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Yes, the start of training camps is two months away, but it’s never too early to consider the coming season. A look at the best-case and worst-case scenarios for the Green Bay Packers in 2012.

Dream scenario (16-0): The Packers' passing offense picks up where it left off in a record-breaking 2011 season. The scheme is enhanced by a new approach to the running game, center Jeff Saturday takes over a leadership role from the departed Scott Wells and Marshall Newhouse proves to be a franchise left tackle. The defense rebounds from last season's slump thanks to the infusion of draft picks Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels. The Packers find a suitable long-term replacement for safety Nick Collins and, a season after falling five points short of a perfect season, the Packers pull it off in 2012.

Nightmare scenario (8-8): The Packers' running game falters when presumed starter James Starks can't stay on the field. Opponents find new ways to approach the Packers' passing game and the defense isn't any better because their slew of rookies aren't ready to play yet. Veteran Charles Woodson is forced to move to safety, and the Packers don't have a suitable replacement for him at cornerback. Despite these problems, it's hard to imagine the Packers finishing below .500.

So, two days away from the blog at the end of March was long enough to miss out on the conception and some of the execution of an ESPN.com blog network mock draft. I handled the NFC North's first two choices, for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. My ESPN.com blog colleagues filled in on the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.

There will be more mock drafts to come from the blog network, in addition to those authored by ESPN's host of draft analysts. So hang on. Below are the NFC North choices from Monday's blog network mock:

3. Vikings: USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil
Comment: There are of course no trades in this mock so we can't really explore what might be the Vikings' top choice here at No. 3. But barring a trade, I'm not prepared to predict they will choose outside the box at this spot. They don't have a left tackle, and Kalil is the consensus choice as the best non-quarterback prospect available. Despite general manager Rick Spielman's posturing, I don't see him getting cute. Yet.

19. Bears: Stanford T Jonathan Martin
Comment: I bet NFC East colleague Dan Graziano will grab Martin in our next mock, considering the newly-revealed Achilles injury of Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jason Peters. But for now, we get to ponder a Bears future with a more promising left tackle than current starter J'Marcus Webb. Coach Lovie Smith expressed support last week for Webb, but you have to couch such pre-draft statements. I was actually hoping that Stanford guard David DeCastro would be available, but AFC North colleague Jamison Hensley grabbed him for the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 17. DeCastro is a beast.

23. Lions: South Carolina cornerback Stephon Gilmore
Comment: This is a perfectly logical and reasonable choice by my colleagues, addressing a need with an appropriately-ranked player. Gilmore would give the Lions an immediate alternative to Aaron Berry and/or Jacob Lacey at cornerback, and would certainly give them depth at a position that contributed to their defensive collapse in 2011. We all know that general manager Martin Mayhew doesn't make decisions based on need, especially at the top of the draft, but this might be a fortuitous combination of talent and need.

28. Packers: Wisconsin center Peter Konz
Comment: Again, I see where my colleagues were coming from. Scott Wells departed via free agency and replacement Jeff Saturday is a year-to-year proposition. But I wonder if there is enough urgency to draft a center in the first round. Often you can find a development center in the later rounds, and the Packers have a total of 11 picks after the first. Unless general manager Ted Thompson thinks Konz is so far beyond the rest of the class, I'm not sure he would pull the trigger on this one.

Related: Two other mock-related features posted during my short time away from the blog. ESPN.com's Todd McShay offered a two-round mock that, among other things, got the Vikings a receiver (South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery) and the Bears a tight end (Clemson's Dwayne Allen) in the second round. Meanwhile, ESPN.com debuted a "Draft Machine" that allows you to conduct your own mock and compare it to your friends'. By all means, go at it.

» AFC Assessments: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

Chicago Bears

Key additions: Running back Michael Bush, linebacker/special teams Blake Costanzo, quarterback Jason Campbell, receiver Brandon Marshall (trade), receiver Devin Thomas, receiver/returner Eric Weems.

Key losses: Running back Marion Barber (retired), cornerback Zack Bowman, cornerback Corey Graham.

