AllGreenBayPackers.Com

Everyone gather around and let me tell you a story:

In 2007 the story goes that Green Bay Packer franchise quarterback Brett Favre approached General Manager Ted Thompson about the possibility of signing wide receiver Randy Moss.  Thompson took to the phones but unfortunately New England offered the best deal and Moss became a Patriot.

In 2011 the story goes that Green Bay Packer franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers approached General Manager Ted Thompson about the possibility of signing wide receiver James Jones.  Thompson took to the phones and fortunately Green Bay offered the best deal and Jones remains a Packer.

Same story, different ending.

So what gives?  Jason Wilde and Bill Johnson from Green and Gold Today on ESPN Milwaukee recently brought up this question, and after admitting they couldn’t figure out an explanation, they concluded that maybe it was because Aaron Rodgers is Thompson’s “guy”, maybe it was the familiarity with the offense, Randy Moss’ history as a locker room killer, the difference in talent between Moss and Jones, etc.  All valid points to some extent, but it doesn’t answer what the difference was between Brett Favre asking for Randy Moss and Aaron Rodgers asking for James Jones.

The real story is that there was no difference.

Ted Thompson probably pays less attention to free agency than any other GM in the league.  And when he does sign a free agent, it’s always on his terms.  Read more... (1160 words + 1 image, estimated 4:38 mins reading time)

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On Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009, at about 6:30 p.m. CST, Brett Favre was on top of the world.

Looking rejuvenated in a purple and gold Vikings uniform, Favre had just defeated the Packers and his old nemesis Ted Thompson for the second time in less than a month. Old No. 4 was leading one of the most potent offenses in the league, and the Vikings were in firm control of the NFC North.

That was probably Favre’s highest peak since leaving the Green Bay Packers. After winning at Lambeau, Favre has:

• Not lead the Vikings to another road victory
• Threw an indefensible interception late in the NFC Championship game
• Went through another retirement soap opera during the offseason
• Battled nagging injuries, and
• Became the center of an embarrassing sexting story.

Oh, and by the way, he also hasn’t played very well. After beating the Packers, Favre stayed hot and put up quarterback ratings over 100 in wins over lowly Detroit, Seattle and Chicago. Since beating Chicago, Favre has managed a rating of 100 or better in just four of 11 games, including the playoffs. He has also thrown 13 interceptions over that span.

Since beating the Packers, I would argue that Favre has led the Vikings to just three “key wins.” Obviously, every win is a key win, but wins against teams that have a similar record as your own, wins in must-win games, and playoff wins ultimately define how good your team is. Favre’s key wins since winning at Lambeau have come against the Bengals, the Cowboys in the playoffs and the Cowboys last week.  Read more... (918 words + 1 image, estimated 3:40 mins reading time)

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