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EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- It's not often when an NFL coach introduces a draft pick "as our starter" for "many, many years to come." Usually you at least see a charade of making the rookie "win" the job.

But the Minnesota Vikings have too many immediate plans for Matt Kalil, and so that's how coach Leslie Frazier described Kalil on Friday, in the process giving us a clear picture of how the Vikings plan to stack their rebuilt offensive line in 2012.

As suspected, Frazier said Kalil's arrival will push 2011 left tackle Charlie Johnson to left guard. (In fact, offensive line coach Jeff Davidson told reporters he discussed that likelihood with Johnson early last season.) Frazier said there will be a "battle" between veteran newcomer Geoff Schwartz, 2011 draft pick Brandon Fusco at right guard and possibly others.

That leaves center John Sullivan and right tackle Phil Loadholt, who is entering the final year of his contract, as the only holdovers from the group expected to start for the Vikings when training camp opened in 2011.

The key, of course, was getting Kalil in place to begin the process.

"It gives us more flexibility on the offensive line now," Frazier said, "because once you solidify that spot, it's a little bit easier to try and move other people around."

Guard Geoff Schwartz visited half of the NFC North during his free agent world tour, and on Wednesday he announced he will sign with the Minnesota Vikings. Schwartz had also visited the Detroit Lions, but the Lions have brought back both starting guards and the Vikings released both of theirs earlier this month. Seems like a pretty easy decision to me.

Schwartz was a full-time starter for the Carolina Panthers in 2010, but a hip injury caused him to miss the 2011 season. The Panthers didn't offer him a restricted free-agent tenure, but a likely scenario has him competing for the Vikings' starting right guard job with veteran Joe Berger.

Most of us have presumed the Vikings will move left tackle Charlie Johnson to left guard if they draft USC left tackle Matt Kalil. If it all falls into place that way, the Vikings' 2012 offensive line would be:

• LT: Kalil
• LG: Johnson
• C: John Sullivan
• RG: Schwartz/Berger
• RT: Phil Loadholt

Alas, we're due for at least another month of suspense before we know if the Johnson-Kalil moves comes to fruition. Stay tuned -- if you dare.

We've used 2011 playing-time statistics to identify a number of trends and important points, from the perfect attendance of Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs to the reliability of Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew to the curious limitations placed upon Minnesota Vikings receiver Percy Harvin. Now let's sift though some other figures that don't demand dramatic conclusions but are of interest nonetheless.

1. We noted that Briggs played every defensive snap for the Bears last season. Five other players, all offensive linemen, also never missed a play. That list includes Chicago Bears center Roberto Garza and left tackle J'Marcus Webb, Detroit Lions guards Stephen Peterman and Rob Sims, and Green Bay Packers guard/tackle T.J. Lang.
2. Minnesota Vikings left tackle Charlie Johnson missed a grand total of eight plays in 2011. Lions center Dominic Raiola missed nine plays and Packers center Scott Wells missed 29. Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt played all but 33 snaps.
3. Depth issues at defensive end surfaced for several teams. The Vikings' Jared Allen led all NFL players at his position by playing on 94.3 percent of his team's snaps, and teammate Brian Robison ranked 11th among defensive ends by playing 84.4 percent. Meanwhile, the Bears' Israel Idonije was on the field for 84.6 percent of his team's snaps, with Julius Peppers close behind at 82.1. Obviously that foursome is a good group of players, but it's also clear that their teams didn't have backups they felt comfortable rolling in.
4. Consider that conclusion in the context of how the well-stocked Lions rotated their defensive ends. Cliff Avril played on 72 percent of their snaps and Kyle Vanden Bosch was on the field for 67.9 percent. Lawrence Jackson played on 30.1 percent of the Lions' snaps despite injuries that limited him to 11 games, while backup Willie Young saw action 22.7 percent of plays over 14 games.
5. The NFC North had two workhorse middle linebackers. The Bears' Brian Urlacher missed only 14 plays, most of which came after a knee injury in the season finale. The Lions' Stephen Tulloch, meanwhile, missed only 19 of 1,098 defensive snaps.
6. Bears running back Matt Forte was on the field for the 10th-most plays (564) among running backs despite missing four-plus games because of a knee injury.

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- This is what happens when grown men come together for a common good, exercising maturity and minimizing ego to address a problem that has proved vexing to all parties.

As you probably know, Green Bay Packers cornerback Charles Woodson offered a blunt assessment of his team's defensive scheme and performance last week. Standing in the bowels of Qualcomm Stadium, Woodson called the defense a "liability" and implored defensive coordinator Dom Capers to find different ways to rush the passer.

