packers11
02-18-2008, 03:29 PM
Packers can do it again in NFC North
By Alex Marvez
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Updated: February 18, 2008, 11:56 AM EST
This is the eighth story in an eight-part series analyzing each division as the Feb. 29 start of the free-agent signing period approaches. Featured today: The NFC North.
Note: Salary cap figures will be adjusted in late February once restricted free-agent tenders and calculations on contract clauses from 2007 like incentives are finalized. The league-wide 2008 cap is set at $116 million.
Green Bay (14-4)
Looking back: The Packers had a remarkable run, blossoming under the guidance of resurgent 38-year-old quarterback Brett Favre. The Packers, though, will spend the off-season lamenting a home loss in the NFC Championship game to the New York Giants.
Biggest need area: Cornerback. The Packers have two starters (Al Harris and Charles Woodson) who excel in press coverage. But with both players in their 30s, the Packers would be wise to groom a young cornerback behind them.
Player/coach to watch: Favre. While all signs continue to point toward his return, the Packers would be breathing easier if Favre had already committed to playing in 2008. Favre played poorly in the NFC Championship game but he should realize the Packers have a good enough team to get there again.
Projected cap space: $15 million. Of Green Bay's seven unrestricted free agents, defensive tackle Corey Williams is the team's highest priority. A lucrative deal awaits Williams in free agency, but Green Bay may keep him from testing the market by using a $6.3 million franchise tag. Re-signing talented young starters like Williams and running back Ryan Grant to long-term contract extensions will be a bigger focus than free-agent acquisitions.
2008 outlook: Excellent. The past three Super Bowl champions (New York, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh) lost in the playoffs the year before winning their titles. Only 18 of the 53 players on Green Bay's 2007 roster entered the postseason with playoff experience. Coach Mike McCarthy must make the Giants loss a learning tool for his young team.
Minnesota (8-8)
Looking back: Led by rookie running back Adrian Peterson, Minnesota had the inside track for a playoff berth but squandered the opportunity with a Week 16 home loss to Washington.
Biggest need area: Defensive end. Minnesota's pass defense has ranked last in the NFL for two consecutive seasons. The lack of a standout rusher is considered a major reason why. Attempts to fill the spot with first-round picks have failed. Injuries have limited Erasmus James (2005) to just eight games the past two seasons, while Kenechi Udeze (2004) was recently diagnosed with leukemia and isn't expected to play this season. Udeze had a career-high five sacks last season.
Player/coach to watch: Wide receiver Troy Williamson. After three disappointing seasons, Williamson has shown little sign of being the downfield threat Minnesota envisioned when making him the 2005 draft's No. 7 pick. If the club finds a player who could fill that role this off-season, Williamson could become trade bait.
Projected cap space: $14 million. With ample cap room, the Vikings should remain active in free agency for a second consecutive season under personnel chief Rick Spielman. The secondary will be a high priority. A marijuana possession charge against Dwight Smith was recently dropped, but the free safety's history of off-field issues and ho-hum play could lead to his release. The Vikings also will monitor any veteran quarterbacks who may be available, but Tarvaris Jackson is still likely to remain the starter.
NFC North outlook
Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
2008 outlook: Good. The Vikings should continue to field one of the NFL's top running games and run defenses. With improvement in the passing game and passing defense, Minnesota should push for a playoff spot.
Detroit (7-9)
Looking back: The Lions were 6-2 at midseason before being derailed by a six-game losing streak. Detroit's one-dimensional offense sunk because a porous offensive line couldn't protect quarterback Jon Kitna, who was sacked a league-high 51 times. Defensively, the Lions allowed a 100-yard rusher or 300-yard passer in each of their final six games.
Biggest need area: Running back. The Lions hope to have a more balanced offense with Jim Colletto replacing Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. But a team that called two passes for every run in 2007 needs a player who can carry the ground game. Kevin Jones continues to struggle with injuries, T.J. Duckett could leave in free agency and Tatum Bell is an afterthought. The Lions may try making a splash in free agency by pursuing San Diego running back Michael Turner.
Player/coach to watch: Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. The Lions have run out of patience with a player whose weight and attitude problems have kept him from consistently playing at a Pro Bowl level. Rogers should still have trade value, especially for a team seeking a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense.
Projected cap space: $18 million. Considering Detroit's track record this decade, it shouldn't be surprising underachievers like Rogers ($7.4 million) and offensive lineman Damien Woody ($6.8 million) have the team's highest cap figures. Woody could be joining Rogers in leaving Detroit. The Lions need upgrades at linebacker, right tackle and in the secondary.
