mark murphy - NFL.com

FRONT OFFICEVETERANS ADMINISTRATION COMMUNITYLAMBEAU RECORDS &DRAFT &MISC. FIELD HISTORY 2009 REVIEW FREE AGENTSon the full roster that day were acquired by Thompson viathe draft, free agency, trades or the waiver wire in his firstthree years here.One of the biggest additions to the playoff-bound teamcame from a key trade. Thompson acquired RB Ryan Grantfrom the New York Giants at the end of training camp fora sixth-round draft choice, adding the former Notre Damestandout to a crowded but banged-up backfield.Grant eventually took over as the feature back midwaythrough the season and proceeded to rush for nearly 1,000yards, adding 201 yards and three TDs in the NFC Divisionalplayoff victory over Seattle, both Green Bay postseasonrecords. He has since added back-to-back 1,200-yardseasons.The prestigious award acknowledged Thompson for hisdiligence and success as the team came within an overtimefield goal of advancing to the Super Bowl. But it alsoserved as recognition for Thompson’s overall body of worksince taking his current position in 2005.Surprising many with the hiring of Mike McCarthy asHead Coach in January 2006, Thompson embarked onturning around a 4-12 team beset by injuries and salarycapconcerns in his first season. The improvement to an8-8 mark in 2006, followed by the playoff run in 2007, nettedMcCarthy the ‘Motorola NFL Coach of the Year’ awardand placed both Thompson and his chief hire at the top oftheir professions.Thompson’s career as a football executive came fullcircle on Jan. 14, 2005. That day, former Green Bay PackersCEO Bob Harlan gave him full authority over all aspectsof football operations for the storied franchise.In becoming the 10th general manager in club history,Thompson rejoined the team with which he received hisstart under Wolf in 1992. After working for the legendarygeneral manager through the 1999 season, Thompsonspent five years as vice president of football operations forthe Seattle Seahawks.Packers General ManagersCurly Lambeau ............................. 1919-49Gene Ronzani .............................. 1950-53Verne Lewellen ............................. 1954-58Vince Lombardi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1959-68Phil Bengtson .............................. 1969-70Dan Devine ................................ 1971-74Bart Starr ................................. 1975-80Tom Braatz* ............................... 1987-91Ron Wolf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1992-2000Mike Sherman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2001-04Ted Thompson ......................... 2005-present*—Executive Vice President/Football Operations“It’s almost a dream come true-type job,” Thompsonsaid. “You think about, when you’re a young kid, some ofthe things you’d like to do when you grow up and you thinkmaybe manager of the New York Yankees or maybe thegeneral manager of the Green Bay Packers. So it’s a thrill,it’s an honor.”For Harlan, the selection of Thompson to lead GreenBay’s football fortunes was an easy choice, and Thompsonhas validated that confidence in his selection by successfullyremaking the roster into one he and the organizationbelieve is built for long-term success.“I feel Ted is a perfect fit for the Packers,” Harlan said,introducing Thompson in 2005. “He is a respected NationalFootball League veteran who is a proven talent evaluatorand an efficient administrator. He knows the people in ourpersonnel department and he is familiar with how we runour football operation. He embraces the Packers’ championshiptradition, and he was very anxious to have theopportunity to return to Green Bay.”Now in his 29th NFL season, including 10 years as aplayer, Thompson knows and respects the position thePackers hold in the hearts of the fans, and around theleague.“The history and tradition of this place is unrivaled inprofessional sports,” Thompson said. “I understand thepassion the people here have for their team. Ron (Wolf)told me this is the best job in the National Football League.I never forgot that.”The 57-year-old Thompson not only joined an organizationwith which he was familiar, but also oversees arespected staff that includes Reggie McKenzie, who holdsthe title of director–football operations, and John Dorsey,director of college scouting, each of whom worked underThompson during his first tenure in Green Bay.Almost immediately upon taking over, Thompson madea crucial choice for the long-term benefit of the club. Inthe 2005 NFL Draft, Rodgers had been projected as highas the No. 1 overall pick, but he wasn’t taken there andended up sliding all the way down to the Packers at No.24. One year later, Thompson handed Rodgers to an accomplishedquarterback mentor in McCarthy to mold himinto the team’s signal caller of the future.Over the last two years, following the retirement andsubsequent trade of Brett Favre, Rodgers became the firstquarterback in league history to eclipse 4,000 yards passingin each of his first two seasons as a starter.Although Thompson prefers to shift the spotlight inanother direction, his fingerprints were all over the Seahawks’road to Super Bowl XL during the 2005 season.NFL MVP Shaun Alexander, Thompson’s first draft pickin Seattle, in 2000, captured the 2005 league rushing titleand established a then-NFL single-season record with 28touchdowns. Nine of Seattle’sSuper Bowl starters,as well as K Josh Brown,were drafted by Thompson.That list includes G SteveHutchinson, a Pro Bowlerin eight of his nine NFL seasons.Seattle could’ve gonein another direction in the2000 draft. With perennial1,000-yard rusher RickyWatters on the roster, theclub didn’t need a runningback in the first round. Butwith the Seahawks on theclock holding the 19th overallchoice, Alexander was thebest player available. Oneyear later, in the 2001 draft,Thompson wanted Hutchinsonin a similar situation.18