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Wednesday morning's BBAO post referenced Dan Pompei's excellent analysis of the Chicago Bears' increasingly unfounded faith in receiver Roy Williams. If you missed it, here was the key line: "What he does not have is evidence, at 29, that he is a dynamic receiver."

Indeed, it will be tough for the Bears to continue justifying Williams' status with the first team unless he starts making the kind of catches he dropped on their opening offensive series in Monday night's preseason game against the New York Giants. But if you're a long-time observer of Williams' career, you know he's been up to this for a while.

It's worth revisiting two charts we passed along late last month in the middle of Scramble'11. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Williams has produced the NFL's highest drop rate of any receiver who has been targeted at least 200 times in the past three seasons. His 19 drops in 232 targets makes for a worse percentage (8.2) than the notoriously slick-handed Ted Ginn Jr. and Bryant Johnson, among others.

ESPN Stats & Information also calculates the reliability of a receiver by comparing his number of catches to his total targets. Reliability includes drops but also, to some extent, the ability of a receiver to make out-of-the-ordinary catches. Some receivers get more high-percentage opportunities than others, but over time I think this category provides a pretty accurate representation of the degree to which a receiver has proved a trustworthy target.

As the second chart shows, Williams caught 111 of the 232 passes thrown his way over the past three seasons, giving him the third-worst percentage (48.1) over the last three years.

During my stop in Bears camp, I found Williams to be well aware of the opportunity the Bears have given him. There weren't many teams ready to install him as their No. 1 receiver after his performance in recent years. His practice repetitions have been reported as uneven at best, featuring more than his share of missed catches.

Normally, no one would panic if a veteran receiver dropped a few summer passes while in transition to a new team. But when the problem can be traced back through multiple seasons, it's fair to ask whether it's a side effect or a permanent habit.

I'm continuing to get my head around the Minnesota Vikings' reported pursuit of quarterback Donovan McNabb, which to this point qualifies as the biggest NFC North development on Day 1 of the 2011 free-agent market. We've also discussed issues from Matthew Stafford's swagger to Aaron Rodgers' free-agent wish list, and I'm sure there will be much more to come.

For now, let's review in rapid-fire fashion a number of other developments that merit comment but maybe not their own blog post:

Item: Former Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks, where he will reunite with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.
Comment: Someone in the Seahawks' building clearly wants someone else to win the starting job, be it Charlie Whitehurst or Matt Leinart. As much as I respect Jackson as a person, I don't see him as an NFL starter -- and neither do many other people in the league.

Item: The Vikings agreed to terms receiver Devin Aromashodu, formerly of the Chicago Bears, to a one-year contract.
Comment: Aromashodu isn't a possible replacement for Sidney Rice or even Bernard Berrian, should he be released. Aromashodu remains an intriguing big target who had a career game against the Vikings in 2009, catching seven passes for 150 yards and a game-winning touchdown. Opponents don't forget games like that.

Item: Free agent receiver Santana Moss agreed to terms with the Washington Redskins.
Comment: Send your condolences to Bears receiver Devin Hester, who publicly lobbied the team to sign Moss.

Item: The Bears have interest in free-agent receiver Brad Smith, according to a report by ESPNChicago.com's Michael C. Wright.
Comment: Smith offers a bigger look than the rest of the Bears' receivers and could also return kickoffs following the expected departure of Danieal Manning. Bring him on.

Item: The Bears want free-agent linebacker Nick Roach to return as a backup, according to a report by ESPNChicago.com's Jeff Dickerson.
Comment: That means the Bears still need a starter at strong-side linebacker. They are interested in Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Justin Durant, according to a ESPNChicago.com report.

Item: The Detroit Lions will release receiver Bryant Johnson, according to report by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
Comment: It wouldn't have made sense to bring Johnson to training camp after drafting Titus Young as the likely No. 3 receiver. That gives a player many of you have asked about, Derrick Williams, a fighting chance to make the team as a No. 4 receiver.

Item: The Vikings have told defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy he won't return in 2011, according to Kennedy's Twitter feed.
Comment: Cross off another candidate to start at defensive tackle if free agent Pat Williams signs elsewhere and during Kevin Williams' expected four-game suspension.

Item: The Bears are the only NFC North team to release a list of undrafted free agents they have signed.
Comment: All 26 names are published over at ESPNChicago.com for your enjoyment.

Item: And today will be better than yesterday.
Comment: That's my friend Buster Olney's signature blog sign-off. I like it.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

My ESPNChicago.com colleague Jeff Dickerson has noted that rookie Chicago Bears quarterback Nathan Enderle joined the team's unofficial offensive workouts this week. What's most notable about that fact is that the Bears are still working out together here in the last days of June.

In most offseasons, minicamps and organized team activities would be wrapped up by now. Indeed, most NFL players have completed the larger-scale football activities they organized for themselves this spring. At this point, according to Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison, it's "a little bit too late to really do anything now." Speaking to ESPN1500.com, Robison added: "I think now is the time where we just need to get this [collective-bargaining agreement] done and get back on the field in training camp."

