I am going
to make a prejudice comment, and that is the NFC North is the best division in
football.
The
offseason has seen changes in every team and in my opinion some very big
changes.
Let’s look
at the other teams besides the Vikes in the NFC North and the changes that did
come as well as players from last season that remain from each team.
Green Bay Packers: The loss of 2 veteran receivers with
Donald Driver, who retired and Greg Jennings who came to the Purple. The Pack
still has very good receivers in James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb.
The tight
end situation will be intersecting with Jermichael Finley. A talent but can he
ever hang onto the ball?
The draft of
running back, Eddie Lacy out of University of Alabama was a good choice. This
man does not know the meaning of losing playing with the Crimson Tide and
getting national titles. Will this be the man to give Rodgers some rest from
throwing so much?
The Vikings
signing Desmond Bishop away from the Pack so will this be advantage Vikings in covering
the high powered Packer offense?
Place
kicker, Mason Crosby, Will this be a more accurate year for him? He really
struggled and had a very low accuracy rating.
The ability
to stop the run was evident as Adrian Peterson ran wild in both games and then
the beating the Pack took in the 49ers game. I will add I did enjoy all of this
in watching the Packers defense get exposed. What changes will they make? How
will the departure of Charles Woodson affect the secondary? The man is a Hal of
Fame candidate in my opinion when he finally hangs up his cleats.
Detroit Lions: The signing of free agent, Reggie
Bush should be a concern for the rest of the division. His ability to catch the
ball out of the backfield and running had better be a defensive focus.
Calvin
“Megatron” Johnson, Is there a way to ever stop him? Will he break his own
record of yardage from last year?
Quarterback,
Matthew Stafford in my opinion is a top quarterback and is not afraid to throw
it 40-50 times a game. Will he have a pro bowl year?
The untimely
penalties and lack of discipline by the Lions is a big fault in this
organization. What will it take to get the boys playing football without the
unnecessary after play penalty?
Chicago
Bears- This is the team that faces the biggest questions in the division. Marc
Trestman takes over coaching after Lovie Smith left. Trestman, an offensive
minded coach so the question is, can he help quarterback Jay Cutler to become a
better quarterback?
I admit
Cutler has the tools to be a quarterback but his attitude is what will take him
either way. How many times did we see him throw a fit if something did not go
right? The Bears will go as far as Cutler will allow them to go.
The
defensive side of the ball the big question comes with the retirement of Brian
Urlacher. It will be interesting to see who steps up to fill in. The name Lance
Briggs comes up often.
A new head
coach and a new middle linebacker are two of the biggest questions in the NFC
North. The reading I have done leads me to believe the Bears players really
loved playing for Lovie. Can Trestman win the Bears over and show the players
he can take guide them to the playoffs?
My
prediction for the NFC North division:
1)Minnesota
2)Detroit
3)Green Bay
4) Chicago
Thanks for
reading
Purplestick
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