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We're Black and Blue All Over:

Former Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins hasn't decided whether to pursue a job with another team or retire, according to his agent via ESPNMilwaukee.com's Jason Wilde.

The Packers released Collins last week because they think a neck injury he suffered in September 2011 makes his return too risky. I wouldn't be surprised at all, however, if other teams have made inquiries about his health and status. Collins was a three-time Pro Bowl player and one of the NFL's best safeties before his injury.

Every team's medical staff is different, and there are no black and white answers with Collins' medical history. Someone might be willing to clear him. Ultimately, the decision could be up to Collins.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Packers draft pick Andrew Datko has been dealing with a left shoulder injury since college, writes Weston Hodkiewicz of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Packers haven't reached out to free agent running back Ryan Grant, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and it can only be assumed they are not interested in re-signing him.
• Grant has received a contract offer from the Detroit Lions and will visit their facility Monday, writes Eric Lacy of the Detroit News.
• Justin Rogers of Mlive.com has a transcript of Lions coach Jim Schwartz's recent appearance on NFL Network.
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has a profile of new Lions cornerback Jonte Green.
• Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune ranks the top draft picks of former Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo.
• The Bears waived safety Winston Venable, notes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
• Minnesota House Speaker Kurt Zellers on Monday's vote for a new Minnesota Vikings stadium, via the Star Tribune: "I don't know that there are the votes in the Republican caucus, or the votes [overall], at this point."
• Zellers appeared Thursday afternoon on KFAN-100.3 to explain his position on the stadium.
• The Vikings will give the son of assistant head coach Mike Singletary, linebacker Matt Singletary, a tryout during rookie minicamp this weekend, according to Adam Caplan via Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.

Jared Allen's eyes lit up last month upon learning that 20 Hall of Fame players had named him to ESPN.com's Any Era team, comprised of current players whose skills and mentality would have made them a success at any point in football history.

"Wow, that's great," Allen said. "That's why I play, to earn the respect of the guys before me."

Here's a sampling of what some of our panel said about Allen, whose 22 sacks in 2011 fell one shy of setting a league record:

MIKE SINGLETARY

"Jared Allen is going to will himself to get to the quarterback. I don't know how he does it. I can't even really explain it, but he lines up and the next thing you know, he's got the quarterback. The mentality and relentlessness that he approaches the game with is second to none."

WARREN MOON

"Jared Allen is just a tough, hard-nosed player. He's a defensive end who can get to the quarterback, but if he has to play in the trenches, he can. When he played at Kansas City, he played the run well. And in Minnesota, he is more of a pass-rusher. He is a throwback type of guy if you know him. He's like a big cowboy. He wears cowboy boots and tight jeans and he's a real throwback."

MIKE DITKA

"Jared Allen plays every down, hard and physical. He could've played in the '40s, '50s, '60s, '70s. He brings it on every play and gives all he's got."

In the video below, Hall of Fame receiver James Lofton applauds Allen for his performance as an emergency long-snapper during a Week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons. "And he's covering punts, and he's running 100 miles an hour. That tells me right there: football player."

A few thoughts after listening in on conference calls with Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier and his new defensive coordinator, Alan Williams:

