at #9 than Crabtree gets at #10.

The good news for the Packers is that Raji is a DT. Probably one of the easiest positions to come right in and play - at least it isn't an offensive skill position where timing is huge.

I thought I read that they were probably going to start him off at DE though. I suppose it's the same purpose in the 3-4, but they're switching things up so he'll probably have to learn both this offseason in order to fulfill all the roles they might need him for.

 

[dapunisher]

I haven't read this entire 23-page thread, so this may have been addressed already, but I really like the Packers as a sleeper defense this season. This is based solely on the Dom Capers effect, and I don't know much about Green Bay's defensive personnel, so can some of you closer observers provide some insight?

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

I don't have any grand predictions for their points-against potential.

They still have a great INT-generating secondary with potential as good as anyone for return TDs, plus Blackmon has taken a few kicks all the way.

But they didn't get many sacks or fumbles last year and it's tough to know if, or from whom, those stats will improve.

If you're planning on playing Ds by committee anyway I suppose they're as good as anyone to start with, before teams have any tape on the new scheme.

 

[Phase of the Game]

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/53508277.html

Harrell fears career could be over

By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel

Aug. 17, 2009 6:57 p.m.

Green Bay - If the clock wasn't ticking before on the National Football League career of former first-round pick Justin Harrell, it is now.

Loudly.

Harrell admitted today that the "back spasms" coach Mike McCarthy said Harrell was suffering from last week, were actually a recurrence of herniated disc in his lower back that has bothered him since March of 2008.

Harrell has had surgeries on his L4 disc twice, and now could be facing a third. Harrell was already told his second surgery put his career in danger. So he realizes another would make the odds even longer.

"Definitely," an obviously distraught Harrell said. "I'm trying not to think about it, but how can you not?"

Harrell said the plan remains the same: to pinpoint the problem and rectify it.

"Right now we're just trying to get some other opinions and things like that and hopefully come up with a solution and what's causing everything and go from there," Harrell said. "Hopefully we'll come up with a new treatment plan or something just to make it all go away."

Harrell thought a 30-minute acupuncture treatment had solved the problem during the offseason. But he's back at square one.

"It's out of my hands," said Harrell, who was lauded by McCarthy and strength coach Dave Redding for his off-season work. "I guess as long as I know I'm doing everything I can and I know the doctors are working night and day trying to use all the resources to come up with a solution, that's really all I can ask for. I'm just trying to control my attitude and what I'm doing and as long as I'm doing that, it makes it a little easier to sleep at night."

 

[sho nuff]

Sucks for him for sure.

Not a bad kid...and a stretch for where he was drafted.

Odd that TT took two different options on Harrell and Hawk. With Hawk he went the safe route and lost vs. maybe a riskier pick with Ngata.

Got a solid but unspectacular player.

With Harrell he took the risk and lost too.

 

[The Kerminator]

Agree. Too bad for Harrell. He may have taken some crap from fans because he was drafted too high by TT and the expectations were high. But he seemed like a nice kid and worked hard at making it work.

 

[meatwad1]

Agree. Too bad for Harrell. He may have taken some crap from fans because he was drafted too high by TT and the expectations were high. But he seemed like a nice kid and worked hard at making it work.

Those are the breaks...looks like Harrell is done. Let us just hope that we don't lose Jenkins or Barnett again....those two loses sunk us last year.Does anyone know how Raji is looking?

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Unfortunate that Harrell was a wasted pick, but at this point they don't need him anymore anyway.

 

[The Kerminator]

Agree. Too bad for Harrell. He may have taken some crap from fans because he was drafted too high by TT and the expectations were high. But he seemed like a nice kid and worked hard at making it work.

Those are the breaks...looks like Harrell is done. Let us just hope that we don't lose Jenkins or Barnett again....those two loses sunk us last year.Does anyone know how Raji is looking?

I believe Raji's first practice was on Monday. They are bringing him along slowly at first until he is in shape.

 

[sho nuff]

Raji...read the blogs of yesterday's practice...both the press gazette and jsonline said he did well in one on ones. Well, one of them said he dominated...the other said he got very good push but did not win his one on ones.

He got some work here and there with the 1s in team drills but mostly with the 2s.

Interesting on that was Chillar was in for Hawk a few times.

Barnett was also back in full pads yesterday but I don't think he did any of the competitive work...just some of the drills.

 

[sho nuff]

Now reading McGinn's column and it looked like he had Raji as a win in at least one of his one on ones with a bull rush.

On Harrell...IMO time to cut our losses and sign a guy like Vonnie Holliday or Carter to take his place.

 

[Michael Fox Fan]

Harrell was a horrible reach when drafted. Too bad it's turned out even worse than expected.

 

[tdmills]

Unfortunate that Harrell was a wasted pick, but at this point they don't need him anymore anyway.

