Ted Thompson
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| Ted Thompson | |
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| Date of birth: | January 17, 1953 |
| Place of birth: | Atlanta, Texas |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | Linebacker |
| College: | Southern Methodist |
| NFL Draft: | 1975 / Round: |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1975-1984 | Houston Oilers |
| Stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
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. Thompson took over the general manager duties from Mike Sherman who had been serving as both head coach and general manager. Prior to becoming the Packers general manager, Thompson served with the Seattle Seahawks as their vice president of operations from 2000 to 2004. Thompson had previously worked for the Packers organization 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 as a linebacker and special teams player with the Houston Oilers from 1975 to 1984.
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[edit] Career as a Player
Ted Thompson was signed by the Houston Oilers as an undrafted free agent out of Southern Methodist University in 1975. Thompson won a spot as a back-up linebacker and special teams player and held this position for 10 years. Although Thompson only started eight games during his career, he proved durable playing in 146 of 147 games.
[edit] Seattle days
Thompson worked in Seattle along with former Packers and current Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren. During Thompsons five seasons in Seattle, the Seahawks advanced to the playoffs in twice. Several players Thompson helped acquire through the draft played key roles on these teams. 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, including free agency, the draft, and the hiring and firing of coaches. When Thompson was hired the Packers were over the salary cap for the next season, which would require a reduction in salaries. One of Thompson's 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. Thompson's first draft netted a quarterback in first round pick Aaron Rodgers, as well as current starters, safety Nick Collins and linebacker Brady Poppinga. Rodgers was notable in that he had been expected to be in the running to be chosen first overall, but wound up falling to the late first round. In free agency following the draft, Thompson signed low-priced players, 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. 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, #2 RB Najeh Davenport and #1 wide receiver Javon Walker. Green Bay finished the season with a 4-12 record, the worst record for the franchise 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 Na'il Diggs. Thompson did make a point in retaining several other veterans, as the team resigned Pro Bowl 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 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 was a disappointment and Barry suffered a season ending injury in training camp Pickett, Green, and Woodson had strong 2006 seasons.
[edit] 2007
The 2007 season was a successful one for Thompson and the Packers. With a league best 21 million under the salary cap, the Packers lone free agent signing in the offseason was former NY Giants cornerback Frank Walker. There were rumors indicating that the team was interested in trading for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Randy Moss, but Moss was instead dealt to the New England Patriots. Most notably, in September Thompson traded a 6th round pick for New York Giants running back Ryan Grant, who was starting by game eight and went on to have an outstanding season.
In the 2007 NFL Draft, Thompson selected University of Tennessee defensive tackle Justin Harrell with the #16 overall selection in the first round. This move was a surprise selection to many fans because Harrell was not a widely known player and many felt the team had more pressing needs. In addition, more widely hyped players such as Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn were still available at that selection. Thompson was booed by many of the 2,000 fans in attendance at the Packers Draft Party in the Lambeau Field Atrium as a result of the pick. Fans and draft prognosticators also widely panned Thompson's selection of James Jones in the third round. Despite heavy criticism, Harrell, Jones, and several of Thompson's other 2007 draft picks played significant roles for the Packers. Although Harrell was recovering from a college biceps injury, he played significantly in the Packers final five games because of injuries to other players. James Jones served as the Packers third receiver and finished third among rookies in receiving with 47 receptions for 676 yards. In addition, running backs Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn were early season starters for the Packers, linebacker Korey Hall was the team's starting fullback, kicker Mason Crosby led the NFL scoring, and safety Aaron Rouse tallied two interceptions while filling in for injured players.
Despite the offseason criticism, Thompson and the Packers were the surprise team of the NFL through the 2007 season, as they finished the regular season with a 13-3 record. The Packers made it to the NFC Championship game, losing to eventual Super Bowl champions the New York Giants, 23-20 in overtime.
Thompson was voted Sporting News NFL Executive of the Year on March 25, 2008.
