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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Detroit Lions in 2012.

Dream scenario (12-4): The team moves past its string of silly/immature problems, tightening up not only its off-field behavior but also its discipline on the field during games. Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best give the Lions a power/speed dimension in the backfield they lacked for most of last season. Rookie receiver Ryan Broyles' knee heals quickly enough to provide a legitimate fourth option among receivers and further spread out opposing defenses. Defensive tackle Nick Fairley realizes his playmaking potential and teams up with Ndamukong Suh to provide consistent and dominant interior play. Fairley, Suh, Cliff Avril and Kyle Vanden Bosch protect an undermanned secondary, and the Lions make big defensive plays against opponents that feel pressure to keep up with Detroit's offense.

Nightmare scenario (7-9): Best and Leshoure don't provide the balance the Lions hope for, either because of injuries or skill deterioration. Broyles takes longer than expected to return, Titus Young has a sophomore slump, and opponents flock to receiver Calvin Johnson. Left tackle Jeff Backus can't hold up for another season. Despite the formidable defensive line, the Lions can't cover for their secondary and give up too many big plays.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The vast majority of you pleaded for the continuation of BBAO in responding to last week's suggestion request, so I will of course oblige. The Friday heading into Memorial Day weekend, however, is going to be a bit thin. News is as news does. Or something like that.

On with it ...

• Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette covered a public discussion on the early 1990s revival of the Green Bay Packers by Bob Harlan and Ron Wolf. Prior to that point, national media members were suggesting that the team be moved to Milwaukee.
• The Minneapolis City Council is expected to ratify the Minnesota Vikings' stadium bill formally on Friday, notes Eric Roper of the Star Tribune.
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "If Cliff Avril and the Detroit Lions don’t work out a long-term deal this summer, and Avril hits the unrestricted free-agent market next spring, the biggest in-house beneficiary could be Willie Young."
• Several Lions players, including Young, will compete in a fishing tournament against pro Kevin VanDam on June 12. Chris McCosky of the Detroit News has more.
• Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune: "Bears linebacker J.T. Thomas likely will be cleared of a misdemeanor drug possession charge before the regular season begins, provided he completes the terms of a deferred sentence."
• Here is some audio of former NFL tight end Jermaine Wiggins speaking to ESPN 1000 about the Bears' offense under offensive coordinator Mike Tice and how he would handle the Matt Forte contract situation.

Bill Polian's list of 10 pivotal players in the NFL this season includes Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley. You'll need an Insider subscription to see the entire file, but here is what Polian wrote about Fairley:

Fairley could be the missing piece in making the Detroit defense dominant. If the big Auburn alum can reach his potential, a trio of him, Ndamukong Suh and the emerging Corey Williams could make the Lions' D-line extremely hard to handle up the middle and wreak havoc on the pocket (which will help an improving secondary).

Fairley

I still think the Lions need more from the running back position to be legitimate title contenders, but if Fairley steps up, an already improved defense will be taken to another level.

The most interesting part of the choice is that Polian didn't bother suggesting that one of the Lions' defensive backs needs to step it up, whether it's safety Amari Spievey or cornerback Aaron Berry or anyone else who might play a prominent role in improving the team's pass defense. Polian instead focused on the impact of strengthening what is already one of the NFL's more dominant defensive fronts.

That appears to be in line with the Lions' philosophy when you look at how they've focused their roster building in recent years. Over the past three years, they've committed big money to sign defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and retain defensive end Cliff Avril. They've used the No. 2 overall pick in the draft to select Suh, and the No. 12 overall pick brought them Fairley.

On the other hand, the Lions did use the No. 33 overall pick of the 2009 draft to select safety Louis Delmas. But for the most part, they have cobbled together the secondary with second-tier moves (and players), knowing it would be protected by a more-talented defensive line. It stands to reason that Fairley's emergence in 2012 would only enhance that approach.

Earlier: The Lions have high expectations for Fairley now that he is recovered from a foot injury he originally suffered last summer, despite a recent marijuana charge.

You might have heard over the weekend that Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $49 million, including $20 million guaranteed. Some of you have asked what that means for Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, who is seeking a multiyear extension.

Avril and Wake are in slightly different situations. The Lions have made Avril their franchise player, meaning he would earn a $10.6 million base salary in 2012 if the sides don't agree on a longer deal. Wake, on the other hand, was in the final year of his rookie deal and was scheduled to make $650,000 in 2012.

