NFC North links: Rodgers fine with RBs
July, 20, 2012
7/20/12
12:00
PM ET
By ESPN.com staff | ESPN.com
Chicago Bears
Defensive lineman Nate Collins has been suspended for the season opener after being found in violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The key for Chicago's defense this season? Veteran linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher must play at a Pro Bowl level again, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
Urlacher says there won't be any limitations in training camp from the knee injury he suffered in the 2011 season finale against Minnesota.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are having no luck signing rookie offensive lineman Riley Reiff, the No. 23 pick in the draft.
Running back Jahvid Best's health status remains unknown, writes Anwar S. Richardson of mlive.com.
Richardson provides Lions fans with a few events worth monitoring before training camp begins.
Sports Illustrated gives the Lions a rather average grade for their work during the offseason.
Green Bay Packers
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes that Aaron Rodgers will benefit from Drew Brees' contract -- but when?
Rodgers says the Packers' running game won't be a problem, writes Dan Hanzus of NFL.com.
The Packers are hoping that a rested B.J. Raji will help him make a bigger impact, writes Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
The Packers’ scouting and coaching staffs projected that first-round draft pick Nick Perry could make the transition from college defensive lineman to standup outside linebacker in the team's 3-4 defensive scheme. And there’s plenty riding on their call, writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Brett Favre tells the NFL Network's Deion Sanders that he's in no hurry to have his No. 4 retired by the Packers. “Why?” Favre asked. “You know what, I don’t know what the future holds. But I do know this: Whether anything ever happens ... people think I’m crazy, but I don’t need to have a day. I don’t need to have a retirement, retire your jersey, all that stuff, to solidify my career.”
Minnesota Vikings
You want honesty? Favre tells you why he returned to the Vikings for the 2010 season.
Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the Vikings are betting that rookie kicker Blair Walsh can replace Ryan Longwell.
The Vikings want to get Everson Griffen on the field more. So instead of being stuck playing behind Jared Allen and Brian Robison at defensive end, the team plans to give Griffen a serious look at linebacker throughout training camp, writes Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton apologizes for comparing NFL players in trouble with the law to veterans returning from war.
Defensive lineman Nate Collins has been suspended for the season opener after being found in violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
The key for Chicago's defense this season? Veteran linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher must play at a Pro Bowl level again, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
Urlacher says there won't be any limitations in training camp from the knee injury he suffered in the 2011 season finale against Minnesota.
Detroit Lions
The Lions are having no luck signing rookie offensive lineman Riley Reiff, the No. 23 pick in the draft.
Running back Jahvid Best's health status remains unknown, writes Anwar S. Richardson of mlive.com.
Richardson provides Lions fans with a few events worth monitoring before training camp begins.
Sports Illustrated gives the Lions a rather average grade for their work during the offseason.
Green Bay Packers
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes that Aaron Rodgers will benefit from Drew Brees' contract -- but when?
Rodgers says the Packers' running game won't be a problem, writes Dan Hanzus of NFL.com.
The Packers are hoping that a rested B.J. Raji will help him make a bigger impact, writes Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.
The Packers’ scouting and coaching staffs projected that first-round draft pick Nick Perry could make the transition from college defensive lineman to standup outside linebacker in the team's 3-4 defensive scheme. And there’s plenty riding on their call, writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Brett Favre tells the NFL Network's Deion Sanders that he's in no hurry to have his No. 4 retired by the Packers. “Why?” Favre asked. “You know what, I don’t know what the future holds. But I do know this: Whether anything ever happens ... people think I’m crazy, but I don’t need to have a day. I don’t need to have a retirement, retire your jersey, all that stuff, to solidify my career.”
Minnesota Vikings
You want honesty? Favre tells you why he returned to the Vikings for the 2010 season.
Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the Vikings are betting that rookie kicker Blair Walsh can replace Ryan Longwell.
The Vikings want to get Everson Griffen on the field more. So instead of being stuck playing behind Jared Allen and Brian Robison at defensive end, the team plans to give Griffen a serious look at linebacker throughout training camp, writes Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton apologizes for comparing NFL players in trouble with the law to veterans returning from war.
NFC NORTH SCOREBOARD
Sunday, 9/8
1:00 PM ET Cincinnati Chicago 1:00 PM ET Minnesota Detroit 4:25 PM ET Green Bay San Francisco
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Kevin Seifert
Seifert joined ESPN.com in 2008 after covering the Minnesota Vikings for the Minneapolis Star Tribune for eight years. He lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and children.
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