NFC North Preview

Although it’s only June, mini camps, scandals, contracts and "voluntary" workouts are just starting.

Chicago Bears

The Bears will be horrible this year. With an alright draft that addressed some needs, they are still short of getting back to the Super Bowl, and with last years disasters, a lot of people were blamed for too high of expectations.

THE GOOD

Draft

The bears upgraded in the draft. By selecting Chris Williams in the first round, they look to improve on a weak and aging offensive line.

Marty Booker

When a team adds players in the off season and the aging veteran Marty Booker is your key pick up, you have some problems.

The Bears need receivers badly, but they might as well have Ron Santo or Lieutenant Dan lining up. Marty Booker gives them a good receiver desperately needed.

Brian Urlacher

Urlacher will be a Bear in 2008 although the future is very hazy.

Some controversy surrounded Urlacher, he has reported that he will be attending workouts, which should be a nice breath of fresh air for Bears fans. Unlike last year with Lance Briggs, Urlacher will show up, comply and hopefully not crash his $200 thousand Lamborghini.

THE BAD

DRAFT

The Bears got some good, although, questionable picks in Chris Williams and Matt Forte, they left out some major holes. They upgraded their old offensive line by picking Matt Forte with their second pick.

Just to recap, the bears had the number four pick a couple years ago and chose Cedric Benson who had been a total flop. Even if Chris Williams is some dominant guard for the future, it seems it would have made sense to pick a running back first and a guard later.

They did not pick up a quarterback at all. Instead, the franchise picked up some no name wide receivers from Vanderbilt and Arkansas— universities that aren't exactly known for producing superstars.

Rex Grossman

Grossman needs to get out of town fast!

The man has been under so much scrutiny it’s unbelievable. It must not be fun being Booed by 40-year-old men working at McDonalds.

Grossman, who was a great college quarterback in Florida, could still be a good quarterback in the NFL. A change in scenery needs to be addressed. No one can play under that much pressure he is in.

Look what it did for Randy Moss forcing him to leave Oakland.

Pull a Bobby Petrino and leave— its not like Chicago can hate you anymore as it has.

Jerry Angelo

The General manager did not pull any strings, get any deals, or make any trades at all this year. He just sat back and watched his team compete for next years number one draft pick.

Picking up Marty Booker was a start, but you lost Bernard Berrian to Minnesota, Pro Bowler Landeagyo to the Jets; not to mention, the star player on defense is unhappy and the starting running back got arrested a couple weeks ago.

I would either jump ship now or pull a Florida Marlins and start rebuilding ASAP.

Trade Urlacher, Benson, and any others to get some draft picks. They can rebuild around the defense they already have with injure prone Tommie Harris, Lance Briggs, and special teams star Devin Hester.

OVERALL

Bears are at the bottom of the NFC North. With a poor defense, aging offense, no quarterback, no proven running back or receiver, the bears finish dead last and are luck to win 4 games.

Detroit Lions

THE GOOD

Jon Kitna

Kitna has proven with the last couple of years that he can win with this team. Kitna is a proven veteran with a few more good years left in the tank.

With reliable receivers in Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson, and a backfield with rookie Kevin Smith, watch for Kitna to put up big time numbers.

Last year

The lions were a break out team early in the season, making Jon Kitna look like Miss Cleo rather than, well, Miss Cleo. It was a huge boost in the right direction and the Lions and Lion faithful will continue to believe and improve.

Calvin Johnson

Calvin Johnson was the highest rated player in the 2007 draft and it looked like almost a steal for the Lions.

Although, Johnson faced some setbacks with his injury, he fought through it and put up some good rookie numbers.

Watch for Johnson to blossom along side Roy Williams and for Jon Kitna to make his secondary lines look like jesters.

THE BAD

Jon Kitnas “mouth”

People in Detroit argue that Kitna might have put too much pressure on his young team. If he just sealed his lips and played, they would have been a much better team.

Kitna is a firery leader and every team needs a good leader, especially if that good leader is the quarterback.

Matt Millen

This guy will never be off the hook in Detroit. After some of the most laughable draft picks in history, it seems like it turns into an SNL skit.

With picks like Joey Harrington, Mike Williams, and Charles Rodgers, the lions are a laughing stock. Some solid drafts the last couple years have quieted the people, but the whispers are still there.