If anyone is to benefit from these workouts, it's quarterbacks and their receivers. It's good to know the Bears are still going at it as their official summer vacation approaches.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Canceling a preseason game could cost the city of Chicago as much as $8 million, according to Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Dickerson addresses our decision to award Bears receiver Earl Bennett the best hands in the NFC North.
• Green Bay Packers receiver James Jones is hosting a free football camp in California this summer, notes Daniel Brown for the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Detroit Lions safety Louis Delmas admits that, because of a groin injury, "I didn't have a great season like I did my rookie year and I think I will do a better job this year." Tim Twentyman of the Detroit News has more.
• Lions receiver Bryant Johnson told Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post that quarterback Matthew Stafford looked good during player-organized workouts this offseason.
• There might not be much more said publicly about a Minnesota Vikings stadium until after the state budget is balanced, according to the Star Tribune.
• A meeting between state leaders on the stadium was canceled Wednesday because the media got wind of it and no one wants to be perceived as focusing on something other than the budget, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Hello there. In a master stroke of scheduling, I wrapped up my time away Thursday and am popping back on the blog on Friday. It'll take me some time to catch up and find out what people are mad at me for -- apparently my ballot in ESPN.com's latest Power Rankings didn't go over well -- but let's start back into routine right away.

We'll start with a pair of stories on new Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey, who has taken over the job from older brother Michael McCaskey. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune chronicles McCaskey's hard-working personality and reverence for the Bears' past. Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times describes McCaskey's everyman attitude and notes he drives a Honda Accord.

McCaskey, via Biggs: "Life is different. The game is evolving. The business is evolving. You can't be tied in to that kind of analysis. But it can be helpful. One of the things we talk about ... 'What would Dad have done? What would Grandpa have done?' I think if you had the opportunity to ask them, (they would say), 'Do the right thing.' "

You might not be interested in the life history of the latest McCaskey to run the Bears, but you should. Over time, an NFL franchise takes on the personality and vision (or lack thereof) of its owner. Future front office and coaching hires, financial decisions and franchise philosophy all flow from the top.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Bears safety Chris Harris doesn't believe NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's assertion that ticket prices could decline after the lockout, notes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• During a visit to Miller Park, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said: "At some point, if this lockout persists, then there is no doubt we're going to get together." Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com has more.
• The family of former Packers coach Vince Lombardi insists that his grave site has never been in a state of disrepair, it said in a letter to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Detroit Lions defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch on the latest set of players-only workouts, which end Friday, via Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com: "You're not going to make a ton of progress and I don't know if the things we did this week and the things we did last month are going to have a direct effect on our wins and losses, but it doesn't hurt. And it shows the commitment of our guys. Like I said, I couldn't be happier with where the players are at right now.''
• Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is playing the dual role of coach/quarterback during these practices, writes Tim Twentyman of the Detroit News.
• Lions receivers Derrick Williams and Bryant Johnson will compete for one roster spot, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin is planning to work with new quarterback Christian Ponder in the near future, Harvin said in a television interview via Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.

I reached deep into my bag of tricks this week, hitting you with a Have at It on the first day of ESPN.com's conversation template conversion. (Try saying that five times fast.) Reflecting first-day frustrations, Sundevilaw suggested "Divide, Conquer and Confuse" as the most appropriate name for the software. Fortunately, it appears you all have made a slick adjustment since then.

The question at hand: Which NFC North receiver -- Titus Young of the Detroit Lions or Randall Cobb of the Green Bay Packers -- is headed toward the most productive rookie season? The post also included one of our newfangled SportsNation polls, which for the most part ran 50-50. I guess that's the sign of a good debate.

Each player provides unique attributes, but the biggest discrepancy between the two situations might be the potential for playing time. The Lions have suggested Young is in line for the No. 3 receiver position, a role that would make him a quasi-starter. Cobb, on the other hand, figures as no better than the Packers' No. 4 receiver provided all incumbents are healthy.

"If we are looking at just numbers I see Titus Young putting up better numbers," wrote ispammc. "... The Packers still seem too deep for Cobb to get the number of receptions that Young has a chance for. Don't forget about Jermichael [Finley]!"

TheChainsawNinja, whom I wouldn't want to run into in a dark alley, agreed that Young has a better immediate opportunity on offense: "As a Packer fan I think Titus Young will have better rookie numbers ... just because Cobb will fall down through the Green Bay depth chart. However, Cobb will end up with the better career numbers because he won't be pressured into a role as a starting WR he isn't ready for. Randall Cobb will be given time to develop behind a very talented receiving corps and will start showing his value once Donald Driver is through with the NFL."

