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Published - Thursday, July 24, 2008

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Thompson talks Favre, Grant, draft picks


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GREEN BAY — As all-consuming as the ongoing Brett Favre saga has been for those who follow the Green Bay Packers, the football operation hasn't simply shut down while waiting for the soap opera reaching its endgame.

From unsigned starting halfback Ryan Grant's situation, to the team not having signed any of its nine draft picks, to depth concerns on the defensive line, there are plenty of non-Favre issues for general manager Ted Thompson to deal with.
But first, a little more about Favre.

Thompson said Monday he and Favre did not get together and talk while Favre was in town for Saturday's Packers Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

''We had a chance to say hello,'' said Thompson, who sat only a few tables away from Favre at the banquet inside the Lambeau Field atrium. ''Everything was kind of busy and hectic.''

Thompson said he wasn't worried about how he might be received at Thursday's annual shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field.

''I hadn't been worried. Should I be?'' Thompson said with a nervous chuckle. ''Obviously there have been a lot of times during my tenure, because of the emotion and passion the fans have for this team, where they've voiced their displeasure with me. And they have the right to do that.''

Thompson also didn't seem overly concerned with Grant being unsigned. Grant, an exclusive-rights free agent who did several interviews at ESPN's Bristol, Conn., studios Monday, said he is ''very optimistic'' a deal will get done before players report to training camp Sunday.

Thompson said talks were ''ongoing,'' while Grant said his agent, Alan Herman, was talking with the team Monday.

Asked by ESPN ''First Take'' host Dana Jacobson where he'll be next Monday if he doesn't have a deal done, Grant replied, ''I don't know. That's not the case as of right now. I'm not really gonna think that far on ahead.'' Asked if he would hold out, Grant replied, ''I don't think I'm going to put myself in that position. I think I'll wait 'til everything gets done for me to go up there.''

None of the team's draft picks had signed as of early Monday evening, although Thompson didn't think any of the picks would miss practice time while new contract negotiator Russ Ball worked out the deals with each agent.

''We don't anticipate any real problems at the end of the day,'' Thompson said. Asked if having the latest reporting date in the league would help his team because the market for each pick would be set, Thompson replied, ''Yeah, I think it probably helps. If you start early, you kind of have to be the first one to step out there. And that goes for the agents, too.''

Although Thompson wouldn't discuss the legal troubles of defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, who was arrested earlier this month for felony drug possession and is to be arraigned today in a Houston court, Thompson said he expected Jolly (shoulder) and Justin Harrell (back) to be able to participate in practices after missing offseason workouts with injuries.

''We've been discussing all year that the guys who were not in OTAs and minicamp, that most if not all by training camp would be ready to go,'' Thompson said. ''We're still thinking that.''

Meanwhile, in an interview with the Sporting News' Steve Greenberg that was posted on the magazine's Web site Monday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers sounds like someone who still expects to be the team's starter. Rodgers also subtlely points out Favre, who dressed and showered in his own separate locker room, wasn't as accessible as he is to his teammates.

In his response to a question about the change from Favre to him, Rodgers replies, ''I'm excited about doing things the way I want them. We're going to be a team that's united and connected.

''We've spent a lot of time together doing team functions, a lot of times at my house this offseason, and I think we've definitely gotten closer as a team. I don't think we had that as much last year. I don't ever want guys to feel like they can't talk to me or approach me. We're doing this together. I'm always open to suggestions. I think my teammates would all say I'm very approachable and pretty personable as well.''
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PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 25, 2008 7:14 AM:

" Well stated Packer Backer! The success of Favre is, unfortunately, the bain of Thompson's Packer existence. THAT success is the necessity, in Thompson's egoistic mind and heart, for shedding Favre. With Favre in the fold, Thompson has not TRULY built a champion, so win or lose Thompson wants HIS team to be the one doing it. I think we saw evidence over the past couple of years of this coming with Favre speaking out on his displeasure with some isuues, then backpedaling to take the team line, and several veterans leaving, yet few with a fond farewell to the Pack. "

packerbacker wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:47 PM:

" I just returned from stockholder's meeting! TT was spouting same old line We have moved On! Well the fans still support Brett because THEY KNOW Brett is the most talented QB on the roster! Brett was there LONG BEFORE TT and MM and has forgotten more about the NFL and QB position than either of the 2 know. Brett and his successes are responsible for today's strong financial position of the Packers, not TT or MM! "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:32 PM:

" After accounts of the "share-holders" meeting, I think it's pretty clear that Thompson's stance on Favre NOT returning to Green and Gold is going to carry on. Very disappointing.
Thompson may see fit that HIS reputation and legacy is at risk with Aaron Rodgers, but we, as fans, now have to become his legacy's victims: we have a team PRIMED to win a championship yet we have a big questionmark at the helm. Sad. "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 24, 2008 4:25 PM:

