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Earlier this month, we noted the Green Bay Packers would be close to the NFL salary-cap limit of $120 million when free agency began. Salary-cap rules remain a bit of a mystery here during this post-lockout frenzy, but from what I can see, the Packers have created at least $19 million in cap space over the past few days.

That total is the sum cap values of the five veteran players they reportedly plan to release. The most recent name added to the list is longtime offensive lineman Mark Tauscher, who managed only 12 starts over the past two years because of injuries. The list also includes defensive lineman Justin Harrell, along with linebackers Brandon Chillar, Nick Barnett and Brady Poppinga.

It's possible the Packers have created more space by renegotiating some veteran contracts, but if that's the case, it hasn't yet been reported.

If you're hoping the Packers will use that money to sign a veteran free agent, you've obviously not been watching how they have operated over the past few years. Some of the money will go toward signing their draft class. (Their rookie pool assignment was about $5.1 million this year.) Some of it might go to receiver James Jones, if he re-signs, and then I presume the Packers will consider contract extensions for some of their young starters, from guard Josh Sitton to tight end Jermichael Finley to receiver Jordy Nelson.

More details for the curious: It's been a while since the NFL salary cap has mattered, so let's touch a bit on what is happening.

The NFL salary cap is operating under post-June 1 rules. That means when a team releases or trades a player at this point, his entire salary cap figure for 2011 disappears from their books. The remaining "acceleration," if any, from his contract then counts against the team's 2012 salary cap.

That acceleration is known as "dead money" because it is cap space devoted to players no longer on the roster. So the Packers will have some dead money charged to their 2012 cap as a result of these 2011 moves. My pea brain is spinning too much to figure it out, but it will be a relatively small number.

Recent Packers posts: Who might replace left guard Daryn Colledge? The Packers trust Mason Crosby as their place-kicker of the future. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers really, really wants the Packers to re-sign Jones. To little surprise, the Packers told Barnett he will be traded or released. Chillar suffered a cruel fate.

Thursday afternoon marked the opening of the NFL's official waiver season, when teams can formally release players and begin adjusting their salary cap structure. We've already discussed the Chicago Bears' now-official decision to release tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, and now we'll hit some other NFC North-related personnel moves in quick-hitting fashion.

Item: The Green Bay Packers have informed linebacker Brady Poppinga and defensive tackle Justin Harrell they will be released, according to Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
Comment: Poppinga was coming off a serious knee injury. Harrell now qualifies as the biggest bust of general manager Ted Thompson's tenure. Drafted with a history of injuries, Harrell couldn't stay on the field for the Packers.

Item: The Minnesota Vikings released safety Madieu Williams.
Comment: Williams was due $5.4 million in 2011, a high price for a player who might not have made the team. He was originally signed on the advice of now-coach Leslie Frazier, but a 2008 neck injury seemed to rob him of some aggressiveness as a tackler. I'm not sure if his replacement is on the roster yet, but Tyrell Johnson might get a chance.

Item: The Detroit Lions will release linebacker Jordon Dizon.
Comment: Dizon was a vestige of Rod Marinelli's Tampa 2 defense and too small to fit into the Lions' current scheme.

Item: The Bears lost out on two free agents they have been reported to have interest in, receiver Brad Smith and offensive lineman Jermon Bushrod.
Comment: They're too busy getting straight at tight end to worry about all that.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

As training camps around the NFL inevitably approach, I wonder if we're going to see more reports of players who suffered injuries while working out on their own during the offseason.

Here's one that applies to the NFC North: Detroit Lions left tackle Jeff Backus suffered a left pectoral muscle injury, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. The injury is believed to be a partially torn muscle, and his status for the start of training camp is in question.

Specifics are crucial in this case because a completely torn pectoral muscle is usually a season-ending injury. A partial tear can cause a month's absence.

Like most teams, the Lions don't have an heir apparent in-house to replace Backus if he has to miss some time. Left tackle is a difficult-enough position to fill anyway. And the Lions already are monitoring the health of right tackle Gosder Cherilus, who had microfracture surgery on his knee. Corey Hilliard and Jason Fox are the top two backup tackles.

You can say and think what you want about Backus, but losing a starting left tackle for a significant period of time is devastating for any team. A Lions source told Birkett the injury is not serious, but the team hasn't been allowed to examine him per the terms of the lockout. Stay tuned.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Free agent Keith Bulluck is a likely option for the Lions at linebacker, writes Birkett.
• The Green Bay Packers have given defensive tackle Justin Harrell no indication they want him back in 2011, writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette checks in with former Packers guard Marco Rivera, who will be inducted into the Packers' Hall of Fame.
• The Chicago Bears would be better off holding their training camp this year at their permanent training facility in Lake Forest, Ill., writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• Bears free-agent linebacker Nick Roach to Vaughn McClure of the Tribune: "I love it here. It has been great to know these guys, to play with a historical pair such as Brian [Urlacher] and Lance [Briggs]. But I understand, too, that part of the business is that you're going to have to move around. And I didn't start off here. Moving on is something that I realize could happen."
• Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com suggests the Bears pursue receiver Bernard Berrian if he is released by the Minnesota Vikings.
• Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune identifies the Vikings' priorities when the lockout ends.
• Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton called the Vikings' stadium proposal "incomplete and unsatisfactory," according to the Associated Press.
• Receiver Sidney Rice's history of injuries could impact the offers he gets on the free-agent market, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.