Cobb, on the other hand, appears to have a much better opportunity to jump in as a kickoff and punt returner than Young, at least as long as Lions ace returner Stefan Logan remains healthy. Getting Cobb into the special-teams mix is enough for thethiefbarabus, who wrote: "Don't care how many balls Cobb gets, just getting Tramon [Williams] out of PR duties is WELL worth the pick...Seriously, every time I saw him back there fielding a kick I was just holding my breath."

Even so, joeblow501 cautions against assuming anything about Cobb's opportunity as a receiver. Joeblow501 noted that James Jones (47 receptions), Greg Jennings (45) and Jordy Nelson (33) were all productive in the Packers' current offense as rookies and wrote: "There is no reason to think Cobb will be any different."

Indeed, last season the Packers had four wide receivers with at least 40 receptions, although part of that production was the result of Finley's season-ending knee injury. In 2009, their No. 4 receiver had 22 receptions and in 2008, he had 20.

In the end, both dgnfcnorthaz and TDbuddah argued, Young and Cobb will excel in different areas but the sum of their contributions will be about equal.

Wrote dgnfcnorthaz: "If Young gets 40 catches, that doubles the amount the Lions got from all their WRs after Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson. That would be a positive all by itself -- Bryant Johnson caught only 1/3 of the passes thrown his way. Young is also a burner and could create havoc in the open field with his speed and agility. ... Cobb will make the Packers happy if he can get more than 8 yds per PR, and if he can actually hang on to the ball."

Here's how Tdbuddah broke it down:

I guess it depends how you define production. IMO:

Total TDs - Cobb 4 or 5, Young 4 or 5

Total Rec - Cobb 20 or so, Young 55 or so

Return yards - Cobb a lot, Young Not so much

Receiving yards - Cobb 400 or so, Young 600 or so

... My guess is "production-wise" (however you define that) they probably balance out. As for importance to the team (which the Packers excelled in last season) -- getting Jordy off kickoffs and Tramon off punts, I'd have to say Cobb is more important."

My take? While I don't think you can understate Cobb's immediate impact on special teams, I think we should also remember what we discussed earlier this month. If he proves to have the advertised skill set, Young will add a critical explosive element to a Lions offense that was actually pretty horizontal last year.

In hashing through this issue, we can only assume that lineups remain static on both sides. We all know that is rarely the case, but all we can do is offer the usual injury caveats.

In that context, it wouldn't be surprising at all if Young finishes with significantly better receiving numbers than Cobb, a fact that will be important to fantasy players if no one else. There's no doubt Cobb could offer the Packers a valuable service by getting Williams out of the punt-return job, and it'll be an upset if coach Mike McCarthy doesn't carve out some kind of role for him in the offense.

It's easy to envision Young with a 50-catch season. Remember, that's only 3.2 receptions per game over 16 games. Is Cobb going to get 50 balls on an offense with Jennings, Driver, Nelson, Finley and possibly Jones? Unlikely. His best chance to equal Young's contribution will be to routinely improve the Packers' field position via the return game.

I don't mind revealing my initial reaction Saturday when the Detroit Lions drafted Boise State receiver Titus Young with the No. 44 overall selection. Fun for fantasy players, but a luxury for the Lions.

Maybe you thought the same about a team that already counts Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Jahvid Best, Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler among its pass-catchers. The Lions, after all, threw for the 12th-most yardage in the league (3,810) last season. Selecting a wide receiver in the top third of the second round, immediately preceding a six-player run that included two defensive backs and three offensive linemen, seemed confusing at best.

With that said, I don't mind divulging my "upon-further-review" reaction. The Lions needed a receiver like Young more than most of us probably realized.

In reality, despite their previously noted weapons, the Lions had one of the NFL's least explosive passing games in 2010. Their team average of 6.3 yards per attempt was the fourth-worst in the NFL. They ranked in the league's bottom third in total passes of more than 20 yards and more than 40 yards. ESPN Stats & Information tracked totals of 30-plus-yard receptions. The Lions didn't have a receiver among the top 20.

Enter Young, who averaged 17.1 yards per reception last season at Boise State and who has been compared by at least one prominent draft analyst to Philadelphia Eagles playmaker DeSean Jackson. Young isn't quite as fast as Jackson, having run an official 4.43 in the 40-yard dash, but he has a similarly shifty 174-pound frame and natural instincts for getting downfield.

Lions coach Jim Schwartz said he didn't want to "pigeonhole" Young as a "field-stretcher," but the Lions clearly believe he brings that dimension.

"[We] have a very defined role for what he can do for this football team," Schwartz said. "He's an explosive player. By explosive, I mean by 20-yard gains or more. [He is] natural catching the ball. Probably one of the most natural receivers in this draft. [He has] skills to go out and create separation. He fits very well with the other pieces that we have on offense, so we were really excited to get him into this spot."

Many of you might wonder why Johnson hasn't filled that role in recent seasons. After all, he entered the NFL in 2007 with an inhuman combination of a 6-foot-5, 235-pound frame and a 40 time of 4.35 seconds.

Opponents can read that scouting report too, and it's been relatively rare when Johnson hasn't faced some form of a bracket coverage that keeps a safety over the top and discourages deep passes to him.

