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We're Black and Blue All Over:

Ben of Frankfurt was among those who sent us a heads-up of European Internet reports that made for an unusual offseason note: A professional German football player traveled to Detroit this week for a tryout with the Detroit Lions, a relative rarity in NFL player procurement.

Receiver Christian Bollmann is scheduled to work out Wednesday, according to this press release from his New Yorker Lions team. (You'll need to run a translator program to read it, unless you know German.) Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press confirmed the workout, which was arranged by coach/general manager Phil Hickey, who has a relationship with Lions general manager Martin Mayhew dating to their time in the XFL.

Bollmann is 6-foot-5, 220 pounds and runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, according to Hickey.

It's rare but not unprecedented for a player without American high school or college experience to get attention from the NFL. The league doesn't keep records of such things, but typically when European players make their way to the NFL, even on tryouts, they have some American experience.

The most recent example is defensive tackle Markus Kuhn, a German who attended North Carolina State before the New York Giants made him a seventh-round draft choice this year. Kuhn is one of three European-trained players to be drafted. The others are defensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer in 2009 by the New England Patriots and defensive tackle Romeo Bandison by the Washington Redskins in 1994.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and tight end Tony Scheffler opened a gym in suburban Detroit, notes Birkett for the Free Press.
• Rod Beard of the Detroit News profiles Lions rookie running back Stephfon Green.
• The Lions placed running back Jerome Harrison on the non-football/reserve injury list as he continues to recover from a brain tumor discovered last fall. Harrison is not eligible to play in 2012, notes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at how the Green Bay Packers are adjusting to a shorter offseason.
• Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette speaks with Packers receiver Jordy Nelson before Nelson joins the team's Tailgate Tour.
• The Packers still own the NFL rights to defensive tackle Johnny Jolly, who is under indefinite suspension but was released from jail Tuesday. Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com has more.
• The Minnesota Vikings signed defensive tackle Nick Reed and claimed offensive lineman Kevin Murphy off waivers, notes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• The Chicago Bears signed third-round draft choice Brandon Hardin, completing negotiations with their draft class, notes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery changed his mind and has decided to attend the NFLPA Rookie Premiere presented by Nike, according to Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.

We've spent the past few days re-living the multiple arrests of former Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly, so we should bring you Thursday's dramatic conclusion.

In case you haven't heard, a Houston judge sentenced him to six years in jail for violating probation after a third drug-related arrest in three years. Jolly acknowledged in ESPN's "Outside the Lines" report that he is addicted to codeine.

According to Houston television station KTRK, Jolly could be eligible for parole in 14 months. He remains under the conditions of an indefinite NFL suspension that began after the 2009 season.

Tuesday, we posted a preview of "Outside the Lines'" profile of former Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly, who hasn't played since 2009 and admits he's addicted to codeine. He tells OTL that he watched the Packers' victory in Super Bowl XLV alone in a hotel room, drunk.

Jolly's story has spurred significant Twitter debate from many of you. Some of you aren't thrilled to see Jolly get so much attention, especially considering how unlikely it is that he will ever play for the Packers again. Others are pointing to a sentiment raised earlier this season by Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who suggested Jolly wasn't served by NFL protocol that banned him from contact with the franchise and its support group during his suspension.

Watch for yourself.

I just arrived at NFC North blog headquarters to find several questions about the upcoming "Outside the Lines" profile on suspended Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly. Embedded below is a preview clip of the piece, which is tentatively set to air Wednesday.

Jolly has been arrested on drug-related charges three times in the past three years and hasn't played since 2009. In the video, he admits to a daily codeine habit that he said "kept me from losing my mind" when the NFL initially suspended him in 2010.

We’re Black and Blue Al Over:

Why are the Green Bay Packers giving up so many passing yards this season? Opponents are averaging 335.8 yards per game against them through four games, a number that has been mitigated by their red zone defense and otherwise overlooked during a rollicking 4-0 start.

Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel takes a stab at explaining the reasons and attaching significance. Rather than pass rush, it appears Packers coaches are focused on solidifying their secondary. Here’s what defensive coordinator Dom Capers said:

"To me, that's the biggest area we have to improve in. You'll hear me say this all year: If you want to keep people out of your end zone, you have to keep them from getting yardage in big chunks."