• Frazier said Williams will bring some "new energy" and "fresh ideas" to the defense, but it's clear the Vikings aren't changing the fundamental approach they have taken for the past six seasons. Williams and Frazier are both former assistants to Tony Dungy, who popularized the Tampa-2 scheme the Vikings now use. "We are going to keep a lot of the same principles in place," Frazier said. "… I did think a little bit about some other options that were available, but after evaluating our season and looking at our history on defense, we didn't want to get too far away from the things that have let us be successful here in the past." At this point, it would be a stunner if the Vikings shift to a 3-4, as they reportedly were contemplating.
• Williams has never been a defensive coordinator, and Frazier will take more of a hands-on approach to the defense -- at least initially -- while Williams grows into the role. Frazier stopped short of saying who would call the defensive signals in Week 1, but he made clear he doesn't want to be a head coach/defensive coordinator. "Some guys can do that," Frazier said. "I don't think I can. But I do want to be involved early."
• In a situation that is unusual, to say the least, Frazier said that former defensive coordinator Fred Pagac has agreed to return to coach linebackers along with current linebackers coach Mike Singletary. Frazier was not specific about roles or titles, but said that both Pagac and Singletary would be a part of daily linebacker meetings. I couldn't begin to explain how that will work. The Vikings are a 4-3 defense, but in nickel they play only two linebackers. Do they need two full-time veteran coaches? Asked how they would split duties, Frazier cited the need for someone to focus on sub packages.
• Frazier used the Chicago Bears' 2010 defensive shuffle two years ago as a reference point, when coordinator Bob Babich was returned to his role as linebackers coach and defensive line coach Rod Marinelli took over for Babich as coordinator. "I've seen it work before in Chicago," Frazier said. "Between Babich, Rod and [coach Lovie Smith], they made it work. As long as you have the right people, it can work. … After sitting down and talking with the guys about what I was thinking and hearing their feedback, that assured me it could work."
• The Bears analogy doesn't totally work. If Pagac is in the Babich role, moving from coordinator back to linebackers coach, then how does that account for Singletary? I have to assume Pagac is the primary linebackers coach, with Singletary serving in some kind of less-defined role that allows him to remain on staff as a trusted adviser to Frazier, a longtime friend.
• As presumed, defensive backs coach Joe Woods will remain in his current role. Except for a few quality control assignments, the Vikings' defensive staff is now set.

Just to keep you updated, the Minnesota Vikings have made it official: Former Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Alan Williams is their new defensive coordinator and Brendan Daly will take over as their defensive line coach.

A news release made no mention of former coordinator Fred Pagac, who reportedly will share duties as linebackers coach with Mike Singletary, who will also be a special assistant to the head coach. I'll withhold most comments until later Thursday, when we should hear from coach Leslie Frazier.

In general, however, I would view these moves as more of a re-shuffling than a shakeup considering the familiarity of all involved. Frazier and Williams worked together on the Colts' staff in 2005 and 2006, and both are devoted to former Colts coach Tony Dungy's Tampa-2 defense. Williams was once part of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff that included Dungy as the head coach and former Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin as the defensive backs coach.

Daly was the Vikings' assistant defensive line coach from 2006-08, the final two years under Frazier. He replaced Karl Dunbar, who was fired. It is presumed that defensive backs coach Joe Woods will return in his current role. More to come.

As business closed Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings appeared closer to having a defensive coordinator than a new stadium. Let's take a look at those unrelated issues one at a time.

Multiple news outlets -- including NFL.com, ESPN1500.com and the St. Paul Pioneer Press -- were reporting that Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Alan Williams will soon be hired as the Vikings' defensive coordinator. Williams and current Vikings coach Leslie Frazier were on the same Colts staff under former coach Tony Dungy, and Williams' arrival would ensure continuity for the Tampa-2 scheme Frazier prefers.

Other changes would still need to be worked out. The Vikings need a new defensive line coach, and reports suggest that former defensive coordinator Fred Pagac could return to coach linebackers. In that scenario, 2011 linebackers coach Mike Singletary would stay on staff as a special assistant to Frazier.

That's an awfully convoluted mix of incumbents, newcomers and demotions, one that we'll address if and when the Vikings confirm it.

Meanwhile, Gov. Mark Dayton failed to deliver a single stadium site or a financing plan, as previously promised, during a Wednesday news conference. Instead, he said that every credible site has outstanding questions that make it impossible to make a final recommendation to a state legislature that convenes next week.

With that said, Dayton has all but ruled out a suburban site in Arden Hills, Minn., saying the Vikings would have to cover gaps in local funding that would increase their required contribution from $425 million to $700 million. That isn't going to happen.