2008 outlook: Fair. The Lions have too many holes to garner consideration for an NFC North title in what could be a closely contested division.
Chicago (7-9)
Looking back: A loss to Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLI was just the start of a lousy 2007 for Chicago. The Bears went 1-3 in September and could never climb out of the hole. The reasons: Ongoing offensive problems and a defense that didn't perform at the same level because of injuries.
Biggest need area: Quarterback. Rex Grossman had every chance to succeed under coach Lovie Smith but could never play well enough for consistent periods of time. The Bears need a fresh face at quarterback but may lack options outside the draft. Current backup Brian Griese shouldn't be in line for a promotion, while third-stringer Kyle Orton has done little memorable in his 17 career starts. A lack of free-agent prospects could push Chicago to re-sign Grossman as an unrestricted free agent.
Player/coach to watch: Linebacker Brian Urlacher. Bears officials have remained quiet about the neck surgery Urlacher recently had. But even if he underwent a minor procedure, it's never good when a physical player like Urlacher is having neck problems. Urlacher also was slowed in 2007 by an arthritic back. The Bears are hoping the 30-year-old Urlacher can regain his health and previous dominating form, especially with fellow standout linebacker Lance Briggs set to leave in free agency.
Projected cap space: $20 million. The Bears have until Thursday to decide whether wide receiver Bernard Berrian is worth keeping with a $7.8 million franchise tag. Otherwise, Berrian will receive a blockbuster free-agent deal elsewhere. Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who reached the Pro Bowl as a special teams player, also is among Chicago's eight UFAs. As for Chicago's needs, the Bears may seek to upgrade an aging offensive line and even consider a new running back. Cedric Benson was disappointing in his first season as a starter and hasn't proven worthy of being selected No. 4 overall in the 2005 draft.
2008 outlook: Fair. The Bears could be a division contender again if two things happen: The injured players in 2007 enjoy a successful return to health and Chicago finds talent to upgrade a lousy offense. Those are big ifs.
Read this article at:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7808374/Packers-can-do-it-again-in-NFC-North
By Alex Marvez
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
Updated: February 18, 2008, 11:56 AM EST
This is the eighth story in an eight-part series analyzing each division as the Feb. 29 start of the free-agent signing period approaches. Featured today: The NFC North.
Note: Salary cap figures will be adjusted in late February once restricted free-agent tenders and calculations on contract clauses from 2007 like incentives are finalized. The league-wide 2008 cap is set at $116 million.
Green Bay (14-4)
Looking back: The Packers had a remarkable run, blossoming under the guidance of resurgent 38-year-old quarterback Brett Favre. The Packers, though, will spend the off-season lamenting a home loss in the NFC Championship game to the New York Giants.
Biggest need area: Cornerback. The Packers have two starters (Al Harris and Charles Woodson) who excel in press coverage. But with both players in their 30s, the Packers would be wise to groom a young cornerback behind them.
Player/coach to watch: Favre. While all signs continue to point toward his return, the Packers would be breathing easier if Favre had already committed to playing in 2008. Favre played poorly in the NFC Championship game but he should realize the Packers have a good enough team to get there again.
Projected cap space: $15 million. Of Green Bay's seven unrestricted free agents, defensive tackle Corey Williams is the team's highest priority. A lucrative deal awaits Williams in free agency, but Green Bay may keep him from testing the market by using a $6.3 million franchise tag. Re-signing talented young starters like Williams and running back Ryan Grant to long-term contract extensions will be a bigger focus than free-agent acquisitions.
2008 outlook: Excellent. The past three Super Bowl champions (New York, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh) lost in the playoffs the year before winning their titles. Only 18 of the 53 players on Green Bay's 2007 roster entered the postseason with playoff experience. Coach Mike McCarthy must make the Giants loss a learning tool for his young team.
Minnesota (8-8)
Looking back: Led by rookie running back Adrian Peterson, Minnesota had the inside track for a playoff berth but squandered the opportunity with a Week 16 home loss to Washington.
Biggest need area: Defensive end. Minnesota's pass defense has ranked last in the NFL for two consecutive seasons. The lack of a standout rusher is considered a major reason why. Attempts to fill the spot with first-round picks have failed. Injuries have limited Erasmus James (2005) to just eight games the past two seasons, while Kenechi Udeze (2004) was recently diagnosed with leukemia and isn't expected to play this season. Udeze had a career-high five sacks last season.