That seems to be a reference to the Packers' transition at safety after the loss of Pro Bowler Nick Collins. Morgan Burnett made several mistakes Sunday against the Denver Broncos, and veteran Charlie Peprah is settling into his new role as a starter as well.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Packers could have one of the NFL’s most dominant offenses for years to come, writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Suspended Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly was jailed Monday after his third drug arrest in three years. The Associated Press has more.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com breaks down the tape of the Minnesota Vikings’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
• Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune on Vikings coach Leslie Frazier: "Frazier declared Monday that [Donovan] McNabb will be his starter for Sunday's home game against Arizona. But Frazier's reasoning was less a ringing endorsement for McNabb and more an acknowledgement that he sees bigger problems to fix first."
• New Vikings nose tackle Remi Ayodele doesn’t have a single tackle through four games, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz on the team’s running game, via Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press: "I mean, good gracious. We don't need to put panic attacks in everything else because we haven't run the ball. With all due respect to Bo Schembechler, we can pass it."
• The Lions have a bit of a depth issue at safety, writes Tim Twentyman of the Detroit News.
• The Lions know they haven’t played their best game yet, notes Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com.
• Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester had "any" stitched on the back of one shoe and "time" on the back of the other, writes Jon Greenberg of ESPNChicago.com.
• Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times: "The Bears might have rediscovered their running game in a 34-29 victory, but their offensive identity remains as elusive as ever."
• Bears guard Chris Spencer has a broken hand but should be able to play with it, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Most discussion about the Green Bay Packers' draft prospects has centered on around outside linebacker and the offensive line. The truth, of course, is that at No. 32 the Packers might not be in position to dictate the position of their first-round pick. They could draft a linebacker, an offensive tackle, a defensive end, a receiver or even a running back.

For that reason, I found myself mostly glossing over the specifics of the Packers' draft over the past few months. Frankly, what makes more sense than anything is a scenario in which the Packers offer their spot to a team that wants to trade up in the second round but doesn't want to spend all day Friday bidding to get the No. 33 overall pick.

At some point, the Packers will need to find a starter at right outside linebacker, a position four players shared last season. They'll also need to continue developing a transition plan for both offensive tackle positions. Will they accomplish either with the No. 32 pick? Not even the Packers know at this point. There are simply too many variables.

Earlier: I took Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod for the Packers in our ESPN.com Blog Network mock draft. Packers safety Nick Collins would like to see the team focus on offensive linemen in the draft. Don't rule out general manager Ted Thompson drafting Alabama running back Mark Ingram. The Packers' player-acquisition system under Thompson is especially equipped to handle a lockout.

I stopped by "The D-List" over at ESPN 540 in Milwaukee to discuss the latest on Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly, our ongoing debate on Aaron Rodgers' place among NFL quarterbacks and a few tidbits on that draft thing that's coming up. Have a listen.

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly has accomplished the first part of avoiding total career suicide. Whether it leads him back to an NFL field remains completely in question.

As the Associated Press reported, Jolly will avoid jail time after agreeing to a plea deal stemming from two arrests in the past three years for drug possession. He had faced up to 20 years in prison after his most recent arrest, last month in Houston, but instead will be placed on probation and will receive mandatory drug treatment.

If a prison sentence caused Jolly to miss his second consecutive season in 2011, it was reasonable to assume his career would be finished. Now, there is at least a smidgen of a possibility that the NFL could lift his indefinite suspension and reinstate his eligibility to play in the league.

It's far from clear that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell would do so, and even if he did, there are no guarantees the Packers would be interested in bringing him back after his most recent arrest. Speaking Thursday at a pre-draft news conference, Packers general manager Ted Thompson declined comment.

My suggestion is not to hold your breath if you're rooting for Jolly's return. But if nothing else, Thursday's plea deal means we can't totally rule it out yet.

We started off Tuesday's SportsNation chat with a question I've been seeing pretty regularly since Houston police arrested Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly last week. Here's how it went:

shane (atl)

i know everything in some way ultimately depends on the cba, but what are the chances of the packers resigning cullen jenkins? i felt he has been a huge part of their defense (when healthy) for years, and now that he is finally getting recognition instead of his over the hill brother, it seems he wont be returning. please tell me im wrong.... also what's the likely fate of the very very stupid johnny jolly (talkin jailtime, i know football is out of the question anytime in near future)?

