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AFC South colleague Paul Kuharsky has developed a very 2011 ranking to help us get through the lockout. The Twindex reviews and evaluates what players and others who work for NFL teams are tweeting, ranking them in a fluid top 10 of NFL tweeters.

Our own Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers checked in at No. 2 on Kuharsky's debut list, no doubt buoyed by his use of Twitter to promote "The Belt." Rodgers appeared enthused by the idea and on Thursday tweeted this message to San Diego Chargers linebacker Shaun Phillips, who holds the top spot:

Rodgers is the only NFC North player to crack the list, but I'll do my best to lobby Kukarsky's usually impenetrable mindset for others. Feel free to send your suggestions either to him or me. For those interested, below is a list of verified accounts for NFC North players (and one coach) that I follow. Other prominent players have what appear to be legitimate accounts, but they aren't verified. So for now we'll just play it safe.

Chicago Bears

• Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi: @GabeCarimi
• Quarterback Jay Cutler: @JayCutler6
• Tailback Matt Forte: @MattForte22
• Place-kicker Robbie Gould: @RobbieGould09
• Quarterback Caleb Hanie: @CalebHanie12
• Safety Chris Harris: @ChrisHarrisNFL
• Receiver Devin Hester: @D_Hest23
• Receiver Johnny Knox: @Jknox13
• Tight end Greg Olsen: @gregolsen82
• Safety Major Wright: @LilMade21

Detroit Lions

• Defensive end Cliff Avril: @cliffavril
• Running back Jahvid Best: @J4hvidbest
• Receiver Nate Burleson: @Nate13Burleson
• Defensive tackle Nick Fairley: @Nick_Fairley251
• Receiver Calvin Johnson: @Bigplaycj
• Coach Jim Schwartz: @Jschwartzlions
• Quarterback Matthew Stafford: @Staff_9
• Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh: @ndamukong_suh

Green Bay Packers

• Linebacker Nick Barnett: @NickBarnett
• Safety Atari Bigby: @20ataribigby
• Linebacker Desmond Bishop: @Desbishop55
• Offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga: @BBulaga
• Tight end Jermichael Finley: @Jermichaelf88
• Running back Ryan Grant:@RyanGrant25
• Linebacker A.J. Hawk: @OfficialAJHawk
• Receiver Greg Jennings: @GregJennings
• Linebacker Clay Matthews: @ClayMatthews52
• Defensive end Mike Neal: @mneal96
• Quarterback Aaron Rodgers: @aaronrodgers12
• Cornerback Sam Shields: @stickyshields9
• Defensive end C.J. Wilson: @cjwilson95

Minnesota Vikings

• Defensive end Jared Allen: @JaredAllen69
• Receiver Bernard Berrian: @B_Twice
• Defensive end Ray Edwards: @Ray_Edwards
• Receiver Percy Harvin: @Percy_Harvin
• Offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie: @BryantMcKinnie
• Running back Adrian Peterson: @AdrianPeterson
• Tight end Kyle Rudolph: @krudy9
• Receiver Sidney Rice: @sidneyrice
• Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe: @VShiancoe

CHICAGO -- We don’t yet have the Chicago Bears’ gameday roster decisions, but the Green Bay Packers were prompt this morning.

Safety Atari Bigby is active and so is offensive lineman Jason Spitz. Cornerback Pat Lee is inactive, meaning he isn’t a candidate to return kickoffs. Here are the rest of the Packers’ deactivations:

• Quarterback Graham Harrell
• Running back Dimitri Nance
• Cornerback Josh Gordy
• Linebacker Frank Zombo
• Offensive lineman Evan Dietrich-Smith
• Offensive lineman Nick McDonald
• Defensive lineman Jarius Wynn

ATLANTA -- The most interesting pregame roster maneuver at Georgia Dome left the Atlanta Falcons without their usual nickelback. Brian Williams (knee) was deactivated, and second-year player Chris Owens is expected to handle that role.

It will be interesting to see if Williams' injury compels the Green Bay Packers to use their five-receiver set. They used it 14 times in the teams' Week 12 meeting.

Meanwhile, the Packers deactivated safety Atari Bigby (groin) and fullback Korey Hall (knee). Both had been listed as questionable on the injury report.