Come on back: Lost in the shuffle of the Marshall trade were the return of three free agents who should play key roles in 2012. Tight end Kellen Davis figures to get an expanded role in offensive coordinator Mike Tice's scheme, especially as a receiver. Cornerback Tim Jennings should retain his starting role opposite Charles Tillman, with D.J. Moore in the nickel. And safety Craig Steltz will provide reliable depth at safety and will be one of the Bears' special teams leaders after the departure of Graham and Bowman.

What's next: There is no urgency yet, but the Bears will need to make peace with tailback Matt Forte at some point before the summer. Forte isn't happy that he's been made the Bears' franchise player and briefly lost his public composure when Bush signed a deal that guaranteed him about the same amount of money as the franchise tag will pay Forte. It's not a big deal if Forte skips the Bears' offseason program or even misses a few days of training camp, but the Bears will want to find a way to eliminate this issue by early August. Meanwhile, it wouldn't be surprising if the Bears address their offensive line during the draft.

Detroit Lions

Key additions: Defensive end Everette Brown, cornerback Jacob Lacey.

Key losses: Cornerback Eric Wright.

All in the family: With the exception of Wright, the Lions were able to retain the core of their 10-6 team. Among those who re-signed: Tackle Jeff Backus, safety Erik Coleman, defensive end Andre Fluellen, quarterback Shaun Hill and linebacker Stephen Tulloch. And don't forget that receiver Calvin Johnson is locked up for perhaps the rest of his career. He signed a new eight-year contract worth $132 million.

What's next: The Lions appear interested in adding competition at safety, having hosted free agent O.J. Atogwe earlier this month. Adding a safety remains a possibility, if not through free agency, then probably through the draft. And while Backus is re-signed for two years, it wouldn't be surprising if the Lions look for a long-term replacement in the draft.

Green Bay Packers

Key additions: Defensive lineman Daniel Muir, center Jeff Saturday, defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove.

Key losses: Quarterback Matt Flynn, center Scott Wells.

Shocker: The Packers usually do whatever it takes to keep their own players and avoid having to search the free-agent market for other the castoffs of other teams. They started off that way by re-signing tight end Jermichael Finley to a two-year contract, but when they were unable to sign center Scott Wells, they quickly targeted veteran Jeff Saturday and made him their first starting-caliber free-agent signee in five years. General manager Ted Thompson also authorized the acquisition of Hargrove and the pursuit of Dave Tollefson.

What's next: It's not out of the question that the Packers will add a veteran pass-rusher, whether at defensive end or linebacker. Then they'll get back into their comfort zone and start preparing for the draft, where it's reasonable to think they'll use at least one of their 12 picks on a center while also continuing to pursue pass-rushers.

Minnesota Vikings

Key additions: Cornerback Zack Bowman, tight end John Carlson, running back Jerome Felton and offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz.

Key losses: Nose tackle Remi Ayodele (release), guards Anthony Herrera (release) and Steve Hutchinson (release), tight end Jim Kleinsasser (retire), running back Jerome Felton.

Methodical methodology: The Vikings made one big-money signing, bringing in Carlson as a new weapon for quarterback Christian Ponder, and otherwise have spent their offseason getting younger and signing complementary players. General manager Rick Spielman wants to end a cycle of seeking blue-chip players via free agency and instead count on the drafts for his difference-makers.

What's next: One way or the other, the Vikings need to find a deep threat for Ponder. The draft would seem the most likely place for that will happen. They are also midway through a rebuild of the secondary that could use at least one more cornerback and perhaps two safeties.

Sorry I'm a bit late weighing in on the Green Bay Packers' agreement with free-agent center Jeff Saturday. For some reason, there were pigs flying past my office window. I went outside to get a better look and found a four-leaf clover in the yard. Then I glanced up to the sky and could have sworn I saw a cow jumping over the moon.

Do not adjust your reading glasses. This is not one of my legendary typos. The Packers did in fact sign an unrestricted free agent, their first in three offseasons, to replace a departed starter. Saturday was a necessary addition for a number of reasons, but mostly because the center position is a rare instance in which the Packers did not groom an obvious replacement for a veteran with an expiring contract.

The Packers weren't able to reach agreement with incumbent Scott Wells, who signed a four-year deal with the St. Louis Rams a week ago. His 2011 backup, Evan Dietrich-Smith, is more of a guard. With an MVP quarterback in their backfield, the Packers clearly weren't ready to roll the dice at center. Finding one ready to start immediately in the draft was a risky proposition at best.