» 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: draft rewind -- examining the past five drafts.

Chicago Bears

Best choice: My initial thought was to nominate receiver Johnny Knox, a fifth-round pick two years ago out of Division-II Abilene Christian. Knox has 96 receptions in two seasons and is as close to a No. 1 receiver as the Bears have. But the 2006 decision to draft kick returner Devin Hester in the second round was inspired. Hester has changed the game and has become one of the best returners in the history of football. He has also made steady improvement as a receiver after converting from cornerback. Hester it is.

Worst choice: The Bears made Central Michigan defensive end Dan Bazuin a second-round pick in 2007. He was taken No. 62 overall but never played a regular-season down for the team. A left knee injury ended his rookie season and a second operation on the knee led to his release in the summer of 2008. I'm not sure if the Bears could have projected the knee problems, but bidding farewell to a second-round pick after one year is problematic.

On the bubble: Chris Williams, drafted as the left tackle of the future in 2008, missed almost half of his rookie season because of a back injury and has started at three different positions in the ensuing two years. As of today, the Bears aren't saying where he will play in 2011. The position changes could merit credit for flexibility, or they could be grounds for criticism because the Bears haven't been able to lock him down at left tackle as they have hoped.

Detroit Lions

Best choice: If you had the option between a pass-rushing, playmaking defensive tackle and a freakishly skilled receiver, which would you take? I would go with the former, which is why I'm making defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh my top Lions choice over the past five years. Receiver Calvin Johnson is an elite player, but to me, Suh plays a more important position. I realize Suh wasn't exactly a surprise pick at No. 2 overall in 2010, but it's rare that a player taken at that spot lives up to the hype so quickly.

Worst choice: This discussion is limited to the past five years, so we can't nominate receiver Mike Williams (2005). Many of the Lions' now-discarded draft picks were selected with former coach Rod Marinelli's Tampa 2 defensive scheme in mind, so it's not surprising they would no longer be around. There is no smoking gun in this time period, so I'll go with receiver Derrick Williams, a third-round pick in 2009 who has failed as both a No. 3 receiver and a kick returner.

On the bubble: Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 draft, has missed more games (19) than he's played (13) in the past two years. His three-game appearance in 2010 suggested improvement over his 20-interception rookie season, but like any player, Stafford must find a way to stay on the field or he will be a bust.

Green Bay Packers

Best choice: Trading back into the first round in 2009 to select linebacker Clay Matthews was an inspired move. And tight end Jermichael Finley, you might recall, was a low third-round pick in 2008. But in this case, I have to go with finding one of the top receivers in the game at the bottom of the second round of the 2006 draft. Greg Jennings was the No. 52 overall pick that year and not exactly a household name after his Western Michigan career. But he was productive from the moment he arrived in Green Bay and earned a well-deserved Pro Bowl berth last season.

Worst choice: Tennessee defensive lineman Justin Harrell had a history of injuries when the Packers made him the No. 16 overall pick in 2007. Not coincidentally, injuries have prevented Harrell from establishing any sort of career. He has played in 14 games over four seasons, felled by back and knee ailments, among others. Because of the value of his draft position, Harrell gets the nod over Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm, who bombed after the Packers took him in the second round in 2008.

On the bubble: The Packers don't have a player who fits neatly into this category, but on a relative scale I would go with guard Daryn Colledge, a second-round pick in 2006. Colledge has started all but three games over the past five years, making several position changes along the way, but the Packers never seem willing to commit to him for the long term. That trend continued last month, when they tendered him as a prospective restricted free agent but didn't seem interested (yet) in a multiyear contract. Is this the year they find someone to take over his left guard spot?

Minnesota Vikings

Best choice: Defensive end Ray Edwards has 29.5 sacks in his five-year career, including 16.5 in the past two season, some significant numbers for a player taken in the fourth round of the 2006 draft (No. 127 overall). But it's hard to get past the value the Vikings have gotten from receiver Percy Harvin, their first pick (No. 22 overall) in 2009. They put a substantial amount of pre-draft work into his background, and he has not been responsible for any off-field issue that has been publicized. In two seasons, moreover, Harvin has 131 receptions and has been a force as a kickoff returner as well. The Vikings didn't fully grasp Harvin's migraine history, but I'm not sure if many teams did at the time.