Woodson and Capers quietly met last week to talk through the situation, emerging with an approach Monday night that overwhelmed the Minnesota Vikings in a 45-7 victory at Lambeau Field. The Packers held the admittedly outmanned Vikings to the lowest yardage total (266) and second-lowest number of first downs (14) of their opponents this season, missing a shutout only because of a special teams fumble in the red zone.

"I think tonight we got a little bit more of what we like as a defense," Woodson said, "with the guys that we have. Just getting after an opposing offense. If you looked out there tonight, guys had fun. It's all determined on how the game is called. When Dom calls it that way, guys pin their ears back and go play football."

And how did Capers call it? Most notably, he blitzed on a whopping 74.4 percent of the Vikings' 39 dropbacks. It was by far his highest rate since joining the Packers in 2009, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Included in that total: Capers blitzed at least one defensive back on 19 dropbacks, also a high for Capers in Green Bay.

Woodson was all over the field, finishing with nine tackles, three defensed passes and one tackle for loss. Linebacker Clay Matthews, capitalizing on the resulting frenzy, recorded his first multiple-sack game of the season. Overall, Christian Ponder completed only 16 of 34 passes for 190 yards and finished with a 52.3 passer rating.

It's only fair to point out that the Vikings have one of the NFL's least explosive passing games. With a rookie quarterback and relatively few playmakers in their passing game, the Vikings aren't a risky team to blitz. But from a psychological perspective, the Packers were yearning for the kind of results that would quell their growing concern over recent weeks. It was important to remember what it's like to crush an offense's spirit.

"We finally feel like we played up to the level of which we're capable of and the level which we know how to play," Matthews said. "It feels good. Obviously, our offense is going to put up points. It was up to our defense to hold up their end of the bargain. And we were able to do that tonight. We feel real good about that. You can see how much drastically better it makes our team better when our offense and defense are on all cylinders."

Indeed, the final result was the second-worst loss in Vikings history, based on margin of defeat. (Hat tip to Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.) Woodson noted on several occasions how much fun players had executing Capers' full arsenal of blitzes. But for the Packers, nothing could have been more fun than seeing Matthews break out after managing three sacks over the first eight games of the season.

Matthews didn't leave his spot at left outside linebacker much, something we theorized might happen, but the blitzes helped limit how many players the Vikings could devote to blocking him. One of his sacks came after a one-on-one defeat of Vikings right tackle Phil Loadholt, and the other resulted when Matthews blew past fullback Ryan D'Imperio and tailback Adrian Peterson.

Those are matchups the Packers will take any day.

"We just understand that playmakers have to step up and make plays," Matthews said. "Tonight was no different than any other week. Everybody is accountable. That's a word that everyone on defense has to understand. That's exactly what happened. Everyone made their plays when they needed to."

It would be a bit premature to declare the Packers' defensive issues solved based on one dominating night against a 2-7 team. Woodson, in fact, made a point to note that they played well "in one game." Independent of Capers' playcalling, the Packers avoided the kind of communication breakdowns that had left receivers running open downfield in recent weeks.

But it should be encouraging for any Packers fan to see the pride that has bubbled to the surface in the past two weeks. The Packers started 8-0 without the help they expected from their defense. They could continue to ride the coattails of their presumptive MVP, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, or they could raise their standards to the point where "every game looks like this," as linebacker A.J. Hawk said.

"Last time I checked," said defensive lineman B.J. Raji, "we're a championship defense. We haven't really shown that with the numbers, but we know how to play football around here. We understand what it takes to win."

All it took was a healthy exchange of ideas. What a novel concept.

A few NFC North practice and injury notes:

Chicago Bears: Receiver Devin Hester (chest) fully participated in Thursday's practice. So did receiver Earl Bennett (chest), but unlike Hester, it appears Bennett might not play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Detroit Lions: The team has not commented on ESPN's report that running back Jerome Harrison was diagnosed with a brain tumor earlier this week. Harrison was listed on the injury report with an "illness." Harrison, running back Jahvid Best (concussion) and receiver Rashied Davis (foot) did not practice. Linebacker Justin Durant and tight end Tony Scheffler, both of whom have been dealing with concussions, practiced on a limited basis.

Green Bay Packers: Linebacker Clay Matthews (quadriceps) and right guard Josh Sitton (knee) were limited participants Thursday. Cornerback Sam Shields (concussion) did not practice.

Minnesota Vikings: Center John Sullivan (concussion ) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion) both sat out practice and are going to have a hard time playing Sunday against the Packers. Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) had limited participation for the second consecutive day, but his status remains uncertain. Right tackle Phil Loadholt (knee) returned to practice.