Saturday is a five-time Pro Bowl player, most recently in 2010, and his intelligence was an undermentioned factor in the success of the Indianapolis Colts' sophisticated passing offense. It's easy to imagine him handling his share of the Packers' in-game decision-making with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Saturday has played 13 seasons and is 36 years old, so it's fair to consider him a short-term replacement. But at the very least, the Packers' offense shouldn't miss much in the transition from Wells, and Saturday should be able to handle a full load of no-huddle plays and other nuances that put strain on a center.

I'm sure general manager Ted Thompson would have preferred an option other than free agency, but the Packers didn't have one in this instance. It's the best short-term move the Packers could have made after Wells' departure, and it gives Thompson a reasonable window in which to draft or otherwise acquire a long-term replacement. We don't yet have the details of Saturday's contract, but it's fair to assume the Packers made a very competitive offer to keep him from rejoining his former quarterback Peyton Manning with the Denver Broncos.

Now pardon me while I go clean up those pig droppings ...

We're Black and Blue All Over:

We noted Monday that the Green Bay Packers were on the interest list of veteran free-agent center Jeff Saturday. Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com confirms the next step in that process: Saturday actually visited the Packers on Monday, the first business day after incumbent Scott Wells signed with the St. Louis Rams.

Saturday has at least one more visit scheduled, to the Tennessee Titans, and there is wide speculation that he ultimately will join quarterback Peyton Manning with the Denver Broncos. But the Packers rarely go so far as to entertain a notable free agent on a visit, let alone sign one, so we know they are serious about combing every possibility to replace Wells.

Other free-agent possibilities include Dan Koppen and Samson Satele.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Wells said he signed with the Rams because of his respect for new coach Jeff Fisher, notes Wilde.
• Packers safety Nick Collins will have his neck examined next week, according to Wilde, and then hopefully have enough information at that point to know whether he can continue playing or must retire.
• The Packers have yet to re-sign linebacker Erik Walden, notes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew appears confident he will re-sign middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• The Lions are scheduled to host free agent David Hawthorne on Tuesday, notes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• It appears the Lions will stage a training camp competition at punter between Ben Graham and Ryan Donahue, according to McCosky. Graham re-signed Monday.
• The Chicago Bears need to use their first-round draft choice on a defensive end, writes Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald.
• Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press thinks that Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman favors LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne over USC left tackle Matt Kalil. I can only assume that is draft posturing.
• Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is lobbying members of the Minneapolis City Council for on the new Vikings stadium plan, notes the Star Tribune.
• The Vikings will host fullback Jerome Felton on a visit, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• The Vikings have made an offer to safety Husain Abdullah, writes Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

We've got our first glimpse of how the Green Bay Packers might move to replace center Scott Wells, who signed Friday with the St. Louis Rams. ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter reported Monday that free agent center Jeff Saturday has visits scheduled with several teams, including the Packers.

It has been widely assumed that Saturday would join forces with longtime teammate Peyton Manning, who plans to play this season for the Denver Broncos. But the Packers' apparent interest in Saturday at least means they haven't ruled out the possibility of signing a veteran to replace Wells. Other options include veteran Dan Koppen, who missed most of last season because of a fractured ankle, and Samson Satele, who spent the past three seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

The Packers haven't dipped their toes into veteran free agency often in recent years, having last done so when signing the immortal Duke Preston in 2009. If they don't sign a veteran, the Packers could either elevate backup Evan Dietrich-Smith or draft a center -- possibly Wisconsin's Peter Konz -- and insert him immediately into the lineup.

It's been a relatively quiet Saturday here in the NFC North, which is not unexpected given the Tuesday start to the NFL's player acquisition period. But this gives us a chance to catch up on some divisional odds and ends in quick-hitting fashion, of course.

Item: The Minnesota Vikings' stadium bill will need a special legislative exemption to proceed after missing a Friday deadline to be approved by at least one committee.
Comment: Such exemptions aren't unusual, but for the moment the bill is stalled and is not supported from the most powerful state legislator, House Speaker Kurt Zellers. State leaders hope to adjourn the 2012 session next month.

Item: The Chicago Bears have re-signed safety Craig Steltz to a two-year contract worth $1.64 million.
Comment: You never know what could happen with the Bears' always-changing safety position, but for now we have to assume that Steltz projects as a backup and special-teams player. Coach Lovie Smith's current favorite safeties are Major Wright and Chris Conte.