Worst choice: Safety Tyrell Johnson, whom the Vikings targeted and traded up to the No. 43 slot in 2008 to draft, has been a disappointment and is not guaranteed a starting job in 2011. But as far as impact on the organization, it's hard to look past the decision to trade into the second round of the 2006 draft and select quarterback Tarvaris Jackson. There is no doubt Jackson had some physical skills to get excited about. But ultimately, that decision -- along with former coach Brad Childress' faith in his future development -- set back the franchise and left it in desperation mode this spring.

On the bubble: Right tackle Phil Loadholt was the No. 54 overall pick in 2009 and has started 31 of a possible 32 games since. But is that because he deserves to be an established starter in the NFL, or was he simply the Vikings' best option? There are mixed opinions about Loadholt's performance over that stretch, and it's not clear if the Vikings' new coaching staff considers him an unquestioned starter moving forward.

B.J. Raji crossed into the Soldier Field end zone, glanced at the side judge to confirm he had just scored his first NFL touchdown and then made a startling realization.

He had nothing planned.

The Green Bay Packers' budding showman resorted to instinct, rolling his hips like a belly dancer while celebrating the score that proved the final margin of victory this past Sunday in his team's 21-14 victory over the Chicago Bears in the NFC Championship Game. Listed at 337 pounds, Raji officially became the biggest man to score a postseason touchdown in NFL history, based on records kept by the Elias Sports Bureau. (You can watch the video here.)

"Football is a game of reactions," he said. "I just reacted and had fun with it."

American sports culture has long had, uh, a soft spot for large men who do surprising things. Exactly 25 years ago, William "The Refrigerator" Perry stole the show in the Chicago Bears' run-up to Super Bowl XX. Raji has better teeth and more of a nuanced personality, but otherwise the man who is calling himself -- yes -- "The Freezer" is set to emerge as one of the fresh personalities on the scene of Super Bowl XLV.

"The guy has some style," marveled Packers cornerback Charles Woodson.

Before we get too carried away with the style, however, let's be clear about the substance: Raji had an exceptional inaugural season as the Packers' full-time nose tackle after making the move from defensive end. He ranked third among NFL interior linemen with 6.5 sacks and proved his durability by playing on nearly 85 percent of the Packers' defensive snaps, according to the trackers at Pro Football Focus. That percentage, based on a total that includes plays wiped out by penalty, was the third-highest in the NFL among defensive linemen.

Raji literally served as the rock of a defensive line that was otherwise debilitated by injuries to four players expected to play significant roles. Cullen Jenkins (five games), Ryan Pickett (two), Mike Neal (14) and Justin Harrell (15) were all sidelined for significant segments of the season. Raji, on the other hand, missed only an average of five plays per game.

You could attribute part of that durability to Raji's young legs. At 24, he is only two years removed from Boston College. But it should also dispel any notion that Raji is just a top-heavy, if lovable, big man. He is obviously well-conditioned and, despite the extensive workload, has appeared as spry as ever during the Packers' stretch run. In the Packers' past six games, in fact, Raji has four sacks, has knocked down three passes and intercepted a fourth.

"He's played tremendously for us [in that stretch] and been a real key factor," defensive coordinator Dom Capers told reporters on Sunday.

In fact, the Packers were so confident in Raji's conditioning that they recently added a Fridge-like role to his repertoire. In each of their past two playoff games, Raji has entered the game on offense as an extra fullback in the most jumbo-sized goal-line package you'll ever see. (It also includes reserve offensive lineman T.J. Lang as a tight end and fullbacks Quinn Johnson and John Kuhn as the other men in the backfield.)

Both plays have resulted in touchdowns. The first instance came in the Packers' Jan. 15 divisional playoff game at the Atlanta Falcons, a game for which Raji happened to be mic'd for NFL Films. If you haven't watched the resulting video, it's worth your time.

You'll see Raji admitting that "I didn't block nobody" after bursting through the line ahead of Kuhn on the result. Later, a Packers staff member approached Raji on the sideline and suggested he looked like the Fridge.

"I'm the Freezer," Raji responds.

Personally, I'm partial to "The Garaji" as a nickname, but I'm guessing "The Freezer" has already taken off.

"I was making a joke, just making light of the situation and having a good time with it," Raji said.

The same could be said of his post-touchdown celebration Sunday, which he said has generated "a slew" of offers for lessons and other suggestions to improve for the next time. Coach Mike McCarthy joked (I think) that he gave Raji "two minuses" on his grading chart on the interception -- one for holding the ball away from his body during the runback and another for the dance.

"The dance is a little bit undesirable," McCarthy said.

So what's next for Raji? Most importantly, the Packers are counting on him to anchor their defense against a Pittsburgh Steelers team that scored 37 points on them during a 2009 meeting. Bleah. That alone would be so boring.

