2015 NFC North

[pbmax]

I think this blurb says it all.

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk 17m17 minutes ago
Lions president says they’re “looking for greatness,” though “back-to-back winning seasons” would be a start http://wp.me/p14QSB-9QbA

[smuggler]

Magical... Incoming 7-9 campaign.

[Cheesehead Craig]

I'm going with the Pack winning the division but with MN right on their heels. MN will make the playoffs. Detroit has a 6 win season and Chi wins 4.

[Pugger]

MN will nip at our heels unless Teddy has a sophomore swoon and AP shows his age.

[Fritz]

I'm going with the Pack winning the division but with MN right on their heels. MN will make the playoffs. Detroit has a 6 win season and Chi wins 4.

I'm seeing the Leos at 9-7.

Bears at 4-12.


Vikies at 10-6 or 11-5.

[pbmax]

Throw Back Ted.

http://www.espnwisconsin.com/upload/Ted-Oilers.jpg

Roster Never Sleeps: http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=40&post_id=55261&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Ted's pad level is terrible. Boyce Green is going to win that one.

[mraynrand]

Throw Back Ted....
Ted's pad level is terrible. Boyce Green is going to win that one.

http://cdn.meme.am/instances2/500x/1734036.jpg

[King Friday]

As long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the race for the division will be over soon after Thanksgiving...after their 4 week stretch against NFCN foes.

We know the Bears aren't going anywhere with Jay Cutler. I'm actually higher on the Bears this year than most...because I think Cutler does better when people aren't expecting much out of him. They also get the easiest schedule for a change. However, the Bears aren't getting much more than 8 wins even in the best case scenario, so they aren't a true contender for the division.

The Lions might actually have the toughest schedule in the NFCN. Their non-common opponents are Philly (in DET) and the Saints (in the Superdome), which are both games the Lions may lose. They also have the Rams, Chargers and Chiefs on the road...which are teams roughly equal to Detroit in relative strength, so having to play all of those on the road is going to hurt. They have a killer first month...@SD, @MIN, DEN, @SEA...so they are likely 1-3 out of the gate at best even if they aren't playing poorly. If they don't make a quick turnaround in October, it will be a long season for them.

The Vikings are who everyone is pointing to. I agree they have the best roster on paper to challenge Green Bay. However, I'm not sold on their OL or secondary as being playoff caliber, and both of those areas greatly hinder the ability of a young QB to take the next big step forward. You need the kid to have time to throw...and not have to play in a lot of shootouts. I don't see Bridgewater regressing...but I also don't see him taking a dramatic step forward either. Will he be able to take advantage of having a capable run game to throw more TDs? So much of the Vikings success rests on AP...and the Vikings schedule is roughest down the stretch after Thanksgiving, when AP is likely to start feeling the effects of age and all the time off more readily. They have @ATL, SEA, @ARI, CHI, NYG, @GB for their last 6. If they don't get off to a hot start, they will have a tough time overcoming any deficit in the standings.

If I had to pick one win number for each:

CHI 7
DET 5
MIN 9

Green Bay wins 11 if Rodgers plays all 16 games and we avoid a rash of injuries.

[mraynrand]

Like this quote from Ted, after getting cut:

“So (Campbell) gave me the speech, and then the defensive coordinator came in and gave me a speech, and the linebacker coach, and everybody else came in,” Thompson continued. “And by the time they got through talking to me, not only was I surprised I got cut, I'm surprised I didn't get a raise, because everybody was saying what a great guy I was and all that.”

[pbmax]

I fear Adam Gase will be able to create an offense in Chicago. It won't be enough with that defense, but still, these things should be discouraged.

[Fritz]

As long as Aaron Rodgers is healthy, the race for the division will be over soon after Thanksgiving...after their 4 week stretch against NFCN foes.

We know the Bears aren't going anywhere with Jay Cutler. I'm actually higher on the Bears this year than most...because I think Cutler does better when people aren't expecting much out of him. They also get the easiest schedule for a change. However, the Bears aren't getting much more than 8 wins even in the best case scenario, so they aren't a true contender for the division.

The Lions might actually have the toughest schedule in the NFCN. Their non-common opponents are Philly (in DET) and the Saints (in the Superdome), which are both games the Lions may lose. They also have the Rams, Chargers and Chiefs on the road...which are teams roughly equal to Detroit in relative strength, so having to play all of those on the road is going to hurt. They have a killer first month...@SD, @MIN, DEN, @SEA...so they are likely 1-3 out of the gate at best even if they aren't playing poorly. If they don't make a quick turnaround in October, it will be a long season for them.

