PRN Sorgi : Ted Thompson

He Didn't Say It, But Brett Still Wants To "Stick It"

Jay_Sorgi — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 05:24:00 GMT

During his interview on HBO's "Joe Buck Live," Brett Favre made a seven-word statement that, when taken in the context of his comments around them, makes perfect sense.

"I play because I love to play."

He was discussing how, as he put it, he's not motivated to consider coming back in the 2009 season by the things that surround the game.

But I guarantee you, the "where he's playing," the Minnesota Vikings - the only team he's considering playing for, the one he referred to as "we" in this talk with Buck - is not because he loves to play.

I am still convinced it's because he wants revenge on Packers General Manager Ted Thompson.

Did he come out and say on Joe Buck's show that he wants two shots at the Packers so he can get back at Ted Thompson for what he perceives Thompson did to him?

No.

That already came out of his mouth in his statements to ESPN when he discussed how playing last year was all about "sticking it to Ted (Thompson, Packers General Manager)."

He tried on Buck's show to explain away his thoughts about why it's the Vikings because of his familiarity of the system the Vikings run - thanks to their offensive coordinator, former Packers quarterback coach Darrell Bevell.

"It makes perfect sense, because it is an offense that I ran for 16 years," said Favre to Buck.

"I could teach the offense. Going to the Jets was tough since I was 2 weeks late and it was a completely new offense. The coaches were great to me because the condensed the offense so I can at least call the plays. It is like learning a different language."

Does it make sense that going back to the Vikings would be easiest for him and can bring him more possibilities of success because of the familiarity of the system?

Sure.

But I'm still not convinced that's his reason, that's his motivation, for choosing the Minnesota Vikings.

"Some things happened there that may have ruffled the feathers for both sides," he admitted on Buck.

We all know the reasons why those ruffles are there, and why Favre couldn't stomach having to eat those ruffles.

Hence, that's why I believe he still wants to put a purple and gold crunch on the Packers by playing in the NFC North.

Amazingly, he attempted to spin the story by using the example of a legendary Packers coach who, 40 years ago, unretired from coaching.

"Vince Lombardi left Green Bay to go to the Washington Redskins, and his name is on the trophy that we give out every year."

Why did he go to the Washington Redskins, Brett? Was it revenge? Was it "sticking it to" the Packers?

Not at all.

Lombardi left because he, as general manager, had hired Phil Bengston to be his head coach in 1968, and he refused to do what Pat Riley did to Stan Van Gundy and the Miami Heat by demoting him so he could win a championship as head coach again once the coaching bug returned.

The Packers were not on the 1969 Redskins schedule, nor was Washington located in the NFC Central Division in 1969.

The Packers are twice on the 2009 Vikings schedule, and every Minnesota win makes it harder for Ted Thompson's team to return to the playoffs in a year where not doing so could cost him his job.

That, I'm sure, would make Brett Favre smile. Certainly, it would make a number of Packers fans who side with Favre be filled with glee.

But is it right for him to act out of revenge? As I said in a previous analysis: no way.

Did he come out and say directly to Joe Buck that he wants to play for the Vikings because he wants to "stick it to Ted?"

No.

But I'm still convinced it's why.

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.

Favre in Minnesota Still Plausible

Jay_Sorgi — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT

If New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and his fellow brass follow three Big Apple football writers' advice, Brett Favre won't be a New York Jet in 2009.

If the Jets follow the path of simply cutting him, as Favre wanted the Packers to do in the summer of 2008, that could open the door to him getting his original wish:

Facing the Packers twice a year as the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings, something for which their is no poison pill like what the Packers put on the Jets in their trade last year.

The Jets' willingness to remove Favre comes from how his season in New York ended: a five-game stretch where he threw nine interceptions against just two touchdown passes.

The Jets went 1-4 in that stretch and missed the playoffs after leading the AFC Eastern Division and defeating the Tennessee Titans, the AFC's No. 1 playoff seed.

New York Post writer Steve Serby said that the Jets ought to let Favre go before the entire "Tractor Watch: New York" saga goes any farther.

"Ryan should pick up the telephone in his new office and put in a call to the Favre farm informing the quarterback politely but firmly that the organization has decided to go in a different direction, whether Favre eventually decides to return or not," said Serby.

"The last thing Ryan needs is to be held hostage by one of Favre's 'To Play or Not To Play' dramas."

In Gary Myers' New York Daily News article, his number two suggestion was to give Favre a "fond farewell."

"The Jets did the right thing to trade for Favre," said Myers. "It was more than worth the gamble. It just didn't work.

"But now it's not fair to handcuff a new coach with a quarterback who will be 40 next season. For much of the season, the Jets were getting Joe Montana, but ended with Namath on the Rams."

Bob Glauber of Newsday and ESPN concurs.

"Favre has been a pleasure to watch for the majority of his mostly brilliant career," said Glauber.

"Believe me, there is no joy in writing that it is time to retire. But the time comes for all the great ones, and Favre's time has come. It is over."

Favre Might Not Agree with His Time Being "Over"; Vikings Could Entice Him

It's seemingly proven that every time someone doubts Brett Favre, he makes it a point to counter the doubters with an action that says "oh, really?"

I guarantee you that the thought of playing Green Bay twice each year could be a determining factor in Favre playing an 18th NFL season.

The thought of anyone besides Tavaris Jackson quarterbacking the Vikings could be a determining factor in Brad Childress and Favre's old assistant coach, Darrell Bevell, calling Brett and begging him, despite his late-season slump, to return.

This time, there would be no tampering instance for the Packers to complain about, because he would have every right to go to whatever team he chooses, if he decides to come back.

Then, he could return to Lambeau wearing a resplendently ugly shade of purple and make his attempt to haunt Packers general manager Ted Thompson's dreams, and beat Green Bay on the football field for the first time in his career.

Not like that would automatically happen, considering his late-season failure, and the fact that the Packers' defenders have more experience playing against Favre than anyone else in the NFL.

Considering Favre's late-season failures, it could be somewhat doubtful that the Jets could get any trade value for Kiln, Mississippi's favorite son.

Perhaps to avoid the soap opera scenario of Brett's return to Lambeau in purple, or any other NFC North shade (probably Chicago), Ted Thompson ought to become Favre's unofficial agent and call up the rest of the NFL's general managers to espouse Brett's wonderful qualities, to convince them that they need to trade for Brett the Jet.

Then, the poison pill the Packers put on the trade from last year would still be in effect.

If not, the pill goes down the toilet, and the Packers may have to face the real possibility number four across from them twice next year.

But if he continues to plummet in performance and goes interception crazy against Green Bay, is that such a bad thing?