I would think many would disagree with you.Jenkins hasn't been the healthiest of players, Raji miss 1/3 of TC, Jolly could get his court case brought up at any moment....and now Harrell could be done for his career. It is probably better they are a 3-4 now.....but as far as depth and talent level....Harrell's potential will be missed.

 

[sho nuff]

And no better time if they are going to release him...than right now.

Nobody will notice with the Favre situation going on.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Unfortunate that Harrell was a wasted pick, but at this point they don't need him anymore anyway.

I would think many would disagree with you.Jenkins hasn't been the healthiest of players, Raji miss 1/3 of TC, Jolly could get his court case brought up at any moment....and now Harrell could be done for his career. It is probably better they are a 3-4 now.....but as far as depth and talent level....Harrell's potential will be missed.

Will it be missed though, when it was never evident? We're talking about almost three years on the shelf for him now. Sure it would be nice to have another big guy to rotate on the DL, but he hasn't been part of their plans for 2 years because he couldn't be counted on to play. They made other plans in the meantime.

 

[Sabertooth]

And no better time if they are going to release him...than right now.Nobody will notice with the Favre situation going on.

I agree. Sign a Carter or Holliday and slide it right past the media. And improve the team.

 

[sho nuff]

And no better time if they are going to release him...than right now.Nobody will notice with the Favre situation going on.

I agree. Sign a Carter or Holliday and slide it right past the media. And improve the team.

Ive been wanting Carter or Holliday signed even before Harrell's latest.Just looked and both had respectable numbers last year and could provide some nice depth.Hell, now with Harrell's issue, cut him and sign both of them....get rid of Harrell and Montgomery.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

And no better time if they are going to release him...than right now.Nobody will notice with the Favre situation going on.

I agree. Sign a Carter or Holliday and slide it right past the media. And improve the team.

Its bad news for Harrell, but as of today the only person who has suggested that Harrell's career might be over is Greg Bedard. I've enjoyed Bedard's work, but have learned to take caution when reading his headlines, as they often mistate the substance of what he is reporting. If he's really seriously hurt, they have other options besides cutting him, and if they want to sign Carter or Holliday (which I would like to see), they could easily do that without having to cut Harrell.Here's what Silverstein reported today from Thompson's press conference:

Defensive lineman Justin Harrell's career is not over. "No one's talking in those terms," he said. Refusing to specifiy whether it was exactly the same back issue, Thompson would only say that he thinks the doctors have pinpointed the problem and how to treat it.

 

[sho nuff]

And no better time if they are going to release him...than right now.Nobody will notice with the Favre situation going on.

I agree. Sign a Carter or Holliday and slide it right past the media. And improve the team.

Its bad news for Harrell, but as of today the only person who has suggested that Harrell's career might be over is Greg Bedard. I've enjoyed Bedard's work, but have learned to take caution when reading his headlines, as they often mistate the substance of what he is reporting. If he's really seriously hurt, they have other options besides cutting him, and if they want to sign Carter or Holliday (which I would like to see), they could easily do that without having to cut Harrell.Here's what Silverstein reported today from Thompson's press conference:

Defensive lineman Justin Harrell's career is not over. "No one's talking in those terms," he said. Refusing to specifiy whether it was exactly the same back issue, Thompson would only say that he thinks the doctors have pinpointed the problem and how to treat it.

Well...according to earlier articles the doctors for the 2nd surgery were claiming his career might be over and it never looked good.But taking Thompson's spin of it in his press conference as proof of anything?\They also thought they had it pinpointed with the accupuncture...lasted how long?

 

[tdmills]

Unfortunate that Harrell was a wasted pick, but at this point they don't need him anymore anyway.

I would think many would disagree with you.Jenkins hasn't been the healthiest of players, Raji miss 1/3 of TC, Jolly could get his court case brought up at any moment....and now Harrell could be done for his career. It is probably better they are a 3-4 now.....but as far as depth and talent level....Harrell's potential will be missed.

Will it be missed though, when it was never evident? We're talking about almost three years on the shelf for him now. Sure it would be nice to have another big guy to rotate on the DL, but he hasn't been part of their plans for 2 years because he couldn't be counted on to play. They made other plans in the meantime.

It can't help. Fair enough to settle on that? I think they need to go out and sign a vet, such as the two that Sho Nuff has suggested.

 

[Balco]

Unfortunate that Harrell was a wasted pick, but at this point they don't need him anymore anyway.

I would think many would disagree with you.Jenkins hasn't been the healthiest of players, Raji miss 1/3 of TC, Jolly could get his court case brought up at any moment....and now Harrell could be done for his career. It is probably better they are a 3-4 now.....but as far as depth and talent level....Harrell's potential will be missed.

Will it be missed though, when it was never evident? We're talking about almost three years on the shelf for him now. Sure it would be nice to have another big guy to rotate on the DL, but he hasn't been part of their plans for 2 years because he couldn't be counted on to play. They made other plans in the meantime.

