The Gopher
07-30-2005, 12:15 AM
This year, the NFC North looks to be one of the league's most competitive division. All 4 teams definately have advantages over the other in different areas, and all 4 could easily be crowned division winner. This article will highlight the different sections of each team that makes them a contender.
http://img72.echo.cx/img72/2434/bears10qz.png
The Chicago Bears:
The Bears can win the Division because of what I like to call, The Urlacher factor. The Bears were a 5-4 Team in the Games that Urlacher played. And in the Games that he didn't play, they did not have a single win, going 0-7. If Urlacher stays healthy The Bears have a legit shot at claiming the NFC North. Not to mention the emergance of Hunter Hillenmeyer, the Bears have by far the best LB corps in the NFC North. The Bears on offense have a great Duo of RB's, Cedric Benson is IMO going to be the Best back to come out of this years college class. The Bears drafted themselves a future Pro Bowler in Cedric Benson, and a guy who could easily grab the ROY honors. Thomas Jones is going to be sharing the carries this year, and those two together could be a dominant rushing offense. The Rushing game will definately help Grossman get his act together, and find Mushin Muhamed in the end-zone for a few scores this year. Don't expect anything groundbreaking from The Bears passing wise, but i think they can have an effective game just by controlling the clock and playing solid defense.
http://img72.echo.cx/img72/2273/lions19vr.png
The Detroit Lions:
Can you say Weapons? Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams. What a Trio of First round picks for Joey Harrington. It is definately Joey Harrington's last chance to produce, as he has no excuses about talent around him. The Lions have a great running game in second year player Kevin Jones, he is definately good for 90 - 100 yards per game and should help the lions keep a balanced attack. The Lions defense is definately the downfall of the team. While they have a solid group, it is nothing spectacular, and only good for the 3rd best Defense in the Divison. (behind the Bears and Vikings). Dre Bly is an excellent cover corner, and has been victemizing NFC North QB's for the last couple of years. The Lions definately have all the weapons to put together a contender, but it will definatley be a question of leadership and chemistry to see if the Lions can succeed this year.
http://img72.echo.cx/img72/9831/packers17li.png
The Green Bay Packers:
How do you argue with a team that has held the title of NFC North for the entirety that it has been called the NFC North? Even with all the off field distractions they still have the game changing QB Brett Favre. He may not be the QB he used to be (don't let the stats fool you), he is still a great QB that can run an offense very well. Ahman Green is a great Runningback, and should definately keep the pressure off of Brett. Najeh Davenport is a great change of pace back who will definately help out the Running game. The Packers defense barely can be considered a defense. It continues to decline in talent, and the Green bay packers only hope is that new defensive coordinator can miraculously turn trash into treasure. Despite the downfalls, Green bay is definately a contender, and as long as Green Bay has #4, Green bay will remain the favorite in the NFC North.
http://img127.echo.cx/img127/2909/vikings5sg.png
The Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings have made headlines from the beggining to the end of this active offseason. It began with a blockbuster trade, which sent Randy Moss to oaktown for for Napolean Harris, the #7 overall pick, and a 7th round pick. The Vikings upgraded there defense drastically, and made moves on the Defensive Line, Adding monster NT Pat Williams, who should free up the 3 First round picks on the Vikings D-line. In the Secondary adding Smoot and Sharper, which should really shut down opponents passing games, as both are definate upgrades over there predecessors. The Vikings Rushing attack should be better than ever in 2005 due to the return of RT Mike Rosenthal, and TE Jim KLiensasser (whom is often considered the NFL's best blocking TE). Bennett looks to be the presseason favorite to gain the starting role at RB, and should showcase the talent that made him a probowler in 2001. The Vikings are a contender becuase they have upgraded there defense, and they still have plenty of options on the offensive side of the ball, both in the passing and rushing departments.
[BREAK]
Position Rankings:
QB's -- Vikings, Packers, Lions, Bears
The Vikings get the slight edge over the packers after Daunte's career year. There is no question about favre's career greatness, but his decision making skills have diminished, and he is throwing interceptions in key situations, and hit has hurt the packers.
RB's -- Packers, Vikings, Lions, Bears
All Of these teams have excellent rushing attacks. The Packers have the most proven of the 4 teams, and therefore get the top ranking.
WR's -- Lions, Packers, Vikings, Bears
Lions Trio of First rounders net the top spot, and the Vikings definately slide down to 3rd after the departure of moss, and the uncertainty of the position.
TE's -- Vikings, Packers, Lions, Bears
The Vikings Duo of TE's is the Best in the NFL IMO (in terms of a duo) Bubba Franks is an excellent end zone threat, but the packers are just a notch below Minnesota.
O-Line -- Bears, Packers, Vikings, Lions
Bears have an excellent line, that has been together for years, the Packers O-line is also very good but the losses on there o-line create too many questions to be ranked #1
D-Line -- Vikings, Bears, Lions, Packers
The Vikings sport a line that contains 3 First rounders, and an Amazing Run stuffing NT, this group is by far the best in the divison.
LB's -- Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings
The Bears definately have the Best set of LB's in this division with Urlacher and the rising star hillenmeyer
DB's -- Vikings, LIons, Bears, Packers
The Vikings and Lions DB's are definately the tops in the division, and are a step above the Bears and packers.
