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Packers Hall of Fame to induct Ted Thompson

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Ted Thompson (right)

The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Inc. announced today that it will induct former Packers executive vice president, general manager and director of football operations Ted Thompson at the 49th Hall of Fame Induction Banquet.  The banquet will be held in the Lambeau Field Atrium Saturday, May 4, 2019.

“I think it’s one of those things that’s too big to think about, really, for one person.  You just don’t think in those large of terms.  I had trouble believing it was true,” Thompson said on being selected for induction.  “You think about all the great players that have come through here and done great things, and you’re not one of those people.  These are great idols, and I’m just a scout. But anyway, I was very fired up about it though.  I mean it surprised me, but I was very, very excited.

“I’m proud of this team.  I’m proud of the contributions we made, and it’s a big thing in my opinion…It’s a neat thing to be part of the Green Bay Packers, to be a little part of what made this a great place.”

The banquet, which had previously taken place in July for many years, now will be held annually in May to better accommodate the football and summer schedules.

Packers deal Montgomery & Clinton-Dix before the trade deadline

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Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Twenty Four hours ago, Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery said he had a hard time trusting his teammates and he wasn’t sure what his role was on the team.  Fast forward one day and Montgomery was sent to the Baltimore Ravens for a 7th round draft pick in 2020.

Montgomery fumbled a kick return after being told not to bring the football out of the end zone.  Criticism quickly followed from Montgomery’s teammates and the Packers returner said its hard to trust anyone now.

Montgomery was selected in the third round out of Stanford in 2015.  In 36 career games, he caught 129 passes for 827 yards and three touchdowns.  He has rushed for 849 yards and seven touchdowns.

Montgomery will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.  His departure means the Packers no longer have a single player from that 2015 draft class on the active roster.  Linebacker Jake Ryan is the only member of that class still a part of the organization, but he’s on injured reserve. [Read more…]

Packers stay in house, selecting Brian Gutekunst as next GM

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Brian Gutekunst

The Green Bay Packers didn’t take long to find their new General Manager.  Team President Mark Murphy has decided on long-time scout Brian Gutekunst to replace former G.M. Ted Thompson.  The Packers are expected to make the announcement official today.

Gutekunst was chosen over fellow in-house candidates Russ Ball and Eliot Wolf.

The 44-year-old Gutekunst gets a five-year contract with the Packers and presumably will suit head coach Mike McCarthy just fine.  Last week, McCarthy repeatedly sent the message that Thompson’s successor needed to be a good fit with the coach.  It is likely that McCarthy’s comments last week at least had some influence on hiring Gutekunst, not to mention contacting the Seattle Seahawks about the availability of their general manager John Schneider.

Gutekunst becomes the sixth scout hired by Ron wolf to go on to become a general manager in the NFL.

Now the pressure is on McCarthy, who still needs to hire coaching staff replacements in a number of areas, including coordinators on both sides of the ball.  McCarthy has two years left on his contract. [Read more…]

The search is on for a new GM in Green Bay

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Mark Murphy

The Green Bay Packers made it official today, announcing Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations Ted Thompson will transition to a role as senior advisor to football operations.

Packers team President/CEO Mark Murphy addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon regarding the move.

“I want to thank Ted for his tireless efforts as the general manager of the Green Bay Packers for these past 13 seasons.  Under his guidance, the Packers enjoyed a remarkable run of success, one that included our 13th world championship, four NFC Championship appearances and eight consecutive postseason berths,” said Murphy. “The organization, our fans and our community were fortunate to have had one of the NFL’s all-time great general managers leading our football operations.”

During the press conference, Murphy revealed that he will use a consultant, Jed Hughes from Korn Ferry, to help him, but stressed that “I will make the decision” on the GM hire.

Murphy said he’ll begin the interview process for GM “very quickly” and that the hire would be made “as soon as possible”. [Read more…]

Thompson steps down from GM post

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Ted Thompson

It would appear that the Green Bay Packers are serious about shaking things up after a disappointing 7-9 season that saw them miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

The NFL Network first reported that GM Ted Thompson would step down and a search for his replacement would begin immediately.  Thompson’s contract is set to expire after next season and he’s expected to move into an advisory position within the personnel department.

The search won’t be limited to just in-house candidates.  That list includes director of football operations Eliot Wolf, director of player personnel Brian Gutekunst, senior personnel advisor Alonzo Highsmith and vice president of football administration/player finance Russ Ball.

Among the top candidates outside of the organization are Minnesota assistant general manager George Paton, Eagles vice president of player personnel Joe Douglas and Baltimore Ravens assistant general manager Eric DeCosta.

Also to be considered is what to do with head coach Mike McCarthy, who is entering the final year of his contract.  Team president Mark Murphy must decide whether to extend McCarthy’s contract regardless of who the new GM is, or he can leave McCarthy’s fate in the hands of the new GM.

