Official Petition To Fire Packers GM Ted Thompson

Fire him based on the fact that they have moved on with Aaron Rodgers because Favre retired? I am a football fan and actually think that Brett Favre is coming off selfish and arrogant - not that I think there's anything new about that. You can't take anything awayfrom the guy's accomplishments in years past, but when Favre told them he was finally actually retiring after making them hang in limbo for the past few offseasons awaiting his decision, Thompson believed him. So did most people - what with the crying and all on national television. I don't think you can call for Thompson's head based on that - he can hardly now tell Aaron Rodgers to "go sit down again" because a retired player changes his mind 5 minutes before training camp starts. You need to look at it based on business rather than personal feelings about Favre, because that's what the Packers had to do.

As a business I would look at which player makes my team better. Do you believe that Aaron Rodgers gives the Packers a better chance to win in 2008-2009?

You need to look at it as winning rather than losing and how important Brett Favre is to the Packers. I guess all of you cooing Rodgers, poor, poor Rodgers might get his feelings hurt. That is just BS. Walk a mile in Brett's shoes before you follow along with TT. Did you sit and cheer the Pack on last year? How the hell do yo think the Packers won? Brett was humiliated at the end of the season beause. TT did not ask Brett to come back, only McCarthy did. Check out the letter written by Bretts good friend on Bretts website. Those folks don't lie about stuff like this. I am not the only one who suspected things were said and not said after losing to the Giants. Do you think the Patriots treated Tom Brady like crap beause they lost the Super Bowl? I am ashamed of the Packers for treating Brett like this. He has made this team and city what it is today. Too bad all you so called Packer fans have forgotten. I can't wait to see Green Bay lose if they don't bring Brett back. It will be interesting to see if they keep Thompson. I think NOT!!!! This is the NFL, not some junior high football team and the True fans of Green Bay should stand up for their legend. He is not a perfect man, but he is a good man. More than I can say for TT. Brett has been around a heck of a lot longer than TT. With respect to Mike McCarthy, doesn't he want to win? What's that all about. I predict very soon he and TT will be looking for new jobs. Are the fans in Green Bay really going to let this happen to their team? All sounds like a bad dream.

ditto.

Also, from some reports I have read, regarding his family...they have pretty much said that TT did not welcome Favre back the last few years, basically hinting around he was done.

This is going to be a mess. :(

Important to the Packers or important to the Packers fans is the question. They are running a business and have to do what they think is best for the team at this point, which I guess they think is re-building. Look, I perfectly understand loving a player and what he's done for a team and not wanting to see him go, or see your team do something that you perceive as unfair or disrespectful to that player. I'm a die-hard Eagles fan, and I am not trying to compare Favre to anyone, but we felt like this about Jeremiah Trotter....it was heartbreaking for us to see them cut him without warning and to see how he felt, but in hindsight, at the end of the day, I guess it was better for them to move on with a younger LB. They could very well do it to us again with Brian Dawkins, and believe me, you can definitely compare the way Packers fans feel about Favre to the way we feel about Brian Dawkins - he feels like family to us as Eagles fans. Unfortunately, these teams don't take our feelings into account when making decisions, and they can't - because it's business. I think the problem for the Packers right now is that isn't Aaron Rodgers contract up next year? If they let Favre come back this year as the starter, there's a very good chance that he will actually retire next year......then they have no QB at all, because I'd figure after all this they could very likely lose Aaron Rodgers too. From a business stand-point, that would be a major problem for the franchise.

wolverine , probably from mich. did you just use trotter and dawkins to compare with favre!!! If you love the eagles so much why dont you mind your own damn biz, of caurse you want favre out of the nfc I wish mcnabb would retire also.

Ya and you probalby put your dogs to sleep if they start to look a little old.