Getting inside the Friday injury report a day before Packers-Falcons:

Green Bay Packers: Linebacker Frank Zombo has been declared out. Safety Atari Bigby (groin) is questionable but has a good chance to be available. Offensive lineman Jason Spitz would have returned to practice Friday if the Packers had held one, and for that reason he is listed as questionable. Fullback Korey Hall (knee) is questionable, but seems to have a decent chance of being available. All other members of the 53-man roster should be available.

Atlanta Falcons: Cornerback Brian Williams (knee) is doubtful. The Falcons listed six players as questionable, but all of them participated in Friday's practice and appear on track to be available Saturday.

Updating the injury situations for this weekend’s pair of division playoff games:

Chicago Bears: Cornerback Charles Tillman didn’t practice Wednesday because of an illness. All other players participated in at least a portion of practice.

Seattle Seahawks: Linebacker Lofa Tatupu (concussion) didn't practice and was the only player listed on the Seahawks injury report. Coach Pete Carroll told Chicago-area media that Tatupu is on track to play Sunday.

Green Bay Packers: Two players missed practice Wednesday: Linebacker Frank Zombo (knee) and offensive lineman Jason Spitz (calf). The guess is that neither will be available Saturday night. Safety Atari Bigby (groin) participated on a limited basis and has a chance to play. The Packers don’t seem to have any other significant injury concerns.

Atlanta Falcons: The only player who sat out practice was cornerback Brian Williams (knee). My NFC South colleague Pat Yasinskas suggests that most everyone else on the roster is healthy.

Defensive end Cullen Jenkins has been the Green Bay Packers' big injury question entering Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Jenkins hasn't played in a month because of a strained calf muscle, and on Friday the Packers officially listed him as questionable on their injury report.

But barring a setback over the next 48 hours, it appears Jenkins is going to be ready for at least a limited role Sunday. Despite playing in only 11 games this season, he led Packers defensive linemen with seven sacks during the regular season.

"I'm hopeful that he'll go," coach Mike McCarthy said Friday. "... Everything has been very positive, and if he's ready to go, he will go on Sunday."

The Packers did rule three players out for Sunday: linebacker Frank Zombo (knee), safety Atari Bigby (groin) and fullback Korey Hall (knee). Everyone else on the Packers' 53-man roster should be available to play.

Getting inside our final (sniff, sniff) Friday injury report of the 2010 regular season:

Chicago Bears: As usual, the Bears are almost completely healthy. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) was removed from the injury report, leaving only receiver Earl Bennett. He is listed as questionable because of an ankle injury. Because the Bears have already locked up a first-round bye, it might be smart to rest Bennett against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

Detroit Lions: Receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) did not practice all week but is listed as questionable on the injury report for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. Coach Jim Schwartz indicated Johnson will test out the ankle Sunday morning before a final decision is made. Cornerback Chris Houston (shoulder) is listed as doubtful and seems unlikely to play. All other players should be available for the Lions.

Green Bay Packers: Defensive end Cullen Jenkins (calf) has again been ruled out, but the Packers expect to have nickel back Sam Shields for Sunday's game. Shields (knee) returned to practice Friday, took his normal repetitions and is listed as probable on the injury report. Jenkins joins safety Atari Bigby (groin), linebacker Frank Zombo (knee) and fullback Korey Hall (knee) as players already ruled out of this game. Everyone else should be available for the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback Brett Favre once again didn't practice because of a concussion and is listed as doubtful. But interim coach Leslie Frazier wouldn't say whether Favre has been cleared to play Sunday, raising the possibility that he could make one final start. Take that for what you will. Meanwhile, receiver Sidney Rice (concussion) is also listed as doubtful and almost certainly won't play. Cornerback Asher Allen (abdomen) didn't practice all week but is listed as questionable. If he can't play, the Vikings would have to start either Lito Sheppard or Frank Walker opposite of Antoine Winfield. Safety Madieu Williams (concussion) was placed on injured reserve so the Vikings could promote cornerback Marcus Sherels from the practice squad.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton returned to Minnesota last Sunday for the Vikings' 50th anniversary celebration. But Tarkenton left town before Monday night's game against the Chicago Bears, skipped an on-field halftime ceremony and clearly still hasn't come to grips with Brett Favre's two-year tenure as the Vikings' quarterback.