Item: The Washington Redskins have signed two former NFC North defensive backs, cornerback Cedric Griffin and safety Brandon Meriweather.
Comment: It's fair to say that both players had down years in 2011. Or, as Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel put it in this epic tweet: "Hard to find 2 more ineffective, near-worthless players in NFC-N than CB C. Griffin and S B. Meriweather. #Redskins signed them both. Wow."

Item: Former Green Bay Packers center Scott Wells' new contract with the St. Louis Rams is worth $24 million over four years, with $13 million guaranteed, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Comment: That's not a bad haul for a 31-year-old center. We don't know what the Packers were offering, but I don't think Wells gave them a chance to match.

Item: Multiple media outlets report that the Detroit Lions could get visits from free-agent offensive lineman Eric Winston and safety LaRon Landry.
Comment: Winston has been visiting with the Kansas City Chiefs, and he wouldn't go to the Lions unless a deal with the Chiefs doesn't materialize. Landry has had injury problems but might be a classic case of needing a change of scenery.

The Green Bay Packers need a center now that veteran Scott Wells has agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news Friday evening.

Wells and the Packers were reportedly far apart during negotiations prior to free agency, and Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggested last month that Wells was unlikely to take a discount to remain with the Packers. He wanted to be paid as a top-5 center, according to McGinn, and the Packers apparently didn't value him that way.

We don't yet know what Wells got from the Rams, but the bottom line is that the Packers will open the season with a new center in 2012 -- one that seems likely to come from outside the organization. Guard Evan Dietrich-Smith technically was Wells' backup last season, but considering him a front-runner for the job might be a stretch.

So the question, as always with the Packers, is whether they will seek a veteran via free agency or draft a center and hope to plug him into the lineup. There are a number of veterans available on the market, including Chris Myers, Dan Koppen and Jeff Saturday. I won't rule any of them out, but let's just say it has been a rare occasion in recent years for the Packers to sign a free agent to be a starter.

As far as the draft, ESPN analyst Mel Kiper includes three former Big Ten players in his list of the five-best centers available: Wisconsin's Peter Konz, Michigan's David Molk and Ohio State's Mike Brewster. Konz is considered a potential first-round pick.

I'm sure the Packers have been planning for this possibility. We'll soon know if they will take a rare dip in the free-agent pool, or if they're confident enough in their ability to grab a starter in the draft.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

The Chicago Bears were rumored to be considering a run at free agent defensive end Mario Williams. They ultimately pushed hard to sign free agent Jeremy Mincey, who returned to the Jacksonville Jaguars. So on Thursday evening, they agreed to terms with incumbent Israel Idonije on a one-year deal.

The question is whether the Bears intend for Idonije to resume his full-time role, or if their pursuit of Mincey (and possibly others) indicate they will continue searching for another starting option. The Bears don't have much depth at the position, which is why they were forced to play Idonije -- a longtime reserve/swing lineman -- on 84.4 percent of their defensive spans last season.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Bears don't know if the NFL will suspend receiver Brandon Marshall because of an incident that occurred Sunday morning in New York City, according to the Associated Press via the Chicago Sun-Times.
• Marshall has an important first impression to make during a Friday news conference, writes Mike Mulligan of the Chicago Tribune. Mulligan: "Here’s hoping the Bears aren’t tone deaf on this one. Has anyone been diagnosed with a disorder that contributes to a man beating a woman? Does Marshall feel genuine remorse over his checkered past, and will he express it Friday?"
• The Detroit Lions re-signed safety Erik Coleman to a one-year contract, notes Anwar S. Richardson of Mlive.com.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News wonders if the Lions are planning to move on from left tackle Jeff Backus.
• Receiver/returner Ted Ginn Jr. left a visit Thursday without signing a contract, reports Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
• There is no word on any progress for the Lions to re-sign middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, reports Birkett.
• The Green Bay Packers have expressed interest in Miami Dolphins defensive end Kendall Langford, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette checks in on the status of Packers free agent center Scott Wells, who visited the St. Louis Rams on Thursday.
• Packers free agent quarterback Matt Flynn visited the Seattle Seahawks and will visit the Miami Dolphins next, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who is visiting the Lions this week, is also scheduled to visit the Minnesota Vikings on Monday, according to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com.
• The Vikings' stadium bill stalled this week, and Frederick Melo of the St. Paul Pioneer Press explains the situation.
• Stadium supporters are disappointed at the lack of participation from House Speaker Kurt Zellers on the issue, according to the Star Tribune.