Dayton seems to favor a little-known site in downtown Minneapolis near the intersection of I-94 and I-394, known as the "Linden Ave." site, mostly because it would create a sports entertainment district with Target Field and Target Center. There has been little research done on the site, however, and local businesses have been vocal about their opposition.

The current Metrodome site, Dayton said, is a "default" site that would work if the so-called Linden Ave. site falls through. The Vikings haven't committed to a contribution for either Minneapolis site, however, and Dayton said he can't move forward until they do so.

At this point, I don't think anyone knows how this will play out. It sounds like an awfully large number of big decisions must be made in a short period of time in order for a stadium to be approved in the next few months. Dayton, however, characterized the situation as "first-and-goal at the 5-yard line." Hmmm. We better check his red zone percentage.

The Vikings' Metrodome lease will expire Feb. 1, and while they have indicated they would reject offers to relocate, they have also said they won't sign a lease for 2012 until a new stadium is approved. Stay tuned.

At some point, presumably soon, the Minnesota Vikings will wrap up what has already been a two-week review of their defensive coaching staff and determine a direction for 2012. To this point, however, we have a better idea of who won't be a part of it than who will.

The latest domino to drop is coordinator Fred Pagac, whom the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported was fired Friday. The Vikings offered Pagac a job as their linebackers coach, however, a demotion that calls into question the status of current assistant head coach/linebackers Mike Singletary.

NFL teams occasionally make courtesy offers to fired coordinators, fully expecting them to be turned down. But even if that was the case with Pagac, the Vikings couldn't have done it without already having made a decision on Singletary. As we discussed Monday, it wouldn't be surprising to hear that Singletary has been fired or that he has been promoted to defensive coordinator. The fact that both possibilities are legitimately on the table provides powerful commentary on the state of the coaching staff at the moment.

At least two outside candidates who interviewed for the coordinator job have signed on elsewhere. Raheem Morris joined the Washington Redskins as their defensive backs coach, and Mel Tucker remained in his job as the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive coordinator. Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com has reported that current Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo could emerge as a candidate as well.

The Vikings will coach the North team at the Senior Bowl, where the festivities begin a week from Monday. Stay tuned.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- I can't say I was expecting the NFC North season to end Sunday. We had two of our teams finish among the top 12 in the NFL this season, based on playoff berths, and I figured that, one way or the other, we would be playing into late January. But both the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers lost their opening playoff game and now everyone is home for the winter.

That pushes our blog into full offseason mode, which means plenty of filler posts and nonsensical debates are headed your way. Ha! In reality, we seem to have as much to discuss during the winter and spring around here as we do in the summer and fall.

Thanks to all of you for hanging with us from the wild post-lockout free-agent scramble through an eventful and historic regular season. And for those of you who are new, please know that this blog is active 12 months per year. Stop in whenever you like. We'll leave the light on for you.

As always, we'll take a Monday morning spin around the division. I'll have a final Free Head Exam on the Packers later Monday and we'll go from there.

• The Packers' Super Bowl dreams landed with a thud, writes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Two Wisconsin teams have had their seasons ruined by a Hail Mary pass, writes Tom Oates of the Wisconsin State Journal.
• Sunday will go down as the most disheartening playoff loss in Packers history, according to Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Packers safety Nick Collins will visit with a doctor in March to have his neck examined and determine whether he can resume his career in 2012. Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com has more.
• The Minnesota Vikings have offered defensive coordinator Fred Pagac a job as their linebackers coach in 2012, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. The demotion calls into question the Vikings' plans for assistant head coach/linebackers Mike Singletary. Has Singletary been fired or will he be the defensive coordinator in 2012? Neither option would surprise me.
• There doesn't appear to be much urgency from legislators to solve the Vikings' stadium issue, writes Tom Powers of the Pioneer Press.
• It's not yet clear where Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson will rehabilitate after knee surgery, notes Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.
• Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press grades the Lions' season.
• Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh wants the team to re-sign defensive end Cliff Avril, notes the Detroit News.
• Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com examines the Lions' biggest needs.
• The Chicago Bears need to pursue cornerbacks this offseason, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
• Bears quarterback Jay Cutler advocated for full-time officials via Twitter on Sunday.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Mel Tucker's decision late Thursday night to return to the Jacksonville Jaguars as their defensive coordinator leaves the Minnesota Vikings without either of the two outsiders they're known to have interviewed for a job that Fred Pagac apparently will soon vacate. (Raheem Morris, who joined the Washington Redskins as a defensive backs coach, is the other.)

