ESPN NFL

As I've already indicated on Twitter, I won't fill up your timelines or this blog with news of every undrafted rookie who signs with an NFC North team. Roster limits have been expanded to 90, which means we could be talking about 100 or so players signing contracts over the next day or two.

If an interesting or noteworthy player signs, then by all means I'll get to it. We already have one: The Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, who had a 50-3 starter as a starter and was teammates with Lions receiver Titus Young. But at 6-feet and 197 pounds and an average arm, Moore apparently wasn't deemed draft-worthy by NFL teams.

The Lions are set at starter with Matthew Stafford and at No. 2 with Shaun Hill, but I wouldn't be surprised if Moore makes the final roster as the No. 3 quarterback. The video is a clip of his time at Jon Gruden's QB Camp, one we somehow missed during our pre-draft tour of those sessions.

Asked how he regards the people who don't think he has a chance to play in the NFL, Moore said: "You smile at them, say thank you and remember their name."

» 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.

Below are a few award-winning thoughts on the Saturday evening return of left tackle Jeff Backus and backup quarterback Shaun Hill to the Detroit Lions.

• Both players signed two-year deals. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Backus' contract is worth $10 million. We don't yet know what Hill received.
• The Lions never gave an indication they planned to move on from Backus, who will turn 35 during the season and had surgery immediately after the season to repair a torn biceps muscle. They know they will have to replace him sooner than later, but long-term answers at left tackle rarely are available in free agency. They almost always come through the draft, and it's something to keep an eye on next month. The Lions now have the flexibility to draft a possible replacement without needing to insert him immediately into the lineup.
• Veteran Marcus McNeill visited earlier this week, and his situation is a perfect example of how left tackles who are available often are damaged goods in some way. McNeill is a two-time Pro Bowler but has had two neck surgeries and suffers from spinal stenosis. It would have been hard to count on him for more than a year-by-year basis.
• Backus had trouble with some of the NFC North's elite pass-rushers last season, but he is nothing if not reliable. His streak of consecutive games played is 176, and there is every reason to believe his biceps will heal in time for the 2012 regular season.
• Barring an unexpected offer to start for another team, it was difficult to imagine Hill leaving the Lions. He has a long history with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and quarterbacks coach Todd Downing and would have been starting over had he signed with the St. Louis Rams.
• The Lions chose Hill, 32, over Drew Stanton, 27, who departed Friday for what could be the No. 2 job with the New York Jets. Both players had some success during the 2010 season, but Hill was an acquisition of the Lions' current regime while Stanton was a draft choice dating back to the Matt Millen era. I would feel more comfortable with Hill, but there is also an undeniable comfort level between the sides.
• Barring any late Saturday evening news, I'll check in with you Sunday. Night-night.

Drew Stanton's expected departure at least temporarily leaves the Detroit Lions with one quarterback on their roster.

Stanton, who spent his Lions career as the No. 3 quarterback, confirmed via Twitter that he had agreed to terms with the New York Jets. Their No. 2 quarterback of the past two years, Shaun Hill, is a free agent who reportedly visited the St. Louis Rams earlier this week.

The assumption has been that Hill would return to back up Matthew Stafford, and that's why Stanton considered it a better career move to sign with the Jets. That scenario could still play out, but to this point the Lions have no agreement with Hill. Stay tuned.

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.

» 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.

Chicago Bears

The Bears informed veteran defensive tackle Anthony Adams that they plan to release him.

Coach Lovie Smith weighs in on how his defensive linemen played in 2011.

The Chicago Tribune's Dan Pompei breaks down how the top receivers performed at the NFL combine.

Detroit Lions

The Lions have some decisions to make at quarterback, as the contracts for both backups — Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton — expire in 2012.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press looks at how Vontaze Burfict, who declared Sunday he was the best linebacker in the draft, would fit with the Lions.

Green Bay Packers

With Matt Flynn's future with the Packers in doubt, the team could draft a quarterback in the later rounds, writes the Green Bay Press-Gazette's Pete Doughtery.

