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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.

Some of you might already have seen John Clayton's projection of the NFL's 2011 salary cap, which will return at least some teams to the era of cap-induced cuts and adjustments after years of escalated spending.

Clayton estimates a 2011 cap of $120 million for each team. That's about a six percent drop from the most recent cap in 2009, and it would require adjustments for two NFC North teams in order to be compliant. Below is a look at the cap status of all four of our teams along with some thoughts on potential impact:

Chicago Bears
Cap status: About $37 million under

Comment: If anything, the Bears will have to spend significantly in order to exceed the cap "floor," or the minimum expenditure required. Regardless, all indications have been that the Bears are prepared to be active in free agency. At least one starting-caliber offensive lineman should be on their shopping list.

Detroit Lions
Cap status: About $16.5 million under
Comment: The Lions are positioned to pursue cornerbacks and/or linebackers on the free agent market. But the big question everyone is asking: Can they fit cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha under the cap? The answer, as always in the case of the salary cap, is yes. Any one player can be squeezed in as long as the team is comfortable with the consequences. The Lions would need to make a priority judgment on whether Asomugha is worth the cap percentage he would consume or if they should use it on multiple other players.

Green Bay Packers
Cap status: About $62,000 under
Comment: As Clayton notes, the Packers have a couple relatively easy fixes. They seem likely to part ways with linebacker Nick Barnett, saving $4.4 million against the cap. Right tackle Mark Tauscher's presumed departure would erase another $4.5 million. And in reality, the Packers' biggest upcoming expenditures will be signing their draft class and probably kicker Mason Crosby.

Minnesota Vikings
Cap status: About $5.1 million over
Comment: Clayton suggests two fixes: Releasing receiver Bernard Berrian and extending the contract of tailback Adrian Peterson, who is scheduled for a monster base salary of $10.72 million. Coach Leslie Frazier said this offseason that he wants Berrian to return, and extending Peterson will be a delicate, complex and time-consuming project. You at least have to wonder how active the Vikings will be on the free agent market.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

I hope everyone had an outstanding weekend and is ready for a full week of NFC North bloggage. I know I am.

We start this week with Dan Pompei's look at the career arc of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler this weekend in the Chicago Tribune. Pompei compared Cutler's career to 10 other established starting quarterbacks and found a few lessons to be learned.

Among them: Cutler's production matches up favorably, but his career winning percentage ranks last among the group in part because he's one of only two to change teams over his first five years. Pompei's conclusion: "The circumstances of Cutler's career make it difficult to judge him. We should find out if he has the fiber that made [Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben] Roethlisberger a champion in the coming seasons, assuming he continues to mesh with [offensive coordinator Mike] Martz and Bears receivers. Cutler has an excellent base to build on. If he has the will and stability around him, he still can become a premier quarterback."

Cutler's career certainly was sidetracked when he departed the Denver Broncos, a move he must share significant responsibility for. But he advanced to the playoffs for the first time in his career in 2010, and at age 28, it's too early to make any permanent career judgments.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times: "If the Bears want to start beating the Packers they need to get more physical up front on both sides of the ball."
• Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette profiles Green Bay Packers executive Eliot Wolf, the son of former general manager Ron Wolf who recently received a promotion. Eliot Wolf is 29 but has worked in the NFL in some capacity for 15 years.
• Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com also looks at Eliot Wolf's career, noting his first Packers draft came in 1993.
• Offensive lineman Mark Tauscher isn't sure if he'll be returning to the Packers or to the NFL in 2011, writes Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News thinks that defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh showed up for a Detroit Lions players-only workout on Friday as "a brazen piece of self-promotion."
• Cornerback Nate Vasher hopes to be part of the Lions' secondary this season, writes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com.
• Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit News: "After the second session of player-organized workouts at Birmingham Detroit Country Day, the Lions seem to have accomplished the most on offense."
• The second professional boxing match of Minnesota Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards has been canceled because his opponent backed out, according to Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Businesses in the city of Mankato, Minn., could lose out on a $5 million if the lockout forces the Vikings to cancel their annual training camp there. Dave Campbell of the Associated Press has more.
• Any connection between the Vikings and a Los Angeles group hoping to lure an NFL team is merely an orchestration at this point, writes Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

