Post by John on Apr 25, 2006 11:49:05 GMT -4
Packers GM: Favre's role has no impact on draft
April 24, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
MILWAUKEE -- Brett Favre's uncertain football future isn't going to govern the Green Bay Packers' plans for the draft, general manager Ted Thompson said Monday.
Thompson said Favre is an "outstanding" player, and the team wants him to return.
But sooner or later, he'll be gone, and the Packers will have to plan for life without him.
"There will come a day, and it probably won't be too far from now, when he will decide he doesn't want to play anymore, he wants to retire," Thompson said in a pre-draft news conference in Green Bay. "We know that day is coming. So, again, draft decisions are based on what's best long-term for the organization, so it doesn't have an effect on what we're going to do."
The Packers have the fifth pick in the first round Saturday, and most projections have them picking a defensive player -- perhaps Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, or North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams if he somehow falls to them.
But it is a near certainty that at least one of the top-rated quarterbacks will be left on the board when the Packers go on the clock.
Thompson said he would have no hesitation picking a quarterback if he thinks that is the best player available -- even though such a pick might not sit well with Favre, who has called on the team to make short-term improvements. The Packers used their first-round pick last year on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"It's an investment in the future and I don't think you can look at it from a short-term point of view," Thompson said. "You have to look at it from a long-term point of view."
In his most recent round of comments regarding his ongoing retirement saga, Favre called on the team to make a "statement" in free agency similar to the signing of Reggie White in the 1990s. It hasn't happened yet and isn't likely to happen.
The Packers have signed a few lower-profile free agents but lost out on kicker Adam Vinatieri and linebacker LaVar Arrington. Thompson said the Packers are still talking to representatives of defensive back Charles Woodson.
Thompson generally takes a conservative approach to free agency but resists the perception that he is completely against signing big-name players.
"There's no reluctance on our part," Thompson said. "We do try to make certain that what we do is not just fantasy football. We're investing in a player that's got to come in and play a particular role. If we don't think that player can perform to that contract, then it doesn't make sense for us to do it just to say, 'Look what we've spent."'
Thompson reiterated that the team has set no deadline for Favre's decision.
"He's reached a certain position in this game," Thompson said. "He's trying to make this decision and trying to do it in the best way he can for him and his family. You wish we could've had it earlier. We'd like to know, but I'm sure he'd like to know."
Thompson also addressed the team's other major offseason headache, wide receiver Javon Walker.
Walker has threatened to retire rather than play for the Packers next year, and Thompson has said he expects Walker to honor his contract.
"I've spoken with Javon over the course of the spring," Thompson said. "I think I'll let the original statement that we put out stand there. I know that things get said from time to time and I think the less said on something like that, the better."
Thompson did say that he and the team would welcome Walker back.
"I would," Thompson said. "I'm sure the team would. He's very well liked here. I assume you guys would agree with me."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
April 24, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
MILWAUKEE -- Brett Favre's uncertain football future isn't going to govern the Green Bay Packers' plans for the draft, general manager Ted Thompson said Monday.
Thompson said Favre is an "outstanding" player, and the team wants him to return.
But sooner or later, he'll be gone, and the Packers will have to plan for life without him.
"There will come a day, and it probably won't be too far from now, when he will decide he doesn't want to play anymore, he wants to retire," Thompson said in a pre-draft news conference in Green Bay. "We know that day is coming. So, again, draft decisions are based on what's best long-term for the organization, so it doesn't have an effect on what we're going to do."
The Packers have the fifth pick in the first round Saturday, and most projections have them picking a defensive player -- perhaps Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk, or North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams if he somehow falls to them.
But it is a near certainty that at least one of the top-rated quarterbacks will be left on the board when the Packers go on the clock.
Thompson said he would have no hesitation picking a quarterback if he thinks that is the best player available -- even though such a pick might not sit well with Favre, who has called on the team to make short-term improvements. The Packers used their first-round pick last year on quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
"It's an investment in the future and I don't think you can look at it from a short-term point of view," Thompson said. "You have to look at it from a long-term point of view."
In his most recent round of comments regarding his ongoing retirement saga, Favre called on the team to make a "statement" in free agency similar to the signing of Reggie White in the 1990s. It hasn't happened yet and isn't likely to happen.
The Packers have signed a few lower-profile free agents but lost out on kicker Adam Vinatieri and linebacker LaVar Arrington. Thompson said the Packers are still talking to representatives of defensive back Charles Woodson.
Thompson generally takes a conservative approach to free agency but resists the perception that he is completely against signing big-name players.
"There's no reluctance on our part," Thompson said. "We do try to make certain that what we do is not just fantasy football. We're investing in a player that's got to come in and play a particular role. If we don't think that player can perform to that contract, then it doesn't make sense for us to do it just to say, 'Look what we've spent."'
Thompson reiterated that the team has set no deadline for Favre's decision.
"He's reached a certain position in this game," Thompson said. "He's trying to make this decision and trying to do it in the best way he can for him and his family. You wish we could've had it earlier. We'd like to know, but I'm sure he'd like to know."
Thompson also addressed the team's other major offseason headache, wide receiver Javon Walker.
Walker has threatened to retire rather than play for the Packers next year, and Thompson has said he expects Walker to honor his contract.
"I've spoken with Javon over the course of the spring," Thompson said. "I think I'll let the original statement that we put out stand there. I know that things get said from time to time and I think the less said on something like that, the better."
Thompson did say that he and the team would welcome Walker back.
"I would," Thompson said. "I'm sure the team would. He's very well liked here. I assume you guys would agree with me."
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service