Also, it's important to note that Wake, who played in the CFL before signing with the Dolphins, is 30. Avril is 26. Football longevity factors into all long-term deals.

Not all of the numbers in Wake's deal are in, but it's worth noting the average is worth about $1.5 million more annually than the franchise figure.

In return for locking himself in for four years, Wake got $20 million in guarantees. Last summer, Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson received $30 million in guarantees in exchange for signing a six-year deal at about the same average Wake got.

We've been through this issue several times during the offseason. Not all of you are willing to put Avril in the financial category reserved for the NFL's top pass-rushers. But Avril's career numbers tend to sneak up on people. He has 30 sacks in four seasons; Wake has 28 in three while Johnson had 21.5 sacks in his first three seasons before signing his deal.

In the end, you can see why the Lions might not be highly motivated to strike a deal now that they have entered the new league year with Avril's high salary-cap number accounted for. But if the sides do agree on a deal, you can expect it to be in Wake's range if it's on the shorter end. If Avril wants more guaranteed money, he'll have to sign a deal approaching the length of Johnson's.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Good Monday morning to everyone. The Minnesota Vikings are hoping that Monday afternoon and evening are good to them as well.

Yes, the first floor vote of the Vikings' stadium bill is scheduled to take place Monday in the state House of Representatives. If it passes, the state Senate likely will schedule a vote on its version of the stadium bill later this week. If it fails in the house, the bill almost certainly is dead for this 2012 legislative session and the situation will take a closer step toward Armageddon.

This issue is so hotly contested that debate could extend well into the evening and late night, so there is no way to know when we'll have any news to report. We'll of course be monitoring it while also keeping an eye on what is expected to be a large contingent of Vikings fans essentially tailgating at the State Capitol in a uniquely football lobbying campaign.

Catching up on weekend news from around the division:

• Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, Gov. Mark Dayton and others participated in one of a series of stadium rallies over the weekend in the Twin Cities, notes The Associated Press via 1500ESPN.com.
• Frederick Melo of the St. Paul Pioneer Press looks at the difficulty of passing the stadium bill without support from House Speaker Kurt Zellers. Last week, Zellers said he would vote against the bill.
• Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune profiles Vikings rookie tight end Rhett Ellison, whose father Riki is a former NFL linebacker.
• The best advice Vikings safety Harrison Smith ever got is among the tidbits unearthed about him by Pioneer Press columnist Bob Sansevere. The advice: "Do not live under the bed."
• Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune: "Lost in the debate over [Shea] McClellin's best NFL position is that he could succeed at either defensive end or outside linebacker because of his outstanding versatility."
• The Bears are expected to bring defensive tackle Trey Lewis in for a visit, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
• Bears linebacker Lance Briggs made clear to David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune that he doesn't agree with the way the NFL is emphasizing player safety. Briggs: "It's becoming flag football. We're flying around at 100 mph. In our mindset, to say I need to literally go 5 percent lower [on the body] within a split-second -- how do you do that?''
• Bears receiver Brandon Marshall would like to see better care for NFL players dealing with brain and psychological issues. He wrote a guest column in the Chicago Sun-Times this weekend.
• Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press wonders if Detroit Lions players with contracts that will soon expire are watching the experience of defensive end Cliff Avril, who has been trying to secure a multi-year deal for two years.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News writes an important and moving column about his own experience as a victim of depression.
• Lions receiver Nate Burleson wasn't concerned with the team's decision to draft receiver Ryan Broyles in the second round last month, according to Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that two members of the Green Bay Packers' front office, Eliot Wolf and Brian Gutekunst, are in line for significant promotions.
• The Packers' draft strategy of trading up for targeted players has its risks, writes Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Rob Demovsky of the Press-Gazette profiles Packers draft pick Nick Perry.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The NFC North received a total of 16 nationally-televised games as part of the NFL's 2012 schedule, but to me the most groundbreaking news item was buried deep within the Green Bay Packers' news release. It read: "In 2012, the Packers will forego using their historic third jersey."

I never hid my bewilderment at the allure of the throwback jerseys the Packers used the past two years, a replica ensemble of their 1929 get-ups. The brown helmets, blue jerseys and tan pants just didn't work for me.