I've gotten a few angry notes about largely ignoring the Green Bay Packers over the first two days of the NFL's new league year. Yes, I admit I couldn't even muster up a "BBAO IV" to complete the cycle Wednesday morning.

Most of you, however, get that this isn't the Packers' typical busy season. There have been no reports of free agent visits to Lambeau Field, and if the Packers have addressed the contracts of veteran left tackle Chad Clifton or receiver Donald Driver, it hasn't been made public.

The only mild drama facing the Packers at the moment is the future of center Scott Wells, whose contract expired Tuesday. On Wednesday, my AFC South colleague Paul Kuharsky reports, Wells became a primary free-agent target of the Tennessee Titans, who are hoping to upgrade their interior offensive line. Wells is a Nashville native who attended the University of Tennessee.

If Wells departs, the Packers' general aversion to free agency would be tested. He didn't have a true backup last season -- guard Evan Dietrich-Smith technically had that role -- and it's risky to assume that a rookie center would be ready to start right away. We'll get to that when and if it happens.

The free agent market opened without an agreement between the Green Bay Packers and center Scott Wells, increasing the possibility that Wells will sign elsewhere in the coming days. (Bill Huber of Scout.com, in fact, suggests it's a done deal.)

But the start of the new league year did bring the Packers some news: Defensive end Mike Neal has been suspended for the first four games of the 2012 season for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.

The suspension is another roadblock in Neal's disappointing tenure with the Packers. A second-round pick in 2010, injuries have limited him to nine games and a total of six tackles in two seasons. And the announcement comes at a time when the Packers are almost certainly looking for options to enhance their pass rush, be it at Neal's defensive end position or at outside linebacker.

There's no reason to think the Packers will cut ties with Neal, but it's grown almost impossible to count on him as the full-time starter they envisioned him as when veteran defensive end Cullen Jenkins departed last year. Now more than ever, defensive end is one of the Packers' most notable weaknesses.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

This is it. Tuesday is the day we find out who among our pending free agents will test the free-agent market, and who will sign last-minute deals to remain in the NFC North.

We have a good idea on most of them, and among those who appear set to hit the open market are Detroit Lions left tackle Jeff Backus, Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, Lions cornerback Eric Wright, Green Bay Packers running back Ryan Grant and Minnesota Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson.

Packers center Scott Wells is one of the few players whose next step won't be clear until 4 p.m. ET, when the new league year begins. It's also not clear if the Packers will keep veteran receiver Donald Driver and left tackle Chad Clifton under their current contracts, whether they will restructure them or if they both will be released.

I'll station myself in front of the computer for as long as my eyes can stay open, and as always, we'll call 'em the way we see 'em. Hop aboard. The ride is about to begin.

Dashing through the division:

• Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune looks at the top free agents available on the market.
• David Haugh of the Tribune doesn't think the Chicago Bears have the luxury of pursuing defensive end Mario Williams. Haugh: "Sturdy offensive line and big-play wide receiver aren't terms I recall using in relation to the Bears offense since the [Jay] Cutler trade three years ago."
• Go here to vote in ESPNChicago.com's Hot Button debate on which receiver -- Vincent Jackson or Mario Manningham -- makes better sense for the Bears.
• Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times looks at how the Bears could afford Williams.
• The Packers will start free agency with at least $7 million in cap space after the NFL gave most teams an additional $1.6 million, notes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Grant on reports of the New Orleans Saints' bounty program, via Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com: "Not everybody is coaching from the right place, not everybody is playing from the right place. And that’s just the reality."
• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the state of the Wells negotiations: "The Packers and Wells have done such a good job of keeping negotiations secret that it's hard to know whether they have bridged at all a huge gap they faced as late as the middle of February. Typically, the Packers get deals done with their free-agents-to-be right under the gun, so it may take until Tuesday afternoon for Wells' fate to be known."
• If the Vikings seek big-name cornerbacks on the free-agent market, it could be a sign they are planning a schematic change, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Vikings cornerback Chris Cook could take the stand in his own defense as early as Tuesday in his ongoing trial for felony strangulation of his girlfriend, notes Abby Simons of the Star Tribune.
• The Vikings appear set to let a number of their veteran free agents depart, including tight end Visanthe Shiancoe, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• It's not clear if the Vikings' stadium bill will clear its first committee this week, according to Doug Belden of the Pioneer Press.
• Chris McCosky of the Detroit News wonders if the Lions have enough salary-cap room to re-sign Tulloch.
• The Lions want backup quarterback Shaun Hill back in 2012, but it doesn't appear he'll be signed before Tuesday's deadline, writes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.

