Links to the Best in NFC North Coverage, 4/3/12 Edition

Another day, another batch of links to kick off your morning.

Today, we've got more injury woes for the Vikings, some frustrating news for Lions fans regarding Mikel LeShoure, some draft thoughts and a Nick Collins injury update for Packers fans, and a program from the family of a former Bear to help young athletes who suffer head injuries.

All this to kill time while we wait for the new Nike uniforms to come out.

As always, if you know of a blog or site that I am missing which has great content, let me know in the comments.

Enjoy!

Minnesota Vikings

ESPN's Adam Schefter (by way of NFC North reporter Kevin Seifert) reports that Percy Harvin is undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder. Schefter/Seifert report that the procedure is just a clean up and, according to Harvin, he'll be back in time for OTAs.

Seifert also points out that now both of the Vikings' most important weapons are coming off surgeries. Between Harvin's 'routine' cleanup and Adrian Peterson's recovery from both ACL and MCL tears, I can imagine fans are a bit nervous.

On more upbeat news, Seifert has a sneak peek at a picture for the proposed Vikings Stadium, or as I like to call it, Asgard. In fact we should start a petition for that. The Target Stadium at Asgard has a nice ring to it.

Christopher Gates at the Daily Norseman reported last night that the proposal has cleared the first of what is likely to be multiple hurdles.

As I've said multiple times, this is not a team on the verge of leaving for LA or Canada or Bangladesh. As always, other locations are a threat to get leverage, and while the threat has not been used as much as I have seen it in years past (or even as much as the Rams seem to be playing it), I'm sure it got things moving.

Detroit Lions

Of course, the big news out of Detroit continues to be the unfortunate, yet amusing, tale of second year running back Mikel LeShoure's run in with Illinois police. For the full scoop, head to David Birkett's column over at the Detroit Free Press.

To briefly recap though, LeShoure was a passenger in a vehicle which was pulled over. When police approached the car, LeShoure was busy trying to gobble down marijuana so as not to be charged with possession for the second time in just over two months.

It did not work. At least LeShoure spit the pot out when asked to by officers.

LeShoure did not show up for his arraignment yesterday as he thought it had been postponed until Wednesday. I'm a huge LeShoure fan, but that's just fourteen kinds of foolish. One would think he'd have made sure he knew when to be there. He's lucky the court didn't sign a bench warrant for his arrest.

For some interesting insight into LeShoure, check out this piece by Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. His personal history stacks the odds against him, but one always hopes that people (especially the team) will rally around him and give him the support he needs.

Green Bay Packers

Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette talked to a scout who makes Dougherty feel that outside linebacker or defensive end are primary options for the Packers' first pick.

It's interesting to me that the piece mentions USC's Nick Perry as an OLB, as Perry has indicated he is hesitant to make the switch from defensive end.

This isn't to say he definitively won't or that he can't, but as I have been reminded before over at CheeseheadTV, the Packers tend to want guys who either already play their spot or want to make a switch.

Dougherty's co-worker at the Press-Gazette, Rob Demovsky, also updates us on safety Nick Collins' neck injury as we wait for news regarding his status for the 2012 season.

By the way, I forgot to promote this yesterday, but CheeseheadTV.com's draft preview is out. It's a guide directed especially for the Packer fan, though I daresay there is more than enough general material for any football fan. I did the three-round mock draft as well as quarterback and wide receiver write-ups.

Chicago Bears

In case you missed it yesterday, the Associated Press has reported that former Bear Dave Duerson's family and friends have started a fund to assist middle- and high-school athletes in his hometown of Muncie, Indiana who have suffered from head injuries.

Duerson died last year, and according to the article was found to have suffered "from a moderately advanced case of chronic traumatic encephalopathy," which affects things like impulse control, mood and memory.

As we see more and more after-effects from concussions and head injuries, it's good to see an effort being made to monitor and help young players whose brains are still developing.

The Chicago Sun-Times' Sean Jenson lets us know that Bears Chairman George McCaskey is a fan of the new kickoff rules instituted last season.