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Tramon Williams retiring from the NFL

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Tramon Williams

After 14 seasons in the NFL, 10 of those 14 coming with the Green Bay Packers, defensive back Tramon Williams announced his retirement on his 38th birthday Tuesday.

Williams played in 205 career games with 153 starts.  He was originally signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2006 out of Louisiana Tech.  He was signed to the Packers practice squad later that season and then made the regular roster the following year.

Williams played for eight seasons in Green Bay and was a big part of their 2010 Super Bowl run.  He then signed with Cleveland in 2015, played for Arizona in 2017 and then returned to Green Bay for two more seasons. [Read more…]

Ted Thompson passed away at age 68 (AUDIO)

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Ted Thompson at 2019 Hall of Fame Ceremony – WRN Photo

One of the great architects in Green Bay Packers history, Ted Thompson passed away on Wednesday night, just days after his 68th birthday.

With Thompson as the teams general manager, the Packers compiled an overall regular season record of 125-82-1.  The Packers also made the playoffs nine times during his 13-year tenure, posting a 10-8 postseason record.  It included four NFC Championship games (2007, 2010, 2014 and 2016) and a 2010 Super Bowl victory.

When Thompson took over, his very first draft pick in 2005 was Aaron Rodgers (24th overall).  That pick put the Packers in the competitive drivers seat for years to come.

“I’ll never forget your loyalty,” said Aaron Rodgers during a prerecorded video at Thompson’s 2019 Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  “I’m going to always be thankful for the time I had to spend with you, and the fact that you took a chance on a [Read more…]

Spriggs headed to the Bears

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David Bakhtiari & Jason Spriggs

Offensive tackle Jason Spriggs never lived up to expectations in Green Bay, is signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.

Former Packers general manager Ted Thompson moved up nine sports in the 2016 draft to select Spriggs in the second round (48th overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.

The 25-year-old Spriggs appeared in 36 games in three years, making nine starts for the Packers.  But Spriggs spent the entire 2019 season on the Packers’ injured reserve list.

Thompson sent the Packers 2nd round pick (57th overall), a fourth-rounder (125th overall) and a seventh rounder (248th), to the Indianapolis Colts.

 

Thompson reveals Autonomic Disorder

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Ted Thompson with HOF presenter Mike Reinfeldt

Former Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson revealed Wednesday that he has been suffering from an autonomic disorder.  It’s the primary reason why he is no longer leading the team’s football operation.

Thompson was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame on Saturday night and shared his thoughts mostly through a video that had been pre-recorded.

Thompson released a statement through the Packers addressing his health.

“I have been diagnosed with an autonomic disorder,” Thompson said in his statement.  “I feel that it’s important to mention that based on the test results and opinions of medical specialists, they feel that I do not fit the profile of someone suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).”

Thompson didn’t say whether a specific disease or illness caused the disorder or whether the many tests [Read more…]

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…]