from Packersnews.com ( the first question he'd ask is one I'd most like to know...and I think I know the answer.)

If you could interview anyone in the packers organization or team and get nothing but straight answers who would it be and what would you ask them?
Posted by JamesLoftonFan



MIKE VANDERMAUSE: That’s a great question. Props to you, JamesLofton fan. I would choose Ted Thompson and ask him if, deep down, he’s glad Brett Favre retired. I would also ask him how much it upset him that Favre called Thompson out last off-season for not trading for Randy Moss. Speaking of Moss, I would ask Thompson how close he came to acquiring Moss, and why he didn’t think the receiver was worth a mid-round draft choice, and if he believes in his heart of hearts the Packers would have made it to the Super Bowl with Moss on the roster. I would also ask him what Mike Sherman’s biggest flaw was as the Packers’ head coach. I would also ask him what he didn’t like about Andrew Brandt as the team’s chief negotiator. I would ask him if he regrets drafting Justin Harrell. I would also ask him if he’s fearful Al Harris, at age 33, is near the end of the line. If you gave me several more minutes, believe me, I could come up with a lot more questions for Thompson. I understand why the Packers’ general manager keeps his cards close to the vest and reveals very little to the media, but it would be nice to know how he really feels on several issues.

I love when they question whether Randy Moss would have been the difference in getting to the SuperBowl.
This team lost in the Championship game, in 25 below weather. Basically what they're saying is that Randy Moss would have made the difference in that one game. I have my doubts whether Randy Moss would have "shown up" to play in 25 below weather.
How did the Patriots do in the Superbowl with Randy Moss?

coaching lost that game. Harris getting eaten alive and we stay in the base defense. Then keep throwing it long in -20 degrees. Hurts as much as 1998 in San Diego.

So, no one wants to comment on the fact that it appears to me that MV thinks TT is happy Brett retired? Has he written any articles on this? Hmm. There are so many things he knows that he'll never touch in print.

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
So, no one wants to comment on the fact that it appears to me that MV thinks TT is happy Brett retired? Has he written any articles on this? Hmm. There are so many things he knows that he'll never touch in print.

Evidently nobody wants to comment on the FACT that it APPEARS to YOU that MV thinks TT is happy Brett retired.

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Originally posted by Brak:

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
So, no one wants to comment on the fact that it appears to me that MV thinks TT is happy Brett retired? Has he written any articles on this? Hmm. There are so many things he knows that he'll never touch in print.

Evidently nobody wants to comment on the FACT that it APPEARS to YOU that MV thinks TT is happy Brett retired.

Yes. It sure does. No thoughts on anything but me, personally? Does anyone actually think this isn't true?

And I should care what MV thinks, why?

Oh please let the self riteous gasbag enlighten me.

quote:

Originally posted by DurangoDoug:
And I should care what MV thinks, why?

Oh please let the self riteous gasbag enlighten me.

Now, I'm self-righteous? The compliments are never ending... I may stay for the regular season just for the pick me up I get everytime I check a response.

Why do you think MV would like to ask that question first? It shouldn't be so confusing. You don't think it's obvious TT wanted Favre to quit? That is a HUGE story. HUGE. It's been totally unreported. There's no question in my mind that TT is thrilled Favre retired. None.

I guess having your GM be happy that a legend is gone is a non-story to you? It's about as big as it gets. If TT were to come out and admit this publicly it'd be national news for days.

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
If TT were to come out and admit this publicly it'd be national news for days.

Oh definitely, it would be above the fold in the New York Times, cover of Newsweek, hourlong panel discussion on 'Meet the Press'....

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
There's no question in my mind that TT is thrilled Favre retired. None.

But last year at this time there was no question in your mind that Favre was finished. None. See, there's probably all sorts of things in your mind that I have no interest in.

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
I guess having your GM be happy that a legend is gone is a non-story to you? It's about as big as it gets.

It's a non-story that you or Vandermause THINK Favre's retirement made TT happy.

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
If TT were to come out and admit this publicly it'd be national news for days.

And if my Aunt were my Uncle, she wouldn't have to squat to pee.

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See, there's probably all sorts of things in your mind that I have no interest in.

To have interest in anything in CoP's mind, there would actually have to be things in CoP's mind.

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Originally posted by Fedya:

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See, there's probably all sorts of things in your mind that I have no interest in.

To have interest in anything in CoP's mind, there would actually have to be things in CoP's mind.

Right. I leave them all on the field.

This question of MV's goes to the heart of something I posted about earlier that got brushed aside. The media knows a lot more than they'll ever be willing to report on.