Checking in on Wednesday's practice report:

Chicago Bears: Wide receiver Earl Bennett (chest) fully participated in practice and could return to the lineup Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Receiver/kick returner Devin Hester (chest) didn't practice Wednesday, but indications are that he will be available Sunday. Offensive lineman Gabe Carimi (knee) and tight end Kellen Davis (elbow) both sat out practice.

Detroit Lions: Running back Jahvid Best (concussion) didn't practice and might not be ready for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. Two other players with concussions, linebacker Justin Durant and tight end Tony Scheffler, didn't practice. Safety Amari Spievey missed practice for a non-injury reason. Cornerback Chris Houston is dealing with a back injury of unknown severity.

Green Bay Packers: Linebacker Frank Zombo (knee) won't play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Sam Shields (concussion) and Josh Sitton (knee) didn't practice Wednesday, but Sitton is expected to be ready for Sunday's game. Linebacker Clay Matthews (quadriceps) didn't practice. Cornerback Charles Woodson (foot) was limited.

Minnesota Vikings: Two starting offensive linemen, center John Sullivan (concussion) and right tackle Phil Loadholt (knee) didn't practice Wednesday. Coach Leslie Frazier said Loadholt's status is questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers. He would be replaced by Pat Brown, while Sullivan might have to give way to backup Joe Berger. Receiver Percy Harvin (ribs) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion) also sat out practice. Cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck) had limited participation in practice for the first time in three weeks.

After the Minnesota Vikings' 39-10 loss to the Chicago Bears, here are three issues that merit further examination:

1. Kevin SeifertFollowing their loss to the Bears, the Vikings take a seat in the examination room.
   It's easy to overanalyze a rookie quarterback's debut in the fourth quarter of a game the opponent has well in hand. So I'll just say that I thought Christian Ponder carried out the play calls he received with confidence. He caught the snap, stepped and threw with accuracy and decisiveness. The Vikings got in a rhythm, perhaps because the Bears weren't challenging them at the moment, but it was encouraging nonetheless. It's not yet clear who will start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. But I think we can agree on this: The Vikings are 1-5 and Ponder clearly was not overwhelmed Sunday night. That combination of factors will make it awfully difficult for coach Leslie Frazier to justify going back to veteran Donovan McNabb at this point.
2. The Bears couldn't have telegraphed their intentions on offense last week any clearer. Quarterback Jay Cutler publicly pleaded for quicker passes and more protection. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz agreed. That's exactly what the Bears did, and the Vikings seemed to have no answer. Cutler had all the time he needed to let Devin Hester get open for a 48-yard touchdown, even as the Vikings blitzed on the play. To me, the Bears' approach exposed the Vikings' weaknesses in the secondary. When they outnumbered the Vikings' active offensive line with extra blockers, Cutler diced them up.
3. Injuries left the Vikings' offensive line a mess and is at least a consideration when it comes to determining Ponder's short-term future. They ended the game with Patrick Brown playing for Phil Loadholt (knee) and Joe Berger playing center for John Sullivan (concussion). Loadholt isn't expected to miss any time, but it's reasonable to think that Sullivan might not return immediately.

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

It's difficult to say where the Vikings are in terms of roster building. Are they at the tail-end of a closing window? Are they rebuilding? Or are they trying to maximize both opportunities at the same time? I kind of feel it's the latter. Even if Ponder takes over at quarterback, he'll be playing behind an offensive line that has perhaps two starters who would be considered long-term answers at their position. He'll be throwing to a mostly veteran group of receivers and matched up with a defense with too many primary players over 30. There won't be any quick fixes here.

MANKATO, Minn. -- The summer of 2011 is not the time for Nervous Nellies. After the NFL lockout wiped out five months of offseason work, there is a lot to do and (almost) no time to do it. If you freak out under stress, you aren't going to be much good to anyone this August.

Fortunately for the Minnesota Vikings, their new coach is probably the most serene leader in the NFL. Leslie Frazier makes Tony Dungy look like a spaz. No matter what curveball he has been dealt since accepting the Vikings' interim job last November, Frazier has projected a tranquility that should serve the team well during the hectic run-up to the 2011 season.

In the span of about six weeks, Frazier will oversee the installation of a new offense. He'll preside over the transition to quarterback Donovan McNabb, develop a new left tackle and do his best to instill a tone of professional confidence that reflects his own personality.

Three days at Minnesota State University, Mankato, revealed the Vikings are well on their way to adopting Frazier's style. Players and staff worked hard but with an emotional ease that belied the tense tenure of former coach Brad Childress. It's been a while since I've seen smiles during a full-contact Vikings practice, and I was amazed at how downright happy people were -- from the elite players on the roster to the lowest-level staffers. Even left guard Steve Hutchinson, whose next career is certain to include a role as Oscar the Grouch, chatted gregariously with reporters after last Wednesday's practice.

