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So John Clayton has this piece on the 10 best position battles brewing this summer between rookies and veterans in the NFL. I scrolled through it, thinking it would provide me with some material for a late-Friday afternoon post, and to my shock and dismay there wasn't one NFC East mention in the whole thing. Come on, John! Help a guy out, will ya?

Anyway, it got me thinking: There must be some interesting position battles to keep an eye on throughout the offseason and training camps in our division, right? I mean, some situations where things aren't yet set in stone? There are, and here's one for each team.

Dallas Cowboys' inside linebackers: Sean Lee is set at one of these spots, but the other will be interesting to watch. The team drafted Bruce Carter in the second round in 2011, and they believe he's part of their future on defense. But he was coming off an injury when they drafted him and played in just 10 games as a rookie, and they can't be sure he'll be ready to hold down a starter's spot full-time in 2012. So they went out on the free-agent market and signed Dan Connor, formerly of the Carolina Panthers, to start next to Lee while Carter continues to acclimate himself to the pro game. The interesting aspect of this will be how good Carter looks in training camp and whether he can play well enough to demand to take reps and snaps away from Connor. The veteran, Connor, will start with the job, but Carter is the future there, and it's just a question of when he's ready.

New York Giants running backs: Ahmad Bradshaw is the unquestioned veteran starter, but he doesn't come without questions. Foot injuries have limited him over the past several seasons, and his good friend and veteran safety net, Brandon Jacobs, is off to San Francisco to play for the 49ers. Assuming Bradshaw won't be able to make it through the season fully healthy on a starter's workload, there are going to be plenty of snaps to go around. The question is how many of those snaps first-round pick David Wilson can steal from holdover youngsters like D.J. Ware, Da'Rel Scott and Andre Brown (who's suspended for the first four games for drugs).

Philadelphia Eagles safeties: The team wants Nate Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett, its second-round picks from the 2010 and 2011 drafts, respectively, to be the starters. Of the two, they're more confident about Allen, who's had some injury issues but played well when healthy last season. They have him penciled in as a starter. Whether Jarrett can fight off Kurt Coleman for the other starting spot is one of the training-camp questions the Eagles will face. It's also possible they'll add a free-agent veteran to the mix, but they'd rather get the production they need from their young guys if they can.

Washington Redskins secondary: There are currently 15 defensive backs listed on the Redskins' roster, and it's safe to assume they can't all make the team. The question is which of them will play. Josh Wilson and DeAngelo Hall would appear to be set as the starting cornerbacks, but the team did sign free agent Cedric Griffin, and intriguing undrafted free-agent cornerback Chase Minnifield will be a name to watch in the summer. The more interesting questions are at safety, where the Redskins lost starters LaRon Landry and O.J. Atowge and things are wide open. The guy they like the best for the future is 2011 draft pick DeJon Gomes, but while they view him as a starter at some point, they don't know yet whether that point is this year. Their free-agent safety signing list is a fascinating one, including Brandon Meriweather, Madieu Williams and Tanard Jackson, any of whom c0uld emerge as a starter. Griffin also might have been brought in with an eye toward playing him at safety, and Reed Doughty was a valuable injury fill-in last season and could get a shot at more playing time in this crowded field. The Redskins appear to be installing an all-out competition for safety roles, and from here it's impossible to know who will play well enough to nail them down.

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Dallas Cowboys

Key additions: CB Brandon Carr, S Brodney Pool, QB Kyle Orton, FB Lawrence Vickers, LB Dan Connor, G Nate Livings, G Mackenzy Bernadeau

Key losses: WR Laurent Robinson, TE Martellus Bennett, FB Tony Fiammetta, CB Terence Newman, G Kyle Kosier (cut)

"You ain't a beauty, but hey, you're all right": Rather than go big for the biggest names out there, the Cowboys took a more directed, focused approach to free agency this year. They did spend a lot to bring in Carr, but they had a glaring need at cornerback and they believed Carr was the best one on the market. The two guards were specifically targeted by Cowboys' scouts and new offensive line coach Bill Callahan, and Connor was brought in to address a need at inside linebacker while 2011 draft pick Bruce Carter continues to develop.

The only loss that they didn't upgrade is that of Robinson, who signed with the Jaguars after coming out of nowhere to catch 11 touchdown passes from Tony Romo in 2011. The Cowboys will hope that one of the young receivers on their roster fills that No. 3 wide receiver role, or that they can catch lightning in a bottle again this year as they did with Robinson last year. They could miss Kosier's leadership on the offensive line, but he was getting old and injured and they needed to keep getting younger on the line.

What's next: While they'll keep an eye out for a bargain-bin receiver to replace Robinson, and they could try and find another tight end to replace Bennett, the Cowboys' main focus the rest of this offseason is likely to be on defense. They could add to the safety or cornerback mix in the draft or with another free agent. They'll keep looking to upgrade the pass rush, either with another outside linebacker or a defensive lineman. Those are the likely areas in which the Cowboys will focus their efforts in the draft.

Otherwise, it's going to be about sorting things out, especially on the offensive line. They need to find a pair of starting guards from a group that includes the two newcomers and the two youngsters -- David Arkin and Bill Nagy -- they drafted last year. Training camp should help sort out what needs to be sorted out on the offensive side of the ball. The draft will be for adding more pieces to Rob Ryan's defense.

New York Giants

Key additions: TE Martellus Bennett

Key losses: RB Brandon Jacobs, WR Mario Manningham, CB Aaron Ross, T Kareem McKenzie

"Reason to believe": The Giants don't like to make big free-agent splashes, and since they're up against the salary cap they also have little choice. But their second Super Bowl title in five years should help ease any concerns fans might have about if they're doing enough in the offseason. The Giants' way is to establish fair prices for the positions they need to fill and to be patient until they find players willing to play for their number. They'd have loved to have Jacobs or Manningham or Ross back, but not for the kind of money those guys found in free agency. They'd love to have linebacker Jonathan Goff and defensive end Dave Tollefson back, but if they get big-money deals elsewhere, the Giants will let them go too.

They targeted Bennett right away and signed him on the second day of free agency, since they saw in him a young talent at a position where they lost two players to major knee injuries in the Super Bowl. And they re-signed cornerback Terrell Thomas and punter Steve Weatherford, two of their offseason priorities. But since then, the Giants have been quiet, content that they have a good, deep, championship roster and willing to let the market come to them.

What's next: The areas of concern, if there are any for the Giants, are linebacker and offensive line. And if Goff comes back, they like what they have at linebacker with the incumbents and last year's rookies. With McKenzie leaving, they could move David Diehl from left tackle to right tackle, but they'll still need to add depth at tackle as they look to the future on the offensive line.

There remains the chance that the Giants could trade defensive end Osi Umenyiora, who was disgruntled about his contract this time last year and now only has one year to go. If they did that, they could move Mathias Kiwanuka from linebacker back to his old pass-rushing spot on the line. But the Giants would have to be really blown away by an offer to move Umenyiora, who has relaxed a great deal about his contract situation and said he'd like to stay.

Philadelphia Eagles

Key additions: LB DeMeco Ryans (trade), G Mike Gibson

Key losses: DE Juqua Parker, WR Steve Smith, QB Vince Young

"We take care of our own": The Eagles' focus so far this offseason has been internal. They extended the contracts of right tackle Todd Herremans and defensive end Trent Cole, signed wide receiver DeSean Jackson to a long-term deal and re-signed free-agent guard Evan Mathis. The Eagles believe last year's team was a good roster that underachieved, and they basically are taking a mulligan and hoping it works this time.

The one exception is a big one -- the trade that brought them Ryans from Houston in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. The Eagles were pitifully weak at linebacker last year, and that weakness hurt their otherwise successful implementation of the "Wide 9" defensive line formation. They could get to the passer with their front four, but teams were able to attack the middle of their defense at will. The addition of Ryans, a veteran middle linebacker who was a productive tackler and beloved leader with the Texans, should help solve a lot of those problems.

What's next: There remains a strong chance the Eagles will trade cornerback Asante Samuel before or during the draft. They can afford to do so because they'd still be left with Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie as starting cornerbacks and the underrated Joselio Hanson at nickel corner. Other than that, the Eagles figure to be fairly quiet the rest of the way.

They're most likely to use their first-round pick on a defensive player, though Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, who'd be a great addition, now looks likely to be gone by the time they pick at No. 15. So they could pick up another veteran linebacker and use the draft to add to their defensive line rotation. It's also likely they add a veteran safety and a veteran running back to back up LeSean McCoy, who's next in line for a new contract.

Washington Redskins

Key additions: WR Pierre Garcon, WR Josh Morgan, CB Cedric Griffin, S Brandon Meriweather

Key losses: S O.J. Atogwe (cut), S LaRon Landry, WR Donte' Stallworth

"When the change was made uptown and the big man joined the band": The Redskins' biggest move of the offseason was the draft-picks trade they made with the Rams, sending three first-round picks and a second-round pick to St. Louis in exchange for the No. 2 pick in this year's draft. That pick ensures that Washington, which has been looking for a franchise quarterback for a couple of decades, will be in position to take one of the two quarterbacks in this year's draft that projects as a franchise guy. They're most likely getting Baylor's Robert Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner who's got Redskins fans in a tizzy already.

The Redskins' first big moves when free agency opened were aimed at building a new offense for their rookie quarterback to run. Garcon and Morgan are, the Redskins believe, receivers with big-play talent who will fit well into the offense they like to run. The other two big additions -- Griffin and Meriwether -- were brought in to beef up the secondary, which lost its two starting safeties. It's possible Griffin could play safety, though he played cornerback in Minnesota.

What's next: The Redskins continue to try to re-sign veteran linebacker London Fletcher, and they're confident they can do that. They also want to bring back running back Tim Hightower, assuming he's recovered from his ACL injury, and they're in talks with him about doing just that. If they fail in either or both of those efforts, they'll need backup plans, as they'll lack depth at running back and inside linebacker.

Washington still could stand to add to its secondary and find help for the offensive line. Right tackle Jammal Brown has injury problems, and the team is looking for a better option. Demetrius Bell remains on the market and is a player Washington likes for that right tackle spot.

Cornerback Aaron Ross became the second member of the Super Bowl champion New York Giants to leave via free agency, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars for three years and $15.3 million. As with the departure of wide receiver Mario Manningham, who signed with the 49ers over the weekend, Ross' defection was expected. Earlier this offseason there had been some talk of finding a way to keep Ross. But after the Giants re-signed cornerback Terrell Thomas last week, they looked at Ross as a reserve cornerback behind Thomas, Corey Webster and possibly even 2011 first-round draft pick Prince Amukamara. With that kind of depth at the position, they were only going to bring Ross back at their price, which was surely less than what he got from Jacksonville.

The Washington Redskins, looking to deepen their own secondary, had Ross in for a visit late last week and had interest in signing him as well. But as with the Giants, the Redskins weren't necessarily looking for a starter. They have DeAngelo Hall, Josh Wilson and the newly signed Cedric Griffin at cornerback. And while they would have liked to add Ross to that mix, they weren't willing to go as high as Jacksonville was to do so.

So the Giants feel they have the depth on their roster already to allow them to handle the loss of Ross, who won two Super Bowls with them and performed, overall, fairly well once he was thrust into a starter's role this past season due to Thomas' preseason knee injury. A former first-round pick, Ross had some 2011 games in which he flashed that first-round talent, and surely that's what caught the eye of Jacksonville, Washington and other interested teams.

Expect the Redskins to continue to hunt for free agents who can help add depth to their secondary, and don't rule out cornerback for them as a possibility in the middle rounds of the draft next month. They're picking a quarterback in the first round and don't have a second-round pick, but they still have a third-rounder and two fourths, and they still could use reinforcements in the secondary.

The secondary is the part of the defense the Washington Redskins most needed to address this offseason, and address it they have. One day after signing safety Brandon Meriweather to a two-year contract, the Redskins have agreed to terms with former Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin.

The Redskins have been talking with many different options for their secondary. Earlier this week, it was reported that they were planning to host former Giants cornerback Aaron Ross for a visit Friday, and it's possible they still are. The signing of Griffin could indicate that they have the third cornerback they sought, but it could also mean something else. Griffin is big and physical enough to play safety. The Vikings discussed moving him to safety last year when he struggled so badly at cornerback that he ended up benched late in the year. And with Meriweather likely slated for the LaRon Landry strong safety spot in the secondary, Griffin could be looked at as a candidate to replace recently released free safety Oshiomogho Atogwe.

That decision may not even have been made yet. Griffin adds a physical presence to the secondary wherever he plays and however much he plays. He comes in on a one-year, $2.5 million deal, so it's not a major commitment. If he can handle cornerback, maybe they use him there. If he can handle free safety, maybe that's his role. But Mike Shanahan has been preaching the need for depth all over the roster, and whatever role he ends up playing for the Redskins, Griffin helps with the depth on defense.

Our friends at Football Outsiders have put together a series previewing each NFL team's offseason needs, using their unique statistical analysis to support their assertions. Football Outsiders' work requires an Insiders subscription to view in full, a contradiction that always elicits a giggle from NFC East colleague Dan Graziano. But I'm authorized to provide you a snippet from each of our teams. Herewith:

Chicago Bears: Most everyone has the Bears pegged to pursue wide receivers in free agency and/or the draft, and Outsiders doesn't discount that possibility. But based on its analysis of the Bears' 2011 season, offensive tackle should be the Bears' top priority. Left tackle J'Marcus Webb allowed 10 sacks and was "among the worst [left tackles] in the league." The Bears' running game, meanwhile, was stuffed for a loss or no gain on 24.1 percent of its runs, a "catastrophic" figure blamed mostly on poor run blocking.

Detroit Lions: Like the Bears, Outsiders thinks the Lions need to upgrade their offensive line more than anything else. Based on Outsiders statistics, the Lions had the second-worst run-blocking offensive line in the NFL in 2011. Center Dominic Raiola and right guard Stephen Peterman were particularly to blame. Outsiders' analysis suggested that running backs Jahvid Best and Kevin Smith actually had above-average seasons based on the yardage available to them.

Green Bay Packers: We all know the Packers need more pass rush; Outsiders ranked them last in the NFL in its adjusted sack rate (ASR) in 2011. Outsiders' analysis suggests the pass rush would improve if the Packers focus their upgrade efforts along the defensive line, giving it better push up front but also opening up lanes for linebacker Clay Matthews.

Minnesota Vikings: Perhaps "the worst secondary in the league." That should tell you all you need to know. Here's one of many sobering statistics from 2011: Cornerback Cedric Griffin allowed an average of 10.5 yards on every pass thrown in his direction, and teams had a 38 percent success rate against him. Both totals were among the bottom five of all cornerbacks in Outsiders' statistical study.

The Minnesota Vikings will attempt to slow down the New Orleans Saints' passing game with a cornerback duo of Asher Allen and Benny Sapp. Former starter Cedric Griffin has been benched, and it's not clear what role he'll play Sunday