The Packers met with the agent for Texans center Chris Myers, who is one of the top free agents available at his position, at the NFL combine.

Minnesota Vikings

Could the Vikings pass on USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil at No. 3 overall? The Star Tribune's Dan Wiederer examines the argument for not taking a tackle so early.

Jeremy Fowler of the Pioneer Press looks at this draft's strong class of cornerbacks, a position of need for the Vikings.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

We noted last month that all four NFC North teams faced decisions on their quarterback depth this offseason. The Detroit Lions, specifically, had to decide whether to bring back backups Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton -- both of whom are pending free agents -- or if they would use the positions to help draw down their bloated salary-cap structure.

Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports that Hill is likely to return, one way or the other, even if it means taking a "slight discount" to make it happen.

That makes sense for all parties. Hill has a longtime connection with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, performed well when the Lions needed him in 2010 and understands that he won't get a chance to beat out starter Matthew Stafford. That's a pretty good combination for a backup quarterback.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Lions added former NFL safety Marcus Robertson to their coaching staff as a defensive assistant, notes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
• Secondary coach Tim Walton has received added duties in coordinating the Lions' third-down package, writes Philip Zaroo of Mlive.com.
• Chicago Bears rookie linebacker J.T. Thomas was arrested Monday morning and charged with misdemeanor drug possession in West Virginia, notes ESPNChicago.com.
• Former Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris is "overwhelmed" by support from the Bears and the city of Chicago after his wife died suddenly over the weekend. Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times has more.
• The Bears' window to place the franchise tag on running back Matt Forte opens Monday, writes Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
• Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy has anticipated moving Ben McAdoo to quarterbacks coach for the past two years, writes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Former quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, now the Packers' offensive coordinator, plans to spend a lot of time around the quarterbacks, writes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• McCarthy considered hiring Alex Van Pelt to his staff in 2006, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Minnesota officials need more input from Minneapolis leaders in order to push the Minnesota Vikings' stadium proposal to the next level, writes Doug Belden of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
• Former Vikings defensive line coach Karl Dunbar was hired by the New York Jets, according to Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com.

Previewing some of the big decisions facing NFC North teams early in the 2012 offseason:

Our Air and Space division boasts arguably the top grouping of starting quarterbacks in the NFL. We have a presumptive MVP in the Green Bay Packers' Aaron Rodgers, a 5,000-yard passer in Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions and, in the Chicago Bears' Jay Cutler, an upper-level starter who was having perhaps his best season before fracturing his right thumb in December. The Minnesota Vikings, meanwhile, are hoping for a big jump from first-round draft pick Christian Ponder in 2012.

The relatively settled nature of those starters overshadows what could be division-wide change in their backups. The Packers' Matt Flynn, the Lions' Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton, the Bears' Caleb Hanie and the Vikings' Sage Rosenfels are all pending free agents. Let's look at the decisions awaiting each team:

Packers: Flynn could draw interest as a potential starter from several teams, most notably the Miami Dolphins -- who hired former Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin as their head coach last week. The Packers' only chance to keep him would be to use their franchise tag, requiring a commitment of about $14 million in cash and cap space. That's not going to happen. The logical successor is third-string quarterback Graham Harrell, and the Packers might have revealed their intentions by promoting him to the active roster late this season when he began receiving interest from other teams.

Lions: Quarterback depth is valuable, but you wonder if a team with tight salary cap problems can afford to keep two vested veterans behind their franchise quarterback. Hill ($3.02 million) and Stanton ($900,000) accounted for about $4 million in cap spacein 2011, and if the Lions desperately wanted to shave that figure, they could promote Stanton and sign him to a cheaper contract than what Hill was paid last season. But Hill has a longtime association with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and is generally considered one of the most reliable backups in the NFL. There are no easy answers here.

Bears: Hanie's disastrous stint as Cutler's replacement might have sealed his exit from Chicago. But the Bears will have new offensive leadership with coordinator Mike Tice and a quarterbacks coach/passing coordinator who has yet to be hired, so it's possible the new regime will have other thoughts. The Bears didn't think enough of rookie Nathan Enderle to start him in a meaningless Week 17 season finale, making it hard to imagine his ascendance to No. 2. That could leave veteran Josh McCown, another pending free agent, as an option. Or the Bears could seek help on the free agent market themselves.