As a football team, the Vikings have a long way to go in terms of chemistry and scheme. But I can tell you this: No one seemed worried.

"I've been around enough successful teams," said Frazier, who won a Super Bowl as a player [the 1985 Chicago Bears] and assistant coach [the 2006 Indianapolis Colts]. "I think I have an idea of what it takes to win in this league. That's what I've tried to get across to the players over and over, and will continue to do that."

THREE BIG ISSUES

1. How quickly can the Vikings install Bill Musgrave's new offense? Players are learning different terminology and an entirely new scheme, one that will roughly resemble what the Atlanta Falcons run under coordinator Mike Mularkey. Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder received a partial playbook during the one-day lockout respite in April, and he helped distribute it to teammates by making copies himself.

Still, Musgrave freely admits there isn't enough time to install everything. He has cut back the volume of the playbook and won't have his full arsenal installed for some time, if at all, in 2011.

"We're in uncharted territory," he said. "We've never been through anything like this, whether as a coach or a player. We're trying to be smart in whittling down the volume that we present to the players. We want to be diverse and difficult to defend on offense, but at the same time, we want to know what the hell we're doing. We also want to get these guys back in football shape, so we don't want to work hard mindlessly. We want to work smart. We're balancing all those factors."

For now, at least, less will have to be more.

2. Cedric Griffin's quick recovery: I'm not sure if Griffin's story has gotten enough national attention, but it will be remarkable if it holds up. Griffin tore both anterior cruciate ligaments in a span of 10 months, starting with the right knee in January 2010 and then the left knee last October. But doctors cleared him for full participation when training camp began and he was working with the first team throughout my three days in Mankato.

Griffin was never the fastest cornerback in the NFL, and it's fair to wonder how two major knee surgeries will impact his ability to run downfield with receivers. But the Vikings appear to be counting on Griffin, who is backed up by a pair of young cornerbacks -- Chris Cook and Asher Allen -- who each struggled last season.

Griffin probably won't play in the preseason opener, but Frazier said he has every intent of starting him in the Sept. 11 season opener against the San Diego Chargers. Said Griffin: "Injuries are a part of this game. If you get hurt, you get back up and continue to work hard. That's what I do."

3. Replacing Sidney Rice: The reality is the Vikings weren't going to find a receiver who could duplicate Rice's ball skills and leaping ability. Instead, they signed Michael Jenkins to offer reliable hands and precise routes. They renegotiated the contract of receiver Bernard Berrian, who should be motivated to put aside two lost years caused by a poor connection with former quarterback Brett Favre.

Most of all, however, the Vikings have thrust their faith behind third-year pro Percy Harvin, whom they hope will be their pseduo-No. 1 receiver and the top playmaker in their passing game. At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Harvin doesn't have the prototypical size for that role. But he has already earned the respect of McNabb, for one.

"I have played with guys that play big, but are short in stature and have been so successful," McNabb said. "You talk about guys like DeSean Jackson and Santana Moss. There is no reason why Percy can't be a perennial Pro Bowler, as a starter at the receiver position with over 1,000 yards receiving, 90-100 catches."

BIGGEST SURPRISE

The release of left tackle Bryant McKinnie could qualify as both the biggest surprise and biggest disappointment of the Vikings' summer. We'll classify it as the former because no one, not even Frazier, saw these circumstances coming. Specimens like McKinnie, who is 6-foot-8 with a 94-inch wingspan, are rare and can take years to suitably replace.

Last week, I suggested McKinnie's departure was a warning shot to a roster that might have underestimated Frazier's demeanor. But I really don't think Frazier arrived at training camp intending to make that kind of splash, a belief Frazier reinforced during an interview.

"It really wasn't intended to send a message to our team," he said. "I had not planned in this offseason to have a new left tackle. That was not the plan. It was just a matter to do what's best for our team and our organization. If there is anything from them to get from this, it's that. That's why I did what I did it. Every decision I make is going to be what's best to bring a championship to Minnesota. No hidden agenda. No personal agenda, that was it."

Indeed, Frazier could have chosen a less crucial position if he was just looking to make a point. No, Frazier arrived in Mankato to find he had an unexpected crisis on his hands: a key player who was in no condition to play anytime soon. The Vikings planned for uncertainty at quarterback. They orchestrated intentional changes at receiver and defensive line. All the while, they were counting on McKinnie as their left tackle. His condition stunned and angered them and will leave them weakened for some time.

