NFL: The 3 Biggest Questions Facing Each Team in the NFC North
The Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions All Face Important Questions This Offseason
As the only division in the NFL that sent two teams to the conference championship games, the NFC North's 2010-2011 season should be considered mostly a success.
The Packers beat the Bears in the NFC Championship game, than went on to win Super Bowl XLV over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While the Vikings had a season full of turmoil, they still have many of the pieces necessary to be a factor next season.
Finally, the Lions are one of the up and coming teams in the NFL, and another strong offseason could give them the final push towards to the playoff appearance their fan base so desperate wants.
With that said, each team has plenty of questions they need to address before any football is played next season, and we're here to address the top three for all four NFC North teams.
Packers: Who Are The Middle Linebackers Next Season?
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While the Super Bowl hangover should last Packers fans throughout the offseason, the decisions that need to be made at middle linebacker could loom large in Green Bay.
A.J. Hawk's contract balloons to $10 million next season, and there's no way the Packers—or any team—pay him that kind of money.
However, Hawk clearly had his finest year in Green Bay this past season, and he was a leader on a defense that won the Super Bowl.
The decisions don't end there. Nick Barnett, who was lost for the season after Week four, will be owed over $6 million next season, and his off the field antics—namely "Photogate" before the Super Bowl— have frustrated the Packers.
Even so, Barnett is a respected leader in the locker room and is a playmaker when he's healthy.
The final wrench in the middle linebacker machine is Desmond Bishop, who signed a four year, $19 million extension this season. His spot is secured as a starter heading into next season.
That leaves the Packers with some tough decisions. Will Hawk restructure his contract to a more manageable price? Can the Packers find some trade value for Barnett?
These choices will determine what the Packers defense will look like next season.
Bears: Can Jay Cutler Bounce Back?
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What happened to Jay Cutler in the NFC Championship game is well-documented.
He threw two interceptions, was wildly ineffective and was removed from the game in the second half with an injured knee.
Speculation ran rampant after the game whether or not Culter quit on the Bears and their season, but it was later reported that he sprained his MCL.
However, the damage had been done. Bears fans were seen burning his jersey in the parking lot after the game and plenty of both fans and talking heads alike took their shots at Cutler and his toughness.
Naturally, that begs the question: Can Cutler bounce back after such a nauseating 48-hour circus?
The Bears 2011-2012 season depends on it.
Lions: Can Detroit Find Defenders To Play Behind a Dominating Defensive Line?
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The Lions might not have the NFL's best defensive line right now, but there's a good chance we could be talking about them being the premier defensive front in football by this time next year.
The additions of Ndamakung Suh, Corey Williams and Kyle Vanden Bosch to the Lions' emerging defensive end Cliff Avril gave the Detroit a scary bunch in 2010, but behind them things were shaky at best.
The Lions are probably in need of two outside linebackers, possibly two cornerbacks (depending on Chris Houston's free agency) and another safety opposite Louis Delmas.
Detroit has done the right thing by building the foundations of a defense up front, but they need to add some impact pieces behind Suh and company to ensure their rebirth on defense.
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Vikings: Who Plays Quarterback Next Season?
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The Vikings two year experiment with Brett Favre is over, but that potentially leaves a gaping hole in Minnesota's offense.
While Rookie Joe Webb displayed some athleticism in his limited action, the Vikings would be hard pressed heading into next season with Webb as the main option.
Because Tavaris Jackson is most likely gone from Minnesota, the Vikings might be tempted to spend their 12th overall pick in the draft on a quarterback like Cameron Newton or Blaine Gabbert.
Even in that scenario, the Vikings probably want to bring in a veteran quarterback that can play if both Webb and whatever rookie they select is unprepared to start a full season.
Packers: Who Plays Running Back Next Season?
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When Ryan Grant went down in Week 1 of the season, the Packers were in scramble mode to figure out their running back position.
By the end of the regular season, the situation still wasn't fully resolved, and the Packers had finished among the worst in the NFL in running back production.
However, sixth round pick James Starks burst onto the scene in the playoffs, rushing for 315 yards and helping the Packers claim their fourth Super Bowl victory.
Do those playoff performances warrant Starks being the starter next season?
With Grant still on the roster, probably not.
Still, the combination of Starks and Grant next season is an attractive option for the Packers, and either back looks like a solid contributor if any injury issues happen again.
Bears: Is It Time to Find a Receiver?
