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Green Bay Packers: Ted Thompson’s free agency hits and misses

By Freddie Boston

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Jan 11, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back

DeMarco Murray

(29) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Green Bay Packers outside linebacker

Julius Peppers

(56) in the third quarter in the second half in the 2014 NFC Divisional playoff football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Hit: Julius Peppers

In a move that sent shockwaves through Green Bay, Ted Thompson picked up outside linebacker Julius Peppers in 2014. Peppers had been cut by the Chicago Bears for salary cap reasons.

Jan 18, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers (56) against the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 28-22 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It was a rare free agency splash by Thompson, signing Peppers to a three-year, $26 million deal.

There were concerns surrounding the 34-year-old, as to whether he still had much left in the tank after an up-and-down stint in Chicago.

Did he still have anything to offer?

You bet he did.

Peppers finished his debut season in Green Bay with seven sacks, 11 pass defenses and two interceptions – both being returned for touchdowns.

His experience was invaluable to the Packers.

In the postseason, Peppers made 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles, including the potentially season-saving fumble of Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.

Without Peppers’ intervention, Murray looked set to take it all the way to the house and all but wrap up the game.

Peppers was one of the stars in the Green Bay Packers’ defense in 2014, and will be remembered as one of Ted Thompson’s greatest free agent signings.

Next: Free Agent Profiles: Tramon Williams

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