We're Black and Blue All Over:

It's been a while since we had a late Monday night gathering here on the blog, but I thought the news of what appears to be the end of the Minnesota Vikings' 2012 stadium bill was worth it. To summarize, I think it's time for the Vikings to play their final card in this high-stakes game: They must at least demonstrate a willingness to entertain offers to relocate. Otherwise, Minnesota politicians won't feel the urgency to act on their stadium issue.

Tuesday will be busy as well. We'll blog throughout the day, have our usual 2 p.m. ET chat and then be in place at 7 p.m. ET when the NFL announces its 2012 schedule. We'll have team-by-team analysis posted as quickly as my chubby fingers can type it out.

For now, let's take a spin around the NFC North:

• One of the chief authors of the Vikings' stadium bill said "somebody would have to pull a rabbit out of the hat" to keep the bill alive, according to Mike Kaszuba of the Star Tribune.
• Vikings spokesman Lester Bagley, via Doug Belden of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "We've done everything we've been asked. [The question for the state is:] "What else would you expect us to do?"
• The Vikings have allocated significant resources to the tight end position, notes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Detroit Lions defensive tackle Sammie Hill has not signed his restricted free agent tender but did sign an injury waiver so he could work out at the team facility Monday, according to Tim Twentyman of the Lions' web site.
• Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford knows it's not practical to expect to throw for 5,000 yards every season, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
• Stafford on his healthy offseason, via Chris McCosky of the Detroit News: "It's obviously nice not to have to put myself back together again. I am just trying to maintain and get stronger. I am happy to be feeling good and hit the ground running."
• The Chicago Bears have reinstated running back Harvey Unga to their roster, notes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com looks at tight end possibilities in the draft for the Bears.
• Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com updates the "Dancing With the Stars" performance of Green Bay Packers receiver Donald Driver.
• The Packers need another defensive lineman, writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.