Will Raji get a handoff out of that goal-line set? How about a play-action pass? Clearly he has the skills. And this week marks the 25th anniversary of Perry's 1-yard scoring plunge in the Bears' Super Bowl XX rout of the New England Patriots. At a listed 318 pounds, Perry had the record Raji now owns, according to Elias.

"B.J.'s a very good athlete," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. "He's the kind of guy that despite his size, he's a pretty good basketball player, that sort of thing. He's blessed with a lot of God-given gifts."

I'm betting that includes the capacity for a better post-touchdown celebration.

"Who knows?" Raji said. "You'll have to see."

The world is waiting, B.J. The world is waiting.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin confirmed to reporters Monday that he is being treated for sleep apnea, a condition that might have triggered his increasing frequency of migraine episodes this summer. Harvin said the diagnosis came when he was hospitalized after an Aug. 19 collapse during a Vikings practice.

Harvin (via Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press): "They'd just barge in the room and be like, 'Harvin, you OK?' I'd say, 'I think so.' [They said] 'Well, your heart just wasn't beating.' I was like, 'What do you want me to do?'"

Indeed, doctors determined his heart was stopping and then re-starting during the night, a common symptom of sleep apnea. He now sleeps with an oxygen device and said he feels a "100 percent difference" when he wakes up in the morning.

Whether this cures his migraines, slows them down or merely helps him sleep better, Harvin appears to be in a better place than he was a month ago.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Vikings owner Zygi Wilf's enthusiasm hasn't dampened following a Week 1 loss at New Orleans. According to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune, Wilf said: "We built a team that we expect to go all the way. We're not holding back right now. ... We pretty much feel that we're all in. We're going to try our best to fulfill our goal."
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com: "Sidney Rice expects to remain on crutches for a couple more weeks, and the Minnesota Vikings' top receiver said on Monday he hasn't set a target date for returning to practice following last month's hip surgery."
• Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel lists these veteran agent running backs as available if the Green Bay Packers look for outside help to replace Ryan Grant (ankle): Willie Parker, Ahman Green, Justin Fargas and J.J. Arrington.
• Because the Packers spent the entire game at Philadelphia in the nickel, A.J. Hawk did not receive a single defensive snap, notes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Inside linebackers coach Winston Moss: "If I was in that same situation, I would be upset if I didn't play and I was going into an opening game ... and I had a very good preseason. I would have wanted to play. I'm sure a highly competitive guy would have wanted to play. I would use it as -- if I have to do whatever it takes and do more to stay on the field as much as possible, I've got to do whatever it takes. That would be my attitude."
• The Packers plan to re-sign defensive lineman Jarius Wynn to replace the injured Justin Harrell (knee), confirms Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The Detroit Lions agreed to terms with former Chicago Bears cornerback Nate Vasher, notes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com. Vasher could replace injured nickelback Aaron Berry.
• Lions coach Jim Schwartz called backup quarterback Shaun Hill "one of our biggest offseason acquisitions," writes John Niyo of the Detroit News.
• Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford on his series of injuries in the NFL: "Pretty perfect hits. Guys dropped me on my shoulder pretty hard both times. I'd call them weird, freaky injuries more than anything." Michel Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press has more.
• Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is willing to gain yards on the ground, notes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald.
• Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com questions the Bears' decision to match Lions receiver Calvin Johnson in single coverage on the play that nearly beat them Sunday.
• Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz made a number of concessions Sunday for his still-developing offensive line, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times: "Devin Aromashodu started the 2010 season the way he ended the 2009 season: as the Bears' hottest receiver."

(We're sprucing up our day-after-game posts here on the NFC North blog, but the structure remains the same.)

After the Green Bay Packers' 27-20 victory Sunday at the Philadelphia Eagles, here are three issues that merit further examination:

Kevin SeifertThe Green Bay Packers take their turn in the examination room after beating Philadelphia.
1. As we noted a few moments ago, coach Mike McCarthy has ruled out tailback Ryan Grant for Sunday's home opener against the Buffalo Bills. McCarthy said Grant's injury is "significant" and that he didn't enough information to answer questions about whether surgery will be needed. I suppose anything could happen, but there are some code words there that suggest Grant could miss an extended period of the season. No matter what you think of backup Brandon Jackson, I think you have to admit the Packers' offense is different without Grant on the field. Having a two-time 1,200-yard runner in the backfield puts certain strains on a defense that starting a four-year backup does not. It's plain and simple. Jackson will have to demonstrate he can produce similar yardage, or defenses will have a relatively easier time ganging up on the Packers' passing game.
2. The Packers entered the game with only four defensive lineman on their active roster, but they had a good reason. Their game plan called for them to play sub packages the entire game. That's right. According to video analysis by ESPN's Stats & Information, the Packers did not play one down in their base 3-4 defense. They had at least five defensive backs on the field at all times, and they had a traditional set of seven men in the box on only six plays. The scheme worked much better against Eagles starter Kevin Kolb (5-of-10) than it did against backup Michael Vick (103 rushing yards). By the end of the game, the Packers' remaining defensive linemen were gassed. McCarthy estimated nose tackle B.J. Raji played upwards of 60 snaps. He never played as many as 35 snaps last season.
3. For the most part, I would consider Vick's rushing total a product of a unique individual performance. According to ESPN's Stats & Information, Vick gained 70 of his yards on passing plays that ended in a scramble. On six designed runs, Vick gained 33 yards. The Packers aren't going to run into another quarterback with Vick's skill set this season.

