NFC North Preview

I'm gonna try to get through this without mentioning he-who-can-not-be-traded.

Vikings- Top dogs in this division and they could surprise come playoff time. Tarvaris Jackson is still working on his Donovan McNabb impression, as the athletic QB with a cannon arm who is a little raw, but Brad Childress is there to help. I expect improved play from him, as he has another year and another training camp under his belt. His weapons are South Carolina Cock product Sidney Rice and former Bear Bernard Berrian, who was plundered in free agency. Adrian Peterson, the only non-human thing in the NFL (the coach cowher 2000 model retired, still having never shown emotion) has reportedly been programmed with an improvement in its ability to catch the ball and pass block, nearly obseleting former 1200 yard man Chester Taylor. Expect Taylor to get some touches though, because while AP Android is superior, it would be hard to justify taking away all of Taylors playing time. And you can consider him easily the best "backup" running back in the league, now that Michael Turner has joined the dirty birds. The line has a sharp progression going from right to left. Right tackle Ryan Cook is not particularly impressive, nor is right guard Anthony Herrera, although both are plenty big enough to succeed as linemen in the NFL. Then you get to center, with Matt Birk, 6 time pro bowl selection there and plenty bright enough to make the appropriate calls along the line. Left guard Steve Hutchinson brought a mean streak with him from Seattle two years ago and it seems like he brought their run game success with him, and Bryant McKinnie is still a top tier blindside protector. Defensively, the line features Jared Allen, former chief and pass rush expert, Kevin and Pat Williams in the middle who are probably over 630 pounds combined and don't much like to be moved, and charismatic young end Ray Edwards, who wants to make a run at the single season sack record. (that declaration led some to wonder if he could do it: others wondered who the hell Ray Edwards is) Edwards figures to be a slightly above average end this year though, and as the weakest link, that spells a four letter word for opposing offenses, and its not "wooo". Linebacking is a bit suspect, with Ben Leber penciled in as a starter, with EJ Henderson, bona fide run stuffer in the middle, and former first round pick Chad Greenway manning the weak side. Leber is not exactly a cornerstone, although Greenway might turn into one. It's kind of hard to say, because while he was drafted the same year as Packers mauler AJ Hawk, he didn't play his rookie year due to a surgical procedure on his knees. Both the outside men, though, have apparently impressed in the running game at training camp. CBs Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin should do fine this year, particularly since they get to play Chicago twice a year. Safety Darren Sharper is a possible Hall of Famer and still a top notch player and free safety Madieu Williams flashed big play ability before in his career and looks to stabilize it playing in a talented squad. If he can't perform well, rookie Tyrell Johnson lurks and waits for his opportunity to strike and take someone's job. I have this team as a potential player in the NFC Conference Championship, but mostly for lack of other options.

Packers- Lemme make it clear, I do NOT think this will be a great team this year. With Ryan Pickett Justin Harrell and Johnny Jolley all possibly missing for at least part of the year, this defensive tackle rotation could be the single worst rotation EVER. But lemme go back to where I usually begin. Aaron Rodgers has at least one fan, myself. I think he will do a fine job as the quarterback as long as Gollum stays retired instead of coming back for his precious records. Ryan Grant, I'm not completely sold on, but between him Brandon Jackson and Vernand Morency, someone will step up enough to make a strong running game. Donald Driver and Greg Jennings provide stellar options on the outside of the offense, and there are a wealth of other options at receiver, so they can really go with the "throw enough crap at the wall and some of it will stick" theory for their slot man this season. Don't expect much production from the tight ends and fullbacks of this team, although if he claims the starting job at some point this year Jermichael Finley could create matchup problems speed wise with opposing linebackers. Tauscher and Clifton return to be the end pieces of the line again and should do fine, although both have had injuries before and should probably be watched in terms of durability. Scott Wells and overachiever Jason Spitz are expected to be solid on the interior of the line again this year, but left guard is kind of a wildcard because none of the players in competition have really separated themselves from the pack and are all just kind of milling around waiting for someone else to step up and take the job right out of their hands. However, if the aforementioned defensive tackles were forced to miss time to start the year this team would start the season with a rotation of Colin Cole, Daniel Muir, and Alfred Malone. Just strikes fear into the hearts of opposing half backs, doesn't it? Aaron Kampman should be a relentless one man pass rush again though, and Cullen Jenkins will be a tough assignment one on one on the outside due to superior strength for an end. AJ Hawk is a force at weakside linebacker, and Nick Barnett is a powerful run stopping weapon at middle linebacker. How the Brandon Chillar/Brady Poppinga strongside platoon works out remains to be seen. Nick Collins and the ancient corners, Charles Woodson and Al Harris, should be fine for another year of starting in the secondary, but Atari Bigby is the real gem of this secondary IDP wise. Don't get your hopes up too much though, this team is kind of old and full of question marks.