Assistant head coach/linebackers Mike Singletary remains an internal candidate, but Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com reports there are serious internal concerns about his aptitude for the job and suggests coach Leslie Frazier might turn to Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Juan Castillo if he leaves his job, as reported.

Frazier and Castillo worked together on the Eagles staff from 1990-2002. Castillo was a longtime offensive line coach whom the Eagles turned to last winter in a surprise move to replace the fired Sean McDermott. Reports have suggested that the Eagles plan to bring back former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo in that role. Stay tuned on that one.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton will make a recommendation on a site for a new Vikings stadium next week, according to Doug Belden of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• There is a significant split among Minnesota political leaders about whether the speed of the stadium issue is sustainable, according to the Star Tribune.
• With a healthy team, the biggest playoff decision Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has is whom to deactivate on game day. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains.
• Packers cornerback Charles Woodson would like to establish a rare legacy, writes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press Gazette. Woodson: "That's why I play like I play. Because when people watch me play, I want them to say, 'Now that’s how you play football.' Every time I step on the field, every time I strap 'em up, I'm going out there to make an impression on people about how I play football and my passion for it. And how much I love the game and how much I'm willing to sacrifice out there for my teammates and our coaches and this team. I think about it all the time."
• Packers left tackle Chad Clifton has drawn a tough playoff assignment: New York Giants All-Pro defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette has more.
• Rookie kick returner Randall Cobb could be the Packers' X factor in the playoffs, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew on the team's rebuilding effort, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press: "I think we’re on schedule. We've gotten to the point where I think we're certainly a better-than-average football team."
• The Lions need to address receiver Calvin Johnson's contract situation, writes John Niyo of the Detroit News.
• The Lions will soon address the contract of coach Jim Schwartz, which expires after the 2012 season, according to Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• The Chicago Bears won't consider Jeremy Bates for their quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator job, according to Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune.
• ESPNChicago.com staff members debate whether Tim Ruskell is a legitimate candidate for the Bears' general manager job.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The Minnesota Vikings' search for a new defensive coordinator hasn't yet turned up an answer.

The first known candidate they interviewed, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris, joined the Washington Redskins on Wednesday. Their second candidate, Mel Tucker, is wanted back in his old job as the Jacksonville Jaguars' defensive coordinator. Former St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo has been rumored as a third candidate, but other teams are competing for his services.

That would leave Vikings assistant head coach/linebackers Mike Singletary as a potential fallback candidate. Singletary is a close friend of coach Leslie Frazier dating back to their playing days with the Chicago Bears.

I wouldn't assume that Tucker is headed back to the Jaguars, who promoted him to interim head coach last season but then passed over him for their head-coaching job. And for what it's worth, the team still hasn't confirmed any move on incumbent Fred Pagac. Stay tuned.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Local officials are racing to meet a 6 p.m. ET deadline for submitting Vikings stadium proposals to Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, according to the Star Tribune. That includes a newly proposed site in Shakopee, Minn.
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel examines the Green Bay Packers' offensive line.
• The Packers must deal with the New York Giants' balanced offense on Sunday, notes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Wednesday was an emotional day for the Packers, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Former Chicago Bears quarterbacks coach Greg Olson has emerged as a candidate for their current opening, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
• Of the four outside candidates for the Bears' general manager job, San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross are highest on their list, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• Candidates with backgrounds in college scouting are attractive to the Bears, writes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew should be the NFL's executive of the year, writes Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press.
• The Lions could benefit from a flood of free agents on the market this offseason, writes Eric Lacy of the Detroit News.
• Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com is grading the Lions position-by-position, including the offensive line.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The Minnesota Vikings have moved on to the second known candidate for a defensive coordinator position that technically remains filled. Although they have announced no decision on incumbent Fred Pagac, the Vikings began the interview process Tuesday night with former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator/interim head coach Mel Tucker, notes Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.