Why doesn't/hasn't MV do/done a column on this? Pretty big story. It's the "boring" off-season so I would think this would help him get through the need for ideas.

No question MV had the thought during the season that TT would be quite happy to see Brett hang'em up at the end of the season. What? No columns on this? Why?

Uh, because TT would deny it? And no one would have any way of knowing whether TT's denial was true or untrue? (We all know which camp you'd fall into.) And then Vandermause would draw criticism for an explosive column which was flatly denied by its primary subject?

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
The media knows a lot more than they'll ever be willing to report on.

I know a lot more than I'll ever be willing to report on. That makes myself & MV about the same other than the fact we have different professions.

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
Why doesn't/hasn't MV do/done a column on this? Pretty big story. It's the "boring" off-season so I would think this would help him get through the need for ideas.

No question MV had the thought during the season that TT would be quite happy to see Brett hang'em up at the end of the season. What? No columns on this? Why?

It's pretty simple. MV also has contacts inside the Packer organization. If he prints a scathing article of this nature he risks being banned from the locker room and any Packer facility.

So basically it's pure speculation and every reporter worth his salt knows not to base a legit article on speculation. Unless he has CONCRETE PROOF, MV knows not to print any article like this.

I guarantee he doesn't have CONCRETE PROOF or you can be sure the article would already be printed.

You know, I basically agree it would be a big deal if TT felt that way, but then again, why should it? TT drafted Rodgers. His hand-picked head coach developed him. Since he's a young guy he's (in theory) the franchise for the next decade, as opposed to a guy who is well past the age most NFL quarterbacks continue playing. I wouldn't really blame TT for being eager to see his guy in the lineup. That doesn't automatically mean, however, that he was trying to boot Favre out the door, as people said for, you know, basically his entire tenure to this point. It might just mean he's not going to spend much time dwelling on 2007 when he can look ahead to 2008 and 2009, as the GM of the Packers should. It might just mean that although I'm happy when my sister's kids do something great in school, I'm even happier when my own kids do.

quote:

Originally posted by Boris:

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
The media knows a lot more than they'll ever be willing to report on.

I know a lot more than I'll ever be willing to report on. That makes myself & MV about the same other than the fact we have different professions.

quote:

Originally posted by Change of Possession:
Why doesn't/hasn't MV do/done a column on this? Pretty big story. It's the "boring" off-season so I would think this would help him get through the need for ideas.

No question MV had the thought during the season that TT would be quite happy to see Brett hang'em up at the end of the season. What? No columns on this? Why?

It's pretty simple. MV also has contacts inside the Packer organization. If he prints a scathing article of this nature he risks being banned from the locker room and any Packer facility.

So basically it's pure speculation and every reporter worth his salt knows not to base a legit article on speculation. Unless he has CONCRETE PROOF, MV knows not to print any article like this.

I guarantee he doesn't have CONCRETE PROOF or you can be sure the article would already be printed.

Exactly. Who ever has CONCRETE PROOF of anything? You'd need a public admission which TT would never give... or a tape of it behind closed doors.

I said earlier that the media is completely controlled by the teams it covers.

People can NOT report what they know unless they want to risk being banned or censored, or limited. People get awfully funny about not saying things that can cost them jobs/making a living.

I'm sure you do know things you WON'T report...not CAN'T...there is a HUGE difference between the two. Why can't you say what you know? If you were honest you'd have to admit that you don't want to because of some reason that affects you or someone else.

MV knows that TT wanted Favre gone... In that chat answer he was just saying how much he'd like to be able to get TT to address the question honestly which will never happen publicly.

EDIT: Even if he did have CONCRETE PROOF...He still likely would NOT print it for fear of repercussions. That is what I'm saying about media. I know because I did it for 8 years... Do you have any idea how many things I was told and then told not to put on the airwaves? It's staggering the gulf between what the public hears and believes and what is actually going on.

Wow, football and psychology. The question you most wish to ask is the one you already know the answer to. Profound.

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Originally posted by Change of Possession:

Right. I leave them all on the field.

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Originally posted by Shoeless Joe:

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Originally posted by Change of Possession:

Right. I leave them all on the field.

Now, that's CLASSIC! Rarely, do I really, really laugh out loud. That one got me.

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Originally posted by Max:
Wow, football and psychology. The question you most wish to ask is the one you already know the answer to. Profound.

This is EXACTLY what attorney's do...Ask questions for confirmation/proof from others about things they already know.

Sorry: Football, psychology, and law.

quote:

Originally posted by Max:
Sorry: Football, psychology, and law.

I'm nothing if not diverse.

I honestly believe that if MV could ask the most important person in shaping the direction of the Packers organization one question, it would not be a question to which he already knows the answer.