Packers GM Ted Thompson focused on retaining top executives

Mark87

Mark87

Carpe Diem
Admin
Moderator
Messages
10,736
Reaction score
12,672
Website
wisconsinsportstalk.net
Interesting read ...explains somethings myself and Packinatl said this season

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...ing-top-executives-b99710010z1-376867501.html


The Green Bay Packers' three highest-ranking executives in personnel under general manager Ted Thompson have been denied opportunities to interview with other NFL teams in the last year.

Sources said Eliot Wolf wasn't allowed to speak with the Detroit Lions in November for their GM job, which went to New England's Bob Quinn in January.
They also said Brian Gutekunst wasn't permitted to interview with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 for a major front-office position under then coach Chip Kelly or in January for the job as director of player personnel with the Tennessee Titans.

And they said Alonzo Highsmith also was denied the chance to interview with the Washington Redskins last year for what would have been the director of player personnel position on the staff of GM Scot McCloughan, his onetime colleague in Green Bay.
All of the decisions were made under the authority of Thompson, who in a long preamble to his pre-draft news conference Wednesday thanked his scouts and others in the organization for their many contributions to the Packers.

Hard feelings? How could there not be when men that have been loyal and key figures in the Packers' success for more than a decade have chances to better themselves in terms of responsibility and salary and then aren't allowed even to compete for jobs.
In March, Thompson announced that Wolf had been promoted from director of player personnel to director of football operations, and Gutekunst had been promoted from director of college scouting to director of player personnel.

Thompson, 63, denied that the moves had anything to do with a succession plan. Believe him.
More than likely, it was simply Thompson's way of making it up to Wolf and Gutekunst. Having thwarted their chances at bigger jobs elsewhere, his response was more money and fancier titles even though their duties probably didn't change at all.

Meanwhile, Highsmith has remained senior personnel executive since May 2012. This spring, several personnel people for other teams said he was a valuable personnel man and inquired about his status in Green Bay because he wasn't also promoted.
Ron Wolf, the team's GM from 1991-2001, has said many times that he didn't want to keep someone who wanted to work somewhere else.

His protégé, Thompson, isn't as altruistic. Thompson appears to operate on the premise that a scout can leave Green Bay if he determines the departure wouldn't hurt the organization.
His stance is consistent with that of coach Mike McCarthy, who for years has routinely denied permission for position coaches to interview for coordinator or other jobs as long as they were under contract. Thompson also is involved in the coaching staff decisions.
Coaches and scouts affected by these hard-nosed policies can't afford to make their feelings known. Some are more understanding than others. Some get over the hurt, but others never forget it.
"You have to be strong enough to say, 'You know what? I've got to grow my own tree,'" an executive in personnel for an NFL team said in reference to Thompson. "Let the young guys grow."
Scouts for different teams spend hours upon hours on the road together in the fall watching tape in collegiate football offices and in spring timing players at pro days. There's plenty of down time to catch up on league gossip.
In February, an NFL personnel director with years of experience was asked if he ever heard Wolf, Gutekunst or Highsmith express frustration about having their career paths stymied.
"A little bit," the executive said. "But nobody really complains about Ted. They like working for him. I think it's a good environment.
"Nobody's really trying to cut Ted's legs out. Alonzo would never do that. I don't think 'Gouty' would ever do that. Eliot is just waiting for his time."
He said Green Bay and Pittsburgh were the two NFL franchises in which complaints seldom were heard from employees.
How prevalent is infighting in NFL front offices?
"It goes on in 30 of the 32 organizations," the scout said. "You always have somebody that's trying to work the owner or the owner's son, or be buddies with the head coach and then the head coach can get the GM.
"Even though we're all grown men you almost have to have a baby sitter at times. It changes when guys start making a lot of money and egos get out of control."
In early November, Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford fired GM Martin Mayhew. It's interesting to remember that in 2008 the Ford family agreed to have Commissioner Roger Goodell reach out to Ron Wolf by phone, presumably to determine if he wanted the job that went to Mayhew.

"Of all the franchises in the National Football League, the one that intrigues me the most is that franchise (Detroit) and its history," Ron Wolf said in August. "I would have explored that. I know I would have."
But almost immediately he told Goodell no because the Wolfs had just closed on a house in Green Bay and were in the process of moving back from Maryland.

