Bar has been raised

Talk about victims of your success, Green Bay Packers’ general manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy might have had too much success too soon. A 14-4 record last year means going into this offseason thinking the Packers are only a player or two away from winning the Super Bowl. That may be true, but many variables play into the equation. First and foremost of course is whether or not Brett Favre will be back. If Favre returns the Packers motto obviously is “Super Bowl or Bust”, anything less in what would assuredly seem as Favre’s last year would be a disappointment.

McCarthy and Thompson might buy some time if Favre retires and Aaron Rodgers takes over at quarterback. Although Rodgers appears ready for duty, questions about his durability have arisen to go along with his lack of playing experience. I think Rodgers will be up to the task whether it be this year or next, but I just wonder what his state of mind will be if Favre comes back. He has been great for three years, can McCarthy buy one more year of patience out of him?

I believe that Thompson will likely stay the course and continue to build through the draft with the long term well being of the Packers firmly in mind. That is probably not the news the fans would like to hear, but Thompson is who he is and that means he will stick to his plan of building through the draft and just dabbling in free agency. Bottom line is I look for a quiet free agency period once again from the Packers.

Normally I would say if you are not getting better you are getting worse, but Thompson believes in getting better from within and so far, so good. However, and I say this in a good way because I know Thompson knows it as well, improving on 8-8 is one thing, improving on 14-4 is quite another. The Packers could lose more games next year and still be a better team, something we all need to keep in mind as next season plays out. I promise to do my best.

For the record, if I was Thompson my thought pattern would be if Favre comes back make a move, if not, stay the course. The Packers have the cap room that one big move wouldn’t kill them even if doesn’t pan out. Of course, Thompson would need to know whether Favre is coming back or not and we seem to be getting into one of those drawn out affairs again. I grant the man the time he needs, but I think he just needs the time to come to terms with the fact that he doesn’t really want to put forth the work it will take to play another year. It is always a harder decision to retire than it is to play, which is why the decision came quicker last year. And you have to wonder what kind of signals the Packers are sending Favre. Like “Brett, even if you come back, we need to get Rodgers some meaningful playing time”. I can’t see Favre going for that. Stay tuned.

More to come…

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 26th, 2008 at 10:26 pm and is filed under Al Davis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

  • ScottS

    I agree, help will come from within. Let’s break it down a little more by position. If we say there are five basic positions to consider on offense and defense (RB, QB, OL, TE, WR, DL, DE, LB, CB, S) and look at how many the Packers improved internally last season, WR Jennings, RB Hall, TE Lee, DL Jolly, S Bigby we see upgrades in 50% of the positions. All done with second year players and one rookie. Of course we have to include Grant RB as an upgrade but he is a bonus since he came via a trade.

    Waiting in the wings this year for their chance to be an upgrade there is already Barbre OL, Harrell DL, Rouse S, and Jones WR. So with a strong draft that may focus on TE, CB, or DE The Packers could possibly upgrade starters and depth at 50% of their positions again. Without the aid of free agents.

    Barring injuries or significant drop-offs in performance for whatever reasons, I see a 50% improvement rate as a great indicator of increased success. I see Thompsons plan working well and I like his strategy. Having a large cap number allows him the flexibility to address any emergency or to take advantage of possible opportunities that may arise. Building from within depends on great drafting for success. Hopefully Thompson will be able to continue to prove his prowess in that area. Who needs greedy free-agents? GO PACK!!

  • Pete H

    Thompson has admitted to the fact of not being active enough last year. He probably, like the rest of us, didn’t think they were that close. As for Rodgers, you can’t just give a quarterback meaningful playing time just for the sake of it. If by meaningful playing time you mean mop up duty then thats fine, but you can’t just insert a quarterbackin a tie game to get him some good reps. You also can’t give him a few series here and there either, unless the game is out of reach, or they are non-competitive, that just doesn’t work. See Cade Mcnown, Kurt Warner/Leinart, the Oakland Raiders, Kordell Stewert. Good teams don’t do that, they win now and tomorrow…not just tomorrow

  • JeffN

    I would be completely shocked if Favre doesn’t come back. I think the bigger question is how many more years will Farve play and will Rodgers be willing to stick around after his contract is up. Farve could end up playing 2 or 3 more years with this group of Wide Recievers. TT did say a few years ago that Farve can play for the Packers as long as he wants to. I just wonder if an executive decision will need to be made to keep Rodgers around. I suppose they could wait things out and put the exclusive tag on Rodgers the year his contract comes up then that would make an executive decsion to let Farve go look much better to fan community.

    As for the Packers record. I don’t know if most fans would share my opinion but I don’t care if the Pack is 12-4 or 15-1 during the regular season. I care about how well they play in the playoffs. When was the last time the team with the best record in the league won the super bowl? I can’t even remember the last time that happened. Once you get up past the 11-5, 12-4 level it’s all about who get’s on a hot streak in the playoffs. That’s been proven over the last 5 years.

  • Jeff

    I wouldn’t measure improvement on regular season records or even Super Bowl attendence with a team that’s this young. I want to see us run the ball consistently. Show the ability to actually block a screen pass properly. Get a more consistent pass rush. Continue showing some fire on special teams. Continue showing the fire on defense but play a little smarter with regard to the penalties. Get more turnovers and fewer penalties.

    Improve the team in all phases, and let the chips fall where they may with regard to wins and playoffs.

  • JeffN

    If this team can improve in those areas not just in the regular season but in high pressure play off games… then I think they will be in the super bowl next year. All the things you just mentioned is what they need to do to get there.

