NFC North Daily: Breakfast Hot Links for May 16th, 2012

Today we get through an entire serving of Hot Links without a reference to a certain team's stadium issues.

Refreshing!

We'll talk foreign wide receivers, health clubs, Matt Forte contracts, rookie and free-agent moves, D-backs trying to get better and former players leaving prison.

Quite a list of stories—order up!

Detroit Lions

David Birkett has a story on a guy going a long way for a tryout with the Lions—German football player Christian Bollmann will work out for the team today. According to the piece (and some extra digging by ESPN's Kevin Seifert), it's unusual for a non-American with no high school or college football experience to get a look at the pro level.

It's actually the second time I have seen this in 2012, though. In doing some writing for FootballGuys, I saw that the Jets brought in rugby star Hayden Smith for a potential tight end position.

What was it Sean Connery said in Untouchables?

"

If you're afraid of getting a rotten apple, don't go to the barrel. Get it off the tree.

"

He wasn't a key to the Lions' plans, but it looks like Jerome Harrison has already been placed on the injured reserve/non-football illness list according to Anwar Richardson via mlive.com. Harrison is still recovering from a brain tumor found in 2011 and we wish him the best in his recovery.

Finally, Ndamukong Suh and Tony Scheffler opened a health club together. According to The Detroit News' Rod Beard, it's about putting down Detroit roots as much as making money.

Chicago Bears

Yesterday I linked to a story about how Jay Cutler was concerned about his offensive line. Today we get a piece by Sean Jensen of The Chicago Sun-Times about Cutler not being concerned about Matt Forte and his contract issues. Check out the quote about Forte being a professional, so he'll be in by Week 1. Subtle, huh?

Michael Wright of ESPNChicago informs us that with the signing of rookie Brandon Hardin, the entire Bears class has been signed. The sooner they get signed, the sooner they're in camp, the better for all.

Minnesota Vikings

Dan Weiderer of the Star Tribune writes about the team signing defensive end Nick Reed, claiming tackle Kevin Murphy off waivers and releasing tackle Jose Valdez.

Meanwhile, Mike Wobschall breaks down the current 90-man roster on the Vikings.com webite.

Wow. No stadium news today. Feels good, huh?

Green Bay Packers

Former Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly is out of jail, according to ABC 13 out of Houston. The Packers own his rights, but don't expect them to have him back anytime soon. 

Finally, Adam Czech takes a look at what defensive back Sam Shields will need to do to step his game up. 

If you liked the linked stories, follow the writers on Twitter: @freeplions, @AnwarRichardson, @espn_nfcnblog, @detnewsrodbeard, @Sean_Jensen, @MichaelCWright, @StribDW, @WOBBY, @zachkruse2 and @adamczech.

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