MOST DELICATE JOB

The Vikings acquired McNabb for the shortest of short-term jobs: To help them win until Ponder is ready to start. In order to give McNabb a fair chance to do that, Frazier and Musgrave must give him unconditional support. But they'll have to do it while keeping one eye on Ponder's development as well.

The first week of training camp suggested the Vikings aren't close to having a quarterback controversy on their hands. McNabb authoritatively took control of the offense, working with several veterans at a local high school until he was eligible to practice, and then learning enough of the playbook to effect a smooth transition on his first day as the starter.

Ponder, on the other hand, looked like a rookie in his first week of professional practices. He displayed a quick release and an obvious ability to throw on the run, but his inexperience manifested itself in poor downfield accuracy and some bad interceptions.

McNabb's one-year, $5.05 million contract doesn't suggest he is in the team's long-term plans. But Frazier said he hasn't given much thought to the eventual quarterback succession, and I for one believe him.

"I really haven't thought that far ahead," Frazier said. "From time to time I'll look a little bit ahead, but there is so much to get done right now. It's all-encompassing. So to start saying right now what we're going to do a year from now or two years from now, that we're going to do this or that in certain positions. ... With all the changes we're having in 2011, you better get your focus on right now or you'll look back and regret certain things."

OBSERVATION DECK

• After spending four seasons in a West Coast, zone-blocking scheme, tailback Adrian Peterson appears invigorated by the potential of Musgrave's offense. "The running back is definitely asked to do a lot more," Peterson said. "I'm excited about it. [There are] different formations, different looks that a running back has outside of the box. I'm excited to get this installed in my mind, this playbook, and get out there on Sunday to showcase the new Vikings offense." If all goes as planned, Peterson will play a much bigger role in the Vikings' downfield passing game than in previous years.
• Peterson wants to be on the field for every play, but obviously the Vikings will need to establish both a backup and some potential relief on third down as well. Conventional wisdom suggests it will be Toby Gerhart, a second-round pick in 2010 who ran for 322 yards in limited service as last season. But I wouldn't rule out fourth-year pro Lorenzo Booker, a late addition last season who could also return kickoffs. During full-padded goal-line drills, Booker hit the holes quicker and more decisively than Gerhart, who seems to need time to gather a head of steam.
• The Vikings' left tackle transition has attracted national attention, but it's not the only offensive line position in flux. Right guard Anthony Herrera is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last November and has not yet returned to practice. His status for the start of the regular season is uncertain at best. The Vikings are using second-year player Chris DeGeare in his spot, but they also re-signed veteran Ryan Cook as a possible alternative. From what I saw, neither player can match Herrera's aggressive play. On the plus side, Hutchinson and right tackle Phil Loadholt both reported to camp in the best shape of their Vikings careers.
• While the offense is under significant schematic renovation, the defense doesn't appear much different under new coordinator Fred Pagac. That's no surprise. Pagac was the Vikings' linebackers coach for five years, including four under Frazier, and will run a similar hybrid form of the so-called "Tampa-2" scheme. Pagac implied that his game-day calls might be more aggressive than Frazier's, and there was plenty of blitzing during the team drills I saw. "The calls might be a little different according to the different situations but that's just a difference in philosophy," Pagac said. "Our defense is going to be the Viking defense that you've seen here for the last five years except again, we're going to push running to the football, playing with our hair on fire and having fun. We're going to get after it."
• Fourth-year pro Erin Henderson is working with the first team at outside linebacker, the position vacated by the unsigned Ben Leber. It's not clear if Henderson is merely the first of a rotation of players who will get an opportunity or if the Vikings intend for him to be their starter. Henderson has been a good special-teams player but hasn't previously done much to distinguish himself on defense. Another candidate, Kenny Onatolu, is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot.

Some quick-hitting nuggets from across the NFC North knowing that two of our teams, the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears, are still practicing as we type and/or read...

Item: Bears defensive tackle Marcus Harrison still isn't practicing because he reported to training camp 11 pounds overweight.
Comment: I wonder when the Bears' patience with Harrison will run out. While he works on conditioning, the Bears are looking at a host of defensive linemen who could take his roster spot.

Item: Packers tight end Andrew Quarless (hip flexor) returned to practice.
Comment: Not a moment too soon. A couple of young tight ends, D.J. Williams and Ryan Taylor, opened some eyes during the first week of camp.

Item: Packers defensive end Mike Neal participated in his first team drills since major shoulder surgery last fall, according to Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Comment: That should be a welcome sign for all Packers fans who hope he is ready to take over for the departed Cullen Jenkins.

