NFC North Daily Breakfast Links: August 24, 2012

Had some video stuff which delayed this until now—so let's jump right in!

Chicago Bears

By now we all have heard that Bears running back Kahlil Bell was waved by the team yesterday. Over at the Tribune, Vaughn McClure takes a closer look at some of the factors leading to his departure from the team. If you don't already read Kevin Seifert's NFCN blog at ESPN, head there today because he has a rock-solid take in his morning links article as well.

It's a delicate balance, covering the financial aspect of the NFL. On the one hand, you see players have this happen all the time—they get cut because they won't take a pay reduction. There are no guarantees in the NFL.

So you can see how they might be motivated to hold out if they were in the position to.

On the other hand, teams have to do what is best for the financial well being of the club. In this case, it seems like someone made a bad decision to tag Bell and they were trying to correct it later.

At ESPNChicago.com, Melissa Isaacson takes a closer look at rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.

I will understand if you are sick of me talking about Jeffery, so I will let the piece stand for himself (he's good).

Detroit Lions

Most of us in the media have been less than impressed with Lions rookie quarterback Kellen Moore. Of course, our opinion isn't really the one which matters, and Anwar Richardson reports that the coaching staff is far more impressed with his progress than we are.

I took some heat the other day for saying I wouldn't dismiss the possibility Moore develops into a backup worth having. This is why you never dismiss a rookie no matter how awful he looks.

B/R's Chris Madden gives you the names of five players who have starting jobs they shouldn't on the Lions current depth chart.

Green Bay Packers

Over at the Journal-Sentinel, Bob McGinn breaks down how Cedric Benson gives the Packers a new dimension on offense.

Imagine a play-action which carried the actual threat you could run? BOOM.

Fellow CHTV and B/R guy Brian Carriveau looks over who the biggest winners and losers are for last night's game. There are some intriguing names there, including a few who had a ton of buzz right before camp, only to have it all fizzle out when the lights came on during the games.

Minnesota Vikings

Tom Pelissero over at 1500 ESPN says it looks as though John Carlson will miss the whole off-season with his knee injury. If you've followed Carlson, this isn't a shock as he has battled injuries for some time. It also further convinces me that Kyle Rudolph could be in for a huge year.

Finally, Dan Wiederer of the Tribune says the Vikings believe that they can be a top ten defense this season.

It seems like a lot to ask, but the Vikings are nothing if not confident this year. Super Bowl aspirations, defensive accomplishments-all are motivating this team. They also come off as confident, not arrogant, unlike my hometown Jets.

Vikings fans have to be happy that the culture to win is being instilled in their team from Day 1.

Check out the B/R NFC North Facebook page—like us and keep up with everything NFC North on Bleacher Report! Follow me on Twitter at @andrew_garda.