I have no idea if this is our last post of the day or if we'll have five more before we call it a night. That's how crazy the NFL news cycle is at the moment. But we've had a collection of newsbits hit the wire in the past few hours, so let's bring them all together while we have a moment — in quick-hitting fashion, of course.

Item: The NFL has taken $36 million in salary cap space from the Washington Redskins and $10 million from the Dallas Cowboys for two-year-old contract violations.
Comment: Each NFC North team will receive $1.6 million in additional cap space as a result. Yee-haw!

Item: The Detroit Lions released tight end Will Heller.
Comment: Heller was due a roster bonus of $200,000 and would have received a base salary of just under $1 million in 2012. As cold as it sounds, you don't need to pay your third tight end that kind of money.

Item: The Chicago Bears issued a low tender of $1.26 million to running back Kahlil Bell, a restricted free agent.
Comment: The Bears have the right to match any contract offer Bell might receive, but they would get no compensation if he departs. At this moment, he appears in line to be Matt Forte's primary backup in 2012. Marion Barber isn't expected back.

Item: The Vikings aren't expected to tender linebacker/special teams ace Kenny Onatolu, according to Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Comment: The fate of the Vikings' other restricted free agent, running back Lorenzo Booker, has yet to be learned.

Item: The Green Bay Packers are entering into their final hours of exclusive negotiating with center Scott Wells, a pending free agent.
Comment: The Packers have a history of last-minute agreements, but Wells might feel compelled to test his market value before being satisfied with what the Packers have offered.

Item: I can't count how many people have asked for updates on the status of Packers left tackle Chad Clifton and receiver Donald Driver.
Comment: If either player has restructured his contract and/or been informed of his release, it hasn't been made public. That's all I can tell you at this moment.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Take a moment to breathe it all in. Monday is the final full day of the NFL's 2011 league year. The "New Year" will begin Tuesday at 4 p.m. -- the moment when all teams must be in compliance with the $120.6 million salary cap, when free agents can begin signing with new teams and trades can be officially consummated.

Some work remains between now and then, however. We are awaiting word on what restricted free agents were issued tenders, and which (if any) will be allowed to depart without compensation. And we'll need to see what the Detroit Lions do to shave more than $11 million in cap space.

The Lions were $11.55 million above the cap as of the end of last week, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. That roughly jibes with our recent cap conversations that had them close to $121 million before they committed another $10.6 million to place the franchise tag on defensive end Cliff Avril.

If the Lions can't lower their number by signing receiver Calvin Johnson to a contract extension, they'll need either to start releasing players or seek significant contract restructures. Stay tuned.

Skipping around the division on this merry Monday:

• Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh needs to hire a driver, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Defensive end Mario Williams should be the focus of the Chicago Bears' pursuits in free agency, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
• Brad Biggs of the Tribune is expecting the Bears to be active at the start of free agency.
• Will the Green Bay Packers need to dip their toes in free agency this year? Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette thinks they might.
• Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel considers the Packers' options if free agent Scott Wells doesn't return.
• The Packers have about $5.5 million in cap space available, according to Bill Huber of Scout.com.
• Minneapolis officials are hoping that a new stadium at the Metrodome site will boost the surrounding neighborhood, according to the Star Tribune.
• When it's all said and done, the Vikings will have more than $23 million in cap space available, according to Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com.
• Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press looks at possible free-agent targets for the Vikings.
• Pelissero thinks it's more likely the Vikings will pursue a B-level receiver than Vincent Jackson.