Kevin Seifert (2:02 PM)

I didn't think there was much of a chance the Packers would re-sign Jenkins before this latest Johnny Jolly news, and I still don't. The Packers were looking at Jolly as a bonus if he did return. Their plan, and this fits along with what they've done at many other positions in recent years, appears to be to plug in some of the young players -- Mike Neal, C.J. Wilson, maybe Jarius Wynn -- to Jenkins' position. Stranger things have happened, but I think they would have re-signed Jenkins before the lockout if they wanted him back.

Jolly has been in jail since Friday awaiting a Wednesday morning court hearing. He's expected to see significant jail time, and I'm guessing the Packers have trashed any plans they might have had for him in the short- or long-term future. *Update: Jolly was denied bond and will remain in jail until at least April 20, the date of his next hearing.

Again, I think the Packers would have re-signed Jenkins during their exclusive window in February if they wanted him back. I don't think Jolly's potential presence played into their decision not to. Instead, it was the presence of Neal, Wilson, Wynn and possibly more names to come from the 2011 draft.

Jenkins was highly productive last season and certainly has some good seasons remaining. But look at the Packers' defense right now. By my count, they've signed seven of their 11 starters to market-level, multi-year contracts in the past two years. You would figure that linebacker Clay Matthews is next, followed at some point by nose tackle B.J. Raji.

Not even the most aggressive NFL teams can have a proven and well-paid starter at every position. Given the landscape of the Packers' contract situation, and their relative depth at defensive end, you can see how Jenkins might be an (unfortunate) odd man out.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Detroit Lions tailback Jahvid Best, whose speed seemed questionable last season during a long stretch when he was playing with turf toe injuries, is part of a group of NFL players working out at a Nike camp this week. (Green Bay Packers receiver Greg Jennings is another.) Lions fans everywhere will be encouraged by what Best tweeted after Tuesday's workout:

"Speed workout done... still got the jets... feet feel good!"

There are two lines of thought on Best's rookie season. One was that the turf toes limited his speed and quickness, preventing more of the kind of breakout games he had in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles. The other was that NFL defenses quickly adjusted to his game. After all, there are relatively few players who can flat-out run away from the field at the professional level.

The Lions believed Best was one of those players, and the turf toe injuries were serious enough to give him and them the benefit of the doubt on that. But it would be nice to see him put together more than a few explosive games in 2011.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Lions hosted Illinois running back Mikel Leshoure at their facility Tuesday, according to the team's website.
• Lions kick returner/cover man Stefan Logan has joined those who are unhappy with the NFL's new kickoff rule, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• The Chicago Bears have drafted 18 defensive backs under general manager Jerry Angelo, notes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald.
• Bears tight end Greg Olsen is hopeful the team will give him a contract extension, writes Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
• Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette on defensive lineman Johnny Jolly: "It would take a skilled psychologist to determine what goes through the mind of an NFL player that had the world at his fingertips and willfully let it all slip away."
• Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave and quarterbacks coach Craig Johnson were among those who worked out Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder on Tuesday, according to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

While covering the NFL owners meetings last week, the party line seemed clear: The competition committee had proposed changes to kickoff rules as a way to aid player safety. Given the league's recent emphasis on that issue, and its key role in labor talks with the NFL Players Association, there seemed little doubt where the motivation came from, and most league officials appeared publicly on board.

The Chicago Bears have been the notable exception. Completely out of character, coach Lovie Smith blasted the proposal before it was enacted, suggesting it was motivated in part by teams hoping to minimize the Bears' advantage in kickoff returns. Now team president Ted Phillips has followed suit in an interview posted on the team's website.

Phillips: "The rule got a lot of discussion at the league meetings. Although it was passed for safety reasons, I think it definitely discriminates against clubs like the Bears, not just because we have strong special teams and elite kick returners but because we've invested a considerable amount of money in those players as well. Personally, I'm not convinced that injuries will be diminished significantly, and if they are it's going to be because there's a significant increase in touchbacks, which then has a negative effect of eliminating probably the most exciting play in the game. I would have liked to have seen the rule modified where maybe it just prevented players from lining up more than 5 yards behind the ball. See how that goes, see if injuries diminish just with that change alone for a year or two as opposed to changing the kickoff spot. But with that being said, we've always been at the forefront of player safety. Every team's under the same rules and I know we'll work hard to minimize whatever impact it has on us as a team."