Vikings: The situation in Minnesota is less clear-cut. Ponder remains the starter, and 2011 backup Joe Webb is under contract for 2012. Webb was impressive in one start and appearances in 10 other games, accounting for five touchdowns, but the Vikings' continued commitment to Ponder suggests they might look for other ways to use Webb. If he develops into a hybrid receiver/quarterback/returner, it's possible the Vikings would want an established veteran behind Ponder. That could be Rosenfels, a longtime favorite of general manager Rick Spielman, or he could come from elsewhere.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Half of the NFC North will now be impacted by the Oakland Raiders' wide search for a new head coach.

We already knew that new Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie would have his eyes on multiple candidates from the Green Bay Packers, where he spent the past 17 seasons. But he is also interested in speaking with Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice. The Raiders requested permission Tuesday to speak with Tice, a story first reported by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.

Tice was promoted to his current job earlier this month, but by NFL rule the Bears can't deny permission to interview. He spent four seasons as the Minnesota Vikings' head coach from 2002-05 and is one of perhaps a dozen candidates linked to the first round of Raiders interviews; he is one of the few with previous head-coaching experience.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• The Bears have now interviewed two of their five candidates for their general manager job, the team announced. San Diego Chargers executive Jimmy Raye III was the latest through the door.
• Former Bears receiver Sam Hurd has a Jan. 25 arraignment set in Dallas after being indicted on federal drug conspiracy and possession charges. ESPNChicago.com has the story.
• Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers would consider moving cornerback Charles Woodson to safety next season if Nick Collins (neck) doesn't come back. Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has more.
• Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin is a finalist for the Miami Dolphins' head-coaching job and will receive a second interview, notes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
• Former Packers coach Mike Holmgren will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame this summer, notes Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• Both of the Detroit Lions' backup quarterbacks, Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton, will be free agents this spring, notes Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. One or both could move on.
• Justin Rogers of Mlive.com review the appearance of Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh on "Jimmy Fallon."
• Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is moving closer to naming a preferred site for the Vikings' new stadium, according to Mike Kaszuba of the Star Tribune.

We just finished hashing through the various paths available to the Chicago Bears if they want to reacquire quarterback Kyle Orton. In short, the Bears probably don't need to place a waiver claim to complete the process.

There is one other possibility, one that happens often in other sports but rarely in the NFL. Would a team claim Orton for competitive purposes, solely to prevent his return to Chicago? And if so, could that team be the Detroit Lions?

A number of you have asked that, and ESPN analyst Andrew Brandt broached the topic Wednesday morning via Twitter.

The Lions and Bears have matching 7-3 records and are competing for a playoff spot. Detroit is set at quarterback with Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill and Drew Stanton. But surely they know how much trouble the Bears would be in if new starter Caleb Hanie were sidelined before Jay Cutler can return from surgery on his right thumb.

The gambit would cost the Lions $2.6 million in cash, and they would have to do some roster shuffling to fit Orton underneath their salary cap. Would you spend that much money, in the process adding a player who probably wouldn't appreciate being used as a competitive tool, to prevent a competitor from improving? Vote in the poll accompanying this post and/or let me in the comments section below.

We're Black and Blue All Over:

Why is Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson having a breakout season? He knows the Packers' offense backwards and forwards. He has a good relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He's big enough to outmuscle many defensive backs. He's cut back on the drops and fumbles that plagued him in earlier years. He's fast.

Oh, and he's white.

That final attribute was one that Packers receiver Greg Jennings and others expounded on in this story from Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. Here's how Jennings put it:

"They underestimate him. And honestly, he uses that to his advantage. Seriously … a lot of it has to do with the fact that guys look at him and say, 'OK, he's the white guy, he can't be that good.' Well, he is that good. He's proven to be that good and it's because of the work and the time that he’s put in -- not only on the field but in his preparation off the field."

