NFC North: 10 Biggest Offseason Acquisitions
There's only a few days left before the NFC North teams begin their thrilling preseason schedules, but I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on the biggest moves that have already been made to each team's roster.
There's one obvious name still missing from this list (hint: he had a memorable cameo in There's Something About Mary), but that's a story for another day.
Looking at each team's moves, we see a busy offseason occurred in Chicago and Detroit (teams that needed a lot of help), while Minnesota and Green Bay had fairly mild offseasons (teams that didn't need a lot of help).
Brett Favre's (inevitable?) return figures to make the Vikings the team to beat in the NFC North, but until he decides his next move, the division looks very competitive.
The Packers will challenge Minnesota, and the Bears believe they've made the necessary changes to compete as well.
Detroit may no longer be the laughingstock of the NFC, as the Lions added key veterans to a very explosive draft class headed by Heisman Trophy-finalist Ndamukong Suh and former California Bear-standout Jahvid Best.
The foot meets the ball in a few days, but we've already met the 10 biggest offseason acquisitions in the NFC North.
10). Ryan Moats, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings
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Moats comes to the twin cities after his best season as a professional and will take over for Chester Taylor as the team's No. 2 running back behind Pro Bowler Adrian Peterson.
Moats ran for 390 yards last season for the Houston Texans, finding the end zone four times.
He also chipped in 100+ receiving yards and another score out of the backfield.
Those aren't the flashiest numbers, but the Vikings just need a back capable of taking the load off of Peterson from time to time.
Moats carried the ball over 100 times last season and will provide just enough rest for Peterson this season in Minnesota.
9). Chris Houston, Cornerback, Detroit Lions
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The Lions went after several veteran defenders this offseason and were able to haul in cornerback Chris Houston from the Atlanta Falcons.
The 25-year-old Houston has been a tackling machine in his first three seasons in the NFL, totaling 165 stops so far.
He hasn't contributed much in the interception category (just three career picks), but his experience will be a welcome addition to the young Lions secondary.
He figures to start Week One as the Lions' top cornerback.
8). Lito Sheppard, Cornerback, Minnesota Vikings
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Sheppard, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, enters his ninth season in the NFL, but returns to the NFC after spending a year with the New York Jets.
In his prime (2004-2007), Sheppard was one of the top corners in the league, but injuries and age (29) have caught up to the former Florida Gator speedster.
He only saw action in 11 games last season as a Jet, including nine starts.
He'll be in a loaded Minnesota secondary, but could start the season as Cedric Griffin rehabs from a knee injury.
The Vikings will also have Antoine Winfield, Asher Allen, and Chris Cook in the fold, so Sheppard will need to establish himself in the early going.
If he can come anywhere close to his 2006 production (13 passes defended; six interceptions) as a Philadelphia Eagle, the Vikings will be thrilled.
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7). Chad Clifton/Mark Tauscher, Tackles, Green Bay Packers
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Though these two giant bodies weren't acquired in the offseason by Green Bay, their return to Lambeau is significant in the overall NFC North picture.
Clifton and Tauscher have 266 starts in the NFL between them; you really can't appreciate that enough if you're a Packers fan, seeing as the NFC North now has pass-rush specialists Julius Peppers (Chicago), Jared Allen (Minnesota), and Kyle Vanden Bosch (Detroit).
Both men provide veteran leadership and peace-of-mind to quarterback Aaron Rodgers, while opening up running lanes for running back Ryan Grant.
Their place on the roster will buy time for rookie Bryan Bulaga to assert himself to the NFL game and get mentored by two solid offensive tackles.
If Clifton (34) or Tauscher (33) suffer injury, then the Pack have a very solid option waiting on their bench in Bulaga.
6). Chris Harris, Safety, Chicago Bears
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Harris returns to the Windy City with a chance to start either safety position for the Bears in 2010.
The depth chart is crowded at the moment with Danieal Manning, Craig Steltz, Josh Bullocks, Al Afalava, and rookie Major Wright all vying for time, but Harris' resume stands out among them all.
In 2007, Harris forced an NFL-best eight fumbles as a Carolina Panther and the Bears would love to have that type of active play from the 28-year-old.
Harris started 20 games as a Bear from 2005-2006 and has always had a knack for making stops and forcing turnovers.
He instantly became the most talented safety in Chicago when he was re-acquired April 27 for veteran Bears linebacker Jamar Williams.
If Harris avoids the injury bug, the Bears' secondary will be much improved.