I know where the Bears are coming from, and it will be interesting to see if injury totals decrease on kickoffs this year. But while I believe that some of the Bears' opponents are happy about the change, I don't think they were motivated solely to damage a competitor. In this case, the Bears got caught up in a political issue and negotiating ploy, and they're going to have to live with it.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Bears are trying to find a balance for Devin Hester's role as a special teams and offensive player, notes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford tweeted he is feeling good after "throwing a lot" over the weekend and is returning to Pensacola, Fla., to continue shoulder rehabilitation with the staff of Dr. James Andrews.
• Lions coach Jim Schwartz acknowledged that tailback Jahvid Best was limited for nearly two months by turf toe last season, notes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly could be facing significant jail time after his arrest Friday morning, according to Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at some of the players the Packers have chosen with compensatory draft picks, including guard Josh Sitton (2008).
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy wants to preserve the current locker room culture the team has, writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Buffalo Wild Wings, a Minnesota-based company, is estimating that 10 percent of its business is derived from NFL Sundays. Mike Hughlett of the Star Tribune has more.

News of Johnny Jolly's latest arrest makes it hard to imagine Jolly returning to the NFL, let alone the Green Bay Packers, in 2011.

According to police in Houston, the defensive end was arrested Friday morning after police officers found 600 grams of codeine in his car during a traffic stop. The substance is the main ingredient in a narcotic known as purple drank, and the charge is similar to the one that ultimately got Jolly suspended for the 2010 season.

To avoid a trial on the first charge, Jolly agreed to "pretrial diversion." According to the Associated Press coverage of the agreement, it was "a form of probation that will have the charge against him dismissed in a year if he doesn't break the law and completes other requirements, including 160 hours of community service."

Jolly hadn't reached that one-year watermark, presumably reactivating the original charge on top of the new one. It's always risky to predict the course of a legal situation, but jail time seems awfully likely.

This winter, Jolly applied for NFL reinstatement. Coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week that July was "definitely" in the team's plans if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell lifted the suspension. Given the latest development, it's hard to imagine Goodell feeling compelled to do that.

The Packers weren't necessarily counting on Jolly in 2011, but it was hoped that his return could help alleviate the expected free-agency loss of defensive end Cullen Jenkins. The Packers have two young players, Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson, who will compete for the starting DE job.

It's hard to say at this point whether Jolly, 28, has completely trashed his career. Goodell has allowed multiple offenders back into the league before. But it's not looking good right now.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Wednesday afternoon, we noted that Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz has "total confidence" in the future health of quarterback Matthew Stafford, who is rehabilitating from right shoulder surgery. And a few hours later, Stafford tweeted that he "just got done throwin" and that the "shoulder is feeling good."

Stafford didn't specify if it was the first throwing session of his rehab, but Schwartz did say that he wasn't throwing when the lockout began earlier this month. Regardless, it was evidence that Stafford is making the progress the Lions are hoping for and suggests he is on the timetable they set out for him to be fully recovered by the end of July.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Lions are hoping that knee injuries don't derail right tackle Gosder Cherilus' career, notes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com: "Leslie Frazier says he doesn't want to fall in love too soon. He wants to keep an open mind about this year's quarterback class until all the pro days, private workouts and visits are complete next month. But it was difficult to listen to Frazier's words at the NFL meetings this week without making mental triangulations about the Minnesota Vikings' interest in Missouri's Blaine Gabbert."
• The Vikings are holding off the final touches on their offensive scheme until they know who their quarterback will be, writes Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune.
• Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com looks at the moving parts of the Chicago Bears' offensive line.
• Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune: "The Bears might need help on their interior offensive line more than they need help at the tackle position."
• The Bears believe they will have a competitive edge when the lockout ends, writes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy said the team "definitely" has defensive end Johnny Jolly in its plans, according to Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Jolly has applied for NFL reinstatement after a yearlong suspension.

After the NFL labor situation took a few unfortunate turns last week, let's once again check in with Vince Lombardi: "Once you have established the goals you want and the price you're willing to pay, you can ignore the minor hurts, the opponent's pressure and the temporary failures."

I'll be here all week via the mailbag, Facebook and Twitter.

Clay of Minooka, Ill., wants to comment on Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson's use of the term "modern-day slavery" to describe players' relationship with NFL owners: I feel everyone is making it up to be something bigger than what it is. If you read the entire statement, he discusses how the players, like most employees under owners, are making fractions of what the owners make. He seems to be saying that without the employees there is no business, and yet owners constantly try to take away from them.