And here is one issue I still don't get:

How will history view the Packers' decision to draft defensive lineman Justin Harrell with their top pick in the 2007 draft? Harrell had missed all but three games of his senior season at Tennessee because of a torn biceps. Earlier in his college career, Harrell had surgery on his right leg, broke his right ankle in a separate injury and also had back trouble. A general rule of thumb is that players who have a hard time staying on the field in college will repeat that pattern in the NFL, and that has certainly been the case for Harrell. He has played in 14 games over four seasons, and Sunday's might have been his last with the Packers after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Complicating the analysis is that most of the injuries were unrelated. For whatever reason, Harrell could never keep himself out of the trainer's room.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

It's already clear that rookie Jahvid Best has taken over the Detroit Lions' starting tailback job. We've assumed that his predecessor, Kevin Smith, would become his backup. But Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press indicates Smith is no lock to make the Lions' 53-man roster.

Smith has returned from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but his preseason performance has been weak (2.4 yards per carry) and he isn't much of a special-teams factor. The Lions have a relatively deep backfield that also includes Maurice Morris, Aaron Brown, DeDe Dorsey and Jerome Felton. Tellingly, coach Jim Schwartz provided a neutral answer when asked if Smith had earned a spot on the roster: "I don't know. I'll cross that bridge when we get there. I don't know that there's very many people that have 100 percent earned a spot."

Smith was drafted by the Lions' previous front office/coaching regime and targeted specifically for a zone-running scheme the team no longer uses. Is it possible that Smith could make the team? Sure. But there are certainly a number of factors working against him.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News considers defensive tackles Andre Fluellen and Landon Cohen, safety Ko Simpson and cornerback Aaron Berry to be among the Lions' bubble players.
• Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler has been linked to D-list celebrity Kristin Cavallari. Cutler on the repercussions of such rumors, according to the Chicago Tribune: "It'll be interesting."
• Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Sun-Times: "Dark forces seem to be gathering against the Bears these days. There's a devastating combination of deflating preseason losses featuring alternating areas of concern on the field, curious trade rumors off it and even the bottom-line folks at Forbes magazine labeling the franchise 'financial flatliners.'"
• Bears backup quarterback Todd Collins should get extended playing time in Thursday night's preseason finale, writes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald.
• Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz is surprised by the number of mistakes players have made in preseason, according to Michael C. Wright of the Chicago Tribune.
• In the big picture, the Green Bay Packers made it through training camp healthy, writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Packers defensive lineman Ryan Pickett on moving from nose tackle to end: "It took me awhile to accept it. I was disappointed for a little while. But after that, I started playing it and started liking it." Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has more.
• Oft-injured defensive lineman Justin Harrell could be down to his final days with the Packers, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Veteran Lito Sheppard is the likely Week 1 starter at right cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings, according to the Star Tribune.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com on the Vikings' recent injury woes: "This team has a swarm of locusts in the locker room."
• Vikings receiver Bernard Berrian on the red zone bobble that led to an interception in Saturday's preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks: "It was one of those things that just happened." Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has more.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Thanks to everyone for their patience during what was a wild Tuesday afternoon in the NFC North. Brett Favre's return to Minnesota forced us to cancel our weekly SportsNation chat, which I promise to make up later this week, and veered us from our division-wide mission for one day.

I'll be at the Vikings' Winter Park practice facility Wednesday afternoon, having taken the team's statement that "media availability with QB Brett Favre is to be determined" as quasi-confirmation that he has in fact been reinstated to the roster. But we'll also resume coverage of the entire division, beginning with our morning spin.

Suamico72 -- who, like me, never sleeps but unlike me is counting consecutive FavreWatch posts -- will be so disappointed.