The Vikings are who everyone is pointing to. I agree they have the best roster on paper to challenge Green Bay. However, I'm not sold on their OL or secondary as being playoff caliber, and both of those areas greatly hinder the ability of a young QB to take the next big step forward. You need the kid to have time to throw...and not have to play in a lot of shootouts. I don't see Bridgewater regressing...but I also don't see him taking a dramatic step forward either. Will he be able to take advantage of having a capable run game to throw more TDs? So much of the Vikings success rests on AP...and the Vikings schedule is roughest down the stretch after Thanksgiving, when AP is likely to start feeling the effects of age and all the time off more readily. They have @ATL, SEA, @ARI, CHI, NYG, @GB for their last 6. If they don't get off to a hot start, they will have a tough time overcoming any deficit in the standings.

If I had to pick one win number for each:

CHI 7
DET 5
MIN 9

Green Bay wins 11 if Rodgers plays all 16 games and we avoid a rash of injuries.



I'm not sure of the timing, but the Lions did something this past week I found interesting. They put their third-round cornerback pick, Alex Carter, on the IR-Designated to Return list, using that designation up right away.

Now, either earlier than this, or just after (I am not sure), their best defensive player, DeAndre Levy, suffered a hip injury. Most reports have him out at least two or three weeks, though some say the injury is more serious.

I'm not sure if the team simply decided Levy's injury would heal and they didn't want to keep him out half the season, so they designated their rookie corner, or if maybe they jumped the gun and wish they'd used it on Levy.

Either way, Levy's absence will hurt this team's defense pretty badly. That dude can play.

[mraynrand]

Tulloch last year, Levy this year. What a disaster for the Lions. Their whole middle is weak.

[pbmax]

Tulloch last year, Levy this year. What a disaster for the Lions. Their whole middle is weak.

They looked slightly frightening in preseason, do you think they truly are defanged?

[mraynrand]

They looked slightly frightening in preseason, do you think they truly are defanged?

I dunno, my sample size was very small. Not the whole team certainly, Up the gut, it depends on what Ngata has left. I thought he was in serious slide last year, but these guys can stick around, if the coaches use them right (e.g. Pickett).

[pbmax]

Bill Barnwell ‏@billbarnwell 1h1 hour ago
Second starting Vikings OL to go down with a serious injury. Bandwagon pulled over to the side of the road.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Vikings' C John Sullivan underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy Weds and has been placed on IR designated to return. Out until at least week 9.

[pbmax]

I dunno, my sample size was very small. Not the whole team certainly, Up the gut, it depends on what Ngata has left. I thought he was in serious slide last year, but these guys can stick around, if the coaches use them right (e.g. Pickett).

Losing Levy has to hurt. I just saw part of one of their pre-season games and they looked gangbusters even without Suh. But I am pretty sure Levy was still in there.

[Fritz]

That guy is the heart of the defense. He may not rush the passer too well, but he is absolutely disruptive. He'll blow up your running play in the backfield, tackle surely and ferociously, and the dude can cover a tight end or running back as well as any linebacker I've seen.

[mraynrand]

That guy is the heart of the defense. He may not rush the passer too well, but he is absolutely disruptive. He'll blow up your running play in the backfield, tackle surely and ferociously, and the dude can cover a tight end or running back as well as any linebacker I've seen.

QFT

[smuggler]

How long is Levy supposed to miss?

[pbmax]

I haven't seen it detailed. So far they've said he's not likely for this week but DOES NOT NEED SURGERY. I guess that makes him week to week.

[Rastak]

Bill Barnwell ‏@billbarnwell 1h1 hour ago
Second starting Vikings OL to go down with a serious injury. Bandwagon pulled over to the side of the road.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Vikings' C John Sullivan underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy Weds and has been placed on IR designated to return. Out until at least week 9.

THAT stung like a switch to the nuts. Almost Jordy like.

[Guiness]

I've seen a few articles calling for the Lions to finish second in the division, with a 9-7 or 10-6 record. I'm really not seeing it.

Calvin Johnson is a year older and having trouble staying healthy. I don't think Golden Tate will repeat what he did last year. The Oline is pretty shaky, pretty much the same crew that allowed 45 sacks last year.

On the other side of the ball, the Lions had a great D last year, but lost Mosley, Fairley, George Johnson and of course, Suh. Baltimore was willing to let Ngata go for a reason, he won't fill Suh's shoes. They had no corners last year, and have none again this year.

I'm not sure why they are being picked to do well.