Long live the eye-snatchers.

Moving on to less important matters:

• The agent for Packers running back Ryan Grant implied to Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette that Grant could soon be moving on to a new team.
• The Packers' sit-down with safety Nick Collins won't happen until after the draft, reports Demovsky.
• Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith could fit with the Packers, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Justin Rogers of Mlive.com has notes on Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson's visit to ESPN headquarters.
• There is some depth at cornerback in this draft, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Lions defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosh has no concerns about the conditioning of defensive end Cliff Avril, who is working out on his own this offseason. Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press has more.
• The Chicago Bears' schedule sets up for a fast start, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
• Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times breaks down the Bears' schedule.
• ESPNChicago.com's Jeff Dickerson and Michael C. Wright pick the Bears to finish 11-5 based on their schedule.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com breaks down the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback position.
• A Vikings spokesman said "there is no next year" on their pursuit of a stadium. More from the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Political maneuvering has erupted from the failure of the stadium bill, according to Mike Kaszuba of the Star Tribune.
• Hennepin County is considering a play for the stadium assuming this current bill isn't revived, according to KSTP-TV.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Hello there. I hope everyone had an outstanding weekend.

This week will provide ample evidence of how the NFL has earned year-around interest despite a four-month regular season. Monday marks the earliest possible day for NFC North teams to begin the first phase of their offseason workouts, and you can expect them to be covered deeply in most markets and discussed avidly by fans. Sometime soon we'll also celebrate a national holiday when the league announces its full 2012 schedule.

Over the next two weeks, as Mark Maske of the Washington Post points out, most NFL teams will be restricted to strength and conditioning work. Phase Two of the offseason (how official does that sound!) lasts three weeks and allows players to be on the field for drill work but no "team" 11-on-11 scrimmages. That is reserved for Phase Three, which will include up to 10 organized team activities (OTAs) and one mandatory minicamp. Phase Three lasts four weeks, for those of you scheduling out your next few months.

Hold on and get ready for the ride -- if you dare.

Let's take our morning spin around the division:

• ESPN's Adam Schefter notes that Chicago Bears tailback Matt Forte won't report Monday to the start of workouts. Forte hasn't signed his franchise tender. Last we heard, Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, another franchise player, also wasn't planning to attend.
• Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com takes a look at the Bears' prospects for drafting a tackle and/or guard.
• The Bears promoted Chris Hanks to head athletic trainer, replacing Tim Bream, notes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Bears safety Chris Conte (foot) has been cleared for all offseason activity, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
• Former Bears receiver David Terrell was arrested Friday in Chicago on a domestic battery charge. Here's The Associated Press story, via ESPNChicago.com.
• Lions running back Jahvid Best (concussion) will be in Detroit for the start of the Lions' program but hasn't been cleared for full football activity yet, notes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Lions offensive lineman Corey Hilliard, a restricted free agent, is expected to sign his contract tender and participate in the offseason program, according to Birkett.
• Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette looks at possible late-round quarterbacks the Green Bay Packers could consider drafting.
• The Minnesota Vikings' stadium bill is set for another committee hearing Monday night. Details for those interested from Mike Kaszuba of the Star Tribune. Supporters are hoping for a voice vote, rather than an official one, to keep the bill moving.
• Mark Craig of the Star Tribune profiles Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. Here's a quote from Spielman's brother, Chris: "When he was in school, there were endless piles of binders filled with notes. And he wrote so small. I'd ask him, 'Why do you write so small?' And he's say, 'Because I got a lot to write.'"

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Classic sports blogger dream: I'm on a football team. Everyone's wearing white T-shirts and shorts, so I don't know what team it is, and it's quite possible we're in some kind of institution. I'm on offense and defense, it's a day before the first game, and I don't know any of the plays.

I walk into the defensive meeting room. The late Foge Fazio is the defensive coordinator, and he kicks me out because I don't know where I'm supposed to line up. Tells me to go to the offensive meeting room. I can't find it. I wake up breathless. Overslept. BBAO is late!!!!!

True story. I think the dream means I don't know anything about football. Or maybe I have anxiety about not knowing anything about football, which many of you would consider entirely justified.

