Comments on: Ted Thompson…shy?

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:17:38 +0000

Oh, and yes, TT is shy. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I find it somewhat endearing. Very few of us would do well under the pressure of live cameras and live audio. (I say this with great envy and respect to our gracious host S. Hayes who often appears remarkably calm and well-shaven inside the Situation Room, Meeting the Press, etcetera….)

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 07:59:54 +0000

Packer loyalists have a stronger bond than any political poo.
Steve’s a great writer. Andy’s a great writer, too. Both are Packer Geeks with a wealth of knowledge and opinion.

Re: non-football crap: I’m a Wisconsin Catholic who happens to be a Democrat who supports Obama. Yet, I completely understand and enjoy everything that Stephen Hayes writes. I like smart writing. I adore the Weekly Standard. I may not agree, but I respect the work. I respect the opinion….

By: awhayes

awhayes — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:35:56 +0000

Thanks Scott – good points, I agree, TT can just be whoever he is as long as he produces (though he may need to work on his communication skills).

And don’t worry, this is not a political website. Steve would be the first to admit he’s a Packer fan before anything. Don’t let his politics scare you off – we like your contributions!

Oh, and nice to know that there are other soccer fans out there who love the NFL too!

By: ScottinDC

ScottinDC — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:22:36 +0000

Wow, I had no idea that shayes was Steve Hayes, the Weekly Standard guy. Is this a conservative website? I really like the posts, but I’m not into the politics. I agree with Andy though, TT does seem like a guy that you would have to know personally in order to like. He has zero charisma. However, with the Favre saga as a notable exception, he’s pretty damn good at his job. He can be as aloof as he wants as long as he keeps delivering players that help to maintain the Packers status in the top 5 of the NFL. I enjoyed the Man U reference. Did you see Ronaldo on Sunday? He was too busy playing with his phone to even care about the game. I’ve always thought that the Packers are the Liverpool of the NFL. Here’s to a great season for the Pac and Liverpool FC!

By: scott in wisconsin

scott in wisconsin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:16:36 +0000

Oh, by the way, I was also one of those who gave TT a standing “O” this year during the shareholder’s meeting. I support him.

By: scott in wisconsin

scott in wisconsin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:13:47 +0000

I went to the shareholder’s meeting which coincided during TTs first year. You should note it was held in a small (2500 seat) entertainment center. After the “business” was over, Ron Wolf announced he and TT would be available for meet and greet. Lines assembled. Long lines. TT looked panicked. Like a deer in the headlights. He would make eye contact with people but he looked, and I’m not being funny, but he looked at each person with a wide eyed “ohmygod” stare, as if the Packergeek was going to pull out a shiv and shank him right then and there. I turned to my buddy and I’m not kidding, I said, “I’ll bet this is the last time they ever do this.” The next year it was moved into Lambeau Field where there was NO lines for meet and greet.

Btw, Ron Wolf loved it. Smiled for everyone. LIstened to each person as if they were telling him a secret.

TT is shy.

And 4theFunOfIt, please don’t compare Favre to McCain. Ever. Again. I just ate breakfast.

By: Inquiring Minds

Inquiring Minds — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:58:54 +0000

I believe there is some truth to your observations. It would explain the long periods of silence from the Packers in the recent stare-down with Favre.

I’d much rather believe your theory, than those other theories – that TT is egomaniacal, power-hungry, control freak, etc.

By: 4theFunOfIt

4theFunOfIt — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:56:07 +0000

cheese0317 – you sound like an Obama supporter. I thought you would like change and inexperience over a long proven track record. Don’t you like leaders who talk in slogans? Change we can believe in? Yes we can?

McCain = Favre: Experienced. Hero. Strait shooter. A little old.
Rodgers = Obama: Inexperienced. Young with potential. Says all the right things.

Don’t get all worked up…I’m just trying to be funny and your ‘white house liar’ comment deserved some push back!

By: cheese0317

cheese0317 — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:45:19 +0000

I think it’s time we helped Ted out with his PR woes, help people see his side of things, help him sell his trip down the “new path” and “across the Rubicon.” Since he’s run off the team’s pro-bowl QB and hired renowned White House liar Ari Fleischer, I’m thinking these brands might work for Ted’s 2008 adventure:

1. No Quarterback with 0 NFL Starts Left Behind.
or
2. The Axis of Inexperience Under Center.
or
3. Dispassionate Conservatism.

Perhaps we could run a focus group, or try again to bribe Favre not to play.

By: Donald's Designated Driver

Donald's Designated Driver — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:07:55 +0000

I missed the memo where the pro football GM is also required to be a Star Search (TM) spokes model. Where does this meme come from? His job is to assemble talented players and coaches and manage the salary cap. To the extent that he is required to be the mouthpiece for the company line, those duties should be so far down the priority list that I just don’t understand why any fan gets worked up about it. I do understand why journalists care, but I couldn’t care less if Thompson’s style makes it harder on journalists.

The “company line” is also not the “truth.” It’s usually just a watered down, diplomatic version of the truth, and sometimes its a deliberate smokescreen to try to mislead the rest of the league. There is only so much that a GM can and should say. It’s not the GM’s job to reveal the inner workings of the team’s management.

Is it really that important that you have a GM that delivers a watered down version of the truth/deliberate smokescreen with pizazz and jazz hands? Who? Gives? A? Rip?