Tucker joins former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris on the Vikings' list of replacements for Pagac. Another candidate is believed to be Vikings assistant head coach/linebackers Mike Singletary.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported that he does not expect the Vikings to hire Morris for the job. It's unclear whether the Vikings are interviewing alternatives for Singletary, who is a close friend of coach Leslie Frazier, or if they intend to keep him in his current role.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Vikings want to dispel the notion that the Metrodome site is the cheapest place to build a new stadium, writes Mike Kaszuba of the Star Tribune.
• Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel profiles Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Ryan Pickett.
• The 2011 New York Giants don't defend the pass as well as they did in 2007, writes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Packers are not expecting offensive coordinator Joe Philbin to coach this week, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• The Tennessee Titans rejected the Chicago Bears' request to interview quarterbacks coach/passing game coordinator Dowell Loggains for a similar role, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com takes an early look at the Bears' draft needs.
• The Bears haven't interviewed a candidate to replace general manager Jerry Angelo, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• John Niyo of the Detroit News: "Jahvid Best certainly doesn't act like someone who's afraid his career has been lost to the shadows."
• The Detroit Lions have gotten old on the defensive and offensive lines, notes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

On Thursday, we discussed the race between the Minnesota Vikings and St. Louis Rams for the No. 2 overall pick of the 2012 draft. The Rams are currently "ahead," but NFC West colleague Mike Sando thinks the Vikings have the upper hand if both teams finish the season 2-14.

Regardless, it appears that at least one of those teams will have USC left tackle Matt Kalil on their boards at No. 2 overall. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Kalil has begun informing school officials that he will bypass his final year of eligibility and enter the draft.

ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay both have Kalil ranked as the draft's second-best prospect behind Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, who figures to go No. 1 overall to the Indianapolis Colts. The Vikings have a tremendous need at left tackle after waiving starter Bryant McKinnie at the start of training camp.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com offers a damning look at what appears to be the Vikings' dysfunctional defense, suggesting that defensive backs have refused to run the coverages called by coordinator Fred Pagac and that there is discussion under way to switch to a 3-4 defense in 2012 with linebackers coach Mike Singletary as the defensive coordinator.
• Fantasy owners have been giving tailback Adrian Peterson a hard time about sitting out the past three games, notes Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.
• Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas.com on the news that Chicago Bears receiver Sam Hurd, a long-time Dallas Cowboys player, had been arrested on drug charges: "The person described in the complaint sounds nothing like the person I knew. We're talking about one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet, a person I never heard utter a profanity."
• David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune wonders if the Bears should have been aware of the investigation into Hurd's dealings. Haugh: "Making Bears officials unavailable to discuss a player accused of trying to buy 1,000 pounds of marijuana and five to 10 kilograms of cocaine a week only enhanced the perception that the team should have known more about someone who fooled everybody but the feds."
• Hurd's presumed departure from the Bears will hurt their special teams, writes Brad Biggs of the Tribune.
• The Detroit Lions aren't forcing the ball to receiver Calvin Johnson, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
• Johnson is likely to make the Pro Bowl, notes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• A game between the Lions and Oakland Raiders figures to be heavy on penalties, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel checks in with Packers safety Nick Collins, who is a month or two away from finding out if he'll be able to return to football for the 2012 season after a Week 2 neck injury.
• Packers receiver Tori Gurley turned down an offer to sign with the Vikings' 53-man roster in exchange for a raise to remain on the Packers' practice squad. The Green Bay Press-Gazette explains.
• Gurley, via Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com: "I'm learning from some of the best receivers in the game right now. Our offense, the way it's clicking, the grass isn't going to be greener on the other side. My opportunity is going to come."