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

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

Chicago Bears

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

Detroit Lions

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

Green Bay Packers

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

Minnesota Vikings

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

The Green Bay Packers ended the 2009 season with short- and long-term needs at both offensive tackle positions. Their ensuing plan was never in doubt. The Packers re-signed both incumbents, Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher, and then sat tight until the April draft -- where they patiently waited for Iowa tackle Bryan Bulaga to fall to them at No. 23 overall.

Clifton started all 20 games of the Packers' run to the Super Bowl XLV championship, while Bulaga replaced an injured Tauscher for the final 16. It was a routine example of the Packers' team-building philosophy: Develop your own depth, promote from within and spend free-agent money to retain your own players.

Around here, we've gone around and around on the Packers' recent unwillingness to supplement their roster with veteran free agents. It's hard to argue with the results this season, and now it's time to find out how -- and if -- the rest of the NFL implements "The Packer Way."

The methods of all Super Bowl champions are scrutinized and often copied the following offseason. But this year, the Packers' competitors aren't likely to have a choice. The impending lockout will wipe out free agency, at least for now. Although the market will eventually open when a collective bargaining agreement is reached, it's quite possible the timing will be reversed.

The draft will come first, followed by free agency, rather than the other way around. Teams will not have the luxury of making draft decisions based on the results of free agency. Without a hard plan in place, they must, in the words of Arizona general manager Rod Graves, "approach the draft as if that's the only thing we have to focus on."

We needn't waste much time on the background. You know it well. Of all the players currently on the Packers' roster, only three -- cornerback Charles Woodson, defensive end Ryan Pickett and linebacker Brandon Chillar -- were signed as veteran free agents. Three more were acquired via trade: running back Ryan Grant, along with safeties safety Derrick Martin and Anthony Smith. The rest were either drafted by the Packers, signed as undrafted rookies, claimed on waivers or signed off another team's practice squad.

The intriguing issue is whether the Packers are uniquely equipped to navigate the offseason as it crystallizes for all NFL teams. From the outside, it sure seems that way.

"I'd say that our football team represents what you can accomplish building through the draft," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's a credit to [general manager] Ted Thompson and our personnel staff. We're a draft-and-develop program, we have been for the last five years, we'll continue to do so, and this is a very important draft class for our football team to keep the competition at a high level in the locker room, to keep the depth of our football team as deep as possible. The lesson we learned going through this past season is a very good experience to draw from, so we believe in the draft. That's important to us."

As he has in past years at the scouting combine, Thompson found himself answering questions last week about his approach to free agency and the draft. This year, however, there was no tinge of derision. Instead, Thompson was asked to explain how he stocked his team so well while largely eschewing a primary source of talent.

Thompson credited former Packers general manager Ron Wolf for being a "strong believer that you build the core of your team around the draft" but otherwise said: "Our guys do a lot of work."

Thompson said: "Most of our entire staff and personnel was trained by Ron Wolf and he believed very strongly in scouting and going to see players and doing due diligence and working just as hard on the seventh-round guys and the free agents as we do on the first-round guys. That's just the way we do business."

It's not as if other teams don't try their best to draft good players. But the Packers have two factors working in their favor that some others do not:

1. A proven system for scouting, evaluating and valuing potential draft picks
2. A single-mindedness about the draft that, without the crutch of free agency, forces them to keep looking until they find what they want

It was interesting last week listening to the disparate viewpoints of NFL general managers. Some were clearly relived to see two draft-first teams, the Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers, advance to the Super Bowl.

"Oh man, I love it," said Billy Devaney of the St. Louis Rams. "Isn't that awesome? I think both teams combined maybe had four starters that they got through free agency. The vast majority were draft picks, a couple of street free agents here and there, but those two organizations -- they've done it the way that everybody else aspires to do it. Putting it together with the foundation of hitting on their draft picks, and doing a great job keeping their guys."

