Links to the Best in NFC North Coverage, 4/2/12 Edition

As much as I like to think I know everything, my family likes to point out that, in fact, I do not.

This truth has led me to search far and wide for ways to get more, better and different sources of information every day.

With that in mind, here's some NFC North news from this morning.

First a few division-wide views.

ESPN's Kevin Seifert took a look at how the division did in free agency (Insider). Seifert feels that the Packers, Bears and Lions all were able to keep core players and add a few key elements as well, while the Vikings are building from the ground up. As I'm sure Seifert would tell you, we all know championships aren't won or lost in March, so it remains to be seen if the right moves were made.

Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times has released an interesting first-round mock draft. I've known Sam a long time, and he's about as good a writer as you'll find—don't let his location fool you. I think he nails the Minnesota and Chicago picks (assuming things fall the way he has them), am intrigued by Detroit's pick, and a little surprised by his Green Bay selection.

Now on to the nuts and bolts.... or the black and blue, as it were.


Chicago Bears

This weekend, Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times examined how new GM Phil Emery is making the team his. I'd say he's making some bold moves so far (like trading for Brandon Marshall) and while the Forte situation is ugly, it's not being mishandled.

Speaking of our disgruntled running back, Bleacher Report writer Matt Moran took a look at whether the Bears can be successful without him.

Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs (whom you should be following on Twitter) responded in his feed to a reader about wide receivers in the coming draft:

Generally, I'd agree, though it would be very interesting if Notre Dame's Michael Floyd is available, because he's been linked to the Bears multiple times.


Green Bay Packers

CheesheadTV.com writer Brian Carriveau had a pair of interesting articles this weekend. He looked at some potential shifts in the duties of receiver Jordy Nelson. He also covered the prospects of a potential shift to a hybrid defense. Many teams run a hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense, and certainly the Packers are a team that could be very effective utilizing it.

Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at Bountypocalypse (Bountygate is so last year) from a Packers/Lombardi perspective. His cohort at JSOnline, Tom Silverstein, looks at how the team is trying to amp up the energy level on defense.


Minnesota Vikings

Over at the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Doug Beldon reported on a new bill being proposed which might help get the Vikings' new stadium closer to a reality. Having lived in Los Angeles a few years ago and been subject to the bazillion stadium proposals that came and then imploded, Vikings fans have my sympathies and hopefully this will clear up soon. We'll certainly be watching closely.

Over at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Chris Miller and Dan Wiederer discussed (among other things) Adrian Peterson's injury in a video.


Detroit Lions

Fantastic news for Lions fans as Anwar Richardson of MLive.com has reported that 2011 rookie Mikel LeShoure should be ready to practice by training camp. With the Lions' backfield consisting of concussion-prone Jahvid Best and oft-injured Kevin Smith, LeShoure would be a welcome addition, assuming he can come back at 100 percent. I'm a big fan of LeShoure, so it's great to hear he's healing.

Finally, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press wrote that the fallout from the New Orleans Saints' bounty woes is causing linebacker Stephen Tulloch to reflect. Expect to see more and more defensive players come out with similar viewpoints.


That's it for today. If you see a good story, link it below and if you see a good story over a weekend, definitely let me know.