Winning Formula

Winning Formula

Once criticized, Ted Thompson found a blueprint for success

by Brian Carriveau

P

ackers general manager Ted Thompson had been a lightning rod of criticism ever since the organization’s fateful decision to part ways with Brett Favre in 2008 and usher in the Aaron Rodgers era. At least, that is, until last season’s Super Bowl victory.

This is a fan base indoctrinated on Vince Lombardi’s “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing” mantra. And sure enough, it seemed as if taking the “Big Game” was Thompson’s only hope at winning back the team’s most vocal cynics.

In hindsight, it’s hard to believe that, following 2010’s Week 15 loss to the Patriots, there was intense scrutiny on the general manager. Had the Packers not qualified for the playoffs, which required consecutive wins over the Giants and Bears to close out the regular season, the tenor of the offseason’s hot-stove talk could have been drastically different.

Two days after the Packers’ Super Bowl XLV win over the Steelers, FireTedThompsonNow.com posted a picture of the general manager with the caption: “I’m not afraid to admit it. I was wrong. Congrats Ted.” Even if he wouldn’t admit it publicly, Thompson had to feel good about himself.

Gloating has never been Thompson’s style. He’s about as vanilla as can be when it comes to his public persona. While in Dallas during Super Bowl week, Thompson was asked by a reporter how he resists responding to his doubters.

“We’re too busy getting ready for the next game,” said Thompson. “The NFL’s a hard business, and we’ve got a huge task in trying to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers. We don’t have time to do that sort of thing.”

That’s the way it’s always been with Thompson, and probably always will be. Mere days after the Super Bowl, preparations for the next season began. And for that, fans of the Packers can be grateful that Thompson always does what’s in the best interests of the franchise.

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Packer Nation A lot of work went into building last season’s Super Bowl-winning squad. In turning the reigns over to Rodgers, Thompson may have made his most important, and attentioncreating, decision yet. But it’s far from the only personnel decision the general manager had to make in building a Super Bowl-winning team.

Building Through the Draft

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Rookie defensive lineman C.J. Wilson contributed 21 tackles, six quarterback hits, and a sack in 2010.

“All I know is they keep certain kinds of players on the team,” said Wilson. “I feel like everybody has the same attitude, no jerks on the team, everybody is great. I feel like when they pick a guy, they really dig deep into their personalities.”

As a result of Thompson’s personality checks, there seemed to a single-mindedness to the 2010 Packers. They played with a selfless purpose and put the team ahead of any individual accomplishment. While there were great individual efforts, the pursuit of a Super Bowl always appeared to be at the forefront for everyone in the organization.

“Coach would always tell us, and I would hear from the veteran players, that this is our year, we can win the Super Bowl,” said Wilson. “I would hear the guys talking all the time, every OTA, all year.

“And I really believed the thing that had a big effect on my season was the faith. I believe everybody believed we were supposed to win. When you’ve got a great coach and a great staff like we have, all you’ve got to do is put a guy out there and put him in a great position to make plays, and he’s going to do it.”

Thompson’s draft selections have formed the core of the team. There’s Rodgers and safety Nick Collins in 2005.

Linebacker A.J. Hawk and wide receiver Greg Jennings

Photo on previous page: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Photo this page: Tom Hauck/Getty Images

It’s no secret Thompson emphasizes the draft before all other team-building approaches. That’s not to say he doesn’t explore other avenues when putting together his roster. Notable exceptions have been made. But, there remains no doubt that he has a draft-and-develop philosophy.

When a player leaves or an injury occurs, the preferred method of replacement is in-house. These players know the system, don’t have to learn new terminology, and have adapted to the Green Bay environment and all that it entails.

Take, for example, 2010 seventh-round draft choice C.J. Wilson. The rookie defensive end from East Carolina went from being one of the last players drafted, to making the 53-man roster out of training camp, to a starter in the Super Bowl.

“From day one until the last play of the Super Bowl, it was no comparison,” Wilson said. “It was confidence.

Experience is the best teacher, which is true. From day one, getting in there and playing to the Super Bowl, I was a totally different player because of experience and as the season went on, it was me learning the position better.”