Defenders have at times allowed Nelson's speed to catch them off guard. He has two of the five longest receptions in the NFL this season, touchdowns of 93 and 84 yards, and overall is averaging 18.6 yards per catch.

Were they simply beat by a good player? Or was their approach to defending Nelson somehow influenced by long-held stereotypes about speed and race? Whoa. That's too heavy of an issue to get into before 8 a.m. ET on a Thursday. But I can tell you this: Jennings is a thoughtful and relatively drama-free person. If he brought up the topic, it wasn't to make a splash. He truly believes it, and he's closer to it than us.

Continuing around the NFC North:

• Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers: "It has almost become rote for Rodgers to do what so many other quarterbacks can't, and it speaks directly to the success the Packers have had offensively this season."
• The Packers are still hurting from a 2009 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, notes Pete Dougherty of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
• The Chicago Bears will find out how much progress offensive lineman Edwin Williams has made since last year, writes Sean Jensen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Williams will replace injured starter Chris Williams (wrist) at left guard.
• David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune reviews Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher's late-career renaissance.
• Neither Bears quarterback Jay Cutler nor San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers had much to say about their personal relationship Wednesday, writes a disappointed Jon Greenberg of ESPNChicago.com.
• Carolina Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble could provide a challenge for Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson this weekend, writes Justin Rogers of Mlive.com.
• The Lions were encouraged to have running back Jahvid Best (concussion) back on the sideline during practice, according to Carlos Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press.
• Lions backup quarterback Shaun Hill on Bears cornerback D.J. Moore's charge at Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford: "I think he got his feelings hurt more than anything. He got his feelings hurt that he got dish-ragged by a quarterback." John Niyo of the Detroit News has more.
• Mark Craig of the Star Tribune: "Vikings coach Leslie Frazer essentially issued a public challenge to all defensive players not named Jared Allen to start making some head-turning plays."
• Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "It is hard to remain invisible when one stands 6 feet 2 and weighs 318 pounds, but it has been difficult to detect Vikings nose tackle Remi Ayodele on the field this season either through production or deployment."
• The Vikings re-signed cornerback Benny Sapp, whom they traded to the Miami Dolphins last season. Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com has more.

Wednesday marked the first of three days in which we will analyze every step Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford takes and every word he utters, all for clues as to whether he'll start Sunday at the Denver Broncos.

Here's what we know: Stafford joined his teammates at practice Wednesday morning, at first wearing a brace on his right ankle and later removing it. He took part in some early drills, but according to local reports, backup Shaun Hill was the first-team quarterback during early team drills.

Generally speaking, it's a good sign when an injured starter is on his feet during practice rather than in the trainer's room or doing "conditioning work" elsewhere in the facility. So unless the Lions put Stafford on the field as an elaborate ruse to create the perception that he might play Sunday, Wednesday's developments qualified as better news that we could have received.

Here's what Stafford told reporters after practice: "If I'm healthy enough to play I'm going to try to be out there. It's yet to be seen if I can get to that point, but if I can then I want to play."

Last season, we spent several weeks discussing the broken left foot of a certain former NFC North quarterback. At the time, my expert opinion was that a foot/ankle injury shouldn't be considered a major issue until such time when quarterbacks begin throwing with their feet. What the Lions will have to determine is whether Stafford can move well enough in the pocket to protect himself and not be the proverbial sitting duck that defensive linemen love to play against.

I'm guessing we'll revisit this Thursday. And Friday. And maybe Saturday if we're so inclined.

NFC West colleague Mike Sando has compiled his annual roster rankings by age, and the results are of particular interest in the NFC North.

Based on rosters as of Sunday morning, the Detroit Lions are the fourth-oldest team in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers, meanwhile, are the second-youngest. Keep in mind that NFL teams will continue to tweak their rosters over the next few days, but nothing should dramatically shake up these rankings.

The Packers ensured their continued youth by including 10 rookies among the 53 players on their final roster Saturday. And as the chart in Mike's post shows, the Lions' offense is primarily responsible for their relative age.