  • Jimm G

    Winning the division and getting into the playoffs should be the goal for the regular season, then worry about the Superbowl; first things first. I don’t believe we will go 13-3 again next year although I didn’t think we would be any better then 10-6 this year so anything is possible. One of the things that contributed to last season’s success was the slow start by our first few opponents; New York and San Diego stick out the most and we can’t count on that next year. I agree with Jeff, we need consistency on offense and defense, continue to grow and we should be competitive against anyone. I disagree with Al about staying the course if Favre retires, I think Thompson should stay the course regardless of who is the QB, there is a hell of a foundation there that needs to be maintained and I believe that Rodgers would be successful with the cast we have. I do feel that we should pick up a free agent if they fit but I won’t be upset if we don’t sign anyone, honestly I don’t see anyone that will put us over the top at any position. My biggest worry as a fan is the CBA, if that goes away I think we’ll be talking about what it will take to get us past 8-8, not what it will take to win a Superbowl, here’s hoping that the owners do the right thing for the good of the league.

  • Pete H

    What is this ridiculous fascination that Gms seem to have with draft picks come March and April? They’ll trade anyone on their roster for some picks that they hope turn out to be just as good as the guy they traded, and if they are, then they trade them for even more draft picks. Somebody tell Thompson that you don’t get an extra ring for winning the title and being well under the cap.

  • JeffN

    Williams would only have stuck around for a year then left Green Bay. Might as well get rid of the 1 year huge salary and get a free 2nd round pick for a guy who is going to leave next year anyway. Besides look at how much money they have tied up in their defensive line the way it is. Just my 2 cents.

  • Pete H

    I understand what he is doing, and I don’t think this particular decision is the worst thing ever, but its also playing with fire a little bit. Dealing away strengths on hopes can get you screwed quickly. He basically dealt away his only proven inside pass rusher on the hopes that Harrel can replace him and that this 2nd round pick can replace someone else. Its a fine line between staying cap healthy and competing for champioships, and being the Cardinals. There is a point when you have to let guys you know can play, play. His moves have been great so far so who am I to complain, but you saw this defense start to erode in the late 90′s when Wolf let some guys go and couldn’t replace them. Then there’s Sherman who overpaid everyone just to keep his players. He knows better than I, and so far so good. It just worries me a little. In general though, GM’s will deal away anyone and everyone for picks come March, just bizarre.

  • Pete H

    How many of these guys would you trade Williams for? Packers last 7 2nd rounders Jackson, Colledge, Jennings, Collins, Murphy, Ferguson, Clifton. I see 2…..Thompson’s last 7 2nd rounders Jackson, Colledge, Jennings, Murphy, Boulware, Hamlin, Maurice Harris? Anton Palepoi? I see 1. I only see 1 guy who I would even be happy with as a starter

  • Jimm G

    One thing that I try to keep in mind is that I am not privy to negotiations and how those things progress can dictate what happens to a player. The health of a football team can make a GM look like a genius or an idiot during the season, so far Thompson has looked pretty good but not on either end of that spectrum, this deal could push him one way or the other. Bottom line is we had depth last year and the coaches are high on Daniel Muir so maybe the combination of Pickett, Jolly, Cole, Harrell, and Muir will make the trade of Williams moot. I for one wanted to keep him but I trust Thompson so I support the trade. Remember the line did wear down at the end of the year without a good rotation so Williams wasn’t as effective as he was earlier in the season, I think there was a ripple effect when we lost Jolly and Cole. Draft picks are always important because they help your team stay young, but like anything else it’s a crap shoot.

  • matt i

    wish we could have traded him to someone with a higher 2nd round pick lol. but there will be a lot of players that could help us in the second round. if there is no one we really want at pick number thirty when it comes time, i hope we trade for a mid to high second and a third or 4th round. there will be a lot of players in the second round that could start and wont have to pay 1st round money for. i wanted more picks in the second round, so i am happy to get one, but i am sad to see corey go. its probebly a good move though to trade him, he would be gone next year, cause we couldnt come to a deal. its not worth talking about trading up draft picks because TT wouldnt get any sleep at night knowing he gave away a 1st round and 2 2nd round picks for one guy, anyone really worth that? maybe, pederson would have been and so would be thomas the LT for the browns. Jake long might be that good, who knows, having another T would be nice, anyway i said it wasnt worth talking about and i did anyway… im excited for the draft, and i have a feeling we are going to end up with more draft picks before this is through, anyone else think so?

  • Pete H

    I agree that the line wore down. I also agree that Jolly and Cole had a big part in that, and that is why it is even more crucial to keep your depth, especially when he is your best and 2 of your guys are coming off of season ending injuries. Like I said, it just worries me to deal you top talent on hopes. DT’s are hard to come by, thats why chumps like Tank Johnson, Sam Adams, and Grady Jackson can still find high paying jobs. It is a position that can make an entire defense stronger.

  • JeffN

    I think the more draft picks you put in Ted Thompson’s hands the better. We would of gotten 1 year out of Williams and then gone. We are better off starting out with a rookie than a 1 year player. TT has 3 picks in the first 2 rounds. I bet he ends up getting a stud Tight End and the Corner of the future with those 3 picks. I would of liked to see Williams stick around for his talent to but he just didn’t want to be here. He is already bad mouthing Green Bay now that he is gone. Screw him.

  • matt i

    i agree, Williams ur at the Browns dont talk crap

  • http://duncan26.wordpress.com/2008/03/22/alta-babel-translation/ Linnettebt

    favorited this one, bro