Special Teams -- Lions, Packers, Bears Vikings
The Lions Special Teams anchored by the kicker hanson and kick returner Drummond is the best in the division
http://img72.echo.cx/img72/2434/bears10qz.png
The Chicago Bears:
The Bears can win the Division because of what I like to call, The Urlacher factor. The Bears were a 5-4 Team in the Games that Urlacher played. And in the Games that he didn't play, they did not have a single win, going 0-7. If Urlacher stays healthy The Bears have a legit shot at claiming the NFC North. Not to mention the emergance of Hunter Hillenmeyer, the Bears have by far the best LB corps in the NFC North. The Bears on offense have a great Duo of RB's, Cedric Benson is IMO going to be the Best back to come out of this years college class. The Bears drafted themselves a future Pro Bowler in Cedric Benson, and a guy who could easily grab the ROY honors. Thomas Jones is going to be sharing the carries this year, and those two together could be a dominant rushing offense. The Rushing game will definately help Grossman get his act together, and find Mushin Muhamed in the end-zone for a few scores this year. Don't expect anything groundbreaking from The Bears passing wise, but i think they can have an effective game just by controlling the clock and playing solid defense.
http://img72.echo.cx/img72/2273/lions19vr.png
The Detroit Lions:
Can you say Weapons? Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams. What a Trio of First round picks for Joey Harrington. It is definately Joey Harrington's last chance to produce, as he has no excuses about talent around him. The Lions have a great running game in second year player Kevin Jones, he is definately good for 90 - 100 yards per game and should help the lions keep a balanced attack. The Lions defense is definately the downfall of the team. While they have a solid group, it is nothing spectacular, and only good for the 3rd best Defense in the Divison. (behind the Bears and Vikings). Dre Bly is an excellent cover corner, and has been victemizing NFC North QB's for the last couple of years. The Lions definately have all the weapons to put together a contender, but it will definatley be a question of leadership and chemistry to see if the Lions can succeed this year.
http://img72.echo.cx/img72/9831/packers17li.png
The Green Bay Packers:
How do you argue with a team that has held the title of NFC North for the entirety that it has been called the NFC North? Even with all the off field distractions they still have the game changing QB Brett Favre. He may not be the QB he used to be (don't let the stats fool you), he is still a great QB that can run an offense very well. Ahman Green is a great Runningback, and should definately keep the pressure off of Brett. Najeh Davenport is a great change of pace back who will definately help out the Running game. The Packers defense barely can be considered a defense. It continues to decline in talent, and the Green bay packers only hope is that new defensive coordinator can miraculously turn trash into treasure. Despite the downfalls, Green bay is definately a contender, and as long as Green Bay has #4, Green bay will remain the favorite in the NFC North.
http://img127.echo.cx/img127/2909/vikings5sg.png
The Minnesota Vikings:
The Vikings have made headlines from the beggining to the end of this active offseason. It began with a blockbuster trade, which sent Randy Moss to oaktown for for Napolean Harris, the #7 overall pick, and a 7th round pick. The Vikings upgraded there defense drastically, and made moves on the Defensive Line, Adding monster NT Pat Williams, who should free up the 3 First round picks on the Vikings D-line. In the Secondary adding Smoot and Sharper, which should really shut down opponents passing games, as both are definate upgrades over there predecessors. The Vikings Rushing attack should be better than ever in 2005 due to the return of RT Mike Rosenthal, and TE Jim KLiensasser (whom is often considered the NFL's best blocking TE). Bennett looks to be the presseason favorite to gain the starting role at RB, and should showcase the talent that made him a probowler in 2001. The Vikings are a contender becuase they have upgraded there defense, and they still have plenty of options on the offensive side of the ball, both in the passing and rushing departments.
[BREAK]
Position Rankings:
QB's -- Vikings, Packers, Lions, Bears
The Vikings get the slight edge over the packers after Daunte's career year. There is no question about favre's career greatness, but his decision making skills have diminished, and he is throwing interceptions in key situations, and hit has hurt the packers.
RB's -- Packers, Vikings, Lions, Bears
All Of these teams have excellent rushing attacks. The Packers have the most proven of the 4 teams, and therefore get the top ranking.
WR's -- Lions, Packers, Vikings, Bears
Lions Trio of First rounders net the top spot, and the Vikings definately slide down to 3rd after the departure of moss, and the uncertainty of the position.
TE's -- Vikings, Packers, Lions, Bears
The Vikings Duo of TE's is the Best in the NFL IMO (in terms of a duo) Bubba Franks is an excellent end zone threat, but the packers are just a notch below Minnesota.
O-Line -- Bears, Packers, Vikings, Lions
Bears have an excellent line, that has been together for years, the Packers O-line is also very good but the losses on there o-line create too many questions to be ranked #1
D-Line -- Vikings, Bears, Lions, Packers
The Vikings sport a line that contains 3 First rounders, and an Amazing Run stuffing NT, this group is by far the best in the divison.
LB's -- Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings
The Bears definately have the Best set of LB's in this division with Urlacher and the rising star hillenmeyer
DB's -- Vikings, LIons, Bears, Packers
The Vikings and Lions DB's are definately the tops in the division, and are a step above the Bears and packers.
Special Teams -- Lions, Packers, Bears Vikings
The Lions Special Teams anchored by the kicker hanson and kick returner Drummond is the best in the division