NFC North Daily: Breakfast Hot Links for May 18th, 2012

Friday! My favorite day of the week and one of my favorite movies. Ah Chris Tucker—what happened to you, man?

We finish off the week with some thoughts on making the game safer that are both good and head-scratch inducing, the effect of the concussion dilemma on fans, a player beefing up, one still not getting respect and good news on a Bears wide receiver.

Check the links out—order up!

Minnesota Vikings

Star Tribune writer Jim Souhan has some thoughts on how to make the pro game safer without hurting popularity. There are some good thoughts here, though the soft helmet thing is, in my mind, missing the point. Players don't get concussions because they use their helmets as weapons. They do get neck and spinal injuries when they use their helmets as weapons, but the helmet has almost nothing to do with it.

A new helmet won't protect a neck or spine, and it's unlikely a soft helmet will do much to curb concussions. A safer helmet? Mouth guards? Proper tackling technique?

Also, the "pay players more" so they won't go broke is ridiculous. The guys need to learn to manage the money they have or all the money in the world won't save them.

If you can live off $75,000 a year, a football player can manage at a base of $375,000 his rookie season, increasing to $450,000 and $525,000 the next two years. They aren't set for life with that money, but educating them on how to save it and invest it is how you keep them from going broke.

Pay what the market will bear—which is a lot—but saying they are underpaid is pretty ludicrous. The players who are most affected at the moment are guys who are much older and made a heckuva lot less. 

Jeremy Fowler has a look at the Vikings' offseason program at the Pioneer-Press. 

Green Bay Packers

Brian Carriveau takes a look at how the concussion question has affected the attitude of fans and has some stellar quotes from Jordy Nelson and Mason Crosby. 

Mike Vandermause of the Press-Gazette says the Packers have made Donald Driver's agent think they'd like the veteran wide receiver back. 

Detroit Lions

Lions OG Rob Sims has added weight this offseason because apparently he was occasionally playing under 300 pounds last year. 

Justin Rogers has a piece at MLive.com that says despite Matthew Stafford's record-setting season in 2011, plenty of doubt remaining in the media. 

My favorite quote is from Marshall Faulk:

"

I was told by another quarterback, they need to see him throw some timing routes. I just want to see timing routes. I like Stafford, I like what he brings to the table, but I need timing routes.

"

So his point is, someone told me something and I didn't see it, but since they told me, I need to see it?

Thanks, Marshall.

Chicago Bears

Adam Schefter should be every Bears fan's favorite newshound this week as he has revealed that Brandon Marshall will not face criminal charges for the nightclub fight in New York City back in March.

Man, the Dolphins just look worse and worse for that trade. 

Brad Biggs is reporting that Forte's agent has been in Chicago the past few days, and recent signings should have given both camps a proper framework to hammer out a deal.

 If you like the links, follow the writers on Twitter: @SouhanStrib @vikingsnow @BrianCarriveau @mikevandermause @cmccosky@Justin_Rogers @adamschefter (and if you aren't following Schef... what?) @BradBiggs

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