The Proof Is In The Predictions

Ted Thompson and Mark Murphy Head Out The Gangway to Give Their
State of the Packers Address

The Trust in Ted folks scream every time someone says anything bad about General Manager Ted Thompson or even question his decisions, but maybe they should take off those blacked out glasses and open their eyes to see what's actually happening with the Packers and not this load of BS coming from Thompson and CEO Mark Murphy with their delusional statements coming from 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

The Packers Fans Were Looking For Hope at the Annual Shareholders Meeting

USA Today Sports released their 2016 Power Rankings on the first day of training camp and the Packers aren't even in the top five. As you can see someone who isn't invested in the success of the Packers thinks Ted Thompson's way of doing business since last year's disappointment was found lacking.

 

The Cardinals Are Better Than The Packers

The top five (in order) are the Arizona Cardinals (Arizona enters the season with the fewest question marks of any team, but the franchise has never faced this level of preseason expectations.), the New England Patriots (QB Jimmy Garoppolo has to keep the offense afloat while Tom Brady serves his four-game suspension. Still, this looks like the early AFC front-runner.), the Carolina Panthers (CB Josh Norman's departure shouldn't detract from what remains a formidable defense. Cam Newton can't be asked to shoulder as much as he did last season.), the Denver Broncos (The defending Super Bowl champions should remain hungry, as they face expanding doubts about their ability to repeat. LB Von Miller and Co. will have to give a regrouping offense some wiggle room.) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (Suspensions to WR Martavis Bryant and RB Le'Veon Bell dinged what looked to be one of the NFL's most explosive attacks. But Ben Roethlisberger still has plenty of weapons.)

 

Take a look at what the reporter said about each of those teams. The Cardinals didn't even play in the Super Bowl last year and yet they are the favorites. WHY? Bruce Arians and his beret saw the right side of his offensive line manhandled by the Panthers, so he upgraded trading his right guard to the Patriots for a pass rusher (Chandler Jones) and let his right tackle Bobby Massie go to the Bears. He signed Evan Mathis from the Super Bowl Champs to play right guard and put last year's No. 1 pick at right tackle. Jones adds to the defense that totally dismantled the Packers during the regular season.

 

The Patriots are No. 2 without Tom Brady for a quarter of the season. If Aaron Rodgers was gone for four games would the Packers still be listed as high. I think not. Look Aaron Rodgers is there and the Packers aren't in the top 5.

 

The Panthers lost one of their top defenders and they are still third. I think if Josh Norman was still there they wouldn't be listed any higher because Cam Newton has a feet of clay.

 

The Panthers Are Better Than The Packers

The Broncos being listed no lower than fourth is not so much a tribute to them, but an indictment against Thompson and his penny-pinching ways. The Broncos don't have a quarterback after losing both Peyton Manning and Brock Osweller, lost their inside linebacker Danny Trevathan to the Bears (could have been the Packers, but look at penny-pinching), lost their defensive end Malik Johnson to the Jags and in a big loss lost their backup outside linebacker Lerentee McCray to the Packers. If that doesn't put things in perspective about the state of the Packers nothing does.

 

It's the same with the Steelers. Two of their best players are on suspension and yet they are ranked higher than a full-service, except for several players on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp (Thompson's top free agent signee tight end Jared Cook along with wide receiver Ty Montgomery, inside linebacker Sam Barrington, center Corey Linsley, right guard T.J. Lang and wide receiver Jordy Nelson. In addition even his other free agent signee McCray has been limited by injuries during the OTA's).

 

Thompson's Protégée Has Made the Seahawks Better Than the Packers

Now back to the list. At No. 6 is the Seattle Seahawks (A suspect offensive line and RB Marshawn Lynch's retirement leave the offense up in the air. Seattle is accustomed to letting the defense set the tone, though.). Look a suspect line and a new running back and yet still ranked above the Packers. Former Packers personnel chief John Schneider was given an extension by the Seahawks having taken them to a Super Bowl title.

 

Finally the Aaron Rodgers type freefall finally stops at No. 7 (Aaron Rodgers and the rest of the offense need to prove last year was an aberration. Having WR Jordy Nelson and RB Eddie Lacy at full strength should accelerate that process.). If you notice nothing positive said about acquisitions. No mention of the turnaround with the signing of Cook and McCray.

 

Look what they said about No. 8 the North Division champion Minnesota Vikings (Minnesota proved last season it won't play little brother to Green Bay in the NFC North. QB Teddy Bridgewater needs to make the offense less reliant on Adrian Peterson. ).

 

'At Least My Hand Is Still Bigger Than Yours'

I hope you remember losing just two starters (Jordy Nelson and Sam Barrington) caused the Packers to be dethroned after four straight division titles to a quarterback with small hands. That shows how thin Thompson's roster really is.

 

The Lions came in at No. 23 (QB Matthew Stafford is about to learn if Marvin Jones is an adequate WR fill-in for Calvin Johnson. A rejuvenated running game is required.) and the Bears at No. 24 (Chicago made significant strides in John Fox's first year, especially on defense. QB Jay Cutler has an improved arsenal, but Adam Gase's departure is a blow.).

 

And finally the other dreaded team the Dallas Cowboys came in at No. 22 (The return of QB Tony Romo and WR Dez Bryant should provide an instant spark. The pass defense is in trouble, however, will suspensions taking a toll on the front seven.). It seems there is still some sanity left in the world.