Under offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, the Lions have focused more on getting the ball in his hands -- wherever the defense will allow it -- rather than forcing low-percentage deep shots. As a result, Johnson has caught 144 passes in 29 games over that span, but only seven of them have gone for more than 40 yards.

The receivers the Lions have paired him with since 2009, Bryant Johnson and Burleson, are both intermediate-range targets at this point in their careers. As you can see in the chart, Lions wide receivers combined for eight receptions of 30 or more yards in 2010. For context, consider that the Green Bay Packers' Greg Jennings finished tied for the league lead with 15 on his own.

Bryant Johnson might not return in 2011, but the Lions envision Young stepping in as their No. 3 receiver and going places that neither Calvin Johnson nor Burleson has taken them.

"The guy is an explosive playmaker," general manager Martin Mayhew said. "He's a stick of dynamite. He's got speed. He's got great hands. ... He's got a role on offense right now. He's probably going to have the opportunity to step in as our third guy. We haven't had great production from that spot in the last couple of years and we feel that Titus is the guy that can step in and solve that problem for us."

That's a role Jackson filled to perfection when the Eagles drafted him in 2008, and in three seasons no receiver with at least 100 receptions has averaged more than Jackson's 18.3 yards per catch. With anywhere close to that kind of impact, the Lions' offense would progress from dangerous to feared. It's nice to be able to drive the ball downfield, but all really good offenses have the ability to score quickly and from any point on the field.

Along the way, I think Lions fans are going to enjoy getting to know Young -- who wanted no part of suggestions that he will be a "poor-man's DeSean Jackson."

"I've never been another man's nothing," Young told Detroit-area reporters. "I've always known that I've been Titus Young from Day 1. My mother named me Titus Demetrius Young. She didn't name me nothing else and I know what I was. I know who I am and I know as people are going to compare you to people but God made me to be me and he made me to be Titus Demetrius Young. You can compare me all you want to, but I'm no man's poor man.

"My initials my whole life has been T.D. Young; so it's been Titus Demetrius Young -- 'Touchdown' Young. So I just feel like football is just me ever since I was born and now I can go play some more football with Detroit."

Most teams would love a speedy downfield threat. The Lions, as it turns out, needed one.

» NFC Draft Watch: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Each Thursday leading up to the NFL draft (April 28-30), the ESPN.com NFL blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: biggest team needs.

Chicago Bears

It's no secret that the Bears patched together a serviceable offensive line last season, one born of trial, error and desperation. But with an entire offseason to prepare, they will need a better Week 1 plan. The Bears need help across the line, and you could make an argument for any of the five positions as their top need. Center Olin Kreutz could relieve the situation by re-signing when the free-agent market opens, but otherwise the Bears don't have a single position with an established starter. It's not clear where incumbents Frank Omiyale, Chris Williams, Roberto Garza or J'Marcus Webb will play in 2011. Meanwhile, the release of defensive tackle Tommie Harris highlighted the Bears' need for an upgraded interior pass rush. The Bears would benefit from a pass-rushing defensive tackle as well as some depth behind defensive ends Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije.

Detroit Lions

The Lions have only two experienced cornerbacks under contract, Nate Vasher and Alphonso Smith. They offered 2010 starter Chris Houston a contract tender, but he is likely to be made an unrestricted free agent when the market opens. The Lions would like him to return but the situation's uncertain. In either event, cornerback is the Lions' top need this offseason. Running a close second is outside linebacker after the Lions released one starter, Julian Peterson, and issued a qualifying tender for another, Zack Follett, whose 2010 neck injury could preclude his return. There has been some discussion about moving middle linebacker DeAndre Levy to the outside, but that probably would still leave the Lions in search of two new starters. Finally, the Lions want more production from their No. 3 receiver after Bryant Johnson and Derrick Williams combined for 21 receptions last season. Good depth at tight end mitigates the urgency of this need, but the Lions are one injury away from a shortage at receiver.

Green Bay Packers

The Super Bowl XLV champions will get an internal boost at several positions from the 15 players who finished last season on injured reserve. As a result, this roster doesn't have many obvious shortcomings. But at the top of a short list is outside linebacker, where the Packers rotated three players opposite Clay Matthews last season. The Packers also must continue crafting their succession plan for longtime offensive tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher. Last year's No. 1 pick, Bryan Bulaga, replaced Tauscher in Week 5. Bulaga could stay at right tackle, or he could ultimately take over for Clifton. In either case, the Packers eventually will need further reinforcements. The same is true at receiver, where veteran Donald Driver is 36 and No. 3/4 receiver James Jones could sign elsewhere as a free agent. Jordy Nelson remains under contract, but Driver's age and Jones' uncertain status make receiver a secondary area of need for the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings

As we've been discussing for months, the Vikings need to acquire at least one and perhaps two new quarterbacks. Their dream scenario is to draft one who is ready to start right away, but that might be difficult if they stay in the No. 12 overall slot. Short of that eventuality, the Vikings might be forced to draft a future starter and sign or trade for a short-term answer. The Vikings are also looking to replace two starters on their defensive line, left end Ray Edwards and nose tackle Pat Williams, and could have three starting positions in their secondary up for grabs. Only cornerback Antoine Winfield seems guaranteed of a starting spot. The receiver position could need an overhaul if they lose Sidney Rice to free agency and Bernard Berrian is ultimately released, as has been speculated.