Item: The Detroit Lions used newcomer Stephen Tulloch at outside linebacker in his debut practice Thursday.
Comment: Tom Kowalski of Mlive.com believes Tulloch eventually will be moved inside. I agree. It makes sense to give him a chance to ease into the scheme before giving him play-calling responsibility.

Item: Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier said he doesn't consider right tackle Phil Loadholt a possible replacement at left tackle.
Comment: That makes sense. Shifting Loadholt would put another position in flux. As it stands, the Vikings are also using Chris DeGeare at right guard while Anthony Herrera continues his recovery from knee surgery. The only way Loadholt should be a possibility is if current starter Charlie Johnson proves he can't handle the job.

Item: Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson is expected to return Friday from a three-day absence. Peterson's fiancé gave birth to a son in Houston.
Comment: His return will give the Vikings their full complement of offensive players for the first time this summer.

In 2002, Bryant McKinnie was the No. 7 overall pick of the NFL draft. In 2006, he signed a seven-year contract extension as the Minnesota Vikings sought stability in the first year of coach Brad Childress' tenure.

Those two events gave McKinnie what appeared to be lifetime tenure as the Vikings' left tackle, a position that teams can struggle for years to fill. The Vikings soon forgot the pain of his near-100 day rookie holdout. They never seemed overly concerned about a number of off-field issues. They turned the other way when the NFL kicked him off the 2009 Pro Bowl team and, most important, seemed willing to tolerate some underwhelming seasons -- most recently in 2010.

Finding a true long-term answer at left tackle is arguably as difficult as finding a franchise quarterback. There aren't many of them out there, and in truth McKinnie is better than many of them -- regardless of how short he might have fallen from reaching his potential.

For that reason, if nothing else, I was surprised to hear the Vikings terminated McKinnie's contract Tuesday. He had been placed on the non-football injury list the day before, reportedly overweight and, according to Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times, fighting off the Vikings' efforts to cut his $4.9 million base salary.

No matter McKinnie's blemishes, real and imagined, you can understand why the Vikings stood by him for so long. Although they have a few options for replacement, none of them will play at the level McKinnie could have been counted on this season. Namely:

1. Charlie Johnson: The Vikings signed him Monday as a free agent who has played multiple positions along the line. Johnson has played left tackle, most recently for the Indianapolis Colts, but at 6-foot-4, he doesn't have the typical frame of a 16-game left tackle.
2. Phil Loadholt: The Vikings' 6-foot-8 right tackle played on the left side at Oklahoma and reported to training camp in good shape. Loadholt, however, has yet to establish himself as an above-average right tackle. Could he make the switch to left tackle at this point in his career?

Obviously, no team wants to part ways with its left tackle two days into training camp. So why did this happen? Why did the Vikings choose now to battle McKinnie on issues that have been present at various times throughout his career?

Perhaps we'll find out more when coach Leslie Frazier addresses reporters Wednesday morning. But until then, I'll consider it a warning shot from a new coach who wanted to shake up a culture of continuity.

Frazier was the Vikings' defensive coordinator for four years before the Vikings promoted him to the full-time head coaching position. So it would be reasonable for players to expect a comfortable transition, robbing Frazier of the unease that many new coaches project on an underachieving roster. In that regard, who better to chase off than McKinnie, who might be the most stark symbol of the Vikings' problems over the past decade?

Latest evidence: McKinnie's three-word summation of his career via Twitter: "Its been fun."

Without question, this move will cause some short-term pain. It's rare to have a seamless transition at left tackle. You could argue that Frazier might have found a less critical position to sacrifice to make his point. But if McKinnie has lost his tenure, no one on the Vikings roster should feel comfortable. Welcome to Camp Frazier.

Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. recently ranked the NFC North's four offensive lines in the order listed below. You'll need an Insider subscription to read the entire "Scouts Eye" piece, but I've provided a snippet for each team along with my own thoughts:

Green Bay Packers
Williamson snippet: "The strongest portion of this line is at center and right guard. Scott Wells is a vastly underrated center, and Josh Sitton might just be the best guard in the league. Sitton is far and away the best offensive lineman in the NFC North."
Seifert comment: I've heard good things about Sitton, but Williamson is offering the best compliment I've heard yet. The Packers have a likely transition upcoming at left guard if Daryn Colledge doesn't return, and they are hoping to squeeze another year out of left tackle Chad Clifton. Otherwise, however, this was a group that finished last season without an obvious gap. No one else in this division could say the same.

Detroit Lions
Williamson snippet: "This is an average at best line in blocking for the run, but it's quite good in the passing game."
Seifert comment: Left tackle Jeff Backus made our 2010 All-NFC North team, and his steady play can be partially attributed to the acquisition of left guard Rob Sims. Right tackle remains an issue for as long as Gosder Cherilus needs to recover from microfracture surgery on his knee.

