Thompson’s Tight End Obsession

(Obsession is a sign of Alzheimer’s)

With all the problems with the Packers defense coming into the season you would think Packers General Manager Ted Thompson would have spent the offseason focusing like a laser to provide the Aaron Rodgers led offense with the last piece of the puzzle – a competent defense – to finally leap that last hurdle to seriously make a run for the Super Bowl and not just the playoffs.

Another Great Move By Ted Terrific

I wonder how much research goes into a free agent signing. Except for injuries, which usually can’t be predicted (as in the case of Joe Johnson) and some can if the player has never played 16 games in his career, I would think a prudent general manager would interview a prospective signee to find out what he feels his future is beyond the upcoming season.

News broke this morning that the marquis free agent signing by Packers General Manager Ted Thompson, former Cowboys (2008-11), Giants (2012), Bears (2013-15), Patriots (2016) tight end Martellus Bennett is going to retire at the end of the season. REAL NEWS not FAKE NEWS.

New Teams for Old Packers

It took a while, but the career of former Packer Backer favorite (until he got beat for the winning TD in overtime of the 2014 “Great Collapse”) isn’t over after Tramon Williams signed a 1-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.

FAKE NEWS - Packers Edition

            “There certainly are some indications that the Packers might be a little more aggressive in free agency this year,” Ian Rapoport said on NFL Network. “From what I am told, I would think the Packers are going to try to get some free agents this year, along with trying to re-sign Jared Cook.”

            If anyone, and I mean anyone, including the "Tedders" and "Ask Vic", who drink so much Ted Thompson Kool-Aid their tongues are a permanent purple (think about that Tedders as you wear your green and gold proudly, but underneath it all you are, yuk, purple as you pledge your allegiance to a man blindly like shorn sheep) think The Ted is going to change his stripes now you are sadly mistaken.

Offense Wasn't Bad in First Game

The Packers opened the season with a 17-11 win over the Super Bowl contending Cleveland Browns and many will say it was a good start for many reasons.

 

I will agree in this respect. It is surely (and don't call me Shirley) better to win than lose, but there were several disturbing trends, which don't bode well for the upcoming season.

 

First, I didn't like Aaron Rodgers sitting this one out. The Packer offense was dysfunctional last year and Rodgers had a terrible season by his high standards. Everyone on the offense needs to play every game and Rodgers was the only offensive starter that wasn't injured that didn't play.

 

Let The Games Begin

The Offseason Was So Busy I Really Need a Vacation

Once again CEO Mark Murphy and General Manager Ted Thompson have sleepwalked through the offseason while the other three teams in the Green and Gold and Black and Blue and Purple Division have been aggressive in filling holes in their rosters.

The Murphy/Thompson Regime drafted seven players, signed two free agents, released 10 and one retired, which according to my Southern Illinois math means they lost two players in the final summation.

Post Draft Analysis

Tramon Williams May Get Cut

Unlike the uninformed musings of one NFL Network analysis Mr. Mark Dulgerian (see Lombardi's Den 168) I hope to give you some observations that are accurate and informative.

First thing I saw was a throwaway comment made about the trade the Cleveland Browns made with the Miami Dolphins for veteran cornerback Jamar Taylor.

The story said "The Browns, though, need help at the position. Pro Bowler Joe Haden is coming off an injury-plagued season and veteran Tramon Williams had his ups and downs in 2015", so maybe another former Packer may be hitting the open market soon to join wide receiver Greg Jennings, who was let go by the Dolphins on March 5th and inside linebacker A. J. Hawk, who was let go by the Bengals on April 26th.