Ted Thompson » Packer Update

Packers May Need to Replace Dorsey

Posted by Michael Rodney at 4:00 am 11 Responses »

Jan 052013

Pro Personnel Director Eliot Wolf could receive another promotion

Director of Pro Personnel Eliot Wolf could be in line for yet another promotion

Ted Thompson hasn’t made a truly significant front office hiring since being named GM eight years ago. In fact, his only additions have been scouts Mike Owen, Glenn Cook, Richmond Williams, John Wojciechowski and Chad Brinker. Director of Football Operations John Dorsey, Director of Pro Personnel Eliot Wolf, Director of College Scouting Brian Gutekunst and Senior Personnel Executive Alonzo Highsmith were already employed by the Packers when Thompson returned from the Great Northwest in January 2005. And there’s no guarantee that Thompson will look outside the organization if and when Dorsey takes the GM job in Kansas City. In fact, he seems inclined to once again stay in-house.

“We do believe in developing our own,” Thompson told Jason Wilde. “It’s something that (retired GM) Ron (Wolf) did very successfully, as you well know. I try to stay pretty close to Ron’s way of thinking as much as I can. We’re all different a little bit. But that’s the way he tried to do things, and that‘s the way we try to do things. It’s good to be able to hire people and let them work within the system and let them grow and expand. I’m very proud of the guys we have had here (who left), and we’re proud of the guys we still have here.”

I suppose Thompson could name Wolf the team’s new director of football operations, but that would be his third promotion since 2011. And at age 30, he’s already the youngest pro personnel director in the NFL. Gutekunst is another thirtysomething with a strong reputation, but like Wolf, he’s only been in his current job for a year. Same for Highsmith, who was a scout in the Southwest region from 1999 until last May.

If I were Thompson, I’d go outside the organization to replace Dorsey. I’d target Scot McCloughan, the former general manager of the 49ers who’s currently working for the Seahawks as a senior personnel executive. In fact, it’s scary how perfectly McCloughan would fit in the Packers front office. Let’s count the ways:

1) He worked with Thompson under Ron Wolf, so he understands the way things are done in the NFL’s smallest market.

2) He served as a GM for two seasons so he has experience dealing with free agents, potential trades and coaches.

3) He’s an extremely solid talent evaluator. Pro Bowlers Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Patrick Willis, Joe Staley and Dashon Goldson were all drafted on his watch, as was emerging star Michael Crabtree. He also signed All-Pro Justin Smith as a free agent and claimed Ahmad Brooks off the waiver wire from Cincinnati.

That’s what I’d like to see happen, but in all honesty, I’m not holding my breath. Promoting from within is simply the way Thompson does business and it’s worked out pretty darn well. Despite watching John Schneider leave for Seattle in 2010 and Reggie McKenzie bolt for Oakland a year ago, the Packers keep drafting quality players and discovering unknowns like DuJuan Harris, Don Barclay, Erik Walden, Dezman Moses and Sam Shields. So I guess what I’m saying is that Wolf, Highsmith and Assistant Director of Pro Personnel Tim Terry should be expecting better titles and better paychecks in the near future.

-photo by Mark Hoffman

Dorsey Could Be Next Exec To Exit

Posted by Michael Rodney at 1:26 am 6 Responses »

Dec 312012

Director of Football Operations John Dorsey has been with the Packers since 1984

With so many teams expected to be cleaning house starting tomorrow, it’s very possible the Packers could be on the verge of losing yet another key member of their front office. John Schneider was hired as Seattle’s general manager in 2010 and Reggie McKenzie was named to the same position by Oakland last January. The next to go could be John Dorsey, Green Bay’s current director of football operations.

Dorsey has turned down opportunities to interview for general manager openings in the past, but at least one longtime NFL scribe thinks he might finally be ready to make the jump. “Dorsey is known for having a good eye for talent, and his college scouting background gives him a strong draft pedigree,” wrote Don Banks of Sports Illustrated. “He’s worked under both Ted Thompson and Ron Wolf in Green Bay, two of the most respected personnel evaluators in recent NFL history, and sources say he’s ready and willing to pursue all general manager opportunities after turning down offers to interview last year.”

If Dorsey is truly ready and willing to pursue all opportunities, this would probably be the time to do it. At the age of 52, his window of opportunity is closing. The trend in the league is to hire young general managers. Guys like Schneider, Atlanta’s Thomas Dimitroff, Houston’s Rick Smith, Indianapolis’ Ryan Grigson, San Francisco’s Trent Baalke and the Giants’ Jerry Reese were all hired in their late 30s and early 40s.

