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 Location: The shed behind Boris Castle.
Registered: 03-20-2005
Posts: 6671
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Posted
I think Who hit it, people don't like Thompson because he's not a real warm, personable guy. He evasive, quiet, pale and doesn't follow convential wisdom. People want our GM to be likeable guy like Mike Sherman.
I also think people don't like the fact that they can't get a read on what he's going to do. He's not predictable. Know-it-all fans and armchair GMs don't like the fact that they aren't right about what should be done. |
 Location: Baldwin,WI,USA
Registered: 02-02-2000
Posts: 11012
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Posted
LOL Actually I got the title from a rock opera...can you name it? |
 Location: fairfax station, virginia
Registered: 07-30-2002
Posts: 961
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Posted
JC Superstar. You rock, bro.
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 Location: st paul
Registered: 08-11-2007
Posts: 1153
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Posted
Getting Favre under control. Well, ON the field anyway... |
 Registered: 12-07-2004
Posts: 774
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Posted
I was on the fence about Thompson before last year. I liked his philosophy of cleaning up the cap and going with a young, hungry team. But before last year, his execution of that philosophy was very questionable.
But last year he answered those questions for me. He clearly knows what the hell he's doing. Brett Favre may not appreciate this, but Ted Thompson gave Brett Favre a combination of defense and special teams that Favre really hasn't had since the end of the Holmgren era. Maybe Thompson didn't give him Randy Moss, but he gave him a couple nice young targets in Greg Jennings and James Jones. And it looks like the Packers developed a pretty good young TE in Donald Lee. I will say that Thompson's handling of the Favre situation was not the best, and yet I can't blame him for getting sick of wondering whether Favre would really retire or not. And hell, for all we know Favre will go through training camp and decide to retire again. Thompson was trying to avoid that scenario by trading him, but these 2 are stuck together whether they like it or not. |
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Location: st paul
Registered: 08-11-2007
Posts: 1153
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Posted
It really seems to me that the media is slanted strongly against TT. That might be because he doesn't give them anything to work with. I'm not sure. But the press seems to report everything Favre says as if it's gospel fact. This is something TT needs to address. He needs to handle the PR better, especially with this Favre situation. But I think one reason people might not like TT on a personal level is due to the way the media raps on him. |
 Location: Milton WI
Registered: 03-10-2001
Posts: 1432
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Posted
People aren't good at everything. Many talents militate against others.
TT is clearly good at: Seeing the big picture Thinking long range Understanding how the chess pieces of a team fit together Evaluating scouts' opinions of players, i.e. not only the report itself, but "did the scout fall in love with this player", etc. I think that TT's emotional sublimation is his greatest strength as a planner, and his greatest weakness as a leader. I think he underestimates the power of emotions in others. For instance, in the latest drama, I think he thought that if he just made the choices unpalatable enough, a certain QB would do the rational thing. I really don't think he forsaw somebody getting really pi$$ed and making it personal. This was a mistake. TT has made a few that we can point to, but since he's done a great job it would be silly to point to a few clear dufus moves. Of course, that goes for that other guy too. |
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Registered: 03-28-2001
Posts: 2265
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Posted
TT shouldn't be judged on "likeability", but on results. If you were in a life and death situation, which guy would you want? The lovable teddy bear who keeps you happy, or the demanding drill sergeant that saves your ass? I could give a flip about whether I "like" TT, or whether anyone else does, either, so long as he keeps on delivering results. Most of the moves that had fans screaming for his scalp at the time, turned out pretty darn good, whether it was the hysteria at the lack of a running back last training camp or paying too much for Woodson, or getting rid of Javon Walker. I do LIKE 13-3!
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 Location: NW Chicago Burbs
Registered: 02-07-2000
Posts: 18164
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Posted
Ted Thompson has the pesonality of a fingernail. That has a lot to do with it. Ron Wolf was rpetty media savvy, and it made him likeable because he was engaging and the results were there. Thompson seems to be detached from everything, and for a fan base that truly lives and dies by the success of the team, it's a tough thing to swallow. Packer fans exude passion, and Thompson seems to lack it- publicly.
I love his work. He's the best poker player we have seen since Wolf. He reveals nothing. Not his plans, not his opinions, nothing. How much does Bellichik and Pioli reveal to the world? About the same. I'll take the success any day over the personality. I figure if it's my idea, he's already thought of it and has a good reason to not do it if he doesn't do it. I would have liked to have seen him pursue Shaun Rogers, I would have liked to have seen him make a run at Jason Taylor. Wther the Packers were ever even candidates for those players only they know, and thus I'll defer to them. |
 Location: Gods Country
Registered: 05-09-2000
Posts: 10913
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Posted
I have missed you. |
 Location: Edina, MN
Registered: 02-23-2001
Posts: 2684
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Posted
ahembullhsitbftt! |
 Location: Sailing the seas of cheese
Registered: 01-01-2005
Posts: 1047
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Posted
Reasons I suspect people don't like TT
1) He doesn't look like them 2) He doesn't act like them 3) They think he's gay 4) He feels the need to give very little explanation for his decisions 5) He is tight fisted with the cap money 6) He hasn't made much of a splash in the free agent market 7) They don't agree with his overall plan regarding the draft 8) They think he dissed Favre And also, because the Packers have succeeded in spite all of the above (number 8 is pending) If he pisses about half of the people off and they don't like him, I figure he's doing pretty well. That is the case for many successful people in charge of something. Anyway, the team is winning so why complain? It may not be all because of him, but it can't be entirely in spite of him. What I don't understand is why this is made so personal when it comes to TT. I've never found any reason to really hate any Packer player or coach in over 40 years. Didn't like some, felt sorry for some, thought some were no good at their jobs, but never really hated anyone. |
 Location: Trying to take the high road
Registered: 09-14-2000
Posts: 1707
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Posted
You're not implying that the media could impart personal bias into its reporting are you?  |
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Location: Atlanta, Ga. USA
Registered: 08-20-2000
Posts: 2204
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Posted
Ari Fleischer will fix all that. Look what wonders he worked for Bush's relationship with the media. |
 Location: 160 miles S.S.W of Lambeau
Registered: 02-02-2000
Posts: 2344
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Posted
TT is a fish out of water when it gets to talking in front of a crowd.... Not his strong suit thats for sure..
