Ted Thompson

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Ted Thompson (Born January 17 1953 in Atlanta, TX) 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. Since returning to Green Bay as the Packers general manager, he has made some bold and controverisal decisons in an effort to better the future of the Packers. Many Packer fans are worried of the team's future with Thompson's hands, and are longing for the return of former General Manager Ron Wolf.

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.

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 not to re-sign 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 future starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as well as current starters, safety Nick Collins and guard William Whitticker. The key additions in free agency that year were guards Matt O'Dwyer and Adrian Klemm, running back Samkon Gado, and wide receiver Rod Gardner, who was added in week 15. O'Dwyer was cut during traning camp and Klemm was benched towards the end of the season. The team had injuries to several posistions, most notably season-ending injuries to starting running back Ahman Green and wide receiver Javon Walker, and thus finished the season with a 4-12 record, the worst in franchise history since 1991.

Coaching change

Disappointed by the teams 2005 4-12 performance, Thompson felt it was time to make a coaching change that would best serve the interests of the Green Bay Packers. Mike Sherman was fired one day after the 2005 season ended and was replaced on January 12, 2006 by Mike McCarthy. McCarthy came to the Packers after previously being the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. While with the 49ers, the teams offense ranked 32nd out of the 32 teams in the league, or dead last. Prior to that, McCarthy served as the offenisve coordinator of the New Orleans Saints from 2000 to 2004, and before that was the quarterbacks coach of the Packers in 1999, working with quarterback Brett Favre. Some site this relationship as the reason for his hiring while others question Thompson's decision making for hiring an inexperienced and unproven coach.

2006

To date, the 2006 offseason has been a relatively impressive one for Thompson and the Packers. Entering the free agency period, the team was a league best $32 million under the salary cap. Thompson elected not to re-sign long time kicker Ryan Longwell, center Mike Flanagan, and cut starting linebacker N'ail Diggs. Thompson did make some key re-signings, as the team gave starting defensive end Aaron Kampman a long term contract as well as re-signing starting running back Ahman Green to a one year contract. Also, Thompson did re-sign guard Kevin Barry and starting fullback William Henderson. Outside the team, the team did sign safety Marquand Manuel from the Seahawks, defensive tackle Ryan Pickett from the St. Louis Rams, linebacker Ben Taylor from the Cleveland Browns, kicker Billy Cundiff, who last played for the Dallas Cowboys and defensive back Charles Woodson who last played for the Oakland Raiders. The addition of Charles Woodson along with that of Ben Taylor, Marquand Manuel and Ryan Pickett solidify a strong defense that ranked 7th overall in 2005.

In the 2006 NFL Draft, Thompson amassed 12 picks and above all was landing Ohio State Linebacker AJ Hawk.

Thompson and Brett Favre's future

Brett Favre is returning for at least another season in 2006.

External links

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