The truth is, not everyone does aspire to it. Two disciples of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick suggested it's wrong to ignore any avenue for improving their team.

"I think you truly believe that you need to compare both sides going into every year and decide where the strengths are and where the weaknesses are and if you can fix them in the draft or in free agency," said the Atlanta Falcons' Thomas Dimitroff. " I know that was something that I was very particular about coming into Atlanta to make sure that I didn't get pigeon-holed as one type of team builder."

GM Scott Pioli of the Kansas City Chiefs suggested that patience will allow teams to stay true to their core values, whatever they may be.

"Everybody is going to build their team the same way that they believe," Pioli said. "You're going to have the draft. You're going to have free agency. None of this is going to go away. At some point everything is going to be done."

But if nothing else, the uncertainty about the timing and nature of this year's free-agent market seems likely to make the draft each team's first stop for offseason upgrades. You don't have to look any further than the NFC North to find recent examples where teams were able to focus their attention elsewhere in the draft after making inroads in free agency six weeks earlier.

The Chicago Bears, for example, signed free-agent defensive end Julius Peppers in March and then focused on safeties at the top of the April draft, eventually landing expected 2011 starter Major Wright. The Detroit Lions signed receiver Nate Burleson in free agency, relieving a primary roster need and freeing them to pursue running back Jahvid Best and safety Amari Spievey in the draft. Both players are likely 2011 starters.

This spring will be a guessing game -- for most teams. For the Packers, it will be business as usual.

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

FALLING

1. Interest in Minnesota: The Minnesota Vikings are 3-6 and aren't likely to make the playoffs. They're returning to the Metrodome for a home game against the rival Green Bay Packers, and there have been some questions about the reception coach Brad Childress and the rest of the team will get. I'm guessing it will be tamer than you might expect. This season's disappointment has gone on long enough, and I'm guessing Vikings fans who actually come to the game won't muster much venom. Second, I'm guessing there will be even more Packers fans in attendance than usual. I've been amused at how many of them have organized in favor of Childress keeping his job, for obvious reasons. The Twitter page @savechilly is especially creative.

2. Optimism in Detroit: It's amazing how quickly sentiment can change around an NFL team. Two weeks ago, Detroit Lions fans were riding higher than they had in years, anticipating a potential upset of the New York Jets. The Lions led for much of that affair before losing quarterback Matthew Stafford (shoulder) and the game in overtime. A week later, it seems legions of fans and media are questioning the job performance of coach Jim Schwartz and general manager Martin Mayhew. As we've discussed before, the Mayhew-Schwartz record since the start of the 2009 season is abysmal. In fact, it's now 4-21. But the worst thing the Lions could do now is panic and start over. Mayhew and Schwartz deserve three years to funnel the improvements they've made into the team's won-loss record.

3. Average age in Green Bay: The Green Bay Packers' decision to waive cornerback Al Harris and place right tackle Mark Tauscher on injured reserve robbed them of two key veterans. Tauscher has been asked to travel with the team and participate in meetings, but as Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette and Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com have pointed out, the Packers are a much younger team now. They have only six players older than 30. The good news is that the Packers' locker room leadership had already shifted toward quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Cornerback Charles Woodson is also a calming presence.

RISING

1. Chicago Bears offensive line: This group was the target of frequent criticism for the league-high 32 sacks the Bears gave up through the first half of the season. Some of it was deserved, and some was convenient. Regardless, I think we can all agree that Sunday marked a breakthrough performance. Although the Vikings' pass rush has fallen off this season, the Bears should be recognized for the time they gave quarterback Jay Cutler. There isn't really a way to measure it other than to say it was substantial. Cutler was sacked only once and completed 63 percent of his passes. He joked Tuesday that he wasn't sore from the game because he was hardly hit. Kudos to a maligned unit for stepping up in a big game.

2. Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers right tackle: The decision to place Tauscher on injured reserve means Bulaga, originally drafted as the Packers' left tackle of the future, will be expected to at least finish out the year as their right tackle. Bulaga has made a surprisingly smooth transition to the role -- not because he was deemed incapable, but because the shift in sides is usually as difficult as a swap between tackle and guard. Bulaga has done both this year, working first at left tackle, then at left guard and now at right tackle. It's not clear where his long-term future rides, but to this point he's held down an unfamiliar spot for a first-place team.

3. Israel Idonije, Chicago Bears defensive end: There has been some discussion that Idonije's production this season is purely a result of Julius Peppers arriving to play on the other side. I'm sure it has helped, but Idonije beat a number of blocks on his own in Sunday's 27-13 victory over the Vikings. Among other plays, Idonije dropped Vikings tailback Toby Gerhart for a 1-yard loss during a key third-quarter sequence in the red zone.

At the request of TDbuddah, Tokyo Sandblaster and others, we're going to ramp up coverage this week of the Green Bay Packers in anticipation of their matchup Sunday with the Minnesota Vikings. But before we get to that, let's close the book on the Packers' decision to place right tackle Mark Tauscher on injured reserve last week.*

At the time, we wondered if the move would mark the end of Tauscher's career. He's 33, and injuries have shortened four of his past five seasons. In discussing Tauscher's injury, combined with the departure of cornerback Al Harris, coach Mike McCarthy said: "Al Harris and Mark Tauscher have been excellent Packers and we appreciate that. But at some point careers do come to an end and you move on and you appreciate what they have done."

Tauscher has one year remaining on his contract, but it sure looks as if the Packers are prepared to move on without him. Rookie Bryan Bulaga will take over his position for at least the duration of the season. In a classy move, however, the Packers have asked Tauscher to continue traveling with the team and even attend meetings to help lend his insight.

(*And for those of you up in arms about our dip in Packers coverage during the past week, may I kindly remind you they were on a bye.)

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Thanks to a statement from the Detroit Lions and the usual excellent reporting from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, we finally have some clarity on quarterback Matthew Stafford's 9-day-old right shoulder injury.

Stafford visited Monday with Dr. James Andrews, whom the Lions say confirmed their original diagnosis and endorsed their rehabilitation plan. The Lions did not provide details, but Mortensen reported Stafford suffered a Grade 3 separation of his shoulder Nov. 7 against the New York Jets. Stafford will spend the next two weeks in rehabilitation, Mortensen reported, and then will determine whether he can return to the field at that point. A cortisone shot could be administered during the process.

Season-ending surgery remains an option if the rehabilitation plan doesn't provide the necessary progress. At best, Stafford could play perhaps the final month of the season.

I know how important it is for Stafford to get back on the field, but the idea of rushing back on a twice-separated shoulder sounds scary to me. The Lions have their entire future, not to mention more than $40 million, invested in him. You can only assume they'll take every precaution necessary.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Lions need to get mad, says center Dominic Raiola. Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press has more.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News wonders if the Lions should have abandoned the run earlier Sunday against the Buffalo Bills.
• The Chicago Bears might not have a bunch of elite players, writes David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune, but their overall depth is a credit to general manager Jerry Angelo.
• The Bears stopped Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson with old-fashioned good tackling, writes the Tribune's Dan Pompei.
• The Bears can expect large doses of the Miami Dolphins' Wildcat offense Thursday night, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Peterson missed a Vikings team meeting Monday after getting ticketed for driving 53 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per-hour zone near the team's practice facility. Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune has more. The Vikings have on two other occasions benched Peterson from the opening portion of a game for missing or being late to team functions.
• Vikings quarterback Brett Favre told ESPN's Ed Werder that his sore right shoulder is "no big deal -- right now," and that he won't need an MRI.
• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com breaks down the tape of the Vikings' 27-13 loss to the Bears.
• It appears that Vikings owner Zygi Wilf is being patient with coach Brad Childress, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• The release of cornerback Al Harris and the season-ending shoulder injury of right tackle Mark Tauscher have left the Green Bay Packers with four players on their roster with 10 or more years of NFL experience, according to Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. They also have only six players older than 30.
• Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com calculates the exact number of days since Packers rookie tailback James Starks has played in a game.
• Gary D'Amato of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel looks at the Packers' scoring defense.