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Location: Baldwin,WI,USA
Registered: 02-02-2000
Posts: 11012
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Posted
TT is not getting a lot of love from the talking heads right now either. Actually, neither is Favre (Rhome has been pretty tough on him in his "takes").
I think the Packers and Favre have finally created the perfect storm. I don't think there is any way that any one can come out of this unscathed. |
 Location: X4 News > CNN News
Registered: 10-10-2004
Posts: 1357
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Posted
People need someone to focus their anger on sometimes. It makes is easier when that person is not necessarily concerned about making them happy or doing what they think is in the best interests of the team. It must grate on the Favrebots that TT is reigning executive of the year. ROTTT. |
 Registered: 07-21-2007
Posts: 235
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Posted
JAPF, I think that you will love him after they win the SB this year. You see, this whole Favre thing was just part of Thompson's big plan. Let me take you back a bit to April and a conversation between MM, TT, and Murphy.
TT: So, our only real question mark is QB. MM: Yeah, but you know that Favre will be back, he can't stay retired. TT: But, will he be the Favre of the first half of last year, or the Favre from the 2 previous years? MM: Well, the only reason he was good the first half of last year was because he had to prove again that he was good after the last two years. He worked his butt off and played within the system. What motivation would he have to work that hard this year if he comes back from retirement? How could we make him have to prove himself again? TT: I know, let's play hard to get, like we don't want him back. MM: That's a good idea. Worked for me with the ladies back in high school. Just got married this year. But what if he doesn't come back? TT: No problem, then we have Rodgers. And, if he does come back, he'll be so pissed off that he'll have to prove to everybody that he can still do it, even in the cold. Super Bowl, here we come. Murph: But won't that piss off the fans and make them choose sides? TT: That just means that we're going to sell a whole bunch of Rodgers and Favre jerseys. Murph: I likey. So you see, this is really just part of the big plan by Thompson to make the super bowl and sell more jerseys. |
 Location: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Registered: 01-19-2005
Posts: 5521
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Posted
This isn't a life-or-death situation, it's only football. And I hate to break this to you, football is an entertainment business. Thompson (like all humans) does some things well, some things not so well. Puting on a good public face is not his strong suit. So be it. It's not the end of the world, but he's lacking a basic skill for his job. Luckily he excels at others and there are guys who can be a public "face", which is part of why they offered Favre the deal they did. |
 Location: San Diego
Registered: 12-19-2005
Posts: 7176
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Posted
Agreed he lacks the skills, but "PR presence" is not a 'basic skill.' Would you even recognize Scott Pioli if he bumped into you? How about Bill Polian, the guy known for literally beating up on the press? Are Rich McKay, Ozzie Newsome or Bruce Allen known for their public persona? Agreed he'd be doing better perception-wise if he was happy/shiny like his predecessor or even folksy like Wolf, but PR is not a fundamental component of what he does.
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 Location: KHAAANNNN!!!!!
Registered: 04-21-2000
Posts: 7028
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Posted
Others here should take your advice. They do the same thing "making it personal" with Favre that others do with TT. Personally I still like both. I like how Thompson has handled the draft (once I learned to stop questioning picks like Jones), free agency (for the most part) and I LOVE what he's done with the cap. But I don't expect anyone to be perfect. Not TT. Not Favre. People can't be right 100% of the time. People make mistakes. If both sides in this devisive issue would allow for that, we'd realize that we're not that far apart. When posters are writing off people: "Favre is dead to me" "TTMustGO" are things people say to make things more black and white for themselves. It just seems that is how they like to fit people into nice little containers. The "I hate you" container and the "I love you" container. Ahhh, much better. Life isn't all black and white people. {edit: I just realized I confused you with Nerdmann. Post edited.} |
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Location: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Registered: 01-19-2005
Posts: 5521
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Posted
Polian and Newsome I have seen and like. McKay I've heard a couple of times and thought he sounded fine but I admit it's only a couple of times that I can remember. No idea if Pioli sounds more like Barry White, Carrottop or Mr. Bill, but Bellichump is the "face" there anyway. I do consider it a "basic skill" for anyone in his position and in the entertainment business, but not the end-all/be-all for doing his job. I feel he has a number of very good qualities too. |
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Location: San Diego
Registered: 12-19-2005
Posts: 7176
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