Player/coach to watch: Wide receiver Troy Williamson. After three disappointing seasons, Williamson has shown little sign of being the downfield threat Minnesota envisioned when making him the 2005 draft's No. 7 pick. If the club finds a player who could fill that role this off-season, Williamson could become trade bait.
Projected cap space: $14 million. With ample cap room, the Vikings should remain active in free agency for a second consecutive season under personnel chief Rick Spielman. The secondary will be a high priority. A marijuana possession charge against Dwight Smith was recently dropped, but the free safety's history of off-field issues and ho-hum play could lead to his release. The Vikings also will monitor any veteran quarterbacks who may be available, but Tarvaris Jackson is still likely to remain the starter.
NFC North outlook
Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
2008 outlook: Good. The Vikings should continue to field one of the NFL's top running games and run defenses. With improvement in the passing game and passing defense, Minnesota should push for a playoff spot.
Detroit (7-9)
Looking back: The Lions were 6-2 at midseason before being derailed by a six-game losing streak. Detroit's one-dimensional offense sunk because a porous offensive line couldn't protect quarterback Jon Kitna, who was sacked a league-high 51 times. Defensively, the Lions allowed a 100-yard rusher or 300-yard passer in each of their final six games.
Biggest need area: Running back. The Lions hope to have a more balanced offense with Jim Colletto replacing Mike Martz as offensive coordinator. But a team that called two passes for every run in 2007 needs a player who can carry the ground game. Kevin Jones continues to struggle with injuries, T.J. Duckett could leave in free agency and Tatum Bell is an afterthought. The Lions may try making a splash in free agency by pursuing San Diego running back Michael Turner.
Player/coach to watch: Defensive tackle Shaun Rogers. The Lions have run out of patience with a player whose weight and attitude problems have kept him from consistently playing at a Pro Bowl level. Rogers should still have trade value, especially for a team seeking a nose tackle in a 3-4 defense.
Projected cap space: $18 million. Considering Detroit's track record this decade, it shouldn't be surprising underachievers like Rogers ($7.4 million) and offensive lineman Damien Woody ($6.8 million) have the team's highest cap figures. Woody could be joining Rogers in leaving Detroit. The Lions need upgrades at linebacker, right tackle and in the secondary.
2008 outlook: Fair. The Lions have too many holes to garner consideration for an NFC North title in what could be a closely contested division.
Chicago (7-9)
Looking back: A loss to Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLI was just the start of a lousy 2007 for Chicago. The Bears went 1-3 in September and could never climb out of the hole. The reasons: Ongoing offensive problems and a defense that didn't perform at the same level because of injuries.
Biggest need area: Quarterback. Rex Grossman had every chance to succeed under coach Lovie Smith but could never play well enough for consistent periods of time. The Bears need a fresh face at quarterback but may lack options outside the draft. Current backup Brian Griese shouldn't be in line for a promotion, while third-stringer Kyle Orton has done little memorable in his 17 career starts. A lack of free-agent prospects could push Chicago to re-sign Grossman as an unrestricted free agent.
Player/coach to watch: Linebacker Brian Urlacher. Bears officials have remained quiet about the neck surgery Urlacher recently had. But even if he underwent a minor procedure, it's never good when a physical player like Urlacher is having neck problems. Urlacher also was slowed in 2007 by an arthritic back. The Bears are hoping the 30-year-old Urlacher can regain his health and previous dominating form, especially with fellow standout linebacker Lance Briggs set to leave in free agency.
Projected cap space: $20 million. The Bears have until Thursday to decide whether wide receiver Bernard Berrian is worth keeping with a $7.8 million franchise tag. Otherwise, Berrian will receive a blockbuster free-agent deal elsewhere. Linebacker Brendon Ayanbadejo, who reached the Pro Bowl as a special teams player, also is among Chicago's eight UFAs. As for Chicago's needs, the Bears may seek to upgrade an aging offensive line and even consider a new running back. Cedric Benson was disappointing in his first season as a starter and hasn't proven worthy of being selected No. 4 overall in the 2005 draft.
2008 outlook: Fair. The Bears could be a division contender again if two things happen: The injured players in 2007 enjoy a successful return to health and Chicago finds talent to upgrade a lousy offense. Those are big ifs.
Read this article at:
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7808374/Packers-can-do-it-again-in-NFC-North