[hoosier]

That guy is the heart of the defense. He may not rush the passer too well, but he is absolutely disruptive. He'll blow up your running play in the backfield, tackle surely and ferociously, and the dude can cover a tight end or running back as well as any linebacker I've seen.

He also has a really big beard.

[mraynrand]

THAT stung like a switch to the nuts. Almost Jordy like.

Thank you sir may I have another?

http://www.nerdlikeyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/casino-royale-torture-daniel-craig-e1374635295613.png

[MadScientist]

Bill Barnwell ‏@billbarnwell 1h1 hour ago
Second starting Vikings OL to go down with a serious injury. Bandwagon pulled over to the side of the road.

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter
Vikings' C John Sullivan underwent a lumbar microdiscectomy Weds and has been placed on IR designated to return. Out until at least week 9.


THAT stung like a switch to the nuts. Almost Jordy like.

Yea, but he can come back after half a season, so it's only a switch to the left nut.

[mraynrand]

He also has a really big beard.

Houston, we have a problem

http://jlcauvin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/james-harden-houston-rockets-2.jpg
http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/d763c15bd4969f2a0438e4bb16c0a09afffded4b/c=334-0-4316-2994&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/08/06/DetroitFreePress/DetroitFreePress/635744164884910504-AP-Lions-Camp-Football-OTKPS.jpg

[mraynrand]

He also has a really big beard.

So they were literally and figuratively bearding the lion when they told him he couldn't play Sunday?

[mraynrand]

Yea, but he can come back after half a season, so it's only a switch to the left nut.

http://welcometoladyville.com/wtlv/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/peter-gallagher.jpe

[pbmax]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 5m5 minutes ago
Lions fired OC Joe Lombardi, OL coach Jeremiah Washburn, asst OL coach Terry Heffernan, as @caplannfl and @jkatzenstein reported.

[mraynrand]

Adam Schefter ‏@AdamSchefter 5m5 minutes ago
Lions fired OC Joe Lombardi, OL coach Jeremiah Washburn, asst OL coach Terry Heffernan, as @caplannfl and @jkatzenstein reported.

Time to bring in Joe Philbin! Or Al Golden! Mike Sherman!

[mraynrand]

http://www.blackenterprise.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2014/01/bilde-300x268.jpghttp://images.rapgenius.com/d372b04073fbb018ba3c9a33de2694ac.500x375x1.jpg

[pbmax]

Time to bring in Joe Philbin! Or Al Golden! Mike Sherman!

Even better!

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/02/07/report-lions-hiring-jim-bob-cooter-as-qb-coach-despite-arrests/

Jim Bob Cooter!


Cooter was arrested in 2006 for DUI, but he was arrested again for a more serious – and bizarre – offense in 2009. According to WVLT in Knoxville, Tenn., Cooter was charged with aggravated burglary after allegedly getting into bed with a woman after climbing into the window of her apartment and stripping down to his underwear. The woman called the police, who arrested Cooter, and he was released on a $10,000 bond the next day.

[mraynrand]

Not too serious. ^^^ But what everyone wants to know is did he poop in a laundry basket?

[smuggler]

Is Sullivan's career in jeopardy? Sure sounds like it if they took out one of his spinal column disks...

[Freak Out]

Detoilet is reaching Cleveland sad status....

[run pMc]

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/02/07/report-lions-hiring-jim-bob-cooter-as-qb-coach-despite-arrests/

I like this part, totally out of context, but still:


According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning had a close relationship with Cooter

I can't wait for Buck and Aikman to refer to him as Coach Cooter on TV.

[Rastak]

Is Sullivan's career in jeopardy? Sure sounds like it if they took out one of his spinal column disks...


Yea, it's possible. I guess I know now why they traded a competent linebacker for an undrafted rookie. Although there are two points to be made. Replacement Joe Berger has been playing very well and according to one report, although LB Gerald Hodges was pretty quick and making some plays, he made too many mistakes and Zimmer wanted him out.

[Rastak]

Detoilet is reaching Cleveland sad status....



Through quarters 2 & 3 sunday they had as many yards as the Vikings had sacks. 7.

[Fritz]

Detoilet is reaching Cleveland sad status....

Good news about Detroit - if you're a Packer fan. The team president, Tom Lewan, goes back almost 20 years with the Lions. I heard a Detroit reporter say yesterday that he is "like a son" to the Fords.

This would appear to mean that the guy who brought you Matt Millen and Martin Mayhew will still be around to throw Caldwell under the bus after the season in order to keep his job. And if Mayhew can ingratiate himself in the same way, the Lions will be the Lions for years to come.