When Johnny Jolly was suspended in the offseason and Mike Neal and Justin Harrell suffered season-ending injuries during the regular season, it opened a door along the defensive line for Wilson.

By no means was Wilson a Pro Bowl-caliber player, but he was able to make solid contributions when opportunity knocked. In the Week 7 win over Minnesota, Wilson put a hit on the midsection of Brett Favre. Favre’s pass went into the hands of linebacker Desmond Bishop, who returned it for a touchdown. In the NFC Divisional win over topseeded Atlanta, Wilson sacked Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. And in the Super Bowl, the rookie had a hit on Ben Roethlisberger, a dream come true.

“After being drafted in the seventh round and [getting] as much playing time as I did, I thank God for that,” said Wilson.

When the scouting department finds a deficiency or a small character flaw in any potential draftee, it can sometimes be overlooked if he truly loves the game. Thus, passion is a defining characteristic for all Packers players. For those disappointed that they’ll be living in the smallest market in professional sports, they at least know they’re going to live in a town that eats, sleeps, and breathes football.

Winning Formula in 2006. Running back Brandon Jackson and linebacker Desmond Bishop in 2007. The hot streak continued in 2008 with wide receiver Jordy Nelson and offensive lineman Josh Sitton. And that’s just a sampling.

But while the Draft has been the heart and soul of the Packers, it hasn’t been the only part.

Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Breaking the Mold Thompson’s tendencies are sometimes mistaken for hard and fast laws. Due to this, Thompson is frequently stereotyped, and earns a negative reputation in the process.

In reality, these tendencies are more like rules of thumb, or guidelines. And there are exceptions to every rule. Most importantly, nearly every exception made by Thompson went on to pay dividends when constructing his Super Bowl roster.

Fallacy: Ted Thompson Doesn’t Participate In Free Agency Packers fans were spoiled by the signing of Reggie White in 1993. It just so happens that 1993 was the first year of free agency in the NFL. Everyone knows the story by now. Coach Mike Holmgren came to the Packers in 1992 and managed to persuade White to join the team the following season. White was a perennial All-Pro, and ended up leading Green Bay to its first Super Bowl win since the Lombardi era.

To this day, White stands out as the beacon of free agency, perhaps even the best free agent signing of all time. In 1994, the Packers inked defensive lineman Sean Jones, which turned out to be another successful signing. Green Bay fans got an up close and personal look at just how successful free agency can be.

And now, whenever Thompson shies away from participation in the annual signing period, he’s chastised. He’s not doing anything to help the team, critics will argue.

The reality is that for every one White signing, there’s two or more that don’t work out. They’ll tie up millions, even tens of millions, that would be better spent somewhere else.

They’re often crippling blows to an organization.

In a 2008 ESPN.com story, David Rose and Russell S. Baxter list the top 10 free agent signings of all time. The names are very underwhelming. White, along with Deion Sanders’s signings with the 49ers (1994) and Cowboys (1995) top the list and are worthy inclusions. A kicker checks in at #5 (Adam Vinatieri with the Colts in 2006). Wide receiver Plaxico Burress and fullback Lorenzo Neal crack the top 10.

Compare that with SI.com’s list of the top 20 worst free agent signings of all time. It’s a group littered with names recognizable to Packers fans: running back Ahman Green, Texans, 2007; defensive lineman Gabe Wilkins, 49ers, 1998; and Andre Rison, Browns, 1995. Plus, this list was published before wide receiver Javon Walker’s six-year, $55 million bust

of a deal with the Raiders in 2008. Meanwhile, Joe Johnson and Mark Roman remain a thorn in the side of Packers fans.

In 2006, there were two notable exceptions to Thompson’s order of business: cornerback Charles Woodson and defensive lineman Ryan Pickett.

Woodson’s impact has been evident. As a frequent Pro Bowler and captain, his influence has extended across the team. And while Pickett hasn’t been a Pro Bowl-type player, his role on the team is obvious. He’s been a reliable, consistent starter since coming to Wisconsin. Taken together, Woodson and Pickett were two key cogs in the Packers’ Super Bowl machine.

Fallacy: Ted Thompson Only Signs Rookies Off The Street There’s a big difference between free agents whose contracts expire, and those cut, waived or undrafted. Every team has some of the latter portion. If they aren’t rookies or second-year players, Thompson has, for the most part, stayed away from these types. It’s what made the Packers the youngest team in the NFL from 2007–09.