The Lions' offensive line includes a pair of 32-year-olds in Jeff Backus and Dominic Raiola. Backup receiver Rashied Davis is also 32. Backup quarterback Shaun Hill and running back Maurice Morris are 31. And tight end Will Heller, kick returner Stefan Logan and receiver Nate Burleson are all 30.

There are many paths to building a winning roster, and these rankings aren't a comment as much as they are a peek into each team's philosophy. With that said, here are the full NFC North rankings:

4. Detroit Lions
10. Minnesota Vikings
23. Chicago Bears
31. Green Bay Packers

The best thing we can say about Week 4 of the preseason is that it's over, at least here in the NFC North. The next time one of our teams is on the field, it will be for real. In between, roster cutdowns from 8o to 53 will take place. The deadline is Saturday evening.

A quick rundown of Thursday evening's activity, which featured four fun but meaningless victories:

Chicago Bears 24, Cleveland Browns 14
Final preseason record: 2-2
Of interest: Only a handful of Bears starters played. One of them, defensive tackle Henry Melton, registered an encouraging sack of Browns quarterback Seneca Wallace in the first quarter. ... It was interesting, but probably not newsworthy, that Chris Spencer started at center alongside the rest of the Bears' first-team offensive line. Just a night off for veteran Roberto Garza. ... Backup quarterback Caleb Hanie took a step in the right direction, completing 7 of 10 passes for 83 yards and dropping a perfect pass into the far corner of the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown to receiver Johnny Knox. ... Tailback Chester Taylor started but managed 27 yards on 10 carries in what was presumably a showcase stint. But an injury to tailback Khahlil Bell might change the Bears' plans for Taylor, depending on its severity.

Detroit Lions 16, Buffalo Bills 6
Final preseason record: 4-0
Of interest: Most starters played one series. ... Quarterback Matthew Stafford threw a 39-yard pass to receiver Calvin Johnson on the game's first play, allowing Stafford to finish the preseason with this line: 25 completions, 33 attempts, 395 yards, five touchdowns and a 154.7 passer rating. ... Receiver Maurice Stovall produced a nice final argument for a roster spot, downing a punt at the Bills' 8-yard line and catching a 16-yard touchdown pass from Shaun Hill in the first quarter. ... Running back Jerome Harrison was untouched until the end of his 47-yard run in the first quarter. ... Rookie punter Ryan Donahue got the first punt of the night, for whatever that's worth, and averaged 44.0 yards on four punts. Veteran Nick Harris averaged 51.5 yards on two punts.

Green Bay Packers 20, Kansas City Chiefs 19
Final preseason record: 3-1
Of interest: Some starters, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers, played one series. Rodgers' final pass of the preseason was an 8-yard touchdown to tight end Tom Crabtree. Rodgers finished the preseason with 37 completions in 47 attempts for 395 yards and four touchdowns for a 130.1 passer rating. ... Tailback Ryan Grant's 23-yard run to start the game came after strong blocks from tight end Andrew Quarless and right tackle Bryan Bulaga. ... Linebacker Vic So'Oto has put on a late charge for a roster spot. Thursday night, he had 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown. ... Not that it's a big concern, but quarterback Matt Flynn had one of the ugliest lines you'll see: two completions in 10 attempts for 12 yards and an interception, good for a 0.0 passer rating.

Minnesota Vikings 28, Houston Texans 0
Final preseason record: 2-2
Of interest: Nearly every starter sat out this game. Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder put on an unexpected display of his scrambling ability, running for 61 yards on eight carries, before leaving midway through the third quarter. Some were nice improvisational plays. A few were necessary when blitzers came free. And a few came after the point when he should have thrown the ball. All in all, however, Ponder left the Vikings with a positive impression after completing 10 of 16 passes for 83 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown to tight end Kyle Rudolph. ... With their top three running backs sidelined, the Vikings gave a workout to rookie Caleb King, whom they signed last month after no one selected him in the supplemental draft. King finished with 62 yards on 19 carries, including two touchdown runs.