With management sadly lacking in football expertise, the Lions hired retired Giants GM Ernie Accorsi, 74, as a consultant and basically turned their GM search over to him.
According to a source familiar with the process, the Lions interviewed just three people: Sheldon White, their interim GM; Kevin Abrams, the Giants' assistant GM; and Bob Quinn, the Patriots' director of pro scouting.

As a Lions' personnel man for 19 years, White had no chance to stay with a franchise that was all about change. Abrams, who had been hired by Accorsi in New York as a salary-cap analyst, lacked depth as an evaluator. Quinn came recommended by coach Bill Belichick, who got his head-coaching start in Cleveland in 1991 after being hired by Accorsi, then the Browns' executive vice president.

Eliot Wolf wasn't interviewed, according to a source familiar with the Lions' selection process, because Thompson denied the request.

"It was his job," the source said. "He was their first choice."
Here's how one of Wolf's friends read the situation: "I don't think Eliot would have turned it down. I think he would have liked the chance to interview for it, especially when he saw who got it. I think he's a little (expletive), but he's a good team guy."
Wolf, 34, and Gutekunst, 42, have solid reputations in the industry. Wolf was hired by Mike Sherman in February 2004, and Gutekunst was brought on board by Ron Wolf in January 1999.

Last year, Kelly wanted to interview Gutekunst for a new position as vice president of player personnel but was denied by Thompson. Ed Marynowitz eventually was promoted to the position.

Shortly after the season ended, the Titans wanted to interview Gutekunst as their director of player personnel under new GM Jon Robinson. In denying the request, Thompson in effect let Gutekunst know that he would receive the same title in Green Bay, according to a source.
If the Packers were to lose one of their three top scouts, an NFL personnel director speculated that John Wojciechowski, the team's Midwest area scout since May 2012, would be in line for promotion.

Wojciechowski, 42, had scouted the Northeast for the Dallas Cowboys from 2003-'11.
The league has some rules governing movement by personnel people from team to team, but they're obtuse and open to interpretation.

When Thompson allowed John Schneider, then 39, to interview for the GM post in Seattle in January 2010, the Packers' front office often was described as top-heavy by some in the scouting world. Reggie McKenzie and John Dorsey remained on board when Schneider departed.

When McKenzie, 48 at the time, gained Thompson's imprimatur in January 2012 to pursue and eventually land the GM job in Oakland, the Packers still had Dorsey.
Dorsey was 52 and had been either a player or scout in Green Bay for 27 years when Thompson approved his interview in Kansas City. He became Chiefs GM in January 2013.
As for Thompson, who has three years left on his contract, some scouts who mingled with him on the road this year say they can't imagine him retiring any time soon.
Click to expand...

My personal view is your a real SOB to deny anyone from bettering themselves who works for you. If true I think a lot less of TT.
 
Sounds like Ted is scared the team will be gutted in the FO and does not want to have to rebuild it before he would leave.
 
To me just another non-story by the JS to ruffle some feathers because TT doesn't give them enough information to write a good piece on the draft. Been going on for a year or so now. Don't see anything in the story where people involved are upset enough to want to leave. The two that got promoted no doubt signed a new contract under their new titles and are fully aware of the requirements within. If they wanted to get out they would have declined the promotion and let their contract expire. TT was just doing his job in my opinion by trying to keep a group of guys that the Packers have invested a huge amount of money and time on. So if he is an SOB so be it but you have to be to stay on top in the NFL. If these guys really wanted out there is sure and fast way, just go talk JS for a good story.
 
The ugly side of the NFL. So it's ok to let Dorsey and McKenzie go but not these guys. Hmm. I'm not going to blame the media on this one. Many fans over the years have viewed this organization as beyond reproach and "different" from other clubs. But this story and the Rob Davis story show GB is no different. I don't care what business you are in...to deny someone a advancement is unacceptable to me. Maybe it's just me....Dorsey and McKenzie go. These guys stay.....double standard?
 