[Pugger]

Good news about Detroit - if you're a Packer fan. The team president, Tom Lewan, goes back almost 20 years with the Lions. I heard a Detroit reporter say yesterday that he is "like a son" to the Fords.

This would appear to mean that the guy who brought you Matt Millen and Martin Mayhew will still be around to throw Caldwell under the bus after the season in order to keep his job. And if Mayhew can ingratiate himself in the same way, the Lions will be the Lions for years to come.

We can only hope. ;-)

[mraynrand]

Good news about Detroit - if you're a Packer fan. The team president, Tom Lewan, goes back almost 20 years with the Lions. I heard a Detroit reporter say yesterday that he is "like a son" to the Fords.

This would appear to mean that the guy who brought you Matt Millen and Martin Mayhew will still be around to throw Caldwell under the bus after the season in order to keep his job. And if Mayhew can ingratiate himself in the same way, the Lions will be the Lions for years to come.

It's still easier to blame Stafford.

[mraynrand]

Through quarters 2 & 3 sunday they had as many yards as the Vikings had sacks. 7.

They could bring Kitna back for another episode of Jailbreak.

http://cdn.sportsoverdose.com/thumbs/jon-kitna-3-nfl.jpg

[smuggler]

Is Mayhew really that bad? I don't think so... Not at player acquisition.

Coaching has been a problem for Detroit, for sure. But, I think the president and (perhaps) ownership have just as much influence on HC as the GM in a lot of places.

[Fritz]

Is Mayhew really that bad? I don't think so... Not at player acquisition.

Coaching has been a problem for Detroit, for sure. But, I think the president and (perhaps) ownership have just as much influence on HC as the GM in a lot of places.


Here's his draft history.




PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2015 1 28 Laken Tomlinson G 2015 0 0 0 7 Duke
2015 2 54 Ameer Abdullah RB 2015 0 0 0 7 62 222 1 13 113 1 Nebraska
2015 3 80 Alex Carter CB 0 0 0 Stanford
2015 4 113 Gabe Wright DT 2015 0 0 0 6 Auburn
2015 5 168 Michael Burton FB 2015 0 0 0 7 3 2 0 2 9 0 Rutgers
2015 6 200 Quandre Diggs CB 2015 0 0 0 7 Texas
2015 7 240 Corey Robinson T 2015 0 0 0 1 South Carolina
Misc Passing Rushing Receiving

Year Rnd Pick Pos To AP1 PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2014 1 10 Eric Ebron TE 2015 0 0 0 2 18 45 516 4 North Carolina
2014 2 40 Kyle Van Noy LB 2015 0 0 0 1 14 1.0 BYU
2014 3 76 Travis Swanson C 2015 0 0 0 3 23 Arkansas
2014 4 133 Nevin Lawson DB 2015 0 0 0 0 7 Utah St.
2014 4 136 Larry Webster DE 2014 0 0 0 0 0 Bloomsburg
2014 5 158 Caraun Reid DT 2015 0 0 0 1 17 1.0 Princeton
2014 6 189 T.J. Jones WR 2015 0 0 0 0 5 1 -3 0 1 11 0 Notre Dame
2014 7 229 Nate Freese K 2014 0 0 0 -1 3 Boston Col.
Misc Passing Rushing Receiving

Year Rnd Pick Pos To AP1 PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2013 1 5 Ezekiel Ansah DE 2015 0 0 0 15 37 21.5 BYU
2013 2 36 Darius Slay DB 2015 0 0 1 8 36 3 Mississippi St.
2013 3 65 Larry Warford G 2015 0 0 2 14 33 Kentucky
2013 4 132 Devin Taylor DE 2015 0 0 0 4 36 5.0 South Carolina
2013 5 165 Sam Martin P 2015 0 0 0 6 39 2 2 27 0 0 2 3 0 Appalachian St.
2013 6 171 Corey Fuller WR 2015 0 0 0 2 22 17 273 1 Virginia Tech
2013 6 199 Theo Riddick RB 2015 0 0 0 3 35 41 122 1 74 660 6 Notre Dame
2013 7 211 Michael Williams TE 2015 0 0 0 0 6 2 19 0 Alabama
2013 7 245 Brandon Hepburn LB 2014 0 0 0 0 0 Florida A&M
Misc Passing Rushing Receiving