How does TT and MM decide it's best for the organization to move on without Brett? Even if Brett had a average year (which he didn't) and had an empty tank (which he clearly doesn't), this should be a very tough decision to make. It's a business and they need to realize that the customers (the fans) pay the bills. Even if they felt that "Candy Ankles" Rodgers was better than Favre at this point (absolutely absurd that they would think that), they should still factor in what the fan reaction to ushering Favre out will be. Yes! what the fans think does matter. Years from now, when they look at charts in Packers board meetings they'll clearly see that sales and overall fan loyalty skyrocketed when Favre took the helm, was steady throughout his 16 years, and then when he retired it fell back to 1980s levels. Especially, if the packers end up with a new QB every year or two like the Bears. True, Favre is just a player, TT and MM are in charge, and teams shouldn't get in a habit of touting to every player demand. However, Favre is no ordinary player. He put the Packers on the map again after 20-30 years of dismal disappointment; made them hundreds of millions of dollars (think of all of those #4 Jersey sales); and is like Jesus to Packer fans. However, like in business, managers are accountable to the shareholders and this is a decision that isn't going over well with the shareholders. In my job I have to flexible and make compromises all the time. I have consultants working for me that really get on my nerves, and at times I'd just love to be hard-nosed and tell them "my way of the highway". However, I don't because I realize that doing such would put my projects in jeopardy, and be a very bad career move. TT is putting his job on the line with this decision. If Aaron Rodgers turns out to be a great QB, then he'll probably be forgiven, not by all, but by many who have short memories. But if the Packers go 5-11 this year and the Packers start to resemble the Raiders, I guarantee you, TT will have a lynch mob to deal with.
Favre is by no means a Saint. I don't think he's done himself any favors here with his constant waffling. He shouldn't have retired in March. It was a bone-headed emotional decision. I knew he retirement wouldn't stick. MM and TT should have known it wouldn't stick, and if they were smart about this, they would have expected this to happen and been prepared for it. They should have analyzed the outcomes and developed a solid contingency plan (which clearly they didn't). That's what real business people do.
If Brett decides to come back, what are the impacts:
1. COACHES - We have to scrap the A-Rod playbook and re-adjust our plays for Favre's style.
2. FANS - If we say no, it won't be well received and will greatly affect loyalty.
3. PLAYERS - Aaron Rodgers will get his feelings hurt, and probably will demand to be traded.
4. FINANCIALLY - 12M for Favre. We're well below salary cap. Revenues from Favre Jerseys, TV ratings, etc. will likely exceed the 12M.
Given the that he had the "itch" and was waffling a week after the retirement press conference, the Packers should have saw this coming... and given the impacts, they should have said "I know he's on the fence. If we beg him to return (publicly and privately) he'll probably come back and we can avoid all of those impacts." However, if we push him to retire (say we've moved on) or don't do anything, he'll probably want to come back just to spite us and then instead of avoiding all of the impacts, we'll then have to decide between ticking off a large percentage of our fans, or having to re-write our playbooks and possibly losing our quote "future" QB for good.
As for my fan loyalty, I'll be for whatever team Favre ends up with (even the Bears - never in my life thought I'd say that) and won't cheer on the Pack until TT is gone. d I'm not the only Packer fan that thinks that way, the blogs are filled with comments just like these.

Lets not forget that the Packers, including Thompson, pressured Favre into a decision in March.

I feel that Brett Favre is being very selfish and egocentric in once again holding the Packers hostage. The last pass he threw was in my opinion typical Brett Favre. Does anyone still remember the last pass Brett Favre threw in the overtime playoff loss to the Eagles a few years back. I believe it's time for the all-time interception leader to finally retire. The Green Bay/Dallas game last season I believe was an important indicator and portent of things to come. It's time to commence the Aaron Rodgers era. I pray that Brett Favre has thrown his last interception for the Packers.
In regard to Ted Thompson, I think he is an outstanding general manager. The Packers were not 13-3 last season principally because of Brett Favre, they were 13-3 with the youngest team in the NFL because of Mr. Thompson's astute selections in the draft . Ted Thompson built Seattle into a Superbowl contender when he was the GM there, and he has done it again in Green Bay. He's an absolute genius when it comes to draft day trades. There's no one better in my opinion. If my memory serves me correctly, didn't Mr. Thompson win an award and the end of last season for "Best GM" or "Best Executive" in the NFL? In any event, I believe it was something to that effect. As long as Ted Thompson is the GM in Green Bay, I'm quite confident that the Packers' organization will be quite successful.
One last thought before I sign off. I've been a die hard "packer backer" since the Lombardi era. Down 4 points in the 4th quarter of a Superbowl, final drive, there's only one former Packer quarterback I'd want under center... Bart Starr... absolutely no doubt in my mind!
Cheers,
Dr. T