Should Dorsey move on, Eliot Wolf would be in line to replace him. The 30-year-old was promoted to director of pro personnel last May. The son of legendary former Green Bay GM Ron Wolf is considered to be one of the up-and-coming young executives in the league. In fact, he could be viewed as the heir apparent to Thompson, who turns 60 next month. Of course, the very same thing could be said about Dorsey. The difference, however, is that the former has all the time in the world to wait and the latter does not.

Thompson Is Easy To Overlook

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:04 am 1 Response »

Dec 242012

General manager Ted Thompson has kept the Packers on top despite a slew of injuries

Longtime football scribe Dan Pompei of the National Football Post listed his Executive of the Year candidates for 2012. Ryan Grigson (Colts), John Elway (Broncos), John Schneider (Seahawks), Rick Smith (Texans), Rick Spielman (Vikings) and Bruce Allen (Redskins) made the cut. Notice a name missing?

I’ll give you some hints. This former Oiler drafted five players in April who have been on the field for at least 200 snaps. This 59-year-old traded up in the second round to snag one of the leading candidates for Defensive Rookie of the Year. This Texas native signed a pair of undrafted rookies who have held their own as starters at positions decimated by injury. And this silver-haired fox managed to guide his team to a division title despite a list of injuries that’s longer than the list of athletes who have slept with Kim Kardashian.

Yes, I’m talking about Ted Thompson. Look, I totally understand how a national writer – even a really good one like Pompei – could overlook Green Bay’s head honcho. It’s always easier to give credit to a general manager whose team improved dramatically from one season to the next. That would explain the love for Grigson, Elway, Schneider, Spielman and Allen. But keeping a team on top is every bit as challenging – especially when that team is forced to play the bulk of the season without eight preferred starters.

Should Thompson be named Executive of the Year? Probably not. It’s hard to argue against giving that award to Grigson, whose team went from 2-14 to the playoffs – and did so without its head coach. But Thompson certainly needs to be in the discussion. His subtle moves over the past nine months have allowed the Packers to remain among the élite teams in the National Football League. And while subtle moves might not win him an individual award, it just might win him the biggest award of all six weeks from now.

Ted Keeps His Players Happy

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:00 am 6 Responses »

Aug 192012

Starting running back James Starks is one of the few underpaid Packers

If a happy locker room equates to performance on the field, the 2012 Packers are guaranteed to be playing deep into January. In a day and age when listening to players gripe about their contract is as common as finding a mug shot of a Detroit Lion, the level of contentment at 1265 Lombardi Avenue is remarkably high. And that’s because GM Ted Thompson has done a great job of paying his players fairly.

Think about it – how many Packers are truly underpaid? Clay Matthews ($800K) and Bryan Bulaga ($583K) come to mind, but remember, they received hefty signing bonuses and they’re still in the middle of their rookie deals. And while Marshall Newhouse ($540K) and James Starks ($400K) are certainly worth more than they’re currently making, that’s only because they’ve played far above expectations.

By filling the roster with young and inexpensive backups, Thompson has been able to take care of his best players over the years, and in the process, keep most everybody happy. It’s just one more thing Green Bay’s soft-spoken leader does better than just about every other GM in the National Football League.

NOTE: I’ll be on vacation this week, so I won’t be around the site or Twitter very much. I did, however, write some stories the past few days that will be posted automatically throughout the week. So keep stopping by and commenting. I’ll be back Saturday with a review of Thursday night’s game against Cincy.

Very Few Opinions Matter About Favre

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:39 pm 12 Responses »

Jul 052012

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Bob Harlan is a hero to Green Bay Packer fans and I would normally want to hear everything he has to say about the most storied franchise in the National Football League. But when it comes to his opinion on the current situation surrounding Brett Favre, I couldn’t care less what the team’s former president and CEO has on his mind. That’s because he wasn’t really around during the summer of ’08 when old No. 4 took a big No. 2 on the entire organization.

Therefore, it’s easier for Harlan to forgive Favre and welcome him back to the family. He wasn’t called called a liar on national TV. He wasn’t jeered at practice. And his job wasn’t disrupted on a daily basis. That happened to GM Ted Thompson, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and coach Mike McCarthy, and until those men are ready to embrace Favre once again, nobody else’s opinion really matters.