Lions- Jon Kitna is still the starter at Quarterback, but when we look past that, we see talent. Kevin Smith should benefit from the departure of Mike Martz because they'll certainly be running more this year than last year. However, that will hurt basically everyone else in the offense, Roy Williams being the only other player I would want to touch in a fantasy draft this year off this squad. Gosder Cherilus and Stephen Peterman are a right side to watch this year, because they have the size and ability to dominate if they have their technique down well enough. Dominic Raiola is a sturdy player to anchor the middle of your line and usually makes the right adjustment calls for his linemates.Ed Mulitalo and Jeff Backus are an above average left side of the line and should be good enough this year. I still wouldn't expect much production from this offense though, because they are moving to a new system this year with the departure of Martz Almighty. Jared DeVries is not impressive as a starting end, but Cory Redding is a solid player with extraordinary talent. Chartric Darby is a marginal defensive tackle at this point, but DeWayne White could be a special player if he got his game a little more consistent. Ernie Sims can be counted on to make another 607976 tackles from his weakside spot. Jordon Dizon is a strong player who can make plays, but in an ideal world he gets his first year to sit and learn and work on his technique a bit more. He'll start next to Paris Lenon, probably with Dizon at strong side and Lenon in the middle. That could change though, as either player is good enough and versatile enough to play both spots. Dizon in the middle and Lenon strong side would project more favorably for the team at the moment, but Lenon has been called the Mike starter already, presumably because the team doesn't want vets to feel that a rook is getting special treatment and moving a starter. Leigh Bodden is battling Travis Fisher to start opposite free agent signee Bryan Kelly at corner in this version of the tampa 2. Safeties Dwight Smith and Daniel Bullocks need to have their roles nailed down for this defense to work and they seem to have done that. Watch Smith in IDP leagues too, he hits hard and creates turnovers.

Bears- Oh how the mighty hath fallen. The Grossman-Orton quarterbacking monster doesn't bode well for anyone except opposing defenses. Both have showed underwhelming grasps of the offense and decision making in game time decisions. That shoulders more work on rookie running back Matt Forte and the borderline offensive (and not in a good way) receivers. Devin Hester is being counted on as a starting wide receiver. That right there spells trouble for you as a whole. Then it gets compounded by number two option Marty Booker/Brandon Lloyd, and you have a real problem. Then throw in a rookie blindside protector, Chris Williams, and all of a sudden you have a perfect storm of suck in the passing game. It could easily be the worst one in modern history. Olin Kreutz Roberto Garza and Terrence Metcalf form a capable interior offensive line to run behind though, and former left tackle John Tait now moves to right tackle where he should be effective at knocking defenders out of the way and getting to the second level. Second year Tight End Greg Olson should have his hands full as a checkdown option on this team. Then again while he SHOULD, who knows how much Grossman will actually checkdown. The defense is something of a bright spot, although thats mostly by virtue of the terrible offense. Adewale Ogunleye and Mark Anderson are very nice bookends to have, and Tommie Harris should be a menace at tackle regardless of who noses up next to him (Dusty Dvoracek and Anthony Adams are the favorites) Lance Briggs Brian Urlacher and Hunter Hillenmeyer are a fantastic trio of linebackers. Hillenmeyer is really an underated piece, due to playing next to perennial pro bowl options his whole career. In the secondary, we have Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher clamping down outside freeing up Mike Brown and whoever plays strong safety to make plays across the deep of the defense. They aren't an inspiring crew, and for that, I have them last in the division.