Ted Thompson made big mistakes at backup quarterback and safety last offseason ,and so far this offseason he has done nothing to address either of those areas.
The offseason is not over yet, and Thompson never dabbles in free agency much, but it is still strange to see the two areas he ignored last year being ignored again so far.
Right now the only two quarterbacks on Green Bay’s roster are Aaron Rodgers and Scott Tolzien. According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Matt Flynn is scheduled to work out for the New York Giants today.
It would be a pretty big mistake for Thompson to allow Flynn to escape to the Giants. He totally botched the backup quarterback position last season when he continued to waste time on Graham Harrell when it was clear that he did not have the skills to be an NFL quarterback. When it was obvious Harrell and B.J. Coleman were not the answers he made a desperation move in signing Vince Young, which failed badly. Seneca Wallace was signed just before the season, which was more desperation.
This almost ruined the Packers’ season when Rodgers broke his collarbone, and they lost three consecutive games before Flynn saved their season. It would be very surprising to see Thompson make the same mistake and let Flynn walk. Even if he drafts a mid-round quarterback that player would not likely be ready to contribute this season.
Flynn certainly doesn’t have the greatest arm and hasn’t succeeded anywhere else, but he has proved in two seasons now that he can win games in Green Bay’s system. Thompson is taking a big risk if he doesn’t re-sign him.
Thompson made another big mistake when he trusted Jerron McMillian and M.D. Jennings to hold down the starting safety spot opposite Morgan Burnett. McMillian ended up getting released like Harrell and Coleman, and Jennings performed at a level that probably should have gotten him released too.
There were many free agents that could have helped the Packers at safety like Jarius Byrd, T.J. Ward, Donte Whitner, Antoine Bethea, Chris Clemons, Mike Mitchell and Louis Delmas, but Thompson didn’t sign any of them or any safety for that matter.
Safety is definitely a position that can be taken care in the draft, and Micah Hyde may be able to contribute there after his position change. However, that is still taking a leap of faith, and if Hyde or a draft pick is not the answer the Packers are back at square one.
Green Bay should not repeat history and fill these holes before it’s too late again.
——————Matt Bove is a writer at PackersTalk.com. PackersTalk.com. You can follow him on twitter at @RayRobert9.
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