" free free free: Seriously...Aaron will win his first game, then as he leaves the field he'll slip on the tunnel concrete, bang his head and be lost for the season with a skull fracture. So, officially he will be perfect at 1-1. Then the Brian Brohm era will begin, where he goes 12-3 as the Packers starter, leading them to the Super Bowl. Favre scenario: 15-1 (ALMOST had that perfect season) and SuperBowl Champions. "Free", when you get out of bed in the morning do you think "what's the use, we're all gonna die anyway"? "

free_speech wrote on Jul 24, 2008 2:28 PM:

" 0-16 under Rodgers or 8-8 with Favre. Take your pick. "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:27 PM:

" oh...and a quick P.S. to "neil": it IS a money driven world, and, unfortunately, there is not a lot any one of us can do about that. The thing that bothers me about that is in two: first, that people like you sit around and complain about it without trying to change what they don't like, and second, that people like you sit around and complain about it without trying to change what they don't like....get with it or change it "neil", but gor God's sake, quit belly aching about it. "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 24, 2008 12:22 PM:

" "neil" - The deal isn't done until there is a signature on the line...that being said, and I believe catjack will support this as a business man, Brett Favre is NOT retired, and he is NOT an EX-Packer...yet. "CatJack", as a business man, wouldn't you support the theory that past performance is THE greatest indicator of future performance (since we ARE talking about the future)? If that is so, then why are we building our future on the thusfar medically laiden resume of Aaron Rodgers? A young Brett Favre got his shot, and didn't miss a game after that: when your biggest hitter is willing to come back, he STILL gives you the best shot at being THE BEST TEAM.... "

funmom wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:51 AM:

" Right on Cataracjack!!! We need to look to the future. "

neilsportsguru wrote on Jul 24, 2008 10:11 AM:

" I have heard all I can take. Lets get it strait. Brett Favre is not an NFL player. He is a former player. Not until he reinstates himself as a player do we have to continue this ridiculous discussion.

Now NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has stepped up and said the Packers Must trade Brett Favre. What?

Talk about putting the cart in front of the horse.

He doesnt play for the packers! Hell, he plays for a high school team in Louisiana.

I am so sick of this Money driven world. The only reason Roger Goodell wants Brett traded is for the dough. More #4s sold. Goodell probably has some plan to bring him back as 7, so everyone will have to update their collection.

Roger Goodell should seriously consider running for president. Imposing his will on everyone else. Sweet! "

cataractjack wrote on Jul 24, 2008 8:46 AM:

" I didn't like TT or MM when they came aboard. They took a disaster of a team and took us to the NFC championship last year. That says it all. TT is rolling the dice. If Rodgers tosses for 4k yards this year and leads us into the playoffs TT will be a genius. If Rodgers fails TT will be ran out of town pretty fast. I think he even knows that. I am a business person first, and agree what TT is doing. I am thinking the next 10-12 years not my love affair with Brett Favre. "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:55 PM:

" The team sponsored cell phone is a perk. Sure he could pay for his own phone, but he could also pay for his own socks, cleats, etc...but THOSE are given to him to, just like they are for ALL the players. I was listening to a Twin Cities radio station today that asked how stupid Brett is to use his Packer phone...I called in and suggested that Childress "out dumbed him" by answering the phone the second and third times, AFTER he knew it was Brett...he had to know that would come back to bite him..... "

packer backer wrote on Jul 23, 2008 1:44 PM:

" I hear you Packattack, but I have a few questions. Why does Farve have a cell phone from the Green Bay Packers? Is he retired? Then why is the ding dong calling the Vikings with-it? Ok we have Thompson opening the bills in his office. Oh the cell phone bill, I wonder how much it is? Look here Brett's been naughty. I wonder what the caller I.D. says when Childress answers his phone at the other end? Farve made how much money and he needs to use a Packer cell phone. Something does not smell right here. Is Brett that dumb? "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:01 AM:

" Ah...and the plot THICKENS: the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal is reporting multiple calls from Favre to Bevell and from Favre to CHILDRESS. The calls reportedly were made from his Packer issued cell phone. A couple of things: 1 - Is Favre part of some dasterdly plot to thwart the biggest threat the Vikes have put on the field in decades? 2 - If no plot, HOW MUCH TO YOU HAVE TO ANGER FAVRE TO MAKE HIM GO TO YOUR ARCHEST OF RIVALS? Ted Thompson should be ASHAMED of what is going on here: no rookies signed, your best back unsigned and THE BEST QB of all time being treated like such unwanted trash that he will talk with the team that HE even hates? "

PackAttack2020 wrote on Jul 22, 2008 12:12 PM:

" Ted is about as arrogant as they come: "Should I be concerned?". What business' shareholders would put up with having a significant portion of it's employees NOT under contract less than a week from the start of the season? What board would allow its business' GM to allow their TOP PRODUCER to possibly walk away to the competition? Ted is a liability for this team: I wonder if the YOUNG rookies are wondering "Does this team even want me to play for them?". Great relationship manager TT. WOW.... "

free_speech wrote on Jul 22, 2008 7:34 AM:

" Get off your a$$ Ted and get SOMETHING done! "


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