During a radio interview on 97.5 FM in Philadelphia, Tarkenton slammed Favre for pushing his way into the lineup Monday night and said Favre has "set the franchise back."

Tarkenton: "It's absolutely selfish. With Brett Favre -- he talks about the team, and I'm for the team and I want to play for my home fans and my teammates. It was "Monday Night Football" last week. He hadn't had enough publicity in the last week. He had been on the bench for two weeks. It's not right. He ought to take himself out of the equation and say 'This is not best for the team.'"

I would agree with that sentiment if Favre had actually leapfrogged a more worthy candidate. I'm not sure if Joe Webb, a rookie whose future could well be at another position, qualified under what was "best for the team" Monday night. But I think we all know where Tarkenton has stood, continues to stand and will forever stand on this issue.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Quarterback Rhett Bomar is with the Vikings two years later than he thought he would be, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.
• Vikings punter Chris Kluwe on getting booed for intentionally kicking the ball out of bounds for most of Monday night's game, via Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune: "The game plan for that was pretty much the epitome of being a team player because I sacrificed my stats to make sure that he didn't return it, and then they boo me. So I was like, 'Sweet, thanks, guys.' But there's a reason why you don't see a lot of punting out of bounds in the NFL. It's so hard to get the ball out of bounds to where you want it to go, especially if you're making sure that it gets out of bounds. I can aim for a spot 40 yards up the field, but there's like a 50-50 chance that it's going to stay in bounds."
• Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson (knee) still hasn't returned to practice, notes Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz on whether he would be interested in another head-coaching job, via Michael C. Wright and Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com: "Sure, if the opportunity were to come up again, who knows? Shoot, I'm 59 years old. I'm very happy with what I'm doing right now, and if that's it for me, I'd be the happiest guy in the world, too."
• The Bears are a rare team that improved itself by spending premium cash in the offseason, writes David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune.
• Green Bay Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga made a rare mental mistake during the team's final possession last Sunday night at Gillette Stadium, notes the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Sunday's matchup between the Packers and New York Giants is a de facto playoff game, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The 2010 season has been a huge disappointment for Packers safety Atari Bigby, notes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "The Lions have dragged their feet in putting Matthew Stafford on season-ending injured reserve, but coach Jim Schwartz said that reluctance has nothing to do with wanting Stafford to avoid the stigma of going on IR each of his first two years."
• It appears that Shaun Hill will replace Drew Stanton as the Lions' starting quarterback this week, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.

Getting inside the Friday (non-Brett Favre) injury report:

Chicago Bears: Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) won't play Sunday against the New England Patriots. Linebacker Nick Roach (hip) is questionable. All other players are expected to be available.

Detroit Lions: Right tackle Gosder Cherilus (knee) is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers and likely will be replaced by Corey Hilliard. Receiver Derrick Williams (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. Linebacker Isaiah Ekejiuba (knee) is questionable, but all other players should be available. (Except quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill.)

Green Bay Packers: The big news is that cornerback Charles Woodson, who sprained his ankle in practice Wednesday, appears fine. He's listed as probable for Sunday's game against the Lions. Left tackle Chad Clifton (concussion) is also probable. Three players were ruled out, to no one's surprise: Fullback Korey Hall (knee), defensive end Cullen Jenkins (calf) and cornerback Pat Lee (ankle). Backup safeties Atari Bigby (hamstring) and Anthony Smith (ankle) are questionable.

Minnesota Vikings: Receiver Percy Harvin is doubtful because of what the Vikings say is a two-week migraine headache. It's a near-certainty that Harvin won't play Sunday against the New York Giants. The Vikings have also ruled out cornerback Chris Cook (knee) and safety Tyrell Johnson (knee). Left guard Steve Hutchinson (thumb) is listed as questionable but interim coach Leslie Frazier said "it's going to be difficult" for Hutchinson to play. Defensive end Ray Edwards (ankle) is listed as questionable and is likely to be a game-time decision.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

It looks like we're set for some honest-to-goodness NFC North weather for this weekend's marquee matchup between the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots. Initial weather forecasts are calling for a high of 21 degrees, with winds potentially over 20 miles per hour and a 60 percent chance of snow. Sunday's low in the Chicago area will be 5 degrees.

Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com examines the Bears' history in such games, noting they are 15-5 in the 20 coldest games in team history. But the Patriots are used to playing in cold temperatures themselves. If there is an advantage to be had Sunday, it is more likely to be based on the condition of the Soldier Field turf than the weather.

The field has been re-sodded since the Bears' last home game, but it's hard to imagine the grass has taken much root. It will be sloppy, and it stands to reason the Bears will have a better idea of how to prepare for it than the Patriots. I don't think it will decide the outcome of the game, but it will be something to consider as kickoff approaches.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Bears linebackers Nick Roach (hip) and Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) remain question marks for this game, notes Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
• Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times: "Bill Belichick sees what every other coach sees when he studies the Bears' defense. The greatest coaching mind of his generation speaks glowingly about Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, who not only are playing side by side at an elite level but are playing as well together as few that have come before."
• Green Bay Packers safety Atari Bigby (hamstring) practiced Thursday for the first time in two weeks, notes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette doesn't understand why the Packers risk cornerback Tramon Williams on punt returns.
• When you eliminate kneel-downs, which count as running plays, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has gained 295 yards on 42 carries this season, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber, a pending free agent, seems certain to hit the open market this offseason, writes Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune.
• Vikings left guard Steve Hutchinson is on the decline, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press examines the possibilities surrounding Vikings rookie Joe Webb.
• Tailback Jahvid Best's 45-yard run last Sunday changed the perception of the Detroit Lions' running game, writes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com.
• Did the Lions lose defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch for the season on an illegal block? That's one of many questions the Lions are asking, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• It appears Lions cornerback Chris Houston is headed for free agency, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

Getting inside the Friday injury report, including less-than-positive updates on a number of prominent players around the division:

Chicago Bears: Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) won't play Sunday against the Detroit Lions, coach Lovie Smith said. Nick Roach will make his second start in three games. Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune reports Tinoisamoa experienced significant swelling his right knee this week but at this point is not considered a long-term injury situation. All other Bears players should be available.

Detroit Lions: Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch (knee) did not practice this week, is listed as doubtful and is not expected to play against the Bears -- a huge loss for a Lions team that is disintegrating from a personnel standpoint. Turk McBride and Lawrence Jackson are expected to play in Vanden Bosch's position, but neither can offer the leadership and tenacity Vanden Bosch has provided all season. The Lions listed right tackle Gosder Cherilus (knee) as questionable, but he practiced Friday and seems likely to play. Other than quarterbacks Matthew Stafford (shoulder) and Shaun Hill (finger), all other players will be available Sunday.

Green Bay Packers: Cornerback Pat Lee (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the San Francisco 49ers. Safeties Atari Bigby (hamstring) and Anthony Smith (ankle) are listed as doubtful, but not expected to play. All other players should be available.

Minnesota Vikings: Tailback Adrian Peterson (ankle) practiced Friday and seems on track to play in at least some capacity Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. Receiver Percy Harvin missed a second consecutive day of practice because of migraine headaches and is listed as questionable. Of all the migraine bouts Harvin has endured in the past two years, only one has kept him from playing in a game. Left guard Steve Hutchinson sat out the entire week of practice to limit impact on his fractured thumb and will be a game-time decision Sunday. Rookie Chris DeGeare would replace him if necessary. Meanwhile, cornerback Chris Cook was ruled out for a second consecutive week because of a knee injury.

ATLANTA -- Here are some highlights of the inactive lists in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.:

• The Green Bay Packers deactivated tight end Donald Lee and will start rookie Andrew Quarless. Tom Crabtree and Spencer Havner will be available in reserve.
• As expected, the Packers will have only three safeties available: Starts Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah, along with backup Jarrett Bush. Atari Bigby (hamstring) and Anthony Smith (ankle) are inactive.
• The Minnesota Vikings deactivated receiver Bernard Berrian, who has been dealing with a groin injury for the past three weeks. Sidney Rice and Percy Harvin will start against the Washington Redskins.
• Rookie Vikings cornerback Chris Cook won't play. Cook was added to the injury report Friday because of a knee injury, but after the way he played last week against the Green Bay Packers, you wonder if this was just a soft demotion.
• Ryan Cook will start at right guard for the Vikings, replacing the injured Anthony Herrera.