Has the Green Bay Packers career of Mark Tauscher come to an end on the Friday of a bye week? That's the question you have to ask after the Packers placed Tauscher on injured reserve because of a shoulder injury suffered Oct. 3.

The National Football Post reported at the time that the injury was feared to be season-ending, but the Packers gave Tauscher more than a month to recover before finally making the move. Rookie Bryan Bulaga has started five games in Tauscher's absence and is expected to remain at right tackle for the rest of the season.

Tauscher, 33, has been the Packers' right tackle for the past decade but injuries have cut short four of his past five seasons. The Packers signed him to a two-year contract last winter but could part ways with him this offseason.

Many of you are already asking if Bulaga is now the Packers' long-term answer at right tackle, or if they will one day return him to his original left tackle position. That's a question for the offseason, but generally speaking, left tackle is a difficult position to fill. If you have a player that can handle it, it makes sense to utilize him there and find someone else to play right tackle.

And, for all of you Spencer Havnerites out there: The Packers used Tauscher's roster spot to re-sign the tight end/linebacker.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Thursday, I threw out this thought on Twitter: "Will keep saying it. Childress, not foot, is Favre's biggest obstacle." So goes the prevailing sentiment about how the Minnesota Vikings will determine if quarterback Brett Favre will play Sunday against the New England Patriots.

The Star Tribune reports that while Favre thinks he can play with two fractures in his left foot, coach Brad Childress is leaning toward sitting him and starting Tarvaris Jackson. Childress has said several times that his job sometimes calls for him to protect people from themselves, a reference to Favre perhaps being blinded by his history and not realizing how hurt he is. But Childress is also well-known to be upset with Favre's 14 turnovers and tendency to veer from the offensive scheme this season.

This could all change Friday, the day Favre has targeted to return in some form to practice. By doing so, Favre could remove all doubt about this weekend -- one way or the other -- by his Friday performance. I know some of you aren't thrilled with how heavy we've covered this story, but to me it's a pretty big deal when a quarterback could potentially miss his first start in 292 games -- especially when we don't know if it will be because of injury or a coach's decision.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• There is a "near-comical dichotomy" in the actions of Favre and Childress this week, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "For all the talk about Brett Favre's turnovers and the lack of production at wide receiver, the Vikings are 2-4 partly because of these averages for 12 opening drives this year: 4.5 plays, 13.58 yards, 2:55 time elapsed."
• The odds don't look good for Green Bay Packers defensive linemen Cullen Jenkins and Ryan Pickett playing Sunday against the New York Jets, according to Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tells the story of how defensive lineman Howard Green arrived in Green Bay.
• Rookie Bryan Bulaga is playing well enough at right tackle that he might not relinquish the role to injured veteran Mark Tauscher, writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Detroit Lions cornerback Jonathan Wade might have found a home as the team's nickelback, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• John Niyo of the Detroit News profiles Lions kick returner Stefan Logan.
• Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune: "Rod Marinelli has fit the role of coordinator well as the Bears' third in as many seasons. You never would think this is a first for him in the NFL."
• The numbers show improvement in the Bears' defense, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• The Chicago Sun-Times looks to assess blame for the Bears' sack total.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers will have linebacker Clay Matthews (hamstring) and defensive lineman Ryan Pickett (ankle) for Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings. That's the headline for the pre-game inactive list for both teams.

To no surprise, right tackle Mark Tauscher is inactive, meaning rookie Bryan Bulaga will start his third consecutive game.

For the Vikings, cornerback Lito Sheppard was deactivated to make room for rookie cornerback Chris Cook, who returns after missing two weeks with a knee injury. The Vikings will start Asher Allen opposite Antoine Winfield, with Cook serving as the nickel. Newcomer Frank Walker would play in the dime if necessary.

Tyrell Johnson will start at strong safety for Husain Abdullah (concussion).

Getting inside the Friday injury report....

