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Need a primer on stories you'll likely be hearing about when camps open July?
There are plenty of positions yet to filled, expectations that will fail to be met and players who will surprise. Here's a look at what questions NFC teams are facing:
NFC NORTH
Bears
The Bears have nothing at wide receiver to keep teams off of emerging Devin Hester (51 catches in 2008).
Earl Bennett didn't catch a pass as a rookie third round pick in 2008. That just isn't promising. Rashied Davis is best as a fourth wideout. Rookie Juaquin Iglesias is just that, a rookie. There is no one else of consequence on the roster.
Jay Cutler had better hope for Plaxico Burress, or at least someone Matt Jones-esque to emerge, or signs.
Lions
The Lions rebuilt their cornerback position in the offseason, but did they really improve? The moves feel like a bandage.
Former Cowboy Anthony Henry is on his last legs on one side and Phillip Buchanon is, at best, a No. 2 cornerback on the other. The Bucs wanted Buchanon back as a free agent, but only as their nickel back.
Another signee, former Titan Eric King, isn't bad off the bench, but it wouldn't be shocking to see returnee Keith Smith wind up starting.
Despite being addressed, the position will again be a question going into 2010 (so will tackle, poorly taken care of with greybeards Grady Jackson and Chuck Darby).
PACKERS
Anyone think Green Bay could have stayed in a 4-3 and been a much better defense this season than in 2008—just from the draft? Instead they went for the full on 3-4 shakeup.
The Pack could have lined up rookie B.J. Raji at tackle next to Ryan Pickett, with Cullen Jenkins and Aaron Kampman at end, and the Pack would have a wicked line.
Throw in reserves Justin Harrell and (2008 starter) Johnny Jolly inside, Mike Montgomery and Jeremy Thompson at end—and a nice rotation would have worked.
Plus, the linebacker group of rookie Clay Matthews, Nick Barnett, and A.J. Hawk would have been solid.
If Aaron Kampman can't get used to being a stand up outside linebacker, the Pack would have been better off staying in a 4-3.
And why do the Pack insist on having Scott Wells and Jason Spitz compete at center every offseason? The duo just winds up starting next to each other, anyway.
VIKINGS
The Vikings are serious about cornerback competition. Starters Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin return. Former Bronco and Chiefs nickel-types Karl Paymah and Benny Sapp were signed in the offseason. They join returnees Marcus McCauley and Charles Gordon, who have both started at various times.
In addition, the draft brought third-rounder Asher Allen. Plus, safety Madieu Williams played some corner for the Bengals.
These guys will earn their gigs. Don't be surprised if all are employed somewhere in 2009.
NFC EAST
COWBOYS
The Cowboys still have a problem at strong safety. They dumped Roy Williams, but only brought in fringe-starter Gerald Sensabaugh as a replacement. The 'Boys wind up using a converted corner at some point during the season.
Either way, the position is still a weakness. Mike Brown, anyone?
GIANTS
With the news that Giants tackle Fred Robbins had microfracture surgery, the signings of Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty suddenly make a lot more sense.
Otherwise the team would have been completely reliant on reserve Jay Alford to start.
By the way, it'll be interesting to see who emerges at wideout for the club from the group of rookies Hakeem Nicks and Ramses Barden, and 2008 third-rounder Mario Manningham.
If the team just winds up starting returnees Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon past midseason, something has gone wrong.
EAGLES
Is their a deeper overall team in the NFL than the Eagles? The team boasts five vets who have had their moments (Kevin Curtis, DeShaun Jackson, Reggie Brown, Jason Avant, Hank Baskett), plus rookie Jeremy Maclin.
Key line starters from 2008 Max Jean-Gilles and Nick Cole head to camp as reserve interior lineman.
Rookie LeSean McCoy will fill in for Brian Westbrook



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