Something has been missing from my life, and perhaps yours as well. Our extended postseason run and an unusual start to the offseason has delayed a follow-up I've been meaning to write for some time. So while we have a moment, let's finally restore order around here.

One of our primary themes for the 2010 season was the NFC North's response to its precedent-setting passing numbers in 2009. In a pre-training camp post, we suggested the division race would turn on the degree to which each team's pass defense could catch up to our passing offenses.

Would the Chicago Bears' acquisition of defensive end Julius Peppers pay off? How much better would the Detroit Lions' pass rush be with their retooled defensive line, one that now included a former Pro Bowl defensive end (Kyle Vanden Bosch) and the No. 2 overall pick of the draft (defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh)? Would the Minnesota Vikings sustain their historic passing efficiency of 2009 while improving their own pass defense? Could the Green Bay Packers straighten out the personnel shortage that led to an epic collapse in the wild-card playoffs?

Our theory: The most effective response would clinch the division and, perhaps more. And although there were a few exceptions here and there, the end result proved illuminating.


As the charts show, the Bears won the NFC North after making a 24-spot jump in the NFL's rankings for defensive passer rating. The Packers, who fielded the league's best pass defense and No. 3 passing offense based on quarterback rating, won Super Bowl XLV. The Vikings improved their pass defense, but the collapse of their passing offense was the single biggest factor in their 6-10 record. Finally, the Lions' progression in both categories mirrored their four-victory improvement from 2009.

Sorry, run-and-run-defense enthusiasts. Success in today's NFL requires efficient passing and pass defense. Passer rating isn't a perfect common evaluator, but I like it better than the NFL's traditional measure using total yards. And as Kerry Byrne of Football Facts points out, defensive passer rating is one of the most reliable indicators of championship-caliber teams.

"This game is made for offensive players, I think," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said recently. "The rules are, and all that kind of stuff."

In turn, any team that can take either special advantage of those rules and make headway against them on defense -- or both -- figures to be in the playoff conversation. So let's take this quiet moment in the NFL offseason to measure each NFC North team through the passing lens. Where are they and how can they improve?

Chicago Bears

Quarterback Jay Cutler threw 10 fewer interceptions in 2010 after getting assimilated into Mike Martz's offense, and the entire team figures to benefit from its familiarity with Martz's system. With that said, I see two pass-related areas the Bears should focus on this year: Pass protection and interior pass rush.

The Bears gave up an NFL-high 56 sacks last season, a figure that doesn't directly apply to passer rating but assuredly affects a quarterback's accuracy and decision-making over time. In a recent interview with the Bears' website, coach Lovie Smith noted "the number of hits Jay took this past season." On many levels, the Bears need to enter 2011 with a better Week 1 plan for their offensive line.

Meanwhile, the release of defensive tackle Tommie Harris reminds us the Bears don't have an established interior pass-rusher who has typically defined their defense. Matt Toeaina, who replaced Harris in the starting lineup last season, was credited with two sacks.

Detroit Lions

The Lions are hoping that Vanden Bosch returns at full strength following neck surgery. If so, their biggest pass-related need this offseason is continuing to rebuild their cornerback position. They did not re-sign starter Chris Houston before last week's deadline, but it's possible he could return to the team after testing the free-agent market. At the moment, however, the Lions have only two established cornerbacks under contract: Alphonso Smith and Nate Vasher.

Meanwhile, the Lions have acknowledged the need to improve at their No. 3 receiver position. Although they can mitigate this issue with the smart use of tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, the Lions' offense would take a substantial hit if either Calvin Johnson or Nate Burleson were forced from the lineup for an extended period. Bryant Johnson and Derrick Williams combined for a substandard 21 receptions last season.

Green Bay Packers

Thompson will need to sort out his receiver depth in anticipation of James Jones' pending free agency. Jones said Monday he wants to be a starter, an indication that he will look to sign elsewhere when the market opens. The Packers could use Jordy Nelson as their unquestioned No. 3 receiver and seek further depth in the draft, a reasonable path that could make Jones' departure inevitable.

The Packers' other big challenge will be replacing defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who led their linemen with seven sacks despite missing five games because of injury. Jenkins is a pending free agent and appears set to move on. Rising second-year players Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson could vie for that job. Reviews on both players have been good, but are they seven-sack good? Another possibility is veteran Johnny Jolly, who has applied for reinstatement after a one-year suspension.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings might have more passing-game work ahead of them than the rest of the NFC North combined.

