Links to the Best in NFC North Coverage, 4/18 Edition

Last night saw the release of the great and glorious 2012 NFL Season schedule. I broke my initial thoughts down last night and we'll have some team-specific ones throughout today and possibly tomorrow.

You might be able to find more analysis somewhere else, but it will lack my charming personality and marvelous wit!

Let's get going with today's NFC North links.

Green Bay Packers

Here's some news that will cause the Packers a bit of difficulty. Rob Demovsky of the Press-Gazette says that despite reports last week to the contrary, safety Nick Collins will not meet with the team until after the draft. Apparently (or less charitably, allegedly) the doctor he wanted to talk to isn't available until then. 

This throws a wrench in some aspects of the draft planning—do the Packers need a new safety? Should they draft a corner and shift Charles Woodson to safety?

I'm going to go ahead and say the Packers must plan as if he is not returning. Either draft his replacement or make the Woodson shift and draft his replacement. I'll have more specific thoughts on this later this morning.

Matthew Stein over at Jersey Al's AllGreenBayPackers.com discusses the impending departure of Ryan Grant and what that might mean for the team.

Detroit Lions

Chris McCosky of the Detroit News talks some 2012 draft cornerback depth, which may not be as high a priority to the team as some think. 

Meanwhile, Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press reports that DE Kyle Vanden Bosch is unconcerned at fellow lineman Cliff Avril's absence at OTA's due to a contract dispute.

Minnesota Vikings

Fans aren't the only ones disappointed with the death of the stadium bill in Minnesota as the governor has weighed in. While he is willing to be patient, the Pioneer Press article states the team is not. 

Outspoken Vikes kicker Chris Kluwe weighed in and the Pioneer Press also has some of his tweets in article form. It's not the rant you might have expected, but I have always found Kluwe to be insightful (though often profane as well) and he is no less so here. 

Meanwhile, the Star-Tribune takes a look at the political fallout of this hot potato decision. Of course, this sparked political finger pointing. OF COURSE it did. 

I don't care what anyone says, Zygi is still Zygi the Biggie. Right, Jim Isray?

On the non-stadium front, Tom Pelissero breaks down the current state of the Vikings quarterback position.

Chicago Bears

Mark Potash of the Sun-Times talks about how difficult it is to figure where the Bears go in Round 1 of next week's NFL Draft. It may seem murky to us, but it's all part of the Bears' plan of keeping their cards close to the vest. 

Dan Pompei looks at the wide receiver draft class in the Chicago Tribune. 

Meanwhile, ESPNChicago's Jeff Dickerson has a look at all 16 games for the Bears. The outlook is rosy, as I thought last night.