The reasons for the youth movement make sense. For one, they’re cheaper. For another, they’re still full of potential.

There’s always a chance the Packers can find that diamond

In a rare free agent splash, the Packers signed Charles Woodson to a seven-year, $52 million deal in 2006.

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Packer Nation

in the rough with an unproven athlete. With a little development, they might just become productive NFL players.

Case in point, when running back Ryan Grant went down with a season-ending injury in the first week of the 2010 season, and James Starks was still on the PUP list, the Packers didn’t sign a veteran running back or make a trade for an experienced insurance policy. Instead, they stole rookie running back Dimitri Nance off the Falcons practice squad.

But as the season wore on, and a near-unprecedented number of injuries cropped up, Thompson started to take another route to plug his holes. One example was the signing of outside linebacker Erik Walden, a street free agent. Although he lacked experience, Walden was a third-year player in the NFL. Compared to the rest of the outside linebackers on the team, including rookie Frank Zombo and second-year player Rob Francois, Walden was a grizzled veteran.

Then there was the waiver claim on 340-plus pound defensive lineman Howard Green, previously cut at midseason by the Jets.

“I’m grateful for that situation to have happened,” said Green, who was claimed on October 27. “To be honest with you, it was a bad thing, but it turned out be a positive, me being in the right place at the right time. They really had a

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need for me and they wanted me there. They had confidence in me. And that makes all the difference.”

Four days later, Green was playing on Halloween against his former team on their home turf. With usual starter Pickett sidelined by an injury, it was imperative that the Packers received help on the defensive line. Green went on to post four tackles in the pivotal victory. As Green said, it was a “next man up” mentality all season for a Packers team snake bitten by injuries.

“This is the most injuries I’ve seen in one team in one year,” said Green. “One guy gets hurt, the next man behind him, that’s why you get paid and you’re a professional. It’s your job to be able to go out there and perform and play.”

What Green brought to the Packers was six years of NFL experience. He may not have been a sack master, but he was a run stuffer, hole plugger, and the type of guy who could be a mentor to younger players.

Green applauded Thompson’s mentality as general manager.

“Ted Thompson, he does a great job with bringing in the caliber, the type of guys that have experience and that have played before,” said Green. “They can go out and play and fulfill and do what you need to do to get the job done.”

Fallacy: Ted Thompson Only Trades Down

Photo: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Since his 2006 free agent signing, Ryan Pickett has lived up to the hype, starting 67 of the 73 games in which he’s played.

Winning Formula Heading into the 2009 Draft, Thompson had made 14 draft day trades. Only once did he trade up (an unremarkable decision to grab Jeremy Thompson in 2008). For his penchant to move down, Thompson became known as “Trader Ted” in some circles.

Then, in 2009, the Packers used the ninth overall selection to grab nose tackle B.J. Raji of Boston College. What happened next stunned observers. The Packers sent their second, and two third round picks to the Patriots to jump up into the first round, #26 overall. Outside linebacker Clay Matthews was theirs for the taking.

The rest is history. In Matthews, the Packers drafted a two-time Pro Bowler, two double-digit sack season force, and the runner-up for the 2010 Defensive Player of the Year.

Their trade with the Patriots isn’t something they’ve thought twice about.

Green Bay also traded up to pick defensive back Morgan Burnett in the third round. And while the rookie safety’s season was cut short with an injury, he had been a starter.

Taking Advantage

Photo at top: Jamie Squire/Getty Images Photo at bottom: Timothy A. Clar y/AFP via Getty Images

While fans bemoaned the NFL’s labor problems, Packers supporters might be surprised to learn that the Packers navigated the waters of uncertainty better than anyone. One could make the argument that the expiration of the Collective Bargaining Agreement helped the Packers win the Super Bowl. It wasn’t so much that the CBA itself aided the Packers, but rather the ability of Thompson and his front office to take advantage of what was called the “Final League Year.”

Wheeling and dealing: Tramon Williams’ extension included a $2.2 million roster bonus in 2011 due on the 30th day of the league year.

Certain provisions were put in place in 2010 that more or less encouraged the sides to hammer out a new deal.

