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Thompson has once again been inactive during the early stages of the NFL’s free agency period

So here we are again in the midst of another free agency period in the NFL and the Green Bay Packers have been as active as a Koala bear in the dead of summer.  General Manager Ted Thompson has forged this reputation for sitting idle while most every other team (the Packers are one of just two teams who have not signed a free agent that was not on its own roster the year prior) has added a new player or two.

We shouldn’t be surprised as this has been Thompson’s M.O. for most of  his tenure in Green Bay, but judging by the fan response over the past week I’d have to say that many have allowed themselves to think that this offseason would be different.

Last offseason, the team added veteran center Jeff Saturday to replace the departed Scott Wells.  They also brought in veteran running back Cedric Benson in the middle of training camp to give the offensive backfield a boost.

It felt like old times again and reminded us of the returns that Green Bay had gained from bringing in such well-known talent as Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett, to name a few.  If nothing else it signaled, in the minds of many, that Thompson was “trying” and wanted to keep the Packers window open for another Super Bowl title.  Read more... (1175 words + 3 images, estimated 4:42 mins reading time)

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Thompson appears to have made another tough but good decision in letting Greg Jennings test the free agent market

After the 2010 season, Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones was not offered a new contract and became a free agent.  Having just come off of a Super Bowl win, it was widely speculated that Jones would see some decent demand throughout the league.  Jones was looking for something in the neighborhood of $5 million/year.  Not a single offer came his way.

Packers GM Ted Thompson emerged and offered Jones a three year deal worth $9.4 million.  Jones signed that deal and he was back in Green Bay.  This past season, Jones led the NFL in touchdown catches with 14.  For $3 million, that type of production was a very good return on investment when you consider that the team was without two of their top receivers in that of Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson for much of the season.  You need only remember that several higher-paid receivers were not nearly as productive as Jones, and many of them also had good quarterbacks.  Thompson clearly came out on top on the Jones decision.  Read more... (1019 words + 3 images, estimated 4:05 mins reading time)

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