I don't think any of you are wrong. Everything you say makes sense. But, I do know there are members of the Board of Directors who would not go along with the Packers falling into a funk like they did in the 70s & 80s. They know that if it's allowed, the cash cows they are now milking will disappear so fast that the franchise could actually be in a bind. All the building and transactions outside the lines of the game are so enormous that it's going to take a total continuation of fan participation to make it all work. If that slows even 10%, the entire empire is in trouble. They are going to be leveraged to the point that they would be in dire straits. A poor team has a dramatic effect on the traffic into Packerland the entire year, not just on game days.
Murphy is a football man. He played it He knows the game. He knows good product and bad product. Al Toon is on the board, but not the Executive Committee. He knows the game as well, playing in the NFL. Quite a few members of the board and a few of the executive committee remember where we were, and how we got there. It's not going to happen again, and they know the only way you stop it from happening is by having a quality product on the field. They will not put themselves in jeopardy through complacency. Someone has to pay for the new events, and hotel space the Packers are investing in, and it has to be year round, not just on game day.
I've talked to a few members of the board. I won't say if they're from executive, board, or emeritus. To a man, they all said that they "will never" allow this franchise to go down the road it did for twenty years, and each one of them stated that they knew they would not be wanting for support from shareholders who would react to what they say. I can attest to the fact that I would actively work with them to enact changes if it was needed.
As far as leadership, Mark Murphy is not beholding to Thompson or McCarthy. They aren't his men. They weren't his hire. Bob Harlan hired Thompson, and Thompson hired McCarthy. His whole focus is the franchise, and they are just two people involved in the infrastructure, and not above reproach.
This year is a turning point for McCarthy. He either shows up as the coach he seems to think he is, or he ends up with a team floundering, and trying to find a way to win. He won't be able to hold Capers up as the fall guy. That ship has sailed, after years of his failures to provide a defense at the most crucial times of the season. He won't be able to hide behind injuries, because the whole level of coaching ability is going to be tested against weak, and average teams.
Will he, and/or Thompson be fired after this year? Maybe, maybe not. But one thing is certain. If Rodgers returns next year, and they can't go all the way to the NFC Championship game, at least McCarthy will be let go, and that means an entirely new coaching staff. Will Thompson choose the new coach? Probably not. He'd probably then choose to retire.
Just my thoughts. Here's the entire board, if anyone is interested.
Packers Board of Directors
