Prior to Ted Thompson's hiring in 2005, Brett had been contemplating retirement each offseason. Many suspect Ted Thompson was brought in to get rid of Brett.
Many may remember Brett's appearance on FOX News with Greta Van Susteren in the summer of 2008 right after the Packers banned him from their locker room (after he rescinded on his retirement). During the interview Brett said Thompson Thompson was dishonest with him when Brett lobbied for Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle in 2005, and for Randy Moss in 2007. Brett wanted skilled free agents capable of a superbowl run. Instead, much to the chagrin of Brett (and most Packer fans) Thompson seemed hellbent on using the draft only, with CB Charles Woodson being his only major free agent signing. Although several of Thompson's picks like Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings have turned out to be stars, his draft record is otherwise rather unimpressive.
In fact, the Packers offensive line that allowed 14 sacks on Aaron Rodgers in two games vs. the Vikings was composed entirely of Thompson picks. Why are they so bad?
Each year, Thompson drafted wide receivers in the early rounds and took offensive linemen late. It was the weak o-linemen that Thompson drafted: like tackles T.J. Lang (4th) and Allen Barbre(4th) who were responsible for allowing most of the sacks, not to mention his 2006 2nd round bust guard Daryn Colledge. Furthermore, one may find it strange that the Packers passed up on drafting so many quality offensive linmen while having aging tackles in Clifton and Tauscher.
Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, and James Jones can run and catch, but they can't block the Williamses and Jared Allen.
So in the end Thompson has lost...unfortunately for Packers fans and players.
However, it's all sunshine in Minnesota as Favre teams up with the greatest player in the league in Adrian Peterson and solid O-linemen in Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie.
There's been a total 180 in the roughly one year and three months since this game.
ReplyDeleteA week ago, Ted Thompson stood with the Packers as they received the Lombardi trophy, while the announcers gave Ted accolades for having built the Packers superbowl team.
Meanwhile, Brett Favre sits battered and brusied at home, his final year mired by pitiful performance, injuries, and scandal.
Who knows? Maybe there'll be another 180.