Like everything else we discuss, it'd be nice to know more. Particularly, I wonder about the contract language. If they agreed that they had to be allowed to get a job elsewhere, then it appears to me that some are just more valued than others. Also, it's not like the real world doesn't have non-compete clauses in contracts. And, as with the players, I personally think the blow is softened somewhat by what they're already making - these guys don't need a promotion to send their kids to school, buy a house, etc.
 
Half Empty said:
Like everything else we discuss, it'd be nice to know more. Particularly, I wonder about the contract language. If they agreed that they had to be allowed to get a job elsewhere, then it appears to me that some are just more valued than others. Also, it's not like the real world doesn't have non-compete clauses in contracts. And, as with the players, I personally think the blow is softened somewhat by what they're already making - these guys don't need a promotion to send their kids to school, buy a house, etc.
Click to expand...
Non compete contracts are for the most part unless. It's a right to work issue. As to NFL management contracts they are pretty standard from my understanding. Teams reserve the right to deny interviews.
 
I maybe wrong here....I'm I the only one who sees a culture change in his organization the last 2-3 years? Or was it Always there? Mt theory:

The organization has hit the realization that a rebuild is not far down the road. After 2017 there is minimal dead money associated to Cobb and Nelson. None associated to Matthews and Rodgers.
Shields
So....Murphy talks of a succession plan. My sense is that plan goes beyond how long Thompson is in charge. This plan began 2-3 years ago when Cobb and Nelson were extended. The structure of those deals line up with Matthews and Rodgers. And Shields. They (Thompson, McCarthy & Murphy). know there is a window to win .... So why rebuild the front office when you know a team rebuilds coming. I can understand not letting one guy go but 3? Especially with the history of allowing McKenzie and Dorsey to leave Just my 2 cents but the succession plan is much more than just Thompson
 
Last edited:
Mark87 said:
My personal view is your a real SOB to deny anyone from bettering themselves who works for you. If true I think a lot less of TT.
Click to expand...
Why?

I mean, TT's first responsibility is to his organization. Keeping as much talent in-house as you can, it's a part of it.

There are always people willing to climb the ladder. It's good to have ambitious people. Yes, you have to let people advance in their careers, or they will ultimately find a way out or mutiny. Doesn't mean you have to let them go to work for a rival team the first chance they get.

It's a balancing act between ambition, and what you can get from them for your team. And it doesn't sound to me that TT's a tyrant or anything.

In February, an NFL personnel director with years of experience was asked if he ever heard Wolf, Gutekunst or Highsmith express frustration about having their career paths stymied.

"A little bit," the executive said. "But nobody really complains about Ted. They like working for him. I think it's a good environment.

"Nobody's really trying to cut Ted's legs out. Alonzo would never do that. I don't think 'Gouty' would ever do that. Eliot is just waiting for his time."

He said Green Bay and Pittsburgh were the two NFL franchises in which complaints seldom were heard from employees.
How prevalent is infighting in NFL front offices?

"It goes on in 30 of the 32 organizations," the scout said. "You always have somebody that's trying to work the owner or the owner's son, or be buddies with the head coach and then the head coach can get the GM.

"Even though we're all grown men you almost have to have a baby sitter at times. It changes when guys start making a lot of money and egos get out of control."
Click to expand...
 
salmar80 said:
Why?

I mean, TT's first responsibility is to his organization. Keeping as much talent in-house as you can, it's a part of it.

There are always people willing to climb the ladder. It's good to have ambitious people. Yes, you have to let people advance in their careers, or they will ultimately find a way out or mutiny. Doesn't mean you have to let them go to work for a rival team the first chance they get.

It's a balancing act between ambition, and what you can get from them for your team. And it doesn't sound to me that TT's a tyrant or anything.
Click to expand...
That's an unwritten rule of management ... you don't ever stop someone from bettering themselves regardless of your organization. It's considered bush league to do so.
 
Mark87 said:
That's an unwritten rule of management ... you don't ever stop someone from bettering themselves regardless of your organization. It's considered bush league to do so.
Click to expand...
Interesting rule. Sure doesn't apply in Finland.

So you just let top talent go if you don't happen to have a position open at the proper time? With hope that competitors will do the same, and feed you with comparable talent?

Surely there must be exceptions. People willing to wait a year or two for the job of their dreams?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top