I am amazed at the sheer lack of "football knowledge" expressed all over the internet. 13-3 2007-08. The first half of the season the Pack had no running game and Favre followed Mccarthy's game plan to the fullest. Keep in mind; making a game plan and executing are not necessarily one and the same. The Pack just could not run.
Favre has blown many games with his shoot from hip flambuyant style is preposterous. Favre got the Pack in the winning position usually by himself and his shoot from the hip style.
Aaron Rodgers era? Aaron Rodgers era? Aaron Rodgers era? You talkin' to me?
One thing the Cal faithful will always remember about Rodgers is his last big game. With 1st and goal against USC and 1:47 remaining and the Bears with a win would go to the Rosebowl on his arm. Rodgers threw three incomplete passes and was sacked.
He left for the NFL and played his last game against Virginia Tech in a Whocares bowl.
Aaron Rodgers has sat on the bench and paid his dues and deserves to be the started. Whatever diet you're on has caused your mental midget thinking to come to a complete hault. There are no "paid his dues" in the NFL. Every player knows he may not play the first play during a game his entire career. A winning team and winning players are the first goals for every team. Who can or has delivered is the choice is the rule of thumb around the NFL. If you don't think way; you are, as Jerry Glanville said, the NFL means; not-for-long. Glanville, while the Atlanta coach, holds the distinction of benching Favre and recommending Favre being traded to the Packers.
Will Ted Thompson hold the distinction of being known not for his being the glue that held the Packers together and delivered the best team on "any given Sunday"? Or will Ted Thompson be known as the hard-headed GM who let Favre go only to have Favre quarterback a team that beat the lowly Packers soundly.
Hold a quarterback competition. This may be the most ridiculous of all. What should Favre do? Maybe he could show his stats from 2007-08. Or maybe his career stats. Or maybe Favre could be made to throw his bullets from his knees making for an even competition. I've got it! Rodgers could make a point that he has never caused a receiver to break a finger. He throws a "softer" ball.
Rodgers is our appointed starter. Rodgers could have started a game last year after Favre was hurt in Dallas; but he was also injured and forced Favre to make a "gut check' for the umm teenth time. Rodgers seems injury prone and if he completes a single season of 16 games then I know the devil is wearing a fur coat because "HELL HAS FROZEN OVER".

Which QB gives the Packers the best opportunity to win in 2008? It is clearly Brett Favre. What are people sick of --- Winning? Rodgers, although I feel for him, has not proved anything. Rodgers hasn't won any games much less even played in a complete game. Also, please keep in mind that our two key defensive players are Charles Woodson and Al Harris and their time is running out. The best chance of winning is now & again which QB gives the Pack the best chance to win now? --- Brett Favre does. OK so he announced his retirement and now wants to come back. The Organization says they moved on. C'mon give me a break. 17 years with Favre as a proven starter & 3 months with Rodgers named as the starter through some OTA's. What is the easier transition for this team? It's not like Favre has forgot the playbook, or that Driver, Jennings, etc forgot how to catch a ball from Favre or that Ryan Grant won't be able to get a handoff from Favre, etc. Ted & Mike want to be the face of the Packer Organization & they cannot be with Favre around. Ted and Mike cannot throw the football. They best think hard & fast about this one or they will be the face of the Org alright. They will be the face of the Org that has to answer why the Packers are losing, why they allowed Favre to leave the Packers, etc. Ted & Mike say they are trying to make the right decision everyday --- this one is a no brainer --- Bring Favre back. If they do, Ted & Mike will even have a positive legacy to go along with Favre's legacy for doing so. If you had to mortgage/bet everything you owned on which QB gives the Pack the best chance of winning, which descision would you make?

How dum can anyone be esp ted tompson.Can't you all see.like Jesus said if you take the beem out of your 1 eye then you can see.it's a joke rogers don't come close to BRETT FAVRE.and he is still the best.run TT Rite out of Greenbay,are make that Wisconsin.FAVRE 4 EVER.

i am not even a packers fan but ted tom thompsan is an idiot. and he's certainly not a manager. you don't lie to your staff that causes distrust among all. he should be fired asap. he's made so many bad decisions the past three years it's not funny. i'm not saying this out of disrespect to packer fans. but i feel bad what you are going through with such ignorance. hope it work's out for farve and you team. please fire ted thompsan asap.

Ted Thompson needs his brains examined. He's absolutely stupid to put Aaron Rodgers before Brett. Brett is the best QB in the NFL! To make such a stupid decision as to let Brett go, means that Ted has some serious mental problems. And look how LOYAL Brett has been to the Packers! I'm not going to be a Packers fan (which I have been for 20 years) if the Packers don't let Brett back as the starting QB.

Week one: Monday Night Football. Vikings vs. Packers live from Green Bay.
Favre is the starting QB at Minnesota. Could be bigger than the Super Bowl.
If the Vikes were to win Packers fans may riot.

How do we sign the petition? Lets get rid of the Packers President, GM and coach. What a slap in the face! I am in awe of THEIR HUGE EGO'S!!! Maybe it turns on their girlfriends or something but being a Packer fan since SuperBowl I (before it was even called the Super Bowl), I am shocked. They all must go but we must start somewhere so Lets Do It!!!