Thompson was hired by Ron Wolf in 1992 and stayed with the Packers until 2000, when he left to join former Packers coach Mike Holmgren with the Seattle Seahawks.  Thompson served as Seattle’s vice president of football operations until 2005 when he was hired to take over the general manager position in Green Bay.

Mark Murphy is expected to meet with reporters to discuss the latest move on Tuesday.

 

 

Packers end season in disappointment

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Mike McCarthy

As it turned out, when Aaron Rodgers went down with a broken collarbone injury in week six against the Vikings, the Green Bay Packers season was over.

The Packers capped off their season with a 35-11 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field,  Rodgers backup, Brett Hundley went 3-6 in games that he started in place of Rodgers, 3-7 if you count the game that he played in after Rodgers was injured.

The Packers finished the year 7-9, their first losing season since 2008.  They were swept in their season-series with Detroit for the first time since 1991.

Brett Hundley threw just one touchdown pass over the last two games, once the Packers were officially out of the playoffs.

The Packers looked like a demoralized bunch on Sunday.  In fact, there were signs that was the case even prior to Sunday as Brett Hundley continued to struggle, week after week.

When Mike McCarthy was asked after Sunday’s game if he sensed his players were demoralized, the coach snapped back. [Read more…]

Packers release RB’s Michael and Jackson, pick up option on Clinton-Dix

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Packers workout last season at Ray Nitschke Field.

Just two days after drafting three running backs, the Green Bay Packers thinned out their backfield with the release of veteran Christine Michael and Don Jackson. Monday’s move leaves converted wide receiver Ty Montgomery as the only running back currently under contract, and reiterates General Manager Ted Thompson’s assertion over the weekend that Montgomery is “absolutely…our starting running back.”

Michael was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Seahawks during last season, and went on to play nine games for Green Bay. After rushing for 172 yards and one touchdown on 47 carries, the Packers re-signed Michael in March for $800,000. Jackson, an 2016 undrafted free agent, worked his way from the practice squad to the active roster, but was eventually placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

What’s left is Montgomery, a second-year back, and three rookie draft picks: BYU’s Jamaal Williams in the fourth round, Aaron Jones of UTEP in the fifth, and Utah State’s Devante Mays in the seventh.

Green Bay also announced Monday they have picked up the fifth-year option on safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The 2014 draft pick made his first Pro Bowl in 2016 after posting a career-best five interceptions. Clinton-Dix, who has never missed a game and played every defensive snap last season, is scheduled to make $1.5-million in 2017 and $5.9-million in 2018.

AUDIO: Jamaal Williams says his running style resembles former Packer RB Eddie Lacy :27

AUDIO: Ted Thompson explains why Green Bay drafted three running backs :23

Packers make Biegel’s dream a reality, complete ten-member draft class

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Vince Biegel

From Wisconsin Rapids to the Wisconsin Badgers and now to the Green Bay Packers, the cheesehead dreams of Vince Biegel became a realization on Saturday. The Packers selected the former UW outside linebacker with the first pick of the fourth round (No. 108 overall).

The 6’3″, 246-pound Biegel completes the trifecta of playing football at every level possible within the state of Wisconsin, an accomplishment he says has been a tremendous opportunity.

Biegel battled a foot injury during his senior season in Madison, but was a three-year starter with 191 career tackles and 21.5 sacks. Known for his pass rushing prowess, the second team All-Big Ten selection has also proven to be a disruptive stopper against the run.

The selection of Biegel completed a run of four consecutive draft choices on the defensive side of the ball. [Read more…]

Packers trade out of NFL’s first round

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From left, Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, general manager Ted Thompson and president Mark Murphy look on in the draft room at Lambeau Field on Thursday night. Photo courtesy of the Green Bay Packers/Evan Siegle

The Green Bay Packers moved out of the first round, sending the 29th overall pick to the Cleveland Browns for the Browns first pick in the second round, number-33 overall.  The Packers also get the Browns pick in round four, which is the first pick of day number three.

It’s the 20th time that Ted Thompson has traded down since taking over as the Packers general manager.

The Browns used the 29th pick on University of Miami TE David Njoku.

Trading down means the Packers won’t have a first round pick for the first time [Read more…]

Packers hold 29th pick in tonight’s NFL Draft

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The Green Bay Packers have many needs heading into the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft tonight.  Cover corner and a pass rusher top the list.

After losing Sam Shields, the Packers struggled in the secondary last season.  They also struggled to rush the passer and will enter the season without one of their top pressure players in Julius Peppers, who signed a free agent deal with Carolina.

They’re hoping Clay Matthews can stay healthy this season after he had one of his worst seasons.

They could go the corner route right away, and if the player or players they want aren’t available at that position, then a pass rushing outside linebacker could be on the agenda.  State football fans would love to see them take Wisconsin’s T.J. Watt, although Missouri’s Charles Harris is considered to be a better bet. [Read more…]