After Minnesota Vikings' 24-14 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, here are three issues that merit further examination:

Kevin SeifertFollowing their loss against the Falcons, the Vikings take a seat in the examination room.
1. Coach Leslie Frazier admitted he erred in deciding to seek a touchdown rather than a short field goal on fourth-and-goal in the fourth quarter. Frazier said his emotions got the best of him and said the "bad mistake" was "purely on me." Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, meanwhile, said he regretted his play call, a handoff to tailback Toby Gehart. Musgrave told reporters he wished he had used a bootleg play to capitalize on quarterback Christian Ponder's mobility. Both men are to be commended for owning up and avoiding tortured justifications. But the admissions won't sit well with those who are concerned about Frazier's game management and/or Musgrave's lack of innovation. One of the primary attributes Frazier seemed to have as a head coaching candidate was his calm demeanor under pressure. But it hasn't always served him as well in his first season as an NFL head coach.
2. Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com offered an interesting sidenote in his game column: Frazier has quietly taken some play-calling duties from defensive coordinator Fred Pagac and was calling at least "a chunk" of the defense himself in Atlanta. That doesn't bode well for the future of Pagac, who doesn't have a position to coach. You would think there is going to be some fallout from a season that, to this point, is one of the worst in franchise history. Frazier is coaching this season with a mix of new assistants and others inherited from the staff of former coach Brad Childress. A clean slate might be necessary. If Pagac is fired, you wonder if Frazier would be tempted to promote linebackers coach Mike Singletary, his long-time friend and confidant.
3. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Percy Harvin's 104-yard kickoff return was the longest play in NFL history that didn't end in a touchdown. I threw that note out Sunday night via on Twitter and was surprised at the level of sardonic humor Vikings fans have descended into. My favorite response came from @reverik: "No one almost scores like us." In all seriousness, we should note that Harvin has now accumulated 200-plus yards in seven of his 40 career games. Remember, Harvin is still only 23. He has played the entire season without any reported migraine episodes and is one of the brightest spots of the Vikings' future.

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

I've suggested that the offensive line should be the Vikings' top priority this offseason, but I'm now wondering if their secondary is in need of more attention. It's injury-ravaged at this point, but even if you assume the full recovery of everyone involved, it's hard to identify a reliable starting combination in 2012. Would you count on any of their safeties to be long-term starters? I'm not sure I would. And the futures of the top two cornerbacks in the program, Antoine Winfield and Chris Cook, are uncertain at best.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- I ventured over to the Minnesota Vikings' training camp Wednesday to gather information for a future (award-winning, game-changing) post and was surprised when the team stood in its post-practice huddle for upwards of 10 minutes. The group was about 100 yards away, and all I could see was a man moving purposefully in the middle. Based on the volume of his voice, I assumed linebackers coach Mike Singletary had blown a gasket.

As it turned out, the man in the middle was longtime NFL defensive back Aeneas Williams, who is now a pastor and a public speaker whom the Vikings invited to speak to their rookies during a scheduled life skills seminar Wednesday.

"I don't know if there is a better example of how to handle the NFL and then life off the field than him," coach Leslie Frazier said.

Frazier has known Williams since the mid-1990's, when Williams was playing for the Arizona Cardinals and Frazier was an intern coach under then Cardinals coach Buddy Ryan.

"We've kept in touch," Frazier said. "... His credibility as a player and then what he's doing now, we thought it would be a plus for our rookies to take them through how to handle life skills."

We're Black and Blue All Over:

During Tuesday's SportsNation chat, David of Florida asked whether Jordy Nelson or James Jones would be the Green Bay Packers' best candidate for the No. 2 receiver. It was as if veteran Donald Driver was no longer in the picture.