» AFC Free-Agency Primer: East | West | North | South » NFC: East | West | North | South

Free agency begins Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET

Chicago Bears

Key free agents: Tight end Kellen Davis, running back Matt Forte (franchise), cornerback Corey Graham, quarterback Caleb Hanie, defensive end Israel Idonije, cornerback Tim Jennings, quarterback Josh McCown, safety Brandon Meriweather and receiver Roy Williams.

Where they stand: The Bears will have the most salary-cap space among NFC North teams, upwards of $30 million, and have plenty of potential uses for it. Quarterback Jay Cutler needs more targets in the downfield passing game, whether it's at the receiver or tight end position. And new general manager Phil Emery must start restocking a defense led by four players more than 30 years old: Linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, defensive end Julius Peppers and cornerback Charles Tillman.

What to expect: It's widely believed the Bears will be in the running for free-agent receiver Vincent Jackson. But Jackson's price tag could be steep and no one knows if Emery will prove to be a big spender. It seems likely he will re-sign Davis, and Emery should also save some of his cap space to extend Forte's contract. Secondary receiver targets could include Marques Colston. Bears fans are hoping the team will pursue defensive end Mario Williams, but it's hard to imagine the Bears budgeting for Williams two years after breaking their bank on Peppers.

Detroit Lions

Key free agents: Defensive end Cliff Avril (franchise), left tackle Jeff Backus, safety Chris Harris, quarterback Shaun Hill, linebacker DeAndre Levy (restricted), running back Maurice Morris, running back Kevin Smith, quarterback Drew Stanton, linebacker Stephen Tulloch and cornerback Eric Wright.

Where they stand: The Lions are tight against the salary cap after franchising Avril and aren't likely to be big spenders on the free-agent market. They could relieve the situation by reaching long-term agreements with Avril and/or receiver Calvin Johnson, who has a $22 million cap figure for 2012. Tulloch made a big impact last season after signing a one-year deal, but so far the Lions' attention has turned elsewhere.

What to expect: The Lions' best-case scenario is to keep their 2011 core together without mortgaging their future relative to the salary cap. That would mean getting Tulloch re-signed to preserve the linebacker group they upgraded last season by signing him and veteran Justin Durant, moves that allowed Levy to play on the outside. Hill seems likely to re-sign as Matthew Stafford's backup, while Stanton might test the free-agent waters to see if he has a chance to do better than third on a team's depth chart.

Green Bay Packers

Key free agents: Cornerback Jarrett Bush, quarterback Matt Flynn, running back Ryan Grant and center Scott Wells.

Where they stand: The Packers took care of a big challenge by signing tight end Jermichael Finley to a two-year contract last month. They will let Flynn depart for a possible starting job elsewhere and it appears Grant will test the free-agent market. Discussions with Wells haven't led to an agreement, but the Packers often go to the final moments before reaching a deal. There are no obvious internal replacements for Wells, making his return a priority.

What to expect: The Packers will have some flexibility with the salary cap, but general manager Ted Thompson's aversion to veteran free agency is well known. It's been three years since he signed a veteran unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Packers have needs at defensive line, outside linebacker and possibly at center if Wells leaves. But let's put it this way: Thompson's strong preference is to find depth and future replacements in the draft, not on other teams' rosters.

Minnesota Vikings

Key free agents: Safety Husain Abdullah, receiver Devin Aromashodu, receiver Greg Camarillo, defensive lineman Fred Evans, defensive lineman Letroy Guion, linebacker E.J. Henderson, linebacker Erin Henderson, safety Tyrell Johnson, quarterback Sage Rosenfels, cornerback Benny Sapp and tight end Visanthe Shiancoe.

Where they stand: The Vikings seem poised for a major roster overhaul in their first offseason since Rick Spielman was promoted to general manager. Players like Shiancoe, E.J. Henderson, Camarillo and Johnson all seem poised to move on. There aren't many positions on the team that appear secure.

What to expect: If the Vikings don't plan to draft USC left tackle Matt Kalil at No. 3 overall next month, the first clue will be if they pursue a free-agent left tackle. That seems unlikely. But they'll need to combine their draft with at least a few veteran free agents if they intend to compete for a playoff spot in 2012. Cornerback could be a point of focus, where Brandon Carr and Cortland Finnegan are among those available. Another could be receiver. The Vikings had major interest in Jackson two years ago.