Let's start with the winners:
Green Bay Packers
Like San Diego, this is never going to be a team equipped to be among the heaviest spenders with any regularity. And, like San Diego, this is a young and talented team that was among the most-feared coming down the stretch in 2009. So for them to retain both veteran offensive tackles -- Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher -- and then get all-underrated nose tackle Ryan Pickett and safety Nick Collins signed to nice extensions was big.
In a free-agent class like this, keeping your own best players -- guys who know your system, coaches and locker room, and provide a great fit -- is the way to go. The Packers also knew when to let go with Aaron Kampman -- can't help but wonder if the Jaguars will regret giving him $11 million guaranteed given his health problems.
So much of this sport is cultivating talent, self-scouting and knowing who from within to give the money to, and who to let walk.