For years, Packers fans had a justifiable unmet urge to spend in free agency. Ted Thompson wasn’t just tight with the checkbook. He kept the checkbook in some sort of vault deep under Lambeau Field and posted Russ Ball outside to keep a 24-hour watch. In fact, he’s probably still down there. Someone should check.
And by and large, Thompson’s approach worked, despite whatever objections fans may have. The Packers never found themselves strapped for cash and never found themselves on the wrong end of a big miss in free agency. When Thompson did spend (on Charles Woodson, Ryan Pickett, and Julius Peppers), his hit rate was high.