• After a few swings and misses, the Chicago Bears brought in free-agent quarterback Matt Gutierrez for a visit as a potential short-term replacement to injured backup Caleb Hanie. ESPNChicago.com's Jeff Dickerson has more.
• The "turbo" gear of Bears tailback Matt Forte has been evident in training camp, writes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune: "Frank Omiyale's adventure at right tackle has been much smoother than a year ago, when the Bears inserted him at left guard. Omiyale graded out well in Saturday's exhibition opener, and the Bears are hoping that will serve as a building block for the offensive line. He looked more comfortable and natural, even if he's more accustomed to the left side, after struggling to play with proper leverage a year ago."
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "Last week in the middle of training camp, when tired legs and body aches were beginning to set in, Turk McBride gave the rest of the [Detroit] Lions defensive linemen a pick-me-up by hanging stuffed monkeys in their lockers."
• Lions coach Jim Schwartz had to cut Tuesday's practice short because of "an acute personnel shortage in the secondary," according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News. Here is McCosky's rundown of the injury list: Cornerbacks Jonathan Wade (finger), Dre Bly (thigh), Aaron Berry (hamstring) and Jack Williams (knee), and safeties Louis Delmas (groin), Dante Wesley (unspecified) and Ko Simpson (knee). Safety Randy Phillips also left the field because of dehydration.
• Rookie Lions defensive end Willie Young flashed enough promise in last Saturday's preseason opener at Pittsburgh to make veteran end Jason Hunter expendable, writes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com.
• The Green Bay Packers' fluid situation at outside linebacker has yet to clear itself up, writes Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Packers passed on signing free-agent tailback Brian Westbrook, who ultimately landed in San Francisco, writes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Uh-oh. Oft-injured Packers defensive lineman Justin Harrell experienced tightness in his back Tuesday and sat out both practices, according to Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Greetings from the Bay, where I experienced a world-changing moment upon driving down Oneida St. A Five Guys is now among the dining options. That changes everything for this season, including the likelihood of my expanding waistline. Whoa, Nelly.

Anyway, I plan to head over to the Green Bay Packers' morning practice in a few hours, and soon we'll begin three days of Packers-heavy blogging. Don't fret, though. I've got a couple more posts left over from Detroit Lions camp, however. One is coming later Thursday morning, and the other will post Saturday.

Please hold your horses as best as you can.

For now, let's take a spin through the NFC North:

• Packers defensive lineman Justin Harrell said he has had to calm down a few family members who were upset about public criticism of his career. Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has more.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at the advantages of splitting tight end Jermichael Finley out wide versus having him lined up next to a tackle.
• Andrew Brandt of the National Football Post offers this perspective on Brett Favre's future: "I remember talking with Brett as we watched the ways of Roger Clemens a few years back. Clemens signed with the Astros in midseason 2006 and with the Yankees in midseason 2007. I always sensed Brett wanted to be the Clemens of football -- sans steroid allegations -- picking a team in the middle of the season and riding in on his steed to lead them to glory."
• Rookie offensive lineman Chris DeGeare is turning heads in the Minnesota Vikings' training camp, writes Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune.
• The Vikings' top two receivers aren't on the practice field, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com. Percy Harvin is attending a funeral, while Sidney Rice is still rehabilitating his hip injury.
• Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson wouldn't mind discussing a new contract, writes Ray Richardson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• We discussed the marriage between Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz and quarterback Jay Cutler on Wednesday. Here's Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Sun-Times: "Wow. After listening to Martz gush about Cutler on Wednesday, I can report that the alliance is going better than anyone could have imagined. The much-anticipated tense relationship between the Bears quarterback and the new offensive coordinator seems to be off to a lovely start here at Camp Happy."
• And David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune: "When the Bears finally allowed offensive coordinator Mike Martz to speak to reporters Wednesday for the first time in more than two months, I half-expected the words to come from a mountaintop or pulpit. I expected to hear inspired football genius from a guy whose intelligence has been so celebrated that it's fair to wonder why he's cleaning up the Bears offense instead of the BP oil spill. I didn't expect to hear this."
• ESPNChicago.com looks at the competition between Bears linebackers Nick Roach and Pisa Tinoisamoa.
• Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com breaks down the Detroit Lions' receiver position.
• Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News: "And one thing we're learning quickly about Ndamukong Suh is, the big fella is all business. Here he came Wednesday, all eyes on him, all cameras on him, after he ended his four-day holdout. He was last out of the locker room for the Lions' afternoon practice, and he walked like a man eager to work, not to celebrate."

We're Black and Blue All Over:

We've discussed the impending return of Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, who missed most of last season because of a fractured wrist. This week, however, Urlacher discussed the hoped-for return of the Bears' Cover 2 defensive scheme.

Speaking to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune, Urlacher said the addition of defensive end Julius Peppers should elevate the defensive line's pass rush, reduce the frequency of blitz calls and allow the Bears to play the scheme they employed with great success in the middle of the decade.

Urlacher: "I mean the year before the Super Bowl and the year of the Super Bowl, we were good. We ran so much Cover 2, and it worked, man. We had pressure on the quarterback. We had a lot of picks. Yes, we have the talent and the ability to play more man coverage. But here's the thing: Cover 2 works. When we do it right and when we have pressure with our front four and we're breaking on the ball like we've been doing all this spring, it works. There is no doubt in my mind that we will have pressure on the quarterback this season. ... I would hope we blitz less. Hopefully we won't need to. Pressure on the quarterback from the front is huge. You're dropping seven and that's more eyes on the quarterback, more people breaking on the football. It's just better for everyone.''

