The question I like people to answer is this:
Do you think Aaron Rodgers is playing well for his first year starting in the NFL?
My answer is - YES! Look, it's impossible to replace a legend like Favre, and often takes years to do. But Packer fans should be THANKFUL that we have a guy who we basically plugged right in and has played well right away. Rodgers has exceeded my expecations. Yes, he has made a few mistakes - you think Favre, or anyone else wouldn't? How fortunate Packer fans are though to at least have a QB that was landed at a low first round draft pick and looks like he's going to be a great NFL QB.
I always say you have to give an NFL QB at least 2-3 years of playing time to really analyze if he is "good". Rodgers is off to a great start.
By now everyone should know Ted Thompson's philosophy. He is going to build his team through the draft, and resign key players. He's not going to blow money on overpriced free agents. Most times this is good. However I do agree he has to take a shot on a Randy Moss or a few other free agents they passed on that would have improved the team. What fans have to realize though is he will do this his way. What's funny though is when the Packers were 13-3 last year - Ted Thompson was a genious. The media was saying "maybe we were wrong about him". Now they are 5-6, and now he's an idiot again.
Fans and media will always react based on current record. One thing though about free agency - more times than not players are overspent for and most times there are not a lot of impact players. It's usually damaged goods or veterans that go to a new place at an inflated contract.
No matter how the season ends up I think Thompson and McCarthy will be back. Give this some time. If there are no results over the next year or two, then something will be done about it. Too often in sports there are drastic measures made to head coaches and GM's. They have a plan, they want to win, let them execute it. Remember, just bringing in a new coach or GM doesn't guarantee success - and with that brings new philosophies, and more time to execute.
I think the future is still promising in Green Bay. I know many Packer fans thing the world has ended and football in Green Bay can't go on without #4 around. Let's move on - it's 2008, soon to be 2009. I am a huge Miami Dolphins fan as well so this should put it into perspective a bit. Since Marino look at how they've struggled - but they didn't have a talent like an Aaron Rodgers around. Favre leaves and the Packers do. So people should be thankful to Thompson that he drafted Rodgers. He views Rodgers as our QB for the next 10 years. At least he had a great QB talent lined up. Miami finally has Pennington, but he's another short term fix.
Favre ended up in a sweet spot in New York. What is funny is I remember the media slamming that as people thought Favre would die in NY on a "rebuilding" Jets team. Oh how things change. The jets rebuilt the o-line, they are stopping the run, running the ball - and Favre doesn't have to do much to manage the offense. If Pennington was still there, results would be the same. Of course though Favre is getting all the credit. He was in the right place at the right time. If Favre was traded to Tampa Bay instead, they'd also be doing about the same.
I have no problem with Packer fans liking the Jets and rooting on Favre. I obviously root against the Jets being a Dolphins fan as well. Of course if it hits a point where Dolphins are eliminated from playoff contention (probably will happen soon now that they lost the big NE game) - then I'll root for Favre in the playoffs.
GM's have to make tough decisions. Thompson made his. It does no good to second guess everything. Give this a few years to play out. Who knows maybe Pack still wins the division and goes to the Super Bowl