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When Mike Martz was coaching the Greatest Show on Turf in St. Louis, he had receiving weapons aplenty in Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Az-Zahir Hakim and Ricky Proehl.
In Chicago, he's trying to replicate that success with a group of Johnny Knox, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett.
Obviously, the talent levels in the two teams don't match up, but the Bears aren't completely in the dark either.
Knox would make a fantastic No. 2 receiver, but that means the Bears need to find a legitimate No. 1 guy.
Offensive line will and should be the Bears primary goal this offseason, but there's plenty of reasons why Chicago should target an impact receiver.
Lions: Can Stafford Stay Healthy And Realize His Potential?
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When the Lions took Matthew Stafford with the first pick in the 2009 draft, they probably never envisioned their franchise quarterback suffering the myriad of injuries he has through his first two seasons.
Stafford has played in just 13 of the 32 possible games during that stretch, but he's shown plenty of potential to be a good starting quarterback in those limited appearances.
Heading into year three, however, Stafford needs to both make that jump and stay healthy for a full season.
With all the weapons the Lions have slowly accumulated on offense, the future of the franchise depends on the health and progression of the former No. 1 pick.
Vikings: What Happens With Sidney Rice?
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The Vikings have put the franchise tag on linebacker Chad Greenway, and that could mean that receiver Sidney Rice has played his last game in Minnesota.
Rice had an odd season for the Vikings in 2010, waiting on hip surgery than taking his time repositioning himself into the starting lineup.
Some said he waited because the Vikings season was dead and he didn't want to risk losing any money in his upcoming free agency.
Well, that time is now for Rice and the Vikings.
With no contract in place and the quarterback situation in limbo, Rice could be on his way to greener pastures.
Packers: Will They Have Enough Left to Repeat?
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Repeating as champions is tough in any sport. There is a tendency to relax after reaching the summit of your profession, and, at the same time, teams have painted a big bullseye on your back.
The Packers will be no different.
However, with 16 players coming off IR, there should be plenty of urgency among the remaining players to get Green Bay back to the Super Bowl.
Guys like Jermichael Finley and Nick Barnett, who missed significant chunks of the season, will be determined to get their chance to play for the Lombardi Trophy.
A good first step in that goal would be getting the Packers their first NFC North championship since Aaron Rodgers became the starter in 2008.
Green Bay proved anything can happen once you get to the playoffs.
Bears: Are We Witnessing The Final Years in a Hall Of Fame Career?
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When Bears coach Lovie Smith was asked about the Hall of Fame candidacy of Brian Urlacher recently, he wasn't shy to answer it.
From Chicagobears.com:
“I don’t think there’s any doubt. He’s the face of the franchise here for a good reason. He’s been [defensive] MVP of the league. I think it would help for us to be able to win a championship with him. But his body of work is worthy of being in the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the [best] all-time players to play the game. Judging him against other great linebackers, I’d say that Brian is deserving.”
It's hard to disagree with Smith on this one.
Urlacher has been one of the premier middle linebackers in the game for a long time, and typically those type of visible and productive players are fast-tracked to Canton.
As an Bears fan, or even an NFL fan, enjoy the final years of Urlacher's Hall of Fame career in Chicago.
Lions: Does Detroit Need to Bolster Their Offensive Line?
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The Lions only gave up 27 sacks last season, good for sixth best in the NFL, but there seems to be a lack of talent along Detroit's offensive line.
With three picks in the top 75 of April's NFL draft, the Lions have the opportunity to find some viable starters for their offensive line.
That also leaves Detroit with an interesting question.
Do you use those picks to help the back end of your defense, or continue the rebuilding of the offensive line?
If the Lions could find three answers, in any combination of offensive lineman and defenders, Detroit would put themselves in the playoff discussion heading into next season.
Vikings: Is Time Running Out In Minnesota?
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With the Vikings lease in the Metrodome done after this coming season, and no plans for a new stadium set in stone, football in Minnesota could be coming to an end.
While no one wants to this scenario play out, the Vikings are certainly taking the issue near its end.
Minnesota could potentially play its year out in the Metrodome, start building a new stadium around the Twin Cities immediately, and than play on the campus of the Gophers (TCF Bank Stadium) until the stadium is complete.
Or, in the worst possible situation, the Vikings play the next year or two in Minnesota than head to Los Angeles where plans for a stadium are already in the works.
The NFC North should want the Vikings in Minnesota, but it's hard to ignore the possibility of losing them in the near future.
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