Year Rnd Pick Pos To AP1 PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2012 1 23 Riley Reiff T 2015 0 0 3 18 54 Iowa
2012 2 54 Ryan Broyles WR 2014 0 0 0 3 21 32 420 2 Oklahoma
2012 3 85 Bill Bentley DB 2014 0 0 0 3 18
2012 4 125 Ronnell Lewis LB 2012 0 0 0 0 8 Oklahoma
2012 5 138 Tahir Whitehead LB 2015 0 0 1 10 53 2 Temple
2012 5 148 Chris Greenwood DB 2012 0 0 0 0 Albion
2012 6 196 Jonte Green DB 2013 0 0 0 4 24 1 1.0 New Mexico St.
2012 7 223 Travis Lewis LB 2015 0 0 0 2 34 1.0 Oklahoma
Misc Passing Rushing Receiving

Year Rnd Pick Pos To AP1 PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2011 1 13 Nick Fairley DT 2015 0 0 2 16 52 14.0 Auburn
2011 2 44 Titus Young WR 2012 0 0 2 8 26 4 31 0 81 990 10 Boise St.
2011 2 57 Mikel Leshoure RB 2013 0 0 1 5 17 217 807 9 34 214 0 Illinois
2011 5 157 Doug Hogue LB 2011 0 0 0 1 13 Syracuse
2011 7 209 Johnny Culbreath OL 2011 0 0 0 0 0 South Carolina St.
Misc Passing Rushing Receiving

Year Rnd Pick Pos To AP1 PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2010 1 2 Ndamukong Suh DT 2015 3 4 5 60 84 1 38.0 Nebraska
2010 1 30 Jahvid Best RB 2012 0 0 1 13 22 0 1 0 0 0 255 945 6 85 774 3 California
2010 3 66 Amari Spievey DB 2012 0 0 2 12 35 5 1.0 Iowa
2010 4 128 Jason Fox T 2015 0 0 0 4 27 Miami (FL)
2010 7 213 Willie Young DE 2015 0 0 0 13 68 17.0 North Carolina St.
2010 7 255 Tim Toone WR 2012 0 0 0 0 0 Weber St.
Misc Passing Rushing Receiving

Year Rnd Pick Pos To AP1 PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2009 1 1 Matthew Stafford QB 2015 0 1 5 54 84 2019 3362 23580 143 94 175 547 11 2 -3 0 Georgia
2009 1 20 Brandon Pettigrew TE 2015 0 0 6 21 87 297 2927 16 Oklahoma St.
2009 2 33 Louis Delmas DB 2014 0 0 6 26 78 7 6.0 West. Michigan
2009 3 76 DeAndre Levy LB 2015 0 0 6 43 90 12 3.5 Wisconsin
2009 3 82 Derrick Williams WR 2010 0 0 0 0 18 1 4 0 9 82 0 Penn St.
2009 4 115 Sammie Lee Hill DT 2014 0 0 3 20 87 7.0 Stillman
2009 6 192 Aaron Brown RB 2011 0 0 0 2 22 45 189 0 18 138 1 TCU
2009 7 228 Lydon Murtha T 2011 0 0 0 2 9 Nebraska
2009 7 235 Zack Follett LB 2010 0 0 0 2 17 California
2009 7 255 Dan Gronkowski TE 2010 0 0 0 1 14 9 69 0 Maryland
Misc Passing Rushing Receiving

Year Rnd Pick Pos To AP1 PB St CarAV G Cmp Att Yds TD Int Att Yds TD Rec Yds TD Int Sk College/Univ
2008 1 17 Gosder Cherilus T 2015 0 0 7 44 110 Boston Col.
2008 2 45 Jordon Dizon LB 2009 0 0 0 2 28 1.0 Colorado
2008 3 64 Kevin Smith RB 2012 0 0 2 19 54 598 2346 17 123 1082 5 Central Florida
2008 3 87 Andre Fluellen DT 2015 0 0 0 6 75 4.5 Florida St.
2008 3 92 Cliff Avril LB 2015 0 0 5 36 111 1 56.0 Purdue
2008 5 136 Kenny Moore WR 2010 0 0 0 1 14 6 59 0 Wake Forest
2008 5 146 Jerome Felton FB 2015 0 1 2 2 94 44 155 0 39 312 0 Furman
2008 7 216 Landon Cohen DT 2014 0 0 0 2 21 Ohio
2008 7 218 Caleb Campbell DB 2011 0 0 0 0 2 Army

[smuggler]

They got stung a bit with injuries (Jahvid Best, Ryan Broyles) and a flat out player with the mind of a child (Titus Young). Still, it could definitely be worse.

2013: Ansah/Slay/Warford is the kind of draft that turns teams into contenders. But, somehow, they can't do anything with it.