Ted Thompson Has No Obligation to Communicate

Well, the Ted Thompson interview we’ve all been waiting for has been released. And my, was it a delight! Full of wisdom!

I’m also sure it was a delight for interviewer Pete Dougherty. He mentions in the piece that Thompson gave him exactly 16 and a half minutes of his time.

What a swell guy, that Big Ted!

There isn’t much notable about the affair. I did find it interesting that Big Ted feels like he doesn’t have to communicate with anyone outside the building. Not unsurprising, of course.

This came up last year when people were questioning whether Mike McCarthy should be fired. Asked why he didn’t stand up for his coach after the season, Thompson simply said, why would I talk about something that wasn’t going to happen?

Well, Ted, because a stand-up guy comes to the aid of his employees in a time of crisis.

Here’s the portion of this interview that I would say just reinforces my dislike for Thompson.

Q: As far as media responsibilities, you do only the bare minimum required of an NFL GM. Why? With the Packers’ public ownership structure, do you ever think, or has anyone you work with ever suggested, that you have an obligation to communicate more often with the team’s fans via the media? Can’t you convey your thinking more often without betraying state secrets?

A: No, I’ve never heard that. What I think is important for the Green Bay Packers is for me to make sure I represent the Green Bay Packers well. Which means working as an honest person with integrity. For me to do a whole bunch of press conferences and things like that, put it out in public, when that’s not my cup of tea, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me.

Q: Do you ever talk with Mike McCarthy about this? Does he agree? Doesn’t this approach put more on him to take all the heat when things aren’t going well, such as last season’s 4-6 start?

A: Mike handles himself very well. He always does a good job. Nobody’s not – we all can see, we all have vision, and we understand when things are in a tough spot and when they’re not in a tough spot. I just don’t agree with the substance of your question.

I don’t agree with the substance of your question…

That’s great.

Another answer might be: I don’t take criticism well. Yet another might be: I don’t want to talk about things I am clearly unable to do. Or another: I am a Vulcan, incapable of emotion or feeling.

What would you ask Big Ted if you got 16 and a half minutes with him?

Personally, I would repeatedly punch him in the face and ask him, “How do you like that, Ted?”