Ted Thompson's Draft Need May Be His Own

Jay_Sorgi — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:36:46 GMT

For years, we have heard the mantra from general manager Ted Thompson that the Packers' draft philosophy involves selecting the most favorite three-word phrase every late April: "best player available."

There are differing theories as to whether that's the best move for Green Bay to make because of the vast needs at defensive line, linebacker and offensive line, and perhaps in the secondary.

But there is one thing that may become the most important need in his mind, and it could affect how he makes his selections on Saturday:

His own employment status with the Packers.

It is absolutely true that the Packers have Thompson locked up as the team's GM for the next four seasons, including this upcoming 2009 campaign.

But if you look at the first four years, you'll see a rather mixed bag, and a not-so-successful track record if you believe Bill Parcells' adage that you are what your record says you are:

• 2005: 4-12
• 2006: 8-8
• 2007: 13-3
• 2008: 6-10
• Total: 31-33

In some people's minds (including the Packers' brass?), two games under .500 isn't good enough, especially in a city with the nickname of Titletown and a tradition that demands more titles under the Packers' banner.

And that could reflect on the potentially tenuous nature of his job status should his team fail to make the playoffs this year.

Certainly, the 2005 record doesn't necessarily stand as something that is his fault.

Mike Sherman proved that as a general manager, he was a good coach and nothing else, and he left the cupboard bare, one that no NFL general manager probably could have filled quickly enough for one season.

Thompson has certainly made some solid moves, but they balance the scales with highly questionable picks.

For every Aaron Rodgers, there's a Justin Harrell.

For every Charles Woodson signed, there's all the potential free agents that weren't which could improve the Packers.

(Not the high-priced ones, mind you, but the smart mid-range selections teams like the Patriots and Steelers have made successfully over the decade.)

He also traded away a first round-pick to the Jets and received a second-rounder to select a player at the position where the Packers are perhaps strongest in the NFL, at wide receiver, instead of picking a defensive player at a need spot.

Now, his team's defensive cupboard is nearly as bare as it was back in 2005.

Besides the obvious problems at defensive line and the adjustments of changing to a 3-4 defense, he also has to take care of some age, and potentially lost steps at cornerback with Al Harris (thanks to his spleen injury, which truly isn't his fault), along with other players' inconsistency at defensive back.

He has just as many questions at running back as he had at that time, thanks to a subpar sophomore performance by Ryan Grant.

Note: to all the Thompson haters because of the whole Brett Favre divorce saga, I don't choose to involve that in this discussion, because this is purely about how his teams have performed based on his personnel moves.

If you look at the stats, Rodgers far-outperformed Favre last year, and should shoulder the smallest blame for the 6-10 campaign.

Still, with all that is there and not there on the roster right now, Thompson has an arduous task ahead of him this draft, with so many holes to fill.

I may be a rather patient person, and barring a total collapse, I would probably give him one more shot after 2009.

Many of you, including the higher-ups in Green Bay, might not.

He may need immediate performance out of rookies (and a new defensive system) to keep this team above the NFL Mendoza Line of 8-8.

That's a rare accomplishment to pull off.

Do it, and the genius tag gets stuck on him in super glue.

Fail to improve this year, and the vultures may grab him with claws stronger than super glue to fly him away from 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

And it's all based on the Parcells mantra: you are what your record says you are.

To avoid being a loser, Thompson will have to win a draft based on need: his own.

PRN Sorgi : Justin Harrell

Ted Thompson's Draft Need May Be His Own