Minnesota Vikings
Williamson snippet: "For a big, heavy-footed group, its pass protection was surprisingly superior to its run blocking, which was terrible. But fixing the Vikings' line could be problematic -- there is no easy solution."
Seifert comment: The biggest problem: Do the Vikings have an anchor to build around? I'm not sure about that. Left guard Steve Hutchinson is 33 and is no longer playing at an elite level. Tackles Bryant McKinnie and Phil Loadholt aren't always reliable. Right guard Anthony Herrera has fought through a number of injuries, and center John Sullivan never recovered his stride last season after a preseason calf strain.

Chicago Bears
Williamson snippet: "In 2010, the Bears' run blocking was terrible. But the pass protection was horrendous. ... Even though the coaching staff did a great job masking these insufficiencies, there will be changes. It is amazing that the Bears got as far as they did in the postseason with that group of linemen."
Seifert comment: Here's all you need to know: As of today, the Bears couldn't definitively match a single starter with their 2011 position. That's how much is in the air.

» 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.

ESPN analyst Todd McShay's latest mock draft carries an added bonus for lockout-weary readers: Second-round projections! You'll need a subscription to see all 64 picks, but I'm authorized to provide you with the NFC North-related scraps. Let's get to it:

Minnesota Vikings
McShay's pick at No. 12: Boston College offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo
McShay's pick at No. 43: TCU quarterback Andy Dalton
Seifert comment: In this scenario, McShay has the Vikings passing on Washington quarterback Jake Locker and grabbing a quarterback in the second round. The Vikings are one of the teams that have scheduled a private workout with Dalton; and in this mock, Arkansas' Ryan Mallett and Florida State's Christian Ponder were already off the board by the No. 43 pick. Castonzo would be the second offensive lineman chosen and could compete with right tackle Phil Loadholt for a starting job immediately.

Detroit Lions
McShay's pick at No. 13: Nebraska cornerback Prince Amukamara
McShay's pick at No. 44: Baylor guard Danny Watkins
Seifert comment: Even McShay acknowledges that having Amukamara slip to No. 13 would be a "dream scenario." You wouldn't find many people who would pass him up at No. 13, and if this somehow happens, consider it a coup for the Lions. He would be an immediate starter and a huge upgrade. But I have my doubts about an elite cover cornerback with 4.37 speed getting out of the top 10 of the draft.

Chicago Bears
McShay's pick at No. 29: Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod
McShay's pick at No. 62: North Carolina defensive tackle Marvin Austin
Seifert comment: At this point in the mock, five offensive linemen were already off the board. That would put the Bears in a tough spot if they were determined to draft one with their top pick. Sherrod would be next in line, but maybe not worth a first-round positioning. It's an interesting scenario.

Green Bay Packers
McShay's pick at No. 32: Arizona defensive end/linebacker Brooks Reed
McShay's pick at No. 64: Miami (Fla.) defensive end Allen Bailey
Seifert comment: McShay is joining colleague Mel Kiper Jr. in suggesting Reed as the Packers' top pick, a player who conceivably would fill the need for a consistent starter opposite Clay Matthews. Meanwhile, Bailey would give the Packers some added insurance against the expected loss of veteran free agent Cullen Jenkins.

INDIANAPOLIS -- We've spent some time discussing the top quarterbacks here at the NFL scouting combine, especially those who could fit into the Minnesota Vikings' future plans. We've looked at the dramatic, if fantastical, possibility of Oregon linebacker Casey Matthews joining his brother with the Green Bay Packers.

Among all the angles I encountered in Indianapolis, one of the more intriguing is Colorado offensive tackle Nate Solder, who has a mammoth frame combined with high-end athleticism, a combination that could put him into play for multiple NFC North teams.

He would be a nice value pick at No. 12 for the Vikings, who might want to start a succession plan for left tackle Bryant McKinnie or challenge right tackle Phil Loadholt. The Detroit Lions could target him at No. 13, as several early mock drafts have suggested. And there is no doubt the Chicago Bears would benefit from a left tackle prospect of Solder's level, even if they have to trade up to do it.

A converted tight end, Solder measured 6-foot-8 1/4 and a lean 314 pounds. Despite his frame, he also recorded the top 40-yard dash time among offensive tackles (5.05) and had the best 10-yard split among all offensive linemen (1.63).

(As Scouts Inc. points out, the 10-yard split measures an offensive lineman's burst and explosion.)

Need more numbers? Solder was tied for the third-best vertical jump among offensive linemen (32 inches) and the third-best broad jump (9-2). His bench press results were disappointing -- he managed only 21 reps of 225 pounds -- but it's safe to say he still needs to fill out his frame.