Speaking of which, I’m getting tired of reading stories about how Favre isn’t ready to mend fences with the organization yet. He’s not ready? Are you kidding me?! The only way he should ever be allowed to step foot inside Lambeau Field again is if he’s willing to make a public and heartfelt apology. Not to the fans, but to the people he really hurt four years ago. Let’s see him apologize to Thompson, Rodgers and McCarthy. Then, and only then, should anyone even start thinking about planning a retirement ceremony for an incredibly selfish human being who managed to tear apart in months the reputation he had built over a decade and a half.

Notes: Dorsey In Line To Be Next GM

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:24 am 7 Responses »

May 262012

Longtime director of college scouting was promoted last week

Longtime director of college scouting received a promotion

John Dorsey was promoted to director of football operations earlier this week. His next promotion should be to general manager. You’ll hear the names Russ Ball, Eliot Wolf, Reggie McKenzie and John Schneider mentioned as possible successors to Ted Thompson, but nobody is more qualified for the top job than Dorsey. The 51-year-old played linebacker for the Packers from 1984 to 1988 and has spent 20 of the past 21 years working in the team’s front office. He has built a strong reputation as a talent evaluator. He’s also been very loyal to the organization. Since returning from a one-year stint with Seattle in 1999, Dorsey has turned down at least three opportunities to interview for GM openings with other teams. If he wants to be Thompson’s eventual successor, the job should be his. He’s earned it and he’d be great at it.

Based on their recent performances, newly signed defensive linemen Daniel Muir and Phillip Merling may not even make the final 53-man roster. The former was released by the worst team in football last season and the latter has recorded a grand total of 7 tackles and 0 sacks in the past 15 games. That said, I like both moves. There’s absolutely no downside to bringing in young veterans. At best, Muir and Merling will blossom under assistant coach Mike Trgovac’s tutelage. At worst, they’ll push young players like C.J. Wilson, Mike Neal and Jarius Wynn to get better. Plus, it’s costing the Packers absolutely nothing. Both players signed one-year contracts that included no guaranteed money.

No player will be more intriguing to watch this season than Sam Shields. After taking the league by storm as a rookie in 2010, the former college wide receiver regressed last season. How far did he fall? Far enough that Jarrett Bush replaced him on early downs in the divisional playoff game against the Giants. Not only was Shields timid (that’s putting it nicely) in run support, but he struggled to defend receivers he should’ve been able to cover in his sleep. He gave up 9 passes of 20 yards or more and 4.5 touchdowns. Most of his problems were due to sloppy technique and a propensity to peek into the backfield. The good news is that those two things are easily correctable. The Packers still have faith in Shields, but unlike last season, they figure to have a legitimate option to replace him in 2012. Second-round draft pick Casey Hayward of Vanderbilt has the intelligence and the instincts to play right away.

Second-year center Sampson Genus received quite a bit of publicity during the rookie orientation camp held earlier this month. The former South Florida star is one of three young players expected to battle for the backup center job. There’s a lot to like about Genus, but he has two things working against him – he’s small (6’0) and slow (5.58). For comparison’s sake, the average center in the NFL stands 6’3 and the top 10 center prospects in April’s draft averaged a 5.28 40. (Heck, NFL Network anchor Rich Eisen ran a 6.1 in a suit and dress shoes). The guess here is that journeyman Evan Dietrich-Smith will spend at least one more season as the backup center. As for Genus, he’ll likely have to beat out undrafted rookie Tommie Draheim of San Diego State for a spot on the practice squad.

Outside linebacker Nick Perry should’ve been born two years earlier. The first-round pick (No. 28 overall) from USC agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth $7.5 million a few weeks ago. The deal included a $4 million signing bonus. Not bad money – until you compare it to what the 28th pick in the 2010 draft received. Jared Odrick signed a five-year contract worth $13.1 million with the Dolphins ($7.2 million bonus). Here are the numbers for the other 7 draft choices: defensive end Jerel Worthy (4 years/$3.9M/$1.3SB); Casey Hayward (4/$3.3M/$847K); defensive end Mike Daniels (4/$2.4M/$300K); safety Jerron McMillian (4/$2.4M/$300K); linebacker Terrell Manning (4/$2.3M/$171K); offensive tackle Andrew Datko (4/$2.14M/$46K) and quarterback B.J. Coleman (4/$2.14M/$46K).

Mason Crosby, Tim Masthay and Brett Goode might be the best young trio in the NFL. Crosby, 27, is coming off his finest season. The former Colorado star hit 24 of 28 field goals and finished third in the league with 49 touchbacks. Masthay, 25, set team records for gross (45.6 yards) and net punting average (38.6) in 2011. Goode, 27, hasn’t had more than a handful of bad snaps since joining the Packers four years ago. The fact that many loyal fans don’t know his name is a testament to just how good he’s been. Crosby signed a long-term deal last summer. Look for Masthay and Goode – both underpaid at $540K and $676K respectively – to be extended within the next six months.