5). Tony Scheffler, Tight End, Detroit Lions
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Matthew Stafford was given another weapon this offseason when the Detroit Lions acquired Tony Scheffler, a 27-year-old from Western Michigan.
Scheffler will team up with second-year man Brandon Pettigrew to form a solid tight end duo in the Motor City and give the Lions' offense one more man to game plan for.
Scheffler flourished in Denver with Jay Cutler as his quarterback (12 touchdowns and 1,400+ receiving yards in three seasons), but digressed a bit last year with Kyle Orton as his signal-caller (31 receptions, 414 yards, two touchdowns).
Scheffler caught 40+ balls two consecutive seasons (2007-2008) in Denver, numbers that would be valuable to Detroit's prized, young quarterback.
The Lions just may be putting together some key pieces to the puzzle.
4). Chester Taylor, Running Back, Chicago Bears
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The Bears finally caught up to the rest of the NFL in adopting a two-back system on offense and brought veteran Chester Taylor to Chicago on a three-year contract.
Taylor, once a 1,000 yard rusher in Minnesota, will split time in the backfield with third-year back Matt Forte (who disappointed last season, rushing for 300 less yards).
Taylor backed up stud Adrian Peterson the last few seasons in Minnesota, but still contributed nicely on offense.
In his last two seasons as a Viking, Taylor posted nearly 800 total yards of offense and found paydirt eight times.
As valuable as he will be to Forte's durability and health, he'll be equally as key to Jay Cutler's sophomore season in Chicago.
Taylor caught over 40 passes in each of his last two seasons in Minnesota, and Cutler can use both Forte and Taylor out of the backfield now.
Though Taylor is in his 30s, he still has a lot of tread left on his tires, as he's posted only one 300+ carry season so far in the NFL.
3). Nate Burleson, Wide Receiver, Detroit Lions
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Burleson missed 15 games in 2008, but rebounded with a solid 2009 season by catching 63 passes for 812 yards and three touchdowns for the Seattle Seahawks.
He'll now assume the all-important role of No. 2 wide out to the Lions' No. 1 threat, all-world Calvin Johnson.
Too many times in the past, teams have been able to double-team Johnson, limiting his effectiveness.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford will hope that Burleson, a former 1,000-yard receiver (2004, Minnesota), can occupy safety's attentions enough to give Johnson more room to roam this season.
If he can, the Lions' offense will score points in bunches with the Stafford-Johnson combination causing mayhem in the NFC.
2). Kyle Vanden Bosch, Defensive End, Detroit Lions
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The Lions' dramatic offseason has Kyle Vanden Bosch as its poster-boy, and the three-time Pro Bowl selection will make the Lions watchable again in 2010.
Vanden Bosch has lost a step at age 31, but the former Nebraska Cornhusker has 38.5 sacks over the last five seasons, all with the Tennessee Titans.
His sack numbers dwindled in his last two seasons in Tennessee (7.5 combined), but he also missed six games due to injury, and could benefit from a change of scenery in being the most prominent defender in Detroit.
Vanden Bosch's four-year deal worth $26 million ensures he'll likely finish his career in Detroit, but he could still have his best years ahead of him if rookie Ndamukong Suh does what he did in college (which is, basically, own offensive lines).
Suh, another Nebraska standout, could not be blocked in college and could give Vanden Bosch single-coverage on passing downs.
If Vanden Bosch can pin his ears back and go quarterback-hunting, big things could happen in Detroit.
1). Julius Peppers, Defensive End, Chicago Bears
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Peppers, the most sought-after free agent available this offseason, heads to Chicago on a six-year, $91 million deal to re-ignite a once-proud defense that aims to return to the playoffs.
Peppers joins fellow Pro Bowl standouts on Chicago's defense like Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs, and Brian Urlacher, but they won't be asked to do as much as Peppers will this season.
His giant price tag means Coach Lovie Smith will bank on Peppers (no pun intended) to not only get the Bears' defense back on top, but also, to help save his job in Chicago.
Peppers, a five-time Pro Bowl choice, already has six double-digit sack seasons on his eight-year resume, but it'll be the next sacks that define his lucrative contract, the richest in franchise history.
The Bears' refusal to drop their famed Cover-2 defense means that they need their front four defensive linemen to harass quarterbacks, and so the need arose to acquire (and overpay) Peppers, the top sack-artist over the last several seasons (81 sacks in his eight-year career).
Peppers has shown to be remarkably durable in the NFL, as he's missed only six games as a pro.
The Bears need his durability and play-making abilities in the worst way if they are to return to the NFC's elite.
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