Ted Thompson

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Ted Thompson (Born January 17, 1953 in Atlanta, Texas) is the general manager of the Green Bay Packers, a National Football League team. He was named to the post on January 14, 2005 by Packers president and CEO Bob Harlan, and thus removing then head coach and general manager Mike Sherman from the GM role. Prior to becoming the Packers general manager, he served with the Seattle Seahawks as their vice president of football operations from 2000 to 2004. Before that, he was with the Packers from 1992 to 1999, serving as their assistant director of pro personnel in 1992, their director of pro personnel from 1993 to 1997, and as their director of player personnel from 1997 to 1999. Thompson also had a 10 year playing career in the NFL with the Houston Oilers from 1975 to 1984.

1 Seattle days
2 2005
3 2006
4 External links

[edit] Seattle days

Thompson worked in Seattle along with former Packers and current Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren. During Thompsons time in Seattle, The Seahawks advanced to the playoffs in two of the five seasons there with several players Thompson helped acquired through the draft. Some of the notable players Thompson selected in his tenure with the Seahawks were running back Shaun Alexander, kicker Josh Brown, guard Steve Hutchinson, and wide receiver Darrell Jackson, cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Ken Lucas, safeties Ken Hamlin and Michael Boulware. In 2005, however, with Thompson off to run the Packers, the Seahawks coincidentally had their best success in team history, reaching the Super Bowl. Naming Tim Ruskell the new president of football operations, the Seahawks were more aggressive utilizing free agency in 2005. They also were able to re-sign All-Pro left tackle Walter Jones to a multi-year contract, QB Matt Hasselbeck to a long-term contract and able to keep RB Shaun Alexander by declaring him their "franchise player". The 2005 second round draft pick, LB Lofa Tatupu, is credited with bringing the Seattle defense to the next level and helping get the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.

[edit] 2005

When Thompson took over for Mike Sherman as Packers general manager in 2005, he was given total control over the teams football operations, in charge of free agency, the draft, and hiring and firing of coaches. One of his first decisions was to cut ties with starting guards Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera, and starting safety Darren Sharper, three key components of the teams three-time NFC North division championship team. His first draft netted a potential starting quarterback in first round pick Aaron Rodgers, as well as current starters, safety Nick Collins and linebacker Brady Poppinga. Thompson browsed the bargain bin in free agency during the offseason, picking up guards Matt O'Dwyer and Adrian Klemm to make up for the loss of Wahle and Rivera. O'Dwyer was cut during training camp and Klemm was benched towards the end of the season. However, Thompson did find several pickups during the season that proved more successful, such as running back Samkon Gado, tight end Donald Lee and wide receiver Rod Gardner. The team struggled to overcome injuries at numerous offensive skill positions, most notably season-ending injuries to #1 running back Ahman Green and #1 wide receiver Javon Walker. Green Bay finished the season with a 4-12 record, the worst in franchise history since 1991.

[edit] 2006

Disappointed by the performance of the team after the 2005 season, Thompson's first action during the 2006 offseason was firing head coach Mike Sherman immediately following the close of the 2005 regular season. Sherman was replaced on January 12, 2006 by Mike McCarthy, who came to the Packers after previously serving in the role of offensive coordinator for both the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints. McCarthy also served as quarterback coach for the Packers in 1999, giving him hands-on experience with franchise quarterback Brett Favre and some familiarity with Thompson. The hiring was considered a surprise to many in NFL circles, as McCarthy was not considered a prime head coaching candidate despite the number of head coaching vacancies.

In terms of talent acquisition, the 2006 offseason was a modestly impressive one for Thompson and the Packers. The Packers entered the offseason with a league best $32 million available under the salary cap. However, Thompson elected not to retain several veterans including kicker Ryan Longwell, center Mike Flanagan, or linebacker N'ail Diggs. Thompson did make a point in retaining several other veterans, as the team resigned defensive end Aaron Kampman, running back Ahman Green, guard Kevin Barry and fullback William Henderson to new contracts. Thompson also was more active in free agency than he was in 2005, focusing mostly on defense by signing safety Marquand Manuel from the Seattle Seahawks, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett from the St. Louis Rams, linebacker Ben Taylor from the Cleveland Browns, and defensive back Charles Woodson from the Oakland Raiders.

In the 2006 NFL Draft, Thompson amassed 12 picks and continued his restructuring on the defensive side of the football. With the fifth overall pick in the draft, Thompson selected linebacker A.J. Hawk from Ohio State, who put together an impressive collegiate career with the Buckeyes. Thompson later added another Big Ten linebacker, Abdul Hodge from Iowa. Thompson also addressed the offensive deficiencies on the first day by nabbing wide receiver Greg Jennings, guard Jason Spitz and guard Daryn Colledge. Several of these draft picks have contributed almost immediately to the Packers' lineup. Jennings, Colledge, Spitz, and Hawk have started the entire year and a 5th round pick, Tony Moll, started 10 games in his rookie season while other offensive linemen were out with injuries. Jennings, Hawk, and Colledge were also selected to NFL's official all-rookie team.

Thompson's 2006 free agency work is generally regarded as an improvement over his 2005 results. Although Manuel has been a disappointment and Barry suffered a season ending injury in training camp Pickett, Green, Woodson, and Kampman (who garnered 15.5 sacks and was voted into the Pro Bowl) had strong 2006 seasons.