Is this the year Ted Thompson utilizes free agency?

Well the NFL season is finally over and a whole other season begins, THE OFFSEASON! In this period of parody in the NFL, basically any team can improve their team through free agency and the draft. Who knew teams like the Ravens and Falcons could make the playoffs with rookie head coaches and rookie quarterbacks, unheard of. Even the lowly Arizona Cardinals stepped out and played in one of the best Super Bowls ever. We all know what the Packers did last year. Taking a huge step back in the standings, but also took a huge step forward in replacing the legendary Brett Favre with the young Aaron Rodgers. I'll be honest, I didnt think Rodgers would be that good so early in his career. Now he is cemented as the starter for the entire offseason without all the Favre crap looming over his shoulder. This is his team and hopefully the team can improve on a 6 win season. A season that most Packer fans put the blame on the Defense. Bring in Dom Capers and the 3-4 Defense. The change will move Aaron Kampman to the Outside Linebacker spot and hopefully an improvement in stopping the run. The Packers are still one of the youngest teams in the league, but now its time to move forward. Players like AJ Hawk and Justin Harrell must live up to their high draft picks or else move on. Hawk has been very consistent but i expected more big play making with him being the 5th pick overall a few years back. Harrell was drafted high even with a history of injuries in college. Big surprise hes been on the injured list his entire career in Green Bay. It seems Thompson does a better job drafting players in rounds 2 -4 then he does with 1st rounders. Players like Greg Jennings, Jordy Nelson and Nick Collins have been great finds in the draft and a big part of the team. With a high draft pick this year and an estimated $25 million under the salary cap for 2009, the Packers could easily contend for the NFC North Division. Big name free agents like Julius Peppers and Albert Hanyesworth are out there but in the past Thompson has insisted in building through the draft. Its time to make a splash. This team is too talented to not be in the playoffs and bringing in a Pro Bowl like player on Defense could definitley put the Pack back in contention in the NFC. Look what influence Reggie White had on the team in the mid 90's when he was signed by Ron Wolf. Positions of need for this offseason will include another Outside Linebacker opposite of Kampan, more depth on the Defensive Line, another Corner to learn under the aging Woodson and Harris, and also an Offensive tackle will all be looked at to improve the team. Im not saying to sell the farm on one player but do something within the free agency market.