Getting inside a pretty light Friday injury report:

Chicago Bears: Nada. That's right. The Bears listed no players on their final injury report of the week. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) was removed, meaning all 53 players will be available for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The biggest injury question of this game is whether Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel (knee) will be able to play. He is officially listed as questionable but didn't practice all week.

Green Bay Packers: Safety Atari Bigby (hamstring) had already been ruled out. Safety Anthony Smith (ankle) was listed as doubtful, so it's likely the Packers will enter Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons with three healthy safeties. Jarrett Bush would be the primary backup to starters Nick Collins and Charlie Peprah. All other players should be available.

Minnesota Vikings: Receivers Sidney Rice (hip) and Bernard Berrian (groin) are listed as questionable. But interim coach Leslie Frazier said Rice "is going to be fine" for Sunday's game against the Washington Redskins. Berrian's status will be determined Saturday. Cornerback Chris Cook (knee) was added to the injury report and listed as questionable. If he can't play, the Vikings probably would use Frank Walker at nickel and Lito Sheppard in the dime.

The Green Bay Packers have ruled out safety Atari Bigby for at least one game and perhaps more because of a hamstring injury. That news causes hardly a ripple, however, and speaks to the new world of the Packers' defense.

The Packers are more than satisfied with the play of starter Charlie Peprah. From what I could tell, they had no intention of forcing Bigby into the lineup. After being activated to the 53-man roster earlier this month, Bigby spent two games as a special teams player before injuring the hamstring last Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

The Packers had envisioned Bigby as a long-term starter but he has slowly slid off their radar because of injuries and contract disputes. They opened the season with rookie Morgan Burnett as their starter, and Peprah took over after Burnett suffered a season-ending knee injury. We're a long way from next season, but you would have to consider Peprah and Burnett to be in much higher standing from an organizational perspective.

In the short-term, however, the Packers will have a bit of a crunch at the position. Their only other backup safety is Anthony Smith, who didn't practice Wednesday because of an ankle injury. I would imagine that Jarrett Bush could fill in at safety in a pinch behind Peprah and Nick Collins.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Lost amid all of the news around the NFC North this season has been this development: The Green Bay Packers have reined in their penalty problems in a big way.

As Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com points out, the Packers have had eight penalties enforced against them during their four-game winning streak. Through Week 11, they have committed the NFL's sixth-fewest number of penalties and have the third-fewest total of penalty yards.

Those figures are a far cry from their 18-flag performance in a Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears, a game that coach Mike McCarthy considered a watershed event.

McCarthy: "The 18-penalty game clearly factored in the outcome of that game. Because it was a game when you look at it, [and ask]. 'How the hell did we lose that game?' That was the key in that loss, because of all the productivity and the other positive plays that went on in that game. We emphasize it every week, just like every team in this league does."

If you're interested, the Detroit Lions are now tied for the most penalties in the NFL with 98 penalties. The Minnesota Vikings are tied for the 10th-most with 68, and the Bears have the 13th-fewest at 60.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Packers' defense has allowed only 13 touchdowns this season, notes Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• The Packers probably won't have safeties Atari Bigby (hamstring) and Anthony Smith (ankle) for Sunday's game at the Atlanta Falcons, writes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• New Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier will promote linebackers coach Fred Pagac to defensive coordinator, reports the Star Tribune.
• Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press wonders if Frazier should let quarterback Brett Favre call his own plays.
• Vikings owner Zygi Wilf didn't do much Monday to express a vision for the future of the franchise, writes Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press.
• The Vikings' offense only had 10 men on the field on their second-to-last play of Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Green Bay Packers, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Bears linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (knee) sat out practice Monday, notes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com. Tinoisamoa didn't play last Thursday against the Miami Dolphins and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
• Eagles quarterback Michael Vick will provide a true test for the Bears' defense, writes Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• The Bears' secondary will have its hands full with the Eagles' receivers, notes Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
• Lions coach Jim Schwartz defended his decision to continue playing ailing tailback Jahvid Best (toes), writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press: "The Lions share the NFL lead for most penalties. The question is whether they are being undisciplined, too aggressive or just plain dumb. The answer might be a little bit of everything."
• Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com offers a rundown of the Lions' injury situation with a short week looming before Thursday's game against the New England Patriots.