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…

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