Ted Thompson: Neither Hero Nor Villan

Ted Thompson is neither hero nor villain. He is displaying the same measured reaction to the 2008 6-10 season as he did the 2006 8-8 season. The answer then wasn't Randy Moss, but Greg Jennings. He didn't mess with Favre then either when he might have.

I about melted down on draft day when I woke up to see McGinn projecting WR Michael Crabtree. Was the "best available athlete" doctrine going to role over team chemistry and balance? I'm pretty sure a Crabtree selection would have led to continued defensive woes and a premature departure for Jennings and/or Driver with scant compensation.

We are expecting too much of our two first round rookies, I think. That's kind of inevitable though, isn't it? But beyond that, why did I assume Ted Thompson was unconcerned about the state of the defensive line. I accused him of being content with three starters and nothing behind them but street free agents.

I was wrong. I am sorry. But Ted has sometimes failed to address weaknesses for a year in the past. Colin Cole and Justin Harrell failed to replace Corey Williams last year. We are still talking about Wahle and Rivera at Guard and the running game hasn't been a sustained force since Ahman Green's heyday.

But I can not accuse Ted Thompson of ignoring the DTs or LBs or Gs. He may be a cold fish, but he and his crew are not impractical. He may think longer term and allow a weakness to persist more than one season. But the Packers are not governed by inflexible principles or vanity. They have been cautious and cerebral in drafting. They try to hang on to good players like Aaron Kampman even when they change defensive schemes.

We can hope for above average 2009 season because of our strong WRs and a QB who has shown he can throw like an NFL QB. There could be a sophomore jinx for Aaron Rodgers, but the team could battle through the rough spots, if the defense can improve.

Fate of the 2009 season may be more determined by how good the Bears and Vikings are. The Packers will be competitive barring disaster. The bigger variable may be the level of competition. Any thoughts about the Vikings or the Bears?