Chicago Bears: Cornerback Zack Bowman (foot) is doubtful and not expected to play Sunday against the Washington Redskins. Guard Roberto Garza (knee) also won't play. Safety Major Wright (hamstring) is questionable, but also unlikely to play. Linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle), on the other hand, is questionable but could see some game action.

Green Bay Packers: The Packers have ruled out defensive lineman Mike Neal (shoulder) and linebacker Brady Poppinga (knee). Linebackers Brandon Chillar (shoulder) and Clay Matthews (hamstring) are questionable, but both appear on track to play Sunday night against the Minnesota Vikings. The status of defensive end Ryan Pickett (ankle) is less clear. Right tackle Mark Tauscher (shoulder) is questionable, but might need another week off. Coach Mike McCarthy wouldn't tip his hand on whether cornerback Al Harris (knee) and/or safety Atari Bigby would be activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but both had strong weeks of practice.

Minnesota Vikings: Safety Husain Abdullah (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday night's game. Jamarca Sanford or Tyrell Johnson will replace him. Cornerback Lito Sheppard (hand) is questionable, but he figured to fall a rung on the depth chart anyway with the expected return of rookie cornerback Chris Cook (knee). Cook seems likely to serve as the nickel back. Center John Sullivan is the likely starter after missing most of three games with a calf injury.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune offers an obvious but seemingly ignored suggestion to relieve the Chicago Bears' pass protection issues: Take a page from the Mike Shanahan offense they will face this weekend and get quarterback Jay Cutler out of the pocket.

Shanahan was the Denver Broncos' general manager and coach when Cutler was drafted in 2006. In 2008, as Pompei points out, Cutler had the lowest sack-per-attempt ratio in the NFL. Shanhan's offense routinely calls for quarterbacks to roll away from the traditional pocket area, but this year Cutler has done so less than a half-dozen times.

Pompei: "The point is this: The Bears know they have pass protection issues. They need to help their offensive line, as well as their quarterback. Moving the pocket is a time-tested way of making the line's job easier. Changing the launch point creates indecision in the minds of pass rushers. They can't charge up field quite so aggressively if they aren't sure where their target is. And it also gives pause to blitz-crazed defensive coordinators. What's more, moving the pocket and calling for bootlegs plays into Cutler's strengths. It would help the Bears attack more efficiently, as well as prevent them from being attacked so relentlessly."

You can expect to see more of the same from Shanahan's Washington Redskins at Soldier Field. Would Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz consider a similar move?

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Bears linebacker Lance Briggs (ankle) practiced Thursday and is expected to play Sunday, writes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Bears special teams coach Dave Toub isn't blaming linebacker Rod Wilson for a holding penalty that wiped out Danieal Manning's 89-yard kickoff return last weekend, writes Neil Hayes of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Injured Green Bay Packers linebacker Nick Barnett, via Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com: "You can bet your money next year that I will be a beast. I guarantee you that. Put it in the bank."
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the Packers' meager pass rush against the Minnesota Vikings last season.
• Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette on rookie Bryan Bulaga's stint at right tackle: "In the two games [starter Mark] Tauscher has missed, there have been good times and some not-so-good ones."
• The Minnesota Vikings' offense has struggled early in games, notes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Vikings defensive end Jared Allen on his total of one sack this season, via Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune: "I think people are kind of shocked. It's the first time in my career that it's been five games and I've only had one sack. But you look at last week, we should have had four or five sacks. Tony [Romo] elected to throw the ball and we got [two interceptions] instead."
• Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "With due respect to Week 3 opponent Detroit, the Vikings' division race begins Sunday in Green Bay. Everything begins at Lambeau Field, which can catapult or cripple visitors looking for a spark."
• The Detroit Lions practiced Wednesday and Thursday heading into their bye weekend but held out 19 players from Thursday's practice, notes Tim Twentyman of the Detroit News.
• The Lions will determine new linebacker Bobby Carpenter's position based on the health of middle linebacker DeAndre Levy, writes Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com.

Some quick thoughts on the Green Bay Packers' 23-20 loss to the Miami Dolphins.

