Around The NFC North: Bears and Vikings Are Quiet While The Lions Are Busy

by Brandon on Mar 10, 2010 7:00 AM CST in Green Bay Packers Free Agency

Well the Vikings did sign a kickoff specialist. UPDATE: RB LaDainian Tomlinson is scheduled on Thursday to visit the Vikings. Obviously he's not a feature back anymore, but he would replace departed RB Chester Taylor. While Tomlinson used to be a great receiver, he fell off a cliff last season and only recorded 20 receptions. He was the worst receiving RB according to Football Outsiders. Taylor did most of his damage as a receiver, so signing Tomlinson doesn't seem a good fit.

The Bears haven't made a signing in days! It appears that their No. 1 remaining priority is to find help at safety. Bears S Kevin Payne is very excited about his team's moves so far. And Panthers S Chris Harris thinks DE Julius Peppers is a great addition to their defense.

Meanwhile the Lions keep signing and trading for players this week. I noted last week that they had a dire need at cornerback, but instead of trading for CB Antonio Cromartie, they signed CB Jonathan Wade and traded for CB Chris Houston. Sean at Pride of Detroit likes the moves, but Rams fans are not sorry to see Wade go, and one Falcon fan described Houston as "uber weak in pass coverage."

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CB

leah bodden enough said

by Brights on Mar 10, 2010 8:44 AM CST reply actions

tomlinson

looks like he will be visiting the vikes tomorrow, maybe to replace chester taylor….stay tuned..

by hermitcrab on Mar 10, 2010 8:47 AM CST reply actions

I hope they blow a bunch of money on him

2010 WhiteSox Baseball: "even if it works it's still stupid"

by OznCoop on Mar 10, 2010 8:56 AM CST up reply actions

I thought since MN reached the NFC Championship they are only allowed to sign one Free Agent

Can someone please clarify that with me. Thanks!

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Mar 10, 2010 9:28 AM CST reply actions

Actually they can sign two

They can sign one FA for every one they lost. This doesn’t include guys who were cut from their team. Thus, LT wouldn’t count toward that FA count. So far the Vikes have lost Taylor and Artie Hicks.

They also need to sign those new FA’s at about the same price as the guys they lost were signed.

by PackApologist on Mar 10, 2010 9:42 AM CST up reply actions

I don’t know how effective the Lions two moves at Cb will be. Seems like it’s the same kind of approach they took last year, in aqcuiring Anthony Henry and Philip Buchanon. Only I think that duo had more potential then Houston and Wade do, so I don’t think it’s going to turn out great for them. They could have a really, really good pass rush though if they decide to go with Suh or McCoy so that will help the secondary out.

I think it’d be a mistake for the Vikings to sign LT. He just doesn’t have much left, if anything, and I still just don’t understand not putting what is probably the most explosive player in football out there as many downs as you can. He improved last season as a target out of the back field and in picking up the blitzes. One would have to think going into his 4th season he would finally be good enough to be out there on 3rd downs right? Obviously not if their considering LT, and by all means I hope they sign him. Anything that will keep AP off the field a little more.

by packallday555 on Mar 10, 2010 10:04 AM CST reply actions

Mixed Bag

I’ve heard some Detroit fans say that the problem in their secondary had a lot to do with lack of confidence in the ability of their guys up front (having to bring them up, which left them vulnerable to good QBs, which the NFC north is in no shortage of), which they hope will have been shored up with the signing of Vanden Bosch and hopefully the ability to draft Suh.

For my money, the team that’s not going to do so favorably this next season is going to be The Bears. The very fact that Lovie Smith decided to recruit his good friends Martz and Marinelli (whom the Lions fans don’t miss one bit, I’m sure) to the coaching staff is probably the best indicator. In fact, I’m not even so sure that the beleagured Chicago O-Line (doesn’t even look like they’re doing anything huge to address this) is going to be too successful in allowing Cutler to execute the kind of strategy Martz is going to want.

Not that I’m saying the Lions will have a miracle winning season, but I do expect them to have a better one and it might be at the expense of the Bears this year.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Mar 10, 2010 6:53 PM CST up reply actions