As we watched the Green Bay Packers play in week 1 the topic of conversation, other than the game itself, was often Josh Sitton. There was plenty of speculation as to what ultimately got him tossed out of town with one year left on his contract.
Here’s some more speculation from Pete Dougherty that’s a bit more damning to Sitton.
The source said Sitton at times was a fun and engaging presence, but he also was brash and highly opinionated. He openly disparaged personnel moves, coaching decisions and his teammates’ abilities in any and every setting at the Packers’ facilities, regardless of who was in earshot. He also could be argumentative in meetings and refused to do some blocking techniques and drills on the practice field.
The source said that while Sitton was at the top of his game, the Packers acquiesced. But as the 30-year-old’s play began to slip in the last year or so, in part because of his chronic back condition, the team felt less compelled to accommodate him. And when the coaching staff saw some of that behavior filtering to the younger linemen, the team parted ways.
One thing we know about the Packers’ brass is they cannot take criticism, so you certainly don’t want to accuse Mike McCarthy or Ted Thompson of screwing up. Dougherty goes on to suggest that the Packers felt Sitton would create a poisonous atmosphere because they told him they weren’t going to extend his contract.
Essentially, the Packers thought Sitton would become a malcontent and that would somehow throw the season off the rails.
And perhaps that’s the whole story, but probably not.
There have been rumors that someone — Sitton, we presume — said something to someone else. It has also been suggested that what was said wouldn’t have been a big deal in another place or another time.
But it was with the nancy boys that run the Green Bay Packers.
Toe the company line, never question authority. Long live Mike and Ted!