Thompson can't get fired to quickly for me

A manager has a short-range view( like Ted Thompson) his very iresponssible action and not being forthright & honest has cost the team the best leader and QB. A leader has a long-range prepective and is his own person and dose the right thing like what Brett Favre did for his team and he is a through leader and should stay with the Packers. 16 years as packer and he devoted himself to his team and teammate what happened to gratitude and being thankful to what he has done for the Packer? He is a legend and the best there is . The packers Team and all the front office owe Brett Farve a big appology. Ted Thompson, Macarthy must go and Packers Organization must bring Favre back if they want to be a contender in 2008. Keep Brett Favre legacy in Green Bay , he started with the Pckers and made the team what it is and he should finish in green Bay and everyone must honor him to the best of their abilities. He brought so much money to the Packers( retail) and the treatment he received is not sportsman like and it is plain bad and disgrace to all sports.Shame on the Packers Organization and the front office for what you have done to the best QB in NFL.

Totally agree that Thompson can't get fired and booted out of Green Bay soon enough for me!

Ted Thompson has made to many mistakes for GB. He needs to go. Him and his "little buddies" What has Rodges proved to us- Nothing, He is just Ted Thompsons little boy and that is why he doesn't want Favre playing. He needs to go. And if Rodgers is a better pick than Favre, well then I guess I don't know anything about football anymore.

I cannot wait to see Ted Thompson and Mark Murphy canned. Personally, I think Thompson is a dolt.

Jets have sold record number of #4 Jersey's in one day. Remember the Deana Pink Cancer Apparrel? Regardless of football, TT has thrown away a licensing revenue machine. They should have retired his #4 and reinstated him with a #5. Every Packer fan would have to go buy a new#5 Jersey. Bad Foodtball, bad management, bad business.
What do the other players think? If BF does not deserve loyalty, what can the rest expect?

You can add Mark Murphy to the firing list.

I'm a Raider's fan and I say that Ted Thompson isn't very smart. you sure he didn't work for the Raiders previously?? he sounds like a guy that wants to prove so badly that his picks were right for the team, that he doesn't care how he treats the talent that kept the packer tradition alive for what, 16 yrs? Favre is a Packer, he bled green and yellow. When you wanted 100% from him, he tried to give you 150. Now you have a guy like Charles Woodson (a cancer) saying he's glad Favre is gone? Woodson's legacy, if he ever lives up to his hype, won't even come close to the legacy favre built for himself in the Frozen Tundra. Neither will Aaron Rodgers. A.R. is not the Packer's version of Steve Young replacing Joe Montana. The main reason that is a fact? Simple, he didn't spend enough time mentoring under Favre. Today too many teams rush thier high priced rookies to a starting position they aren't fully ready to take command of. I think A.R. will be a guy that could become a star, but will be damaged b-cuz of being pushed in the starting role too quickly. i feel the same about my own team. They shoulda kept Dante Culpepper one more yr to mentor JaMarcus Russell before he took the reigns. But hey, it'll be nice to have a new face down in the 4-11 category Packer fans. When that happens, thenk your GM, he's a genius.

so, who's going to be the back-up to Aaron Rodger?? Dante Culpepper? lol The QB issue isn't over yet for the Packers unless TEd Thompson believes A. R. is Superman is disguise. In that case, he should wake up and change his sheets. Hey, maybe they can get someone from Tampa bay. You know one of they guys over there that are bent b-cuz they aren't a starter. I hope for the Pack's sake they have a great line and a good running game. From what I've seen they have no long ball threat will the A.R. Plus their head coach is no Bill Walsh, the master of driving the ball down the field on short passing and nickel and dime runs. He won't be able to effectively use A.R. The good news is, you guys might be able to have a top 5 first round pick come next draft. Great job Ted Thompson, way to think of the teams needs. you're awesome, lmao.

How many starts do you think Rogers can string together? Good luck TT. I've been a Packer fan since 67. Brett & Bart will not be equalled. I'm not going to waste my time watching the Pack. And don't look for me to come out retirement while Thompson's around.

Lets get rid of the Packers President, GM and coach. They are all back stepping they all looked like liars Friday during there press conference. Brett was the best thing to happen to the Pack EVER! The three stooges in charge of the packers must have very short memories! Do they recall that very load SUCKING sound that came out of Green Bay oh about 17 years ago. I have been a Packers fan for over 40 years and as loyal as i was the years before Brett there were times I didn't even bother watching the game, I just watched the news to see how much we lost by. I say the Packers are owned by the fans let the fans fire those three idiots and Bring Brett back, he would be able to run, coach and play that team better the whats up there now. The insult they gave him to ask him to earn the starting position Brett is the definition of a starter! How many games did he miss??? He made watching the game fun he was like a little kid out there win or lose. Sorry to say We lost big last week. You will be missed Brett! Although the Jets now have another fan cus i'm going with you. Good Luck this season. Julie D from Wisconsin.

Maybe TT should retire, but I'd prefer to see the idiot fired. Asolutely unbelievable what GB did with Brett!!
A former Packer Fan.