One of these stipulations was the abolition of the salary cap. Another was a hike in years needed to reach unrestricted free agency. These were rules unique in 2010.

Without a salary cap, the Packers––or any team for that matter––were allowed to spend freely.

At the same time, they also got rid of the salary floor, or the minimum teams are required to spend. For some teams, nothing changed. For others, the lack of a salary floor was an opportunity to save some money.

The Panthers, for example, have less than $60 million in cash committed for next season.

Now, consider that the salary floor was $107 million in 2009. The Packers, on the other hand, used the Howard Green’s Super Bowl XLV hit on Ben Roethlisberger led to a Nick Collins pick-six. absence of a cap to retain potential

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Packer Nation

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Ted Thompson was named the 2007 Executive of the Year by the Sporting News, but in 2010, he may have been even more deserving.

Making these moves came with a cost, however.

“They still have some issues going forward,” said McIntyre. “According to my figures, their cap number in 2011 is just under $126 million. So, if the players had accepted the NFL’s last proposal and there was a $140 million cap in 2011, the Packers would have to scramble. And that doesn’t include restricted free agents like Mason Crosby, John Kuhn, Bigby, and Colledge.”

If they sacrificed to win a Super Bowl, most fans probably won’t mind. And because Thompson did such a good job of stockpiling talent, the Packers are one of the deepest teams in the NFL, perhaps for years to come.

“Like I’ve heard from some of the guys,” Wilson said, “As long as you keep that core, as long as you’ve got a guy named Aaron Rodgers at quarterback behind the center, you’ve got a good chance moving forward. I’ve never been on another team, but we’ve got great coaches, and I hope the guys are motivated, work hard, and the sky’s the limit.” MSP Brian Carriveau is the editor of Maple Street Press Packers Annual and Maple Street Press Brewers Annual. He writes about the Packers for CheeseheadTV.com and is a Wisconsin newspaper columnist.

Photo: Al Bello/Getty Images

free agents. With a salary cap and floor expected to return with a new CBA, it was small window of opportunity.

Three team members in particular re-upped on deals that were favorable to both the team and the player. Safety Nick Collins, Clifton, and Pickett––all starters––signed frontloaded contracts.

“Those three guys signed short-term deals, three or fouryear extensions,” said Brian McIntyre of Football Outsiders.

“Last year, their ‘cap numbers’ combined were $26.8. Next year, those three guys combined are only about $15 million.

“So the Packers were able to, in the first year––because they were new contracts, they weren’t expired deals or anything––front load it without violating any ‘30% rule’ or anything like that. So they stuck a lot of money into that first year with all three. And then going forward, their cap numbers are very manageable.”

Then, at midseason, the Packers identified three key members of the team, and locked them up for the next several years. All three of them­­––cornerback Tramon Williams, Bishop and long snapper Brett Goode––were scheduled to become free agents. Once again, Thompson, along with vice president of football administration/player finance Russ Ball, were able to structure their contracts so that a good chunk of money fell into the uncapped 2010 season.

“When they front-loaded Williams, I talked to several sources,” said McIntyre, “They couldn’t believe how good of a deal the Packers got on him. He’s an All-Pro caliber cornerback, and they got him for a song. They gave him $10 million at the end of last year. That was one where they absolutely took advantage of the uncapped year. Back in Week 12, they increased his base salary to over $37 million. And that’s prorated, a $10 million increase. You take his $3.043 million cap number last year and add $10 million to it.”

The Packers also benefited from another unique rule: the requirement for players to accrue six years of service instead of the usual four to be eligible for unrestricted free agency.

Under such a system, Thompson was able to make sure players didn’t leave Green Bay prematurely.

Left guard Daryn Colledge, fullback John Kuhn, safety Atari Bigby, and offensive lineman Jason Spitz––all of them contributors––were more or less forced to sign restricted free agent tenders whether they liked it or not.

“The Packers had a lengthy list of guys who were restricted last offseason, and keeping them can only help their depth,” said McIntyre.

According to an estimation by McIntyre, the Packers had a payroll of about $155 million in 2010, which would have placed them in the league’s top five. For most football fans, that probably comes as unexpected for a publiclyowned team.