Now’s Not The Time To Honor Favre

Posted by Michael Rodney at 9:02 am 45 Responses »

May 192012

This image is still fresh in the minds of Packer fans

This image is still fresh in the minds of Packers fans

When Mark Murphy was asked on Thursday about retiring Brett Favre’s number, the team’s president and CEO replied, “Probably in a year or two. We want to do it at a time that’s meaningful to him.” Huh? Am I reading this correctly? Murphy wants to honor Favre “at a time that’s meaningful to him.” Hey Mark, how about honoring Favre at a time that won’t make Ted Thompson and hundreds of thousands of fans want to vomit! By my estimation, that would put the ceremony sometime around 2020.

Look, I’ll probably hold a grudge against Favre for longer than most. Maybe that’s because I was never a huge fan of his in the first place. I always rooted for the team, and never for a specific player. I cheered just as hard for Ed West as I did for Favre. I’m also of the belief that the organization doesn’t owe Favre anything. The Packers rescued him from oblivion and then paid him over $100 million. In return, he played his ass off every week and won a lot of games, including Super Bowl 31. I never thought either side owed the other a thing – except respect. And that’s where Favre falls short, and the reason I’m in no hurry to see his No. 4 placed alongside 3, 14, 15, 66 and 92.

As far as I know, Tony Canadeo, Don Hutson, Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke and Reggie White never bashed the organization on television. As far as I know, none of those men ever manipulated their way onto the roster of a division rival with the expressed desire to stick it to the Pack. And as far as I know, none of those men ever called the GM of a division rival to give him tips on how to beat the Packers. Favre did all of those things, and probably plenty more that we don’t know about. To be honest, I don’t think his number deserves to be placed anywhere near those others, but that’s probably not realistic. At some point, No. 4 will be retired. It just shouldn’t be any time soon.

Patriots Do Free Agency Right

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:00 am 8 Responses »

Mar 192012

Inexpensive free agent had 11 sacks last season

Inexpensive free-agent Anderson had 11 sacks for the Patriots last season

Bill Belichick has won three Super Bowls and is a certain future Hall of Famer, but New England’s head coach hasn’t been all that Cantonish for the past half-decade or so. Since 2006, the man in the hoodie has been heavily penalized for cheating, has lost two Super Bowls as a solid favorite and has drafted like Mike Sherman. But there is one thing Belichick has done well in recent years – he’s been able to find bargains galore in free agency. And that’s why, along with having the great Tom Brady at quarterback, the Patriots have been able to keep winning games and division titles.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson needs to be more like Belichick. No, I don’t want him to videotape other teams during games or lose Super Bowls or selecting players like Laurence Maroney, David Thomas, Brandon Meriweather, Chad Jackson, Ron Brace, Terrence Wheatley, Darius Butler, Tyrone McKenzie, Shawn Crable and Brandon Tate in the first three rounds of the draft, but I do want him to use free agency to strengthen the roster.

Look at some of the bargain free agents Belichick has signed in just the past seven months. In dire need of pass rushers prior to the start of last season (sound familair), veterans Andre Carter and Mark Anderson were brought in for a combined $3 million. The return on that modest investment was 21 sacks. Without the contributions of those two players, the Patriots brutal secondary might have given up 500 yards a game. Longtime Chiefs guard Brian Waters was signed to a $3.5 million contract to fill a gaping hole on the offensive line. His presence helped keep Brady upright, and in turn, helped lead the moderately talented Pats back to the Super Bowl. And Belichick is at it again this offseason. He’s already added Brandon Lloyd to give the offense a much-needed deep threat at wide receiver, Robert Gallery to bulk up the offensive line, Trevor Scott and Jonathan Fanene to bolster the defensive line rotation and safety Steve Gregory to add depth to a secondary that was as thin as Kate Moss by the end of last year.

The irony in Thompson’s reluctance to use free agency is that Ron Wolf, his mentor, was the Belichick of the 90s. Green Bay’s former general manager plugged hole after hole with older veterans. Remember receiver Don Beebe, left tackle Bruce Wilkerson, linebacker Fred Strickland, safety Mike Prior and returner Desmond Howard? Those are just a few of the many modestly priced veteran free agents that played key roles in the Packers’ return to prominence.