What it means: The Green Bay Packers are 3-3, with all three losses coming by three points. Two have been in overtime, and the winning field goal in the third came with four seconds remaining in regulation. No matter how small the margin of defeat, however, the Packers are nowhere close to where they hoped to be six games into the season.

This will turn it around: In classic Ted Thompson fashion, the Packers acquired safety Anthony Smith from the Jacksonville Jaguars after the game for a conditional seventh-round draft pick. Yes, it's the same Smith whom the Packers released on the final cutdown day prior to the 2009 season. Smith will provide some depth following injuries to Morgan Burnett and Derrick Martin, and before Atari Bigby can return from the physically unable to perform list.

Offensive: The Packers had 359 net yards, but 86 of them came on one pass play to receiver Greg Jennings in the first quarter. They averaged 4.7 yards on their other 58 plays. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to be uncharacteristically inaccurate, completing only 18 of 33 passes, and his best play Sunday was what appeared to be an impromptu quarterback sneak to tie the game with 13 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Rodgers did appear to be under duress for a good part of the game; defensive end Cameron Wake had three of the Dolphins' five sacks.

Controversial call: Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum was so upset about a fourth-quarter call that he showed a photograph of the pre-snap alignment to reporters, according to Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Linebacker Robert Francois was called for being over the center on a punt, a new rule this season. But Slocum said the photograph showed Francois was well off the line of scrimmage and in compliance with the rule. The call, however, returned possession to the Dolphins and set up a go-ahead touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano.

Short-handed: We already knew the Packers would be without tight end Jermichael Finley, right tackle Mark Tauscher and linebacker Nick Barnett, among others. But they also played Sunday without linebacker Clay Matthews, defensive end Ryan Pickett and defensive lineman Mike Neal. Matthews' replacement, Brady Poppinga, left Sunday's game with an injury.

Back in action: The Packers made an effort to get the ball to their top offensive playmaker following the loss of Finley. Jennings finished with six receptions for 133 yards after catching 14 in the Packers' first five games combined.

What's next: The Packers host the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday night at Lambeau Field.

Graham Gano kicked a 33-yard field goal in overtime Sunday to give the Washington Redskins a 16-13 win over the Green Bay Packers.

What it means: Now 3-2, the Packers are once again a game behind the Chicago Bears in the NFC North. The Packers have to be sick after not only losing a game they controlled for most of the afternoon, but also after seeing another injury to a significant player. The Packers led for the first 58 minutes, 39 seconds of the game. I didn't see every snap while in transit, but watching Mason Crosby's 53-yard field goal attempt bounce off the left upright near the end of regulation must have been painful.

Injury of note: Tight end Jermichael Finley didn't return after suffering a knee injury in the first quarter and was later seen standing on the sidelines with crutches. The Packers already were playing Sunday without tailback Ryan Grant, right tackle Mark Tauscher, linebacker Nick Barnett, linebacker Brandon Chillar and safety Morgan Burnett. Losing Finley for any amount of time would represent the biggest blow by far. We'll keep you updated on any details that arise, but for now Packers fans everywhere are holding their breath. Making matters worse, the Packers also played much of the game without veteran backup tight end Donald Lee, who didn't return after suffering a shoulder injury. That left rookie Andrew Quarless playing key minutes in a close game.

Think about it: The Packers' two losses have both come with less than five seconds remaining in the respective games. Chicago Bears place-kicker Robbie Gould booted a 19-yard field goal with four seconds remaining in Week 3. Sunday, Gano's 33-yard field goal came on the final play.

Flags fly: The Packers added another nine penalties to their season total, including two that helped the Redskins get Gano in position for an easier field goal attempt in overtime. Linebacker Brady Poppinga's holding penalty gave the Redskins another set of downs after failing to convert third-and-1 from the Packers' 30-yard line, and a pass interference call three plays on cornerback Charles Woodson got the Redskins out of a third-and-15 at the 30.

What's next: The Packers hope to rebound next Sunday at Lambeau Field against the Miami Dolphins.