Pressure from the front four is a goal of every defense, but over the past three seasons, we've seen what happens when the Bears don't get it. Can Peppers alone reverse that trend? Urlacher believes he will.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com isn't sure why the Bears have placed so much trust in defensive end Mark Anderson, who will start opposite Peppers: "What has Anderson done to restore the Bears' faith in him? Why was [Alex] Brown deemed expendable? These are questions only Anderson can answer by his performance on the field."
• Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times traces the journey of Bears guard Johan Asiata.
• The Minnesota Vikings have expressed interest in free-agent receiver Kelley Washington, according to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune.
• The father of Vikings center John Sullivan died suddenly of a heart attack last month, writes Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com takes a look at the Vikings' quarterback depth.
• Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel offers this doomsday scenario for the Green Bay Packers' offensive line: "[Chad] Clifton and [Mark] Tauscher get old in a hurry, and when they are able to line up their level of play dips dramatically. [Bryan] Bulaga struggles at left tackle. T.J. Lang's post-surgical wrist takes a long, long time to heal. Breno Giacomini isn't the answer. No one emerges at left guard. Daryn Colledge proves that he shouldn't even have been brought back. Jason Spitz really is a center. Allen Barbre fails again. Marshall Newhouse can't anchor inside. Lang isn't able to punch and grab. Bulaga finally is moved inside in October, but by then it's too late."
• Defensive lineman Justin Harrell's career is on the brink, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Detroit Lions would be better off having running back Jahvid Best hold out than defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.

Mike of Atlanta suggested an interesting exercise to kick off the week: Who do you think will be the biggest name to NOT make the 53-man roster for each of the NFC North teams?

We obviously can't foresee training camp surprises and disappointments, but I do think we can begin focusing on some relatively well-known players who -- at the very least -- have their work cut out to ensure another year on the roster. Let's take a look:

Chicago Bears
Look out: Safety Al Afalava
Comment: After starting 13 games last season, Afalava seems to have fallen off the map. Last week, general manager Jerry Angelo mentioned five players while discussing the Bears' safety position. Afalava was not among them.
Not far behind: Tight end Kellen Davis
Comment: Earlier this offseason, it was fair to wonder whether the Bears would keep the younger Davis over veteran Desmond Clark. But based on spring practices, at least, Davis is the one who should be worried.

Detroit Lions
Look out: Guard Manny Ramirez
Comment: He started 12 games last season, but the Lions acquired Rob Sims to take over at left guard. Stephen Peterman remains in place at right guard, leaving Ramirez to compete for a backup position.
Not far behind: Receiver Bryant Johnson
Comment: The Lions demoted Johnson by signing free agent Nate Burleson, and it's unlikely that Johnson and Dennis Northcutt will both make the team. Based on age and contract, you figure Johnson has the upper hand. But you never know, especially if Johnson's hands don't improve this summer.

Green Bay Packers
Look out: Safety Atari Bigby
Comment: We've discussed his situation pretty thoroughly. If rookie Morgan Burnett is ready to start, the Packers aren't likely to hold him back.
Not far behind: Defensive lineman Justin Harrell
Comment: Johnny Jolly's trial notwithstanding, this might be Harrell's final chance with the Packers. Even if he's healthy, it's difficult to see a spot on the roster for him.

Minnesota Vikings
Look out: Receiver Jaymar Johnson
Comment: Not many backup punt returners make a team.
Not far behind: Receiver Bobby Wade
Comment: Whoops. Wrong year.

While hashing through the demise of Oakland quarterback JaMarcus Russell, AFC West colleague Bill Williamson revisited the first round of the 2007 draft. Perhaps this is always the case three years later, but I was struck at the disparate impact that draft had on the NFC North.

Two teams drafted the player now considered the best on their roster. Another team totally whiffed. And a fourth has put its first-rounder into a transition phase of his career.

Take a look at the chart below. Detroit drafted receiver Calvin Johnson and Minnesota gobbled up tailback Adrian Peterson. Green Bay, meanwhile, has gotten 13 games, 28 tackles and no sacks from oft-injured defensive lineman Justin Harrell. Chicago had tight end Greg Olsen on an ascending ladder until shifting to an offense this year that will require more blocking than he is used to.

Wow. I think I just decided that the draft is a crapshoot. Take that to the house.

» NFC Busts/Gems: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)

Each Wednesday leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: Busts and late-round gems.

Chicago Bears

Gems: The Bears took a chance on an unknown with elite speed in the fifth round last year and came up with receiver Johnny Knox, a Division II college player. Knox caught 45 passes, including five touchdowns, as a rookie and made the Pro Bowl as a kickoff returner. Cornerback Zack Bowman, a fifth-round pick in 2008, has seven interceptions in 17 career games. He appears to have the makeup to be a long-term starter. Busts: Running back Cedric Benson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2005, was released after three years. Defensive end Dan Bazuin, a second-round pick in 2007, never played for the Bears.