At the end of the day, it’s hard to be overly critical of Thompson. After all, the Packers have been to the playoffs four times and won a Super Bowl under his watch. But with reigning league MVP Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, a single Lombardi Trophy isn’t enough. Last year’s team had the potential to win another title, but it fell short. I’m afraid those last four words could be a common refrain if Thompson continues to rely solely on the draft to build his roster. He doesn’t need to make splashy signings in the spring, but like Wolf then and Belichick now, he does need to use free agency to fill gaping holes. He can start by adding a center and either a defensive end or linebacker ASAP.

BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR PACKERS

Posted by Michael Rodney at 9:36 am 2 Responses »

Jul 262011

Thompson won't have to stress over free agency

General manager won't have to stress over free agency

Things are going to be crazy all around the National Football League once free agency finally begins. General managers will be on their cell phones more often than a teenage girl and they’ll be throwing money around like Paris Hilton on Rodeo Drive. But in Green Bay, it’ll be business as usual. Ted Thompson, as always, will sit back and let the market settle down before he even thinks about getting involved. That’s the luxury a GM has when he drafts really well and trusts his coaches to develop young players.

Thompson drafted 58 players between 2005 and 2010. Amazingly, 47 of those players are still in the league – 34 with Green Bay. Add in unwanted and discarded players like Pro Bowl cornerback Tramon Williams, outside linebackers Frank Zombo and Erik Walden, nickel back Sam Shields, defensive lineman Howard Green, safety Atari Bigby, fullback Johnn Kuhn and tight end Tom Crabtree, and it’s pretty easy to see why the Packers have never felt the necessity to overpay for unrestricted free agents – players who in many cases are no longer wanted by their own teams.

The truth is, Thompson can go on vacation for the entire summer and the Packers would be just fine. Even if all 11 unrestricted free agents signed with other teams and not a single player was added (well, other than a kicker), the defending Super Bowl champions would still be the favorites to bring home the Lombardi Trophy next February. That’s how deep and talented this roster is. Of course, Thompson – a notorious workaholic – won’t twiddle his thumbs for the rest of the summer. He’ll re-sign a few of his own players and he might even add a lower-tier free agent or two. But the fact that he doesn’t have to will make life a lot calmer at 1265 Lombardi Avenue in the coming days – not to mention a lot less stressful for fans.

OK, NOW TED NEEDS TO PAY COLLINS

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:05 am 2 Responses »

Mar 102010

SHOW HIM THE $$$

It was only 17 days ago that we wrote a story about how GM Ted Thompson shouldn’t give safety Nick Collins any more money at this time. Well, that was before the Packers placed a tender on Tramon Williams that will pay him $3.04 million next season – or approximately $257,000 less than what Collins is due to earn. And not to sound too much like a disgruntled old agent, but that just ain’t right. Williams is a quality third corner who’s been up-and-down in 20 career starts. While Thompson and the defensive coaches obviously think very highly of the former Louisiana Tech star, others aren’t nearly as enthusiastic. “Williams is definitely talented, but he wasn’t overly impressive filling in for an injured Al Harris in either of the past two seasons,” opined a scout for another team. “He’s still fairly young, so maybe he’ll get better with more experience, but right now I look at him as a very average starter.”

Collins may not be an elite safety, but he’s a heck of a lot better than average. He’s started 77 games since being drafted in the second round out of Bethune-Cookman in 2005 and has gone to the last two Pro Bowls. And while we had no problem with him earning $3.3 million just two-and-a-half weeks ago, that number now seems too low. And since Thompson has always treated his best players fairly, the guess here is that he’ll somehow manage to make things right. How he goes about doing that remains to be seen.

A long-term extension is going to be very costly. We reported last December that Collins’ agent was looking for a deal worth at least $40 million and with 40 percent of the money guaranteed. It’s doubtful that he’ll settle for much less after Antrel Rolle just signed a $37 million contract ($15 million guaranteed) with the Giants. Granted, Rolle was a free agent, but he’s also not nearly as good a player. “If and when negotiations begin, finding a middle ground won’t be easy,” predicted a person close to the situation. “One option might be to do a short-term deal that would boost Collins’ compensation in 2010. Thompson has done that in the past.” Ironically, he did it last with Williams less than a year ago. The 26-year-old received a tender worth $460,000 in February 2009. He eventually signed a one-year contract for $905,980 a few months later. Thompson didn’t have to do give Williams more money, but it was the right thing to do. It’s now time for him to do the right thing with Collins – regardless of what we may have written 17 days ago.

(NOTE – We wrote this story last Friday. Since then, Collins has signed his restricted free agent tender. This would suggest that his agent is confident that a new deal is forthcoming.)