That's clearly not the case, as Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette points out. Driver remains entrenched in the Packers' No. 2 role, well accustomed to the annual questions about his future.

Driver: "I said I want to play until I'm 40. Will that day come? I hope. If not, I'm willing to know when it's over, it's over. And right now for me it's not over. It's been a proven fact I'm still playing at a high level. I'm competing at a high level."

If Nelson and Jones continue their development, it's going to be hard to keep them off the field. The emergence of rookie Randall Cobb also adds a layer to that dynamic. But Driver isn't ready to concede anything, nor should he.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Packers defensive end Mike Neal was treating his injured left knee in a hyperbaric chamber Tuesday, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was vague about the future of the no-huddle scheme in the Packers' offense, notes Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Detroit Lions rookie defensive tackle Nick Fairley has shed the cast on his broken foot and has been an active participant in defensive line meetings, writes Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
• Lions cornerback Brandon McDonald is "geeked" to play the Cleveland Browns in Week 2 of the preseason, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• The Lions' offense is going to take what the defense gives, writes Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com.
• Chip Scoggins of the Star Tribune profiles Minnesota Vikings linebackers coach Mike Singletary, noting that Singletary nearly ran away from home as a 12-year-old because he wasn't allowed to play football.
• The Vikings are working Chris DeGeare at both right guard and right tackle, according to Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• The Vikings are giving rookie safety Mistral Raymond a long look, notes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz had quarterback Caleb Hanie back working with the No. 2 offense Tuesday, notes Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times. Hanie: "Mike's done that before with me; last season in training camp, too. Mike's tough on his backup quarterbacks. It's been his m.o. his whole career. I'm glad he is because it pushes me and makes me better."
• Bears running back Matt Forte is staying focused during his contract negotiations, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune wonders if the Bears will maintain their commitment to the running game in 2011.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Remember all of those weeks last season when the Green Bay Packers listed linebacker Clay Matthews with a shin injury on their weekly report? That injury, Matthews revealed in an interview with Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, was actually a stress fracture.

Matthews: "I don't make a big deal of it. [It happened] some time in the middle of the season. You can't do anything about it. I was just taking practices off and showing up on game day and giving it my all."

The injury might have slowed Matthews' production in the middle of the season, and perhaps ultimately scuttled his chances for winning the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year award. But he rebounded well in the postseason, totaling 3 1/2 sacks, and had a critical forced fumble in Super Bowl XLV.

As we discussed during our earlier stop on CampTour'11, Matthews reported to training camp slimmer and in improved cardiovascular shape in an attempt to limit the chance of injury. He told Demovsky he weighed in at 252 pounds, or six pounds less than in 2010.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Packers are contemplating a new base defense alignment to compensate for the loss of defensive end Cullen Jenkins, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In the alignment, B.J. Raji would work at Jenkins' former end position. Ryan Pickett would be the nose tackle and Mike Neal would be the other end.
• Packers coach Mike McCarthy gave all players with at least seven years NFL experience the night off from practice Tuesday, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. It is just practice, after all.
• David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune thinks the Chicago Bears should hold out their key players from Saturday's preseason opener at Soldier Field considering the state of the playing surface. Haugh: "The game won't mean a thing unless somebody gets injured -- and those chances increased exponentially last week when the Park District forgot to turn on the sprinklers."
• Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times takes a closer look at the challenges of replacing the grass at Soldier Field with an artificial surface.
• Bears center Roberto Garza plans to lean on what former center Olin Kreutz taught him, writes Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com.
• New Minnesota Vikings linebackers coach Mike Singletary is keeping a low profile during his first training camp with the team. Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press has more.
• The Vikings' offense is moving forward in fits and starts, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Vikings safety Husain Abdullah will miss practice Wednesday to take part in a White House dinner to celebrate Ramadan, according to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune.
• Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is having one of the best training camps of his career, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• Running back Ian Johnson is pushing hard for a Lions roster spot, according to Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com speaks to a noted NFC North expert about the Lions' place in the division.