Ted Thompson, Stubborn or Genius?

Two years removed from an appearance in the NFC Championship, and coming off of a frustrating 6-10 campaign, you would think that a General Manager would be inclined to bring in some fresh faces. Certainly we all know how much Ted Thompson likes to build his team through the draft, but is that alone a formula for success? And furthermore, a way to win Superbowls? While teams like the Bears and Vikings (sorry Lions) are making headline moves, the Packers seemingly go into hibernation once the NFL Free Agency signing period starts. This is a just one of the reasons fellow cheeseheads have been demanding that Ted Thompson be handed the pink slip, and high-tail it out of Green Bay.

Is there a method to his madness? Defenders of TT argue that he has a keen eye for talent, both in the Draft and in Free Agency. Unless there is a glaring need, it is not necessary to overpay for a big name on the market. There was a glimmer of hope when Thompson lured in Charles Woodson in 2006, but he has failed to match the magnitude of that move since. He has gone on record saying that he prefers to build his teams through the draft, and has done so fairly well. Drafting Greg Jennings and picking up Ryan Grant off the practice squad from the Giants are two of the more successful moves, but completely missing the mark on the mainstay PUP list name everyone has grown to love. All this being said, the criticism facing Thompson is warranted.

Let's take a quick look at the free agent additions made so far:

Anthony Smith - Safety (UFA, via Pit)

Smith, a safety with experience playing in a 3-4 defense, comes over from a Steelers defense that played at a very high level and was key in spelling Ryan Clark at critical junctures on route to a world championship. He should fit in well with Dom Capers' defense this season, but he certainly is not going to take away the starting spot from Nick Collins or Atari Bigby, leaving him in a similar backup role that he served in Pittsburgh. Although, hopefully he doesn't read this, because I think he is under the impression he will be competing for significant playing time (uh, no). And if you were wondering where you heard his name before, this is the same Anthony Smith that guaranteed a win for the Steelers over undefeated New England in 2007, and then was fittingly burned all game long by Tom Brady and Randy Moss.

Duke Preston - Center (UFA, via Buf)

When I first saw this signing, I had a hard time debating whether or not Duke was black guy or a white guy. I settled on the fact that he was black as a shot in the dark, and I was right. As unrelated as that is to him as a football player, it does explain the fact that I have never heard of him. This is probably due to offensive lineman often times getting recycled from team to team, and the fact that he played in Buffalo. His signing in Green Bay makes him one of the latest additions to the statistics of people leaving Buffalo. But on a serious note, Preston will probably make a shift to Gaurd, taking over for Mark Tauscher if he reamins unsigned. He is also an obvious versatile backup for Scott Wells at center if he has injury issues again this season.

Aaaaaaand it's gone.

Seriously, that's it. Thompson must have snagged the two guys he really wanted. Two guys, one who will probably play most of the season, and another guy who will be a backup. Both of these moves make sense, but they are nothing to brag to your fellow NFC North rival fans about. There may be a few of you who read this that were not even aware of these moves. For Thompson, it is way too close to the NFL Draft for him to continue worrying about free agents. However, it's always easy to be critical of a GM because of a lack of major influential moves, and I am not one to criticize without thinking of a solution, or for lack of better wording, "What Ted Thompson Should Have Done".

What Ted Thompson Should Have Done

Needs: 3-4 DT, DE, OLB, Safety (check), CB, RT (check)

1. Gone after Bart Scott in free agency. Sure they attempted to bring in Kevin Burnett from the Cowboys, but Scott would have fit in well to the new 3-4 scheme.

2. Resigned Collin Cole -- now with Seattle, he was the progressing as a player, and would have been great rotating in at NT with Ryan Pickett, who isn't a model for staying in shape.

3. Locked up Nick Collins, Greg Jennings, and Tramon Williams (still can). Collins and Jennings are self-explanatory, and Williams could fit in at CB when Al Harris or Charles Woodson decide to call it quits.

4. Assign Brandon Jackson to 3rd Down Back -- a lot of teams have the "two-headed monster" approach to running back, and Jackson is great change of pace from Ryan Grant's downhill running style.

5. Draft someone who played well and wasn't hurt in college in the first round. A.J. Hawk has worked out just fine, Justin Harrell was drafted based on potential, we all know how well that has worked out.

This list could go on...

This season, the transition to a 3-4 defense is going to be a tough one, considering it's primarily going to have to be done with players better suited for a 4-3. Not bringing in anyone with significant playing experience in the 3-4 is going to hurt how quickly the transition happens successfully.

His job is not an easy one, but maybe this is all part of Thompson's master plan. There is so much extra salary cap room he can really do whatever he wants when it comes to bringing in a big name. I side with the virtue of patience when it comes to people calling for his head.

One more season that was similar to last year's debacle, and we'll be having a different discussion in 2010.