This is very true for a majority of today's business. (Hence modern-day slavery.) He wasn't making any remarks toward race, simply making an analogy which really is not off base. Given that we are in a world where everyone gets to have an opinion (as I am doing right now) I think it is too bad that people with a forum that has a following (such as ESPN) are trying to make this a story. I guess I miss the days where ESPN wasn't such a gossip-filled media.

Kevin Seifert: Typically I don't choose questions or comments that long, but I think Clay has given us a relatively level-headed perspective on exactly why this is a story and why using the term "modern-day slavery" in the context of NFL labor relations is inappropriate and indefensible.

First, let me reiterate what I originally wrote. My dealings with Peterson over the past four years have revealed him to be a thoughtful and charitable man. He chooses his words carefully, is fully aware of public perception and always projects himself professionally. Almost without fail, he represents the Vikings in a positive manner.

I also think NFL players can justifiably argue that they, as Clay writes, make a fraction of what team owners make. And like many businesses, the NFL wouldn't be as successful as it is without the unique skills of its players. Perhaps players should be rewarded more, not less, for their efforts.

Here's the problem: That debatable inequity isn't slavery, either in the modern or historical sense. It's a predicament. A bad deal. A discrepancy.

People often use the term "modern-day" to denote the evolution of something historical into a faster-paced era. "Modern-day romance" can spark via internet dating services. "Modern-day warfare" takes place in areas far removed form the traditional battlefield. "Modern-day medicine" is ruled by insurance companies, not doctors.

And "modern-day slavery" is known as human trafficking. Anyone who thinks that it's analogous to the NFL should check out the U.S. State Department's 2010 report on human trafficking. It estimates that 12.3 million people worldwide were in forced or bonded labor, or forced prostitution during 2010. The report includes countless victim profiles that describe the work forced upon abducted children, among other atrocities.

Here's one that details a woman abducted in Kenya and enslaved in Saudi Arabia:

Salima was recruited in Kenya to work as a maid in Saudi Arabia. She was promised enough money to support herself and her two children. But when she arrived in Jeddah, she was forced to work 22 hours a day, cleaning 16 rooms daily for several months. She was never let out of the house and was given food only when her employers had leftovers. When there were no leftovers, Salima turned to dog food for sustenance. She suffered verbal and sexual abuse from her employers and their children. One day while Salima was hanging clothes on the line, her employer pushed her out the window, telling her, "You are better off dead." Salima plunged into a swimming pool three floors down and was rescued by police. After a week in the hospital, she was deported. She returned to Kenya with broken legs and hands.

If you can find a parallel between Salima and an NFL player, let me know.

I agree that Peterson's comments in no way invoked race, but slavery has never been just about race. It's about class, sexism and many other issues.

The big point -- and for me it's so obvious that I don't know if I need to make it -- is that NFL players aren't forced into anything and do nothing against their will. Owners might have a monopoly on their profession, which might be unfair, but it's hardly a moral atrocity.

As for the issue of using the ESPN forum "to make this a story," I think quite the opposite. In this case, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to (hopefully) push people away from comparing everyday bummers to illegal evils.

I was going to let this issue slide until Pittsburgh Steelers tailback Rashard Mendenhall expressed support for Peterson's statement via Twitter, saying: "Anyone with knowledge of the slave trade and the NFL could say these two parallel each other."

Actually, even the most cursory knowledge of slavery -- either historical or modern-day -- reveals there are no parallels whatsoever. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but this isn't an issue of subjective interpretation. To me, it's frightening to see social misinformation spread in the name of an economic cause. NFL players might feel minimized, condescended to and used. Enslaved? Please.

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Anthony of Clinton Township, Mich., writes: Remember at the beginning of last season your NFC North faithful readers had an NFC North ESPN fantasy football league? I won, I think I should get a little blip in a story.

Kevin Seifert: I vaguely remember someone asking if I would organize and participate in a fantasy league. I passed, mostly in fear of being revealed as an uninformed fraud. But I'm glad to hear you all organized amongst yourselves and I offer my hearty congratulations to you and yours.

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Jim of St. Paul noted I wasn't sure of the Green Bay Packers' season ticket payment deadline and wrote: I am a season ticket holder at Lambeau. Their payment deadline is March 31.