Detroit Lions

Gems: Running back Aaron Brown, a sixth-round pick last year, proved to be an explosive and exciting playmaker. He'll get more playing time as he limits mental errors, but his speed and open-field running ability give him the capacity to be a difference-maker. Linebacker Zack Follett, a seventh-round pick in 2009, is a strong special teams player. Busts: The Lions' mid-decade mistakes, from quarterback Joey Harrington to receivers Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, have been well-chronicled. The Lions have only one player remaining from the 2006 draft, linebacker Ernie Sims, and receiver Calvin Johnson is the only 2007 draftee expected to make a significant impact in 2010.

Green Bay Packers

Gems: Defensive lineman Johnny Jolly, a sixth-round pick in 2006, has proved to be a solid starter at both tackle and now end in the Packers' 3-4 scheme. His immediate future is threatened by a looming trial for felony drug possession in Houston, but from a football perspective, he has been a hit. Guard Josh Sitton, a fourth-round pick in 2008, might have been the Packers' most consistent offensive lineman last season. Busts: Quarterback Brian Brohm, the No. 56 overall pick of the 2008 draft, stumbled from the start and didn't make it through his second year with the team. Among other things, Brohm struggled with his downfield accuracy. He is now on Buffalo's roster. Defensive lineman Justin Harrell, the No. 16 overall pick in 2007, has been plagued by what could ultimately be a career-ending back injury and has made minimal impact.

Minnesota Vikings

Gems: Center John Sullivan started 16 games in 2009, a year after Minnesota made him the No. 187 overall pick of the 2008 draft. Although he wasn't perfect, Sullivan has already given the Vikings more starts than many sixth-round picks provide. A fourth-rounder in 2006, defensive end Ray Edwards has been a full-time starter for the past three years. Over that span, he has 18.5 regular-season sacks plus another four in the playoffs. Some have expected even more from him, but that's pretty good production for a second-day pick. Edwards was part of a draft that has helped make up for a disastrous 2005 affair. Busts: In that 2005 draft, the Vikings had three picks in the top 49, but none made an impact. Receiver Troy Williamson couldn't catch the ball, defensive end Erasmus James tore the same anterior cruciate ligament twice and offensive lineman Marcus Johnson couldn't hold a starting job.

Posted by ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert

Check here for a full list of Green Bay’s player moves.

Biggest surprise: Brian Brohm was the 56th player taken in the 2008 draft, the third quarterback overall. For that reason alone it’s a shock the Packers have given up on him so quickly, despite another shaky preseason in which he finished with a passer rating of 54.5. He made some incremental progress this summer, and it’s possible the Packers will re-sign him to their practice squad Sunday. But it’s clear they were willing to risk losing him altogether. It’s a stunning fall for a player the Packers originally thought was polished and ready to immediately step in as the No. 2 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers.

Second-biggest surprise: The Packers kept all three of their fullbacks while leaving their tailback depth pretty thin, at least for now. Fullbacks Korey Hall and John Kuhn are good special teams players, but doesn’t one make the other expendable? The Packers obviously don’t agree. They kept both players -- along with rookie fullback Quinn Johnson -- while waiving tailbacks Tyrell Sutton and Kregg Lumpkin. The decisions leave DeShawn Wynn as the only healthy backup behind starter Ryan Grant. (Brandon Jackson is recovering from an ankle injury.)

Third-biggest surprise: Veteran receiver Ruvell Martin was released in favor of first-year receiver Brett Swain. I’m guessing this was a special teams decision, as Swain was having some success on coverage teams this summer. But Martin has been a productive reserve over the past three seasons, and I didn’t hear too much about his roster spot being in jeopardy.

Fourth-biggest surprise: Safety Anthony Smith, signed to a free agent contract this offseason, was released. There have been suggestions he was pushing starter Atari Bigby. Not anymore. Neither of general manager Ted Thompson's veteran free agent pickups, Smith and center Duke Preston, made the final roster.

No-brainer: Placing defensive lineman Justin Harrell (back) on injured reserve was dramatic but needed to be done. The Packers have carried him on their 53-man roster for the past two years even though he has missed more games (19) than he has played in (13) because of various injuries. He wouldn’t have made it to training camp this year if he weren’t a first-round draft pick. It was time for the Packers to cut their losses.

What’s next: One way or the other, the Packers will have to address their quarterback depth. It might simply mean adding Brohm or a waiver claim to the practice squad. But it’s also possible the Packers will look elsewhere for depth behind Rodgers. In news reports, they have been linked to Tampa Bay’s Luke McCown; but it will likely take a draft pick to pry him away from the Buccaneers. Backup Matt Flynn has been limited by a shoulder injury, so from the outside it would seem risky to enter the season with Rodgers and Flynn as the only active quarterbacks.