Draft

The lions improved in positions they needed too despite their, average at best, draft rank. A pick like a Dennis Dixon or an Eric Ainge would have been nice, especially with Dixon, who had heisman written all over him before his injury.

 Green Bay Packers

THE GOOD

Brett Favre “leaving”

How could this be?

The controversy every year is whether he’s staying or leaving, or is he going to be a full time model for Wrangler? Its Aaron Rodgers time to shine. The former Cal-Berkeley star should blossom nicely with their solid core of receivers.

Brian Brohm

Brohm was the leading candidate for the No. 1 pick as the 2007 NCAA football year began. Granted that was in October, the guy has NFL written all over him.

The only problem, is, the former first round pick of Aaron Rodgers is in his way. Give him some time to sit back and watch. If Rodgers struggles, look for Brohm to try to step in.

Depth

The Packers have great depth within their whole team. With this at the key spots like running back, WR, QB, and secondary, if injuries happen the packers can counter with great backups.

THE BAD

Brett Farve “leaving”

You don’t lose one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time everyday, and by some magical force of greatness, improve.

The controversy has shied away, but one of the biggest icons in the game is now gone— no more of Bretts swagger, gun slinging throws that excited Pack fans for years.

On a positive note, whom else would you want to groom a future quarterback rather than Brett Farve?

Bubba Franks

The packers let long time TE Franks go this off-season.

Although they have depth with younger guys, Franks was a fan favorite and a key guy in passing attacks. He was older, but Franks put up decent numbers and in the end it was still time to let go.

Opening Night

Every Packer fan will do anything in their power to watch this one.

Brett Farve coming back, opening night, retiring the No. 4, Monday Night Football at THE FROZEN TUNDRA, has got it all. They just have to face the Vikings.

Too bad the Packers couldn't welcome Brett back with the Bears or Falcons.

Overall, Pack should have a solid year, but it rests on Rodgers shoulders.

Minnesota Vikings

THE GOOD

Adrian Peterson

The only way you have never heard of AP is if you were in a comma last year.

The man did get hurt, but other than that what can you say?

Running all over defenses, setting records, catching the ball, winning Rookie of the Year, winning MVP in the Pro Bowl— the man can do it all. Hell, if Childress asks, he might as well run out there and kick field goals.

Wide Receivers

The vikings upgraded so much this off season and nothing came more than the wide receiver position. Although it was only one guy, Bernard Berrian will be an advantage to the "weak" part of the team.

Sidney Rice showing flashes of greatness along with Berrian, look for Tavarius Jackson to mature.

Defense Line

Pick any defensive line in the league and if you pick something other than the Minnesota Vikings you are in trouble.

With Pro Bowlers Kevin Williams, Pat Williams, and newly acquired Jared Allen in addition to Erasamus James and cancer stricken Kenchi Udeizie, the Vikings have the best line.

You could, also make an argument that they have the best offensive line with Matt Birk, Steve Hutchinson, and Bryant Mckinnie. How do you think Adrian "All day" Peterson got all those yards?

THE BAD

Tavarius Jackson

Drafting a guy from a Division II school like Jackson’s Alma Matter, Alabama State is a risky punch, but Childress loved the athletic ability. He’s been quoted to say he has “Donovan Mcnabb qualities.”

Minnesota fans are waiting for those talents to arise, because so far, they haven't. Jackson needs to use his legs more and get run.

With the addition of Berrian, and along with AP, Jackson should improve. If not— “Hello, John David Booty.”

Schedule

Although the NFC North has to play the AFC South, this will likely affect the Vikings the most. The Vikings should plow over the entire north, but with teams like the Colts and Jags, their egos can go from the heavens to hell.

If they can get through these games and win one against the Colts or Jags, watch out.

Secondary

The Vikings have a weakness on defense and that is the secondary.

Although they have improved over the years with free agents and the draft, the Vikings still need more improvement.

The offense put up good numbers, but the secondary let them down in the stretch run, especially on a National Televised game against the Redskins.

NFC North Overview

The bears have a lot of work to do, but don't count on a playoff run anytime soon.

The Lions could surprise a lot of teams and upset a franchise’s playoff hopes, but they are still a player or too short from making a serious run.

The packers could be great and move on past the Brett Farve era, but it all lies on Aaron Rodgers shoulders.

The vikings have steadily been improving for the past years. The Vikings make the playoffs; thanks to an improved Tavarius Jackson, and that Peterson guy and can possibly go deep as long as Jackson can hold up.