Anyhoo. Let's get to it:

• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel offers the most thorough picture imaginable of the situation Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins is facing with his surgically-repaired neck. According to Silverstein, Collins wants to continue to playing but will have to sell the Packers on the idea.
• The 2012 draft will be the most interesting in the tenure of Packers general manager Ted Thompson, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com in his "Hey Wilde" column.
• Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is excited to see the kind of moves the team has made this offseason, notes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune. Urlacher: "It's exciting to see us making moves like that because we haven't done that a lot in the past. We needed a receiver, we got a receiver, and we still have the draft."
• Urlacher said his injured knee will be "good to go when the time is right," according to Melissa Isaacson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Detroit Lions linebacker DeAndre Levy will sign his restricted free agent tender in time to participate in the start of offseason conditioning on Monday, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Lions president Tom Lewand noted that defensive end Cliff Avril could participate in the program if he signed an injury waiver, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Avril has not signed his franchise tender.
• Lions general manager Martin Mayhew does not reach for need in the draft, writes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• Minneapolis mayor R.T. Rybak faced a testy crowd at his first pubic forum on the Minnesota Vikings' stadium bill, according to Eric Roper of the Star Tribune.
• The Vikings signed free agent linebacker/special teams player Marvin Mitchell to a one-year contract, notes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press speaks with Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil about his brother Matt's visit with the Vikings.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Detroit Lions president Tom Lewand spoke extensively during a Monday radio interview about three members of the 2011 draft class who have experienced legal entanglements related to marijuana in the past three months. Lewand indicated that all three -- running back Mikel Leshoure, defensive tackle Nick Fairley and offensive lineman Johnny Culbreath -- will be given opportunities to repair their standing with the franchise.

Via the Lions' website, Lewand said: "We expressed disappointment last week and I continue to express disappointment that guys put themselves in the position where they have to have an unpleasant interaction with law enforcement. That is something that should be avoided. But as we all know from life's experiences, it happens, people make mistakes, and you want to give guys opportunities to correct those mistakes, learn from them and move forward."

That's only fair, for as Lewand himself noted, the organization gave him a similar opportunity after a 2010 drunken driving arrest. The NFL suspended him 30 days and fined him $100,000 but Lewand retained his post atop the Lions' front office.

"You are held to a high standard," Lewand said. "I know that firsthand and I've learned that lesson myself. That's a lesson we all have to learn and we have to take it to heart when that adversity is there and when we make mistakes we've got to learn from them and grow as human beings."

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Lions defensive end Cliff Avril pledged to be ready for the season whether or not he participates in the Lions' offseason workouts, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune wonders if the Chicago Bears will limit Devin Hester to punt returns only, and no kickoffs, in 2012.
• Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher is scheduled to receive the team's Ed Block Courage Award on Tuesday, notes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Bears running back Kahlil Bell hasn't signed his restricted free-agent tender but will sign an injury waiver in order to participate in the team's offseason workout program, McClure writes for the Tribune.
• The Green Bay Packers are lamenting the shortened offseason program, as mandated by the NFL's agreement with the NFL Players Association. Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette explains.
• Duane Dudek of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reviews Packers receiver Donald Driver's latest performance on "Dancing With the Stars."
• Michael Lombardi of NFL.com takes an executive's look at the Minnesota Vikings' myriad roster holes. Lombardi: "With such a large number of concerns, though, it's easy to see why [general manager Rick] Spielman would make the third pick available. The Vikings are not a few players away from competing. Spielman, who was promoted to general manager in January, must recognize this is not a one-year fixer-upper. He has to have a two-year plan to patch up the team's numerous holes. He must take a broad look at the talent pool in the next two years -- both in the draft and in free agency -- and then decide where the answers might come from."
• The Minneapolis City Council will host a stadium hearing on April 24 that opponents appear to be gearing up for, according to Eric Roper of the Star Tribune.

One week from today, NFC North teams will be eligible to begin their offseason strength and conditioning programs. There will be much consternation about who attends, who skips and what it all means. But from my perspective the most important fact to remember is that all offseason work -- with the exception of one three-day minicamp -- is voluntary.

Rare is the player who should be criticized for working out away from the team. In the NFC North, I can think of two players, the Minnesota Vikings' Christian Ponder and the Green Bay Packers' Graham Harrell, who would be disservicing their careers by skipping even a portion of their teams' offseason programs. Both are hoping to make a significant jump in 2012, Ponder in terms of performance and Harrell on the depth chart, and both missed critical offseason work with coaches and teammates during the NFL lockout last year.