It can't help. Fair enough to settle on that? I think they need to go out and sign a vet, such as the two that Sho Nuff has suggested.

From everything I have read about them, both Holliday and Carter had solid seasons as rotational players. I would love it if the Pack signed one of them.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

According to comments made by Bedard and Silverstein during tonight's practice, it appears the OL is set:

Clifton

Colledge

Spitz

Sitton

Barbre

I'm sure Wells is pissed off.

 

[Sabertooth]

According to comments made by Bedard and Silverstein during tonight's practice, it appears the OL is set:CliftonColledgeSpitzSittonBarbreI'm sure Wells is pissed off.

Maybe if he's played with a pissed off attitude, he'd still be starting.

 

[sho nuff]

According to comments made by Bedard and Silverstein during tonight's practice, it appears the OL is set:CliftonColledgeSpitzSittonBarbreI'm sure Wells is pissed off.

Im sure he is...but IMO Spitz was the better player at that spot. Just brings a bit more to the table to me.Love Sitton at guard.Was hoping Giacomini could win out that RT spot. Saw some things from him finally that I loved. Barbre has stepped up his game so far this year though, so that is good.Lets hope they keep it intact and don't get too beat up.But good to know if something happens to Sitton that Spitz can move over and Wells can play center.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

According to comments made by Bedard and Silverstein during tonight's practice, it appears the OL is set:CliftonColledgeSpitzSittonBarbreI'm sure Wells is pissed off.

But good to know if something happens to Sitton that Spitz can move over and Wells can play center.

Assuming he's still on the team. A lot of signs are pointing to him being on the trade block now. Barring injury, I can certainly see him being moved. Duke Preston hasn't shown a whole lot, but he can play center if something happened to Spitz. I really like how they're beefing up the line. I love Wells, but Spitz just brings more power/strength at Center. Combined with Sitton, you have a much stouter O line than the last few years.

 

[sho nuff]

According to comments made by Bedard and Silverstein during tonight's practice, it appears the OL is set:CliftonColledgeSpitzSittonBarbreI'm sure Wells is pissed off.

But good to know if something happens to Sitton that Spitz can move over and Wells can play center.

Assuming he's still on the team. A lot of signs are pointing to him being on the trade block now. Barring injury, I can certainly see him being moved. Duke Preston hasn't shown a whole lot, but he can play center if something happened to Spitz. I really like how they're beefing up the line. I love Wells, but Spitz just brings more power/strength at Center. Combined with Sitton, you have a much stouter O line than the last few years.

I think there is talk of him being moved.But I don't see it.He has more value to GB right now than to any other team. Though, maybe his salary will make them want to move him and keep Duke. Not like they need the cap space though.But who is going to give up anything of value right now for Wells? Seattle I have heard. But are they beat up enough to bring in Wells to start? Otherwise he is right back where he is in GB...a backup with starting experience waiting for someone to falter or get hurt.I agree on the beefing up.Wells was adequate. Not great, but did not really hurt them. But they are getting bigger and hopefully slowly away from so much zone blocking.

 

[BeaverCleaver]

Preston was released today before practice per Greg Bedard on Twitter.

 

[massraider]

Preston was released today before practice per Greg Bedard on Twitter.

Saw that. Was he a victim of a numbers game, or a disappointment? Just wonder because my boys could use a ZBS RG.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

Preston got no signing bonus, easy to dump and not worth keeping in favor of any of the other reserve OL.

 

[BLOX]

I sure hope some members of the SP are checking in here once in a while.

With the Packers not playing musical chair on the O-line, Grant and Co. should have pretty nice running lanes.

Rodgers was already going to be solid this year but this also makes him a better QB, but I think 4 of his TDs are going to Grant now.

Put me down in the very excited group, this team has talent.

 

[sho nuff]

Preston was released today before practice per Greg Bedard on Twitter.

Saw that. Was he a victim of a numbers game, or a disappointment? Just wonder because my boys could use a ZBS RG.

Bit of both I think.He was cheap to cut...and had not produced in camp.The youngster Dietrich Smith I believe had outplayed him along with Spitz and Wells at center.

 

[Chicago Hooligan]

So once again Ted Thompson's UFA haul for the year stands at zero, haha.

 

[Man in the yellow hat]

Preston was released today before practice per Greg Bedard on Twitter.

Saw that. Was he a victim of a numbers game, or a disappointment? Just wonder because my boys could use a ZBS RG.

He showed very little during his brief stint in Green Bay. Very disappointing.

 

[Balco]

So once again Ted Thompson's UFA haul for the year stands at zero, haha.

Can you elaborate? Why is that funny? Serious question.I am really liking the Packers O Line depth, and I think Sitton is going to be a pro bowler at guard in the near future.

 

[meatwad1]

He thinks it is funny that TT does not like to overpay for over the hill players looking for their last payday.