 An early look at the NFC North The NFL Draft is behind us and while it may still be months away, teams begin to prepare for the 2008 season. With that in mind, here is an early look at the NFC North. GREEN BAY PACKERS Quarterback Brett Favre is retired. That is the biggest loss the Packers could possibly have taken after winning the North and coming just one game away from the Super Bowl. Now Aaron Rodgers has to prove he is capable of being the starter in Green Bay. No one in their right mind could expect Rodgers to be another Favre, but if he fails badly, the Pack may fall from the ranks of the contenders. Then again, there still may be some hope. The Packers drafted Brian Brohm, who wasn't all that bad in college. The two main questions if he is pressed into action will be how quickly can he adapt to the NFL and how durable can he be. Whoever is under center, they will have running back Ryan Grant to keep the chains moving after his breakout season in 2007. The Packers added some depth on the offensive line as well as at receiver in the draft. Jordy Nelson may be a pleasant surprise if he plays the way some think he can. For the most part, the defense was solid a year ago, but the corners are aging. The Packers are hoping second round pick Patrick Lee can help shore up things at corner. The bottom line is no secret. This team no longer has Brett Favre to carry the offense and how they fare in 2008 will depend a great deal on how they can adjust without him. MINNESOTA VIKINGS The Vikings got themselvs a gem in running back Adrian Peterson in the draft a year ago. Peterson has the ability to change the complexion of a game in a heartbeat. With Chester Taylor behind him, the Vikes should have no worries pounding the ball at opponents. The question on offense will be how well quarterback Tarvaris Jackson matures. The Vikings will need more from Jackson, who threw only nine touchdowns passes in 2007, to help give more balance to the offense and keep opposing defenses honest. But even if Jackson doesn't progress as quickly as desired, the Vikings have some insurance with veteran Gus Frerotte and rookie John David Booty. Minnesota helped him by adding wide receiver Bernard Berrian, formerly of the Bears. Berrian will give Jackson a deep threat. If Sidney Rice progresses opposite Berrian, the Minnesota offense could become an even bigger problem for defenses around the NFL. The Vikes made a necessary move to help their defense by acquiring defensive end Jared Allen from the Chiefs. Defensive end Kenechi Udeze was placed on injured reserve so he could focus on fighting the lukemia he was diagnosed with in February. The Vikes also strengthened their secondary by signing safety Madieu Williams from the Bengals. If anyone knocks off the Packers to take over the North, it should be the Vikings. CHICAGO BEARS Don't expect a miracle in Chicago. The Bears will still have Rex Grossman at quarterback and Cedric Benson at running back. No news flash here folks, when Grossman is bad, he is terrible. Adding to his woes is the fact that his wide receiving corps is nothing that will strike fear in opposing defenses. Veteran Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd were easy additions for a reason. But fans can hope that draft picks Earl Bennett and Marcus Monk will provide some added punch. While the Bears did address their failing offensive line by drafting Chris Williams from Vanderbilt, remember he will be a rookie and there will be growing pains, which may also be painful for Grossman. I never agreed with the Thomas Jones trade of a year ago and Jerry Angelo may, at this point, agree with me that it was a terrible move. Benson, lofty draft status or not, has not lived up to expectations and Angelo said as much in a pre-draft presser. So the Bears drafted Matt Forte from Tulane. If Forte is the back Angelo thinks he is, Benson's days with the Bears are numbered. The defense will be led by defensive tackle Tommie Harris and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher. Harris is a stud, but the Bears need him to stay healthy. They added some depth by drafting Marcus Harrison, who could turn out to be a gem if he totally commits himslef on and off the field. The problem at present is that Urlacher is apparently unhappy with his contract. The Bears do no need another distraction considering Benson has legal matters in Texas to deal with and Lance Briggs has paternity issues hanging over his head. .Safety Mike Brown cannot seem to stay healthy so look for the Bears to maybe give someone else a chance at free safety. While there may be a plethora of questions on both sides of the ball, there are none on special teams. Devin Hester will continue to give other teams nightmares if they are dumb enough to kick to him. This is the make or break season for Grossman and Benson. The smart says they are both elsewhere a year from now as the Bears continue rebuilding. DETROIT LIONS Where do we begin with the Lions? Apparently, quarterback Jon Kitna has become a prognosticator once again by predicting 10 wins for the Lions in 2008. I may be more apt to take him seriously if he hadn't thrown eight picks in his last three games, or been knocked around like a tackling dummy and sacked 51 times a year ago. And if the O-line reverts back the their 2007 form, Drew Stanton may get his shot. The Lions addressed the protection issue by drafting offensive lineman Gosder Cherilus from Boston College. But will it be enough? Only time will tell. Running back Kevin Jones is gone, but Tatum Bell remains and the Lions drafted Kevin Smith from Central Florida. Bell only saw action in five games in 2007 so Smith may be a factor sooner rather than later. The Lions do have two of the best young receivers in the game in Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. But Detroit needs a good running game and better protection for their quarterback before the offense hits on all cylinders. Boss Bailey, Fernando Bryant, Kalimba Edwards, Kenoy Kennedy, Shaun Rogers and Teddy Lehman are all gone from the defense. Safeties Dwight Snith and Kalvin Pearson, and cornerbacks Leigh Bodden and Brian Kelly have been added, as has defensive tackle Chuck Darby. Bodden and Smith should have an impact in the secondary, but the front four will have a different look with Darby and Langston Moore being more of a factor at tackle. Ernie Sims is a stud at linebacker, but don't overlook Pari Lenon, who also recorded over 100 tackles in 2007. Add in rookies Jordan Dizon, Andre Fluellen and Cliff Avril and there may be some pleasant surprises on defense. But my gut tells me the Lions aren't yet ready to knock off the Vikes or Packers.
|
Print
E-mail
Del.icio.us
Digg
