Jeremy Thompson released...to retire

by TrevorR on Apr 26, 2010 2:32 PM CDT

In a surprising move, the Packers are releasing Jeremy Thompson (OLB) and he is planning to retire from the league following a neck injury in the 2009 season. Apparently there are still some players who value their long term standard of life over money and fame...

A little more depth lost in the LB group but maybe it opens up a spot to make a move on someone else to strengthen us at that position.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-packers-thompson

Tweet Comment 20 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Well in all fairness, I don't think there was much money or fame in Thompson's future

by Charlie Kelly on Apr 26, 2010 4:05 PM CDT reply actions

all a matter of perspective. Compared to most of us, he was going to make a LOT of money! ;-)

by TrevorR on Apr 26, 2010 7:54 PM CDT up reply actions

I saw this on JSOnline, where they had a quote from him about how much he appreciated playing for the Packers.

@Charlie Kelly,
Well, I don’t know about money, and, yeah, the only fame’s likely to lose is that Packer junkies like us will never hear of him again, but…

Yeah, he seems like a good kid, and we wish him well.

He sounded fine in his comments, not overly regretful about his career ending, but just more like “okay, that’s it. Thanks to everybody and taker easy.” Nice that he took the time to say thanks.

by Curly Lambeau on Apr 26, 2010 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

Serious injury

I hadn’t read anything about him since the end of the season, but this doesn’t surprise me. His neck injury was very serious. Hopefully he’s going to make a full recovery and it won’t cause medical concerns for him in his non-football playing future.

by Brandon on Apr 26, 2010 6:43 PM CDT reply actions

+1

by Yankees10 on Apr 26, 2010 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Question

Does anybody know why he was released to retire? Does it have to due with an injury settlement?

Why wouldn’t he just retire?

by bpjensen on Apr 26, 2010 7:21 PM CDT reply actions

He is retiring

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcnorth/post/_/id/11995/jeremy-thompson-retires-from-packers

by Yankees10 on Apr 26, 2010 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for that newsflash.

Why didn’t he just retire without being released? Packers would still own his rights – now they don’t.

by bpjensen on Apr 27, 2010 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Poor guy

I always feel for a guy whos career ends with an injury so early in their career.

by Yankees10 on Apr 26, 2010 8:41 PM CDT reply actions

+1

It’s too bad his career had to end early on account of an injury. It’s probably best for him though, so I wish him well in his life after the NFL. He’s leaving the game healthy, and that’s what really matters!

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Apr 26, 2010 9:13 PM CDT up reply actions

I couldn’t agree more. I wish more guys thought about the longevity of their life first!

by TrevorR on Apr 27, 2010 9:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Shocking

So Thompsen (Ted) obviously had to have some indication that Thompson (Jeremy) wouldn’t be back, but he still didn’t acquire a talented OLB in the draft? What? Baffling. That unit is easily one of the most important in terms of our defense’s success, but it is also the most talent deprived. Just doesn’t compute. We better be making a move in the near future. Imagine if Matthews goes down…our starting OLBs will be Brad Jones and Brady Poppinga, a duo that will surely strike fear in the hearts of all.

"stay (green and) gold"

by Green and Bold on Apr 27, 2010 3:55 AM CDT reply actions

OLB

My guess is it shows the confidence Thompson (Ted) has in Matthew and Jones as starters… And in coach Greenes abiltiy and confidence that he can get Obiozor ready for playing time. They also brought in 3 FA after the draft who will be looked at closely as OLB. I can’t say I totally share Thompsons confidence…

by Strohman on Apr 27, 2010 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Ooh I forgot about Obiozor…yeah another year for him should be good. I wonder if he can be a regular contributor in the upcoming season??!

by TrevorR on Apr 27, 2010 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully he can. I remember reading a little piece on him last year that basically said he had some good pass rushing instincts but needed help in pretty much every other area of his game.

by packallday555 on Apr 27, 2010 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

instincts

I remember reading that he didn’t get drafted cuz he didn’t show any instincts for the game. Had really great measurables, but just didn’t show that he knew or predict what might happen. Instincts for the game is an intangible that plays a large role in success in the NFL

by Strohman on Apr 28, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Here's a good article with a little more info on the injury, diagnosis and J. Thompson's plans from JS Online

Article

TBD

by pumpkinking on Apr 27, 2010 9:58 AM CDT reply actions

Good luck Jeremy.

Looking to buy: General Manager Deputy Badge

by Bush League All Star on Apr 27, 2010 2:00 PM CDT reply actions

OT: Faneca signs with Cards for 2.5mil.

would have looked swell on the Packers line :(

The season of Oz is upon us, be afraid.

by OznCoop on Apr 27, 2010 6:54 PM CDT reply actions

Hope he does well!

Some things are more important than football. The articles I read show him to be a good and intelligent young man. He’s got his degree and should do well.

I’d like to add that I don’t think that any of us know how well he might have done at OLB. The Steelers, for example, have often kept young guys for 2-3 years before they got a chance to play much at that position. Adjusting from being a small DE in college to being a 3-4 OLB in the NFL should be expected to take some time. Someone who succeeds right away is the exception.

by MikeDB on Apr 27, 2010 7:06 PM CDT reply actions