So we know Solder is an athletic specimen. But can he play? That's what I asked ESPN analyst Todd McShay during a break in the action this weekend.

"The biggest thing with him is his ability to move laterally and bend," McShay said. "He plays high too much of the time and you see him get in trouble when he does. But he's close. If he gets with a good coach, he could be a good starting left tackle for a long time in this league."

In honor of Solder's unique match with the NFC North, let's proceed with our three-question format, and add one more for good measure.

On moving from tight end after his freshman season:

Nate Solder: Some things came naturally. It takes a lot of athleticism to become a left tackle, same as a tight end. But some things didn't come natural -- knee bend, using your hands, those sort of things.

On his height:

NS: I think the worry of being a taller guy is not being able to bend and the thing I've done to counteract that is to show I can bend, work on staying bent. Now, the advantages are you've got a lot bigger wingspan and it's a lot harder to run around you.

On if he ever wanted to play basketball:

NS: I was a decent basketball player, I had much more potential at football, and that's kind of the way I was offered. And no it wasn't hard to give up, because I had an outlet in football and I love it now.'

On his 2010 game against Cal, when defensive end Cameron Jordan beat him for a sack and two tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

NS: Well, that was a breakdown in technique from me. You learn not to take anyone for granted and that guy played a heck of a game, and you've got to give it to him and no matter who you go against, you can't break down in your technique. That was just a fundamental error on my part.

We're going to look forward and backward this week for Dirty Laundry. Let's look ahead first. Why? Because I feel like it.

It's interesting, at least to me, that the Minnesota Vikings will arrive at Soldier Field this weekend having committed 17 false start penalties in their first eight games. That total puts the Vikings alongside the Oakland Raiders atop the NFL rankings for such miscues.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Vikings couldn't be headed to a worse environment under those circumstances. You might be surprised to know that opponents have committed as many false start penalties this year at Soldier Field (12) than at any other stadium in the NFL. I'm sure part of that total can be attributed to fan volume, but I wonder if it isn't another tangential by-product of defensive end Julius Peppers' presence.

If you were an offensive tackle or tight end, wouldn't you be a bit more focused on Peppers -- and less on the snap count -- than other players?

In case you're looking for likely suspects Sunday, here is the breakdown of the Vikings' false start penalties this season:

• Right tackle Phil Loadholt (5)
• Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe (4)
• Tight end Jim Kleinsasser (3)
• Wide receiver Percy Harvin (1)
• Left guard Steve Hutchinson (1)
• Wide receiver Greg Lewis (1)
• Left tackle Bryant McKinnie (1)
• Safety Jamarca Sanford (1)

Now, to look back. Many of you were outraged Sunday when referee Al Riveron's crew called Detroit Lions left guard Stephen Peterman for two chop blocks in the New York Jets' 23-20 victory.

First, let's get to the general definition of a chop block as stated in the NFL rule book: "A chop block is a foul by the offense in which one offense player (designated as A1 for purposes of this rule) blocks a defensive player in the area of the thigh or lower while another offensive player (A2) occupies that same defensive player."

Indeed, the widely-held understanding of a chop block is one offensive lineman cut-blocking a defensive lineman while another blocks him above the waist. It's a dangerous approach that can lead to the defensive lineman getting twisted unnaturally and injured.

On both occasions Sunday, Peterman (A1) cut-blocked Jets defensive lineman Shaun Ellis while a second Lions offensive lineman (A2) -- right tackle Gosder Cherilus on the first and center Dominic Raiola on the second -- stood nearby but did not engage.

Unfortunately for the Lions, that play falls under a secondary section of the chop block rule known as the "lure." (Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press pointed out the explanation earlier this week.) Here is how that scenario is worded: "On a forward pass play, A1 chops a defensive player while A2 confronts the defensive player in a pass-blocking posture but is not physically engaged with the defensive player (a 'lure')."

The NFL seemed to confirm this interpretation by finding Peterman $10,000. Had the league office found Riveron's call was wrong, no fine would have followed.

I can't say I understand what the purpose of the "lure" rule is, other than to prevent A2 from being a "decoy" while A1 (Peterman) does the dirty work. To me, it falls under the category we discussed earlier this season: Too many rules in the rule book make for a, pardon the pun, choppy game.

If I'm a Lions' fan, I'm more outraged that Riveron didn't call a face mask penalty against Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie at the end of the second chop-block play. Cromartie spun receiver Bryant Johnson to the ground by twisting his face mask. At best, there should have been off-setting penalties and a replay of third down.

Now, on to our updated challenge tracker: