Harem of the Goddess Post: Walker Sports on the NFC North

Football fiends, friend of the Gridiron Goddess Walker Sports is back to share his views on the NFC North with us.

Walker-Sports:NFC North Preview

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Welcome back everybody. Walker-Sports NFL Preview is in full swing. Today we will attempt to tackle the confusing NFC North. By this time everyone knows about the Brett Favre saga and obviously that has a huge impact on the outcome in the division. Nonetheless, Walker-Sports think we know where Brett will end up, and so we feel safe moving ahead and forecasting the division.

Minnesota Vikings: This is a team that has been in the headlines since the Favre controversy began to kick up back in early July. However, even without the services of number 4 the Vikings are a stacked team that took enormous steps in the right direction last season, and there is no doubt they will build on that in 2008. Adrian Peterson is obviously a Pro-Bowl player and an absolute stud. As long as he can stay healthy (and that is a big if) the Vikings have a chance to control the ball and stay in any game. Tavaris Jackson will be called on to play quarterback and honestly he is not very good. No other way to put it, watching his mechanics it is obvious that he has some problems with his throwing motion. In addition he struggles reading coverage’s and making decisions under pressure. Throw in the fact that his targets are not at the elite level and the Vikings passing game will struggle to get anything done. On defense, the Vikings are young but maturing very quickly. Their linebacking core has gelled very well in the last 12 months and will be a force to be reckoned with, the question is will their offense leave them in a good enough position to perform?

Green Bay Packers: Walker-Sports realize that Favre won’t be there this season, but Aaron Rodgers has shown the potential to be a solid starting QB. And if he cannot get the job done there is a good chance that Chris Simms or Brian Griese will be there to back him up (oops did we just say where Brett is going?). The real key signing the Packers have to make is getting Ryan Grant back onto the field. When Grant emerged as the starter last season, he gave the Packers offense the stability they needed to make it to within a throw of the Super Bowl. I love the core of receivers Green Bay has. Their ability to take a short route and turn it into a big game is something that every team should look for. I’m also in love with the Packers defense I believe this is one of the most overlooked units in the league. Considering their opposition in the NFC North, they should have another standout year. The only reason I don’t like the Packers to win this division is because of the early season distraction of Brett, and a second possible QB switch.

Chicago Bears: It’s amazing that the Bears front office is able to remain employed. The Bears have been searching for a starting QB since 2000 and yet again the chose not to draft anyone who could step in and fill that role. Instead they used a coin flip to decide if Grossman or Orton would take the opening snaps in training camp. Not exactly the vote of confidence you want if you’re a QB. In addition the Bears allowed themselves to be held hostage by Devin Hester who held out to get a bigger deal, then insisted that he did not want to play offense. Hope he takes a look at Dante Hall’s career as a one dimensional return man. All around poor moves by the front office will cost them sooner than later. Nonetheless the Bears are back and their defense should be healthy. This will at least keep them competitive throughout the season. Look for them to slush their way through the division and miss out on the post season.

Detroit Lions: Jon Kitna made a promise and for a brief moment it looked as if he was going to live up to it. However, reality set in, and the Lions stumbled down the stretch to a 7-9 season. I’ve said it 1000 times Jon Kitna is the QB to get you up to the mountain top but he cannot cross over. 8-8 is the max he can give a team and because of that the Lions will continue to suffer in mediocrity. Granted the full blame cannot all be placed on Kina, the Lions running game is non existent and the slew of highly rated draft picks at wideouts continue to underachieve. The Lions will have a few moments when they look like gang busters this season, but they will not be able to maintain that level of excellence over the long haul and they will once again fall short of making the post season.