Kevin Seifert: Several other readers noted this date as well. I'm still interested to see if the Packers, or any other NFC North team, follow the New York Giants' lead and push back deadlines until after the NFL and its players reach a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA). That's the fairest way for teams to treat their best customers during a time when the business has been shut down.

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Kyle of Grand Rapids, Mich., writes: I am still hot about this draft boycott idea by the NFLPA. I don't get it. The prospects being at the draft is far more for them and the fans than for ANY team or owner. What exactly is boycotting going to accomplish? To me it just shows even more that the players' claims to be concerned about the fan are either lip service or they are generally disconnected with what fans want.

Kevin Seifert: In the event any of you missed it, the NFL typically invites 15-20 players to attend the draft in New York City and shake commissioner Roger Goodell's hand upon being selected. Kyle is referring to Adam Schefter's report that the NFL Players Association will "ask" those players to decline their invitations. Instead, there have been indications the NFLPA will hold a parallel event for them to attend.

Honestly, Kyle, I'm not caught up in the outrage over this request. I'm sure it's probably cool for the 15-20 players who attend. But I'm sure it's much cooler to deposit that first paycheck a few months later. If this labor strife has shown us anything, it's that this game is all about the money.

And I have to ask how devalued the draft broadcast really would be without those players. Will people really tune in to watch Cam Newton hug his agent and proceed to a photo op with Goodell? Or do you watch to find out who your team drafts? To me, that is and will always be the true drama of the draft.

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Nathan of Phoenix writes: Todd McShay's draft scenario is a dream come true for me as a Lions fan and as a Baylor graduate. However, try to imagine this scenario: The Vikings picking at No. 12, where they are about to take _____ and then they realize, "If we take _____, then Detroit will take Prince Amukamara. Do we really want that?" To your point, do they let a division rival get an elite cover cornerback with 4.37 speed?"

Kevin Seifert: It's a very interesting point and scenario, Nathan. In the end, however, I don't think you can play defense in the draft, especially in the first round. At that point, there should be no motive other than picking the best player for your team.

The trickier question is whether the Vikings should pass on Amukamara for their own purposes. The only certainty they have at cornerback is veteran Antoine Winfield, who turns 34 in June. Cedric Griffin is recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament, his second in as many seasons. Chris Cook showed some promise last summer in training camp but two knee injuries held him back during the season.

The Vikings would have to think hard about taking Amukamara. The Lions' needs shouldn't have anything to do with it, but their own might provide enough motivation.

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Lou of Yuma, Ariz., writes: Thanks so much for your comments on the "Calvin Johnson Rule!" I'd totally forgotten about Bill the Cat, and his normal comment exactly describes how I feel about the entire situation. I haven't laughed so much in years -- it was a "funny-always" line (as opposed to "funny-once" or "funny-never").

Kevin Seifert: Glad someone got it! I'll tell Milo and the gang next time I see them.

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Andy of Chicago writes: Much has been made about the Packers' roster depth. Along with the 53 they had at the end of the season, they could return as many as 15 players from IR and perhaps Johnny Jolly from suspension. Throw in another 8 or 9 draft picks, and those first-year gems that Ted Thompson seems to find outside of the draft before the season (Sam Shields, Frank Zombo, Ryan Grant, etc.) and that's a lot of bodies in camp. Figuring they'll probably lose 7 or so players to free agency, do you think Thompson might change his strategy and package picks in the draft to prioritize quality over quantity, i.e., move up on the board?

Kevin Seifert: It's an interesting perspective that more than a few of you have asked about. The first thing to remember is that from a pure numbers standpoint, no team is allowed more than 80 players in training camp. That number could change in the new collective bargaining agreement, but I realize you're referring to a lot of players who could/should make the team, as opposed to just a lot of players.

So is this the year that the Packers can afford to sacrifice multiple draft choices if there is a player they really feel strong about? A few of you have asked about Texas A&M linebacker Von Miller, who Scouts Inc. is ranking as the second-best prospect in the entire draft.

If the Packers think Miller is as good as media analysts suggest, would it be worth them to trade multiple picks to get into the top 5 and draft him? The idea would be that any players the Packers take on the second and third days of the draft are going to have a hard time making their roster.

It makes some sense, but I it would require a significant departure from the way Thompson has built the team in the first place. I think the chances of his staying course -- adding more and more talent on annual basis -- are much higher than a one-time philosophical shift.

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.