GREEN BAY – The sunshine that rained down on Lambeau Field today was a metaphor for the state of the Green Bay Packers: It's bright.
Neither the sun nor Ted Thompson needed to make that statement to the Packers fans gathered along the east side of venerable Lambeau Field. They know they are blessed. After all, the sun has been shining down on this team and this shareholders event for a long time. Does anybody remember the last time it rained?
"Everybody here is a Packer. It's a good day to be a Packer," Thompson, the team's esteemed general manager, said as he began his report on the state of the franchise's football operations department.
He said he wanted to talk a little about some of the things the Packers did well in 2014.
"Averaged 39 points per game at Lambeau Field. That's pretty good," Thompson said.
You remember those midseason blowouts, right? It sure appeared as though the Packers were headed for the big game.
"Led the league in scoring. Had an undefeated record here at Lambeau Field," Thompson added.
You could go on and on. Thompson did.
The Packers won their fourth consecutive NFC North title and were in the postseason for a sixth consecutive year. The Patriots, the reigning Super Bowl champions and a team against whom the Packers scored their most significant win last season, are the only other team in the league to make it six straight.
Safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and center Corey Linsley were named to the NFL's all-rookie team, and seven Packers were named to the Pro Bowl.
Oh, yeah, Aaron Rodgers was named NFL MVP.
The sun keeps shining down on this franchise. There is almost nothing about it that isn't reason for delight, except for the matter of three minutes and 52 seconds of unfinished business from last season. They are the three minutes and 52 seconds the Packers' 2014 highlight film, which beamed from both scoreboards at Lambeau Field to begin Tuesday's shareholders meeting, tried to avoid. It is the only hurt from what was in all other ways a joyous season.
"My prediction this year is the same as always. We have a pretty good chance to do some really good things if we play well on Sunday," Thompson said in classic understatement.
"This is a great place to work and you should be proud of this organization," Thompson said in concluding his report.
In two days, training camp will begin. Finally!
Additional coverage - Shareholders meeting