The inevitable roll call next week will almost certainly include Chicago Bears tailback Matt Forte and Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril, neither of whom have signed their franchise tenders and thus are ineligible to participate in club activities. Forte and Avril are seeking long-term contracts and would surrender a measure of leverage by signing the tenders now.

Everyone has their opinion about players missing offseason time. My advice is not to worry about it until it extends into training camp. I'm not saying I won't lean on an offseason "holdout" for occasional discussion points on an otherwise, but let's agree from the outset to temper any hysteria you might feel about missed offseason workouts.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

PALM BEACH, Fla. -- While I was scurrying this way and that Monday at the NFL owners meetings, Chicago Bears president Ted Phillips was addressing the future of tailback Matt Forte with Chicago-area reporters. As you know, Forte did not react well to the signing of backup Michael Bush and apparently there have been low-level trade rumors as a result because he has not yet signed his franchise tender.

Coach Lovie Smith threw water on the fire Sunday in a conversation with ESPN's Rachel Nichols, and via Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune, Phillips said: "Matt is going to be a Bear." Phillips added: "Our goal with Matt is to keep him a Bear as long as possible. We have made offers on long-term deals that we think reward him at a high level, the level he deserves. We haven't been able to reach common ground. The door is open to keep talking. If we get a deal done, we'll be happy. If we don't, then the deal we have is the franchise tag and we'll see what happens after this year."

The remaining piece of this puzzle is the value of the long-term deal Forte has turned down. As a result, we don't know if the dispute is based on a lowball offer from the Bears or an inflated value Forte has established for himself. But obviously the sides are nowhere close at the moment, and the question shifts to whether Forte will play under the terms of the $7.74 million franchise tag or if he will stay away from training camp when it opens in July.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Bears defensive lineman Amobi Okoye is scheduled to visit with the Cincinnati Bengals, reports Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• The Detroit Lions are confident in their nucleus of players, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• NFL commissioner Roger Goodell doesn't know if there was a bounty placed on any Lions players before their wild-card playoff game against the New Orleans Saints. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press explains.
• It seems unlikely that the Lions will sign defensive end Cliff Avril to a long-term contract anytime soon, writes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• Don't underestimate the Green Bay Packers in free agency, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Packers general manager Ted Thompson on receiving four compensatory draft picks, via Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: "More is better."
• The Packers might do away with night practices in training camp, writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Minnesota Vikings made a strong push to sign free-agent receiver Pierre Garcon, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• The Star Tribune examines the majority support of a Vikings stadium from the Minneapolis City Council.
• Vikings owner/president Mark Wilf on the team's offseason approach, via Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com: "We want to win right away, too. But the main thing is we want to be first-rate and first-class on a consistent basis."

The Detroit Lions have accomplished the difficult, complicated and expensive task of retaining the core of the team that lifted them to their first playoff appearance in a decade. The final domino to fall was middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who agreed to a five-year contract hours before his potential replacement was scheduled to visit the team's practice facility.

Tulloch's deal means that 21 of the Lions' 22 offensive and defensive starters from last season are now under contract. The exception is cornerback Eric Wright, whom the Lions wisely chose not to pursue once the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offered him a pricey five-year contract worth $37.5 million.

Otherwise, however, the Lions systematically took care of business over the past month, navigating a tight salary cap situation by using most every tool at their disposal. At times, it required premium cash outlays that not every NFL team would commit to.

In summary, the Lions:

• Restructured the contracts of quarterback Matthew Stafford, receiver Nate Burleson and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, freeing up some $16 million in cap space.
• Used the franchise tag to prevent the departure of defensive end Cliff Avril, a move that in essence guarantees Avril a one-year deal worth $10.6 million.
• Issued a second-round tender to linebacker DeAndre Levy, essentially giving him a one-year deal worth $1.927 million.
• Took a $1.6 million cap credit as their share of an NFL discipline that took cap space away from the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys.
• Freed up about $9 million more in cap space by extending the contract of receiver Calvin Johnson. For the moment, at least, Johnson is the NFL's highest-paid player with an eight-year deal worth a total of $132 million, of which $60 million is guaranteed.
• Re-signed left tackle Jeff Backus to a two-year deal worth $10 million.

Although it took the longest, Tulloch's agreement was no less important than any of those we just ran through. Tulloch made a substantive impact on the Lions' defense as both a leader and a sure tackler. He proved exceptionally durable, playing on all but 19 of their defensive snaps in 2011, and provided a true fixture that allowed Levy to play a more a natural role on the outside.

Negotiations stalled to the point where the Lions scheduled free agent David Hawthorne for a visit. (Funny how the timing often works.) In the end, however, the Lions have managed to keep together their best team in a generation, and now they can look for ways to supplement it through secondary free agency and the draft.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

We haven't heard too much about the Detroit Lions' attempts to re-sign middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, but you wonder if his status will shake loose one way or the other this week.

The Lions are scheduled to host free agent linebacker David Hawthorne this week, notes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com. Hawthorne was a starter the past three seasons for the Seattle Seahawks and could be a backup plan to signing Tulloch. If nothing else, his visit could trigger a break in negotiations that haven't yet yielded a deal.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Richardson writes that the Lions' chances of agreeing to a long-term deal with defensive end Cliff Avril anytime soon are slim.
• Re-signing left tackle Jeff Backus was important, writes Terry Foster of the Detroit News.
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press explains the Lions' approach to free agency this season.
• The Chicago Bears have always had interest in new backup quarterback Jason Campbell, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• Pro Bowl receiver Larry Fitzgerald said that people should "get to know" new Bears receiver Brandon Marshall before judging him, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Vaughn McClure of the Tribune talks to friends about Marshall.
• Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy helped convince Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider to sign free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, tweets ESPN's Chris Mortensen.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel takes a detailed look at the compensatory draft pick system and how it will be affected by the Flynn signing.
• The Packers could lose free agent defensive back/special teams captain Jarrett Bush, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with running back Lex Hilliard, who spent the past three years with the Miami Dolphins, according to Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.
• Hilliard will have a chance to win the Vikings' No. 3 running back job, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• The Vikings are still shopping for free agents, coach Leslie Frazier told Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune.

Hey there. Just checking in on a relatively quiet (just jinxed it) Sunday afternoon to pass along the specifics on some important numbers we've been discussing generally for the past few months.

Two days from the start of its new business year, the NFL has set its 2012 salary cap at $120.6 million. We weren't expecting it to rise much above last year's total, and in the end it went up only $225,000. That's one reason the salary cap has become an issue for some teams, including the Detroit Lions, for the first time in years.

Franchise tags were also established, so we now know that the Chicago Bears are on the hook for exactly $7.742 million in cash and cap space after franchising tailback Matt Forte. The Lions, meanwhile, will owe defensive end Cliff Avril $10.605 million in cash and cap if they can't work out a long-term deal with him.

Barring Sunday evening news, I'll be back with you Monday morning. Oh, and happy Spring Forward day.

We've all heard the question in one form of the other: Is Detroit Lions defensive end Cliff Avril really that good? Or is he a product of the attention drawn by his higher-profile defensive teammates?

Mike Tanier of Football Outsiders took a closer look at that question, charting each of Avril's sacks to document double-teams and the skill level of the right tackles he beat. A few interesting nuggets emerged:

Cliff Avril
#92 DE
Detroit Lions
2011 STATS
• Tot36
• Solo29
• Ast7
• FF6
• Sack11.0
• Int1
• All but one of Avril's sacks came on a four-man rush.
• He was double-teamed on one of the 11 sacks.
• Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was double-teamed on five of the 11 sacks.
• Defensive tackle Sammie Lee Hill was double-teamed on four of the sacks.
• Six of the 11 sacks were of the "strip" variety, plays where Avril didn't bring down the quarterback but instead knocked the ball out of his hands, a play that is no less valuable in the grand scheme of things.

To me, and to Tanier, there are no smoking guns in this analysis and no reason to question why the Lions made him their franchise player. It would be one thing if Avril's sacks had come amid the chaos of six- or seven-man blitz packages. Lots of players can grab garbage sacks in those situations.

But as we've discussed many times, the Lions ran their defense last season based on a four-man pass rush to provide maximum personnel in coverage. A four-man rush can't have a weak link, and whether or not you think Avril is an elite player, he proved last season that he could consistently beat single blocks. When the Lions say that Avril is a good fit for their scheme, that's what they mean.