At the top of the list is finding short- and long-term answers at quarterback, a job that could require multiple acquisitions. Former Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice is a pending free agent and wants to test his value on the market, and last season ended with high-priced veteran Bernard Berrian as an afterthought. A significant rebuild of the receiving corps could be on the horizon.

Defensively, the Vikings probably are looking for two new starters on their defensive line. Left end Ray Edwards, who recorded 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons, appears set to move on in free agency. (Backup Brian Robison signed a new contract last week.) Nose tackle Pat Williams also isn't expected back.

Finally, the Vikings enter the offseason certain of only one starter in their secondary: cornerback Antoine Winfield. The health of fellow cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) is uncertain, and at the very least, safeties Madieu Williams and Husain Abdullah will have to earn their starting jobs in training camp.

A few thoughts on a historic day for the modern-day Detroit Lions:

What it means: The Lions (4-10) snapped their NFL-record streak of 26 consecutive road losses with an overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kicker Dave Rayner tied the game with two seconds remaining in regulation with a 28-yard field goal and won it after the first possession in overtime on a 34-yarder. The Lions' last road victory was on Oct. 28, 2007 at Chicago. They have now won consecutive games for the first time since defeating the Denver Broncos one week after that 2007 victory over the Bears.

Fourth-quarter turnaround: In nine of their 10 losses this season, the Lions were either ahead or trailing by no more than five points in the fourth quarter. In other words, they were in every game and felt they were a play or two away from turning the tide in these close games. So it's worth noting they have won consecutive games by a total of seven points. They are finding ways to close out games.

What I liked: Tell the truth. You thought this game was over after kicker Connor Barth drilled a 26-yard field goal to give the Bucs a 20-17 lead with 1 minute, 44 seconds remaining. But quarterback Drew Stanton displayed all kinds of moxie on the ensuing drive, hitting receiver Bryant Johnson for 19 yards, Calvin Johnson for 23 and tight end Tony Scheffler for 12 to get Rayner in comfortable field position. Credit goes to Stanton and Calvin Johnson for the 12-yard play that got Rayner in position for the overtime kick. Johnson finished 10 receptions for 152 yards.

What else I liked: Tailback Maurice Morris had his second 100-yard day since joining the Lions, and his 26-yard run on the first play of overtime set the tone for the drive.

I also liked: Receiver Nate Burleson pushed Bucs cornerback E.J. Biggers the final five yards at the end of his 10-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Burleson isn't the NFL's biggest receiver, but obviously you can't tackle him high when he sniffs the end zone.

What I didn't like: Conservatively, I counted six missed tackles on the pair of long runs (37 and 29 yards) from Bucs tailback LeGarrette Blount.

What's next: The Lions will try to make it three in a row on their second consecutive trip to the state of Florida. This time, their targets will be the Miami Dolphins. Next Sunday. Sun Life Stadium. Be there.

A few thoughts on another late collapse by the Lions:

What it means: The Lions dropped to 2-9 on the season, ensuring themselves a 10th consecutive losing season. They have now lost their past seven Thanksgiving Day games and nine of their past 10.

A harsh lesson: Trailing 14-3 in the first half, the Patriots stayed cool, made a few offensive adjustments and roared back to score the final 28 points of the game. The Lions, on the other hand, melted down on defense -- particularly cornerback Alphonso Smith -- and watched quarterback Shaun Hill throw a critical interception in the third quarter.

The goat: A national television audience got an idea why the Denver Broncos gave up on Smith after one season. Smith was the closest defender on three of quarterback Tom Brady's touchdown passes, but it was his tackling that was atrocious and not worthy of a professional football field. Most notably, he was way too high on Patriots running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis on a 15-yard touchdown run and got twisted out of his Underoos on a 79-yard catch-and-run by receiver Deion Branch. With all of that said, I'm not a fan of the Lions' decision to bench him in favor of veteran Nate Vasher. I'm all for accountability, but I also think it's obvious the Lions don't know how to respond to adversity. You don't give a young player like Smith a chance to learn if he's standing on the sideline.

More slop: In case you forgot, this game was tied at 24 when the fourth quarter began. After that point the Lions were called for seven penalties, two of which were declined. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew lost track of where he was on the field, stepped out of bounds, and then stepped back in illegally to catch a pass. Meanwhile, receiver Bryant Johnson dropped another touchdown pass. That's pretty much the definition of a 45-minute team.

Congratulations in order: Brady finished with a perfect passer rating of 158.3 after completing 21 of 27 passes for 341 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions.

Early pressure: The Lions battered Brady early in the game. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh notched his eighth sack of the season.

Little Best: Rookie tailback Jahvid Best wasn't a factor because of turf toe. Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown combined for a better-than-expected 91 rushing yards on 22 carries.

What's next: The Lions will host the Chicago Bears on Dec. 5, the first of three late-season home games against NFC North rivals.

After the Detroit Lions' 35-19 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, here are three issues that merit further examination:

1. I wonder if it's time for rookie tailback Jahvid Best to take some time off to rest his injured toes. He appeared more bothered than ever Sunday. Without his speed and explosive burst, Best just isn't a productive player. He's averaging 2.0 yards per touch over the past two games on 20 carries and eight receptions. That figure isn't solely his fault, but when a speed-based back has multiple toe injuries and is producing almost nothing over an extended period, it's reasonable to consider a break. Best doesn't need to be shut down for the season. But how about at least a couple weeks off to get himself right?
2. The Lions took the relatively dramatic step of benching No. 3 receiver Bryant Johnson, deactivating him while elevating Derrick Williams to the role. Quarterback Shaun Hill didn't target Williams on any of his 47 throws, but I still think it was a fair move. Of the 30 passes that have been thrown his way this season, Johnson has caught nine and dropped three, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That's pretty minimal production for a position that should draw favorable coverage while opponents track Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Brandon Pettigrew. I'm not sure if Williams is the answer, but it's nice to see them hold Bryant Johnson accountable.
3. We're getting close to that point in every recent Lions season where we start focusing on the draft. I'm not ready to rev up DraftWatch just yet, but for those interested, the Lions are among four teams currently in competition for the No. 1 overall pick. (Remember, the 2011 draft will take place whether or not there is a lockout.) The Carolina Panthers (1-9) are the leading candidates, while the Lions are among three teams that are 2-8. The Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals are the others. Ties are broken by reverse order of strength of schedule. With six games remaining, there's no use running those strength of schedule rankings just yet.

And here is one issue I don't get:

Regardless of the circumstances, Cowboys punt returner Brian McCann never should have had such an easy path to the end zone on his 97-yard return. Once you get past the initial jolt of how he grabbed the ball -- just after Lions gunner John Wendling tried downing it inside the 3-yard line -- you realize the play wasn't as odd as it seemed. It represented a fundamental breakdown in coverage, something coach Jim Schwartz addressed after the game. Lane integrity and awareness remain critical whether or not a player is trying to down the ball. Had the rest of the coverage team maintained its assigned positions, McCann wouldn't have scored.

A few thoughts on the Detroit Lions’ debacle in Buffalo:

What it means: The Lions broke their own NFL record by losing their 25th consecutive game on the road, dropping to 2-7 amid the some of the most dreary circumstances of their season. The Bills, by the way, entered the game 0-8.

Cutting deeply: The Lions have lost some heartbreakers this season, but this one appears to have hit especially hard. Trailing 14-3, they scored nine points in the final 5 minutes, 53 seconds of the game. The Lions were in position to force overtime if they had converted a two-point play, but quarterback Shaun Hill couldn’t find an open receiver in the end zone. Afterwards, receiver Bryant Johnson tweeted “So frustrated and disappointed. Disgusted.” Johnson also apologized to Lions fans for the loss.

Ick and yuck: There has to be a level of self-destruction involved when you lose to an 0-8 team, and the Lions cooperated with 11 penalties. Chris McCosky of the Detroit News notes seven of those penalties were false starts or offensive holding. Early on, I was also questioning whether the Lions made the right decision in bringing back Hill a month after he fractured his forearm. Hill looked pretty rusty and inaccurate, but you can’t argue with the way he brought the Lions back in the fourth quarter.

Inefficient: How do you run up 390 yards and score only 12 points? You miss on 14 of 19 third-down conversions and don’t convert all of your field goal attempts. I don’t blame newcomer Dave Rayner for missing on a tough 49-yarder in the rain, but being perfect elsewhere is the only way to compensate for poor a poor performance on third down.

Ole! I hate to keep harping on Lions linebacker Julian Peterson, who seems like a nice enough fellow and was once a dominant player. But I don’t think he’s going to want to watch the film of his missed tackle on Fred Jackson’s 16-yard touchdown reception. Jackson slowed around the 10-yard line and then easily slipped through Peterson’s attempt at an arm tackle to reach the end zone.

What’s next: The Lions will play at the Dallas Cowboys next Sunday.

We're going to look forward and backward this week for Dirty Laundry. Let's look ahead first. Why? Because I feel like it.

It's interesting, at least to me, that the Minnesota Vikings will arrive at Soldier Field this weekend having committed 17 false start penalties in their first eight games. That total puts the Vikings alongside the Oakland Raiders atop the NFL rankings for such miscues.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Vikings couldn't be headed to a worse environment under those circumstances. You might be surprised to know that opponents have committed as many false start penalties this year at Soldier Field (12) than at any other stadium in the NFL. I'm sure part of that total can be attributed to fan volume, but I wonder if it isn't another tangential by-product of defensive end Julius Peppers' presence.

If you were an offensive tackle or tight end, wouldn't you be a bit more focused on Peppers -- and less on the snap count -- than other players?

In case you're looking for likely suspects Sunday, here is the breakdown of the Vikings' false start penalties this season:

• Right tackle Phil Loadholt (5)
• Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (4)
• Tight end Jim Kleinsasser (3)
• Wide receiver Percy Harvin (1)
• Left guard Steve Hutchinson (1)
• Wide receiver Greg Lewis (1)
• Left tackle Bryant McKinnie (1)
• Safety Jamarca Sanford (1)

Now, to look back. Many of you were outraged Sunday when referee Al Riveron's crew called Detroit Lions left guard Stephen Peterman for two chop blocks in the New York Jets' 23-20 victory.

First, let's get to the general definition of a chop block as stated in the NFL rule book: "A chop block is a foul by the offense in which one offense player (designated as A1 for purposes of this rule) blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player (A2) occupies that same defensive player."

Indeed, the widely-held understanding of a chop block is one offensive lineman cut-blocking a defensive lineman while another blocks him above the waist. It's a dangerous approach that can lead to the defensive lineman getting twisted unnaturally and injured.

On both occasions Sunday, Peterman (A1) cut-blocked Jets defensive lineman Shaun Ellis while a second Lions offensive lineman (A2) -- right tackle Gosder Cherilus on the first and center Dominic Raiola on the second -- stood nearby but did not engage.

Unfortunately for the Lions, that play falls under a secondary section of the chop block rule known as the "lure." (Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press pointed out the explanation earlier this week.) Here is how that scenario is worded: "On a forward pass play, A1 chops a defensive player while A2 confronts the defensive player in a pass-blocking posture but is not physically engaged with the defensive player (a 'lure')."

The NFL seemed to confirm this interpretation by finding Peterman $10,000. Had the league office found Riveron's call was wrong, no fine would have followed.

I can't say I understand what the purpose of the "lure" rule is, other than to prevent A2 from being a "decoy" while A1 (Peterman) does the dirty work. To me, it falls under the category we discussed earlier this season: Too many rules in the rule book make for a, pardon the pun, choppy game.

If I'm a Lions' fan, I'm more outraged that Riveron didn't call a face mask penalty against Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie at the end of the second chop-block play. Cromartie spun receiver Bryant Johnson to the ground by twisting his face mask. At best, there should have been off-setting penalties and a replay of third down.

Now, on to our updated challenge tracker:

Getting inside the Friday injury report:

Detroit Lions: Linebacker DeAndre Levy (groin/ankle) and receiver Bryant Johnson (foot) and defensive end Turk McBride (ankle) are questionable. Levy has indicated he will try to play Sunday against the Washington Redskins in what would be his second start of the year. Other than quarterback Shaun Hill (arm), all other players will be available.

Green Bay Packers: Defensive end Cullen Jenkins (calf) returned to practice Friday and has a chance to play Sunday against the New York Jets. Like defensive end Ryan Pickett (ankle), he is listed as questionable. But it appears Jenkins has a better chance of playing than Pickett. Receiver Donald Driver (quad) also practiced Friday and is listed as probable. As we noted earlier, coach Mike McCarthy has already decided that cornerback Al Harris (knee) won't be activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Safety Atari Bigby (ankle) hasn't been ruled out.

Minnesota Vikings: Quarterback Brett Favre (foot) was listed as questionable, but his status obviously won't be determined until Sunday. The Vikings also listed cornerback Lito Sheppard (hand) and guard Chris DeGeare (ankle) as questionable, but all other players will be available.

» NFC Decisive Moments: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

The Detroit Lions trailed by five points early in the fourth quarter Sunday at Lambeau Field when they achieved first-and-goal at the Green Bay Packers' 6-yard line. They had slowly nipped away at a 14-point lead and, as it turned out, had encountered their best chance of taking a lead in hopes of winning their first game in Wisconsin in nearly 20 years.

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan called three consecutive shots into the end zone against a Packers defense that stayed back in coverage while rushing no more than four players.

On first down, the Lions tried what should be their best red zone play this season: Play-action to tailback Jahvid Best, and then a high pass to receiver Calvin Johnson. The Packers had Johnson double-teamed with cornerback Charles Woodson and safety Nick Collins, although Collins was a bit late. Shaun Hill's pass, however, was too high for Johnson and glanced off his fingertips.

On second down, the Packers tripled-teamed Johnson in the middle of the field. Hill rolled to his left and threw a late pass to receiver Bryant Johnson on the left side of the end zone. Cornerback Tramon Williams recovered to knock away the ball. On the game broadcast, analyst Brian Billick suggested Hill could have run the ball for a score. Based on the replay, I would say it was possible but debatable.

On third down, Hill again found no open receivers. This time, he floated a pass to the back of the end zone for tight end Tony Scheffler. Williams broke up that pass as well.

The Lions settled for a 24-yard field goal from Jason Hanson, their final score. It's true they had one more possession that could have given them the winning score, but in retrospect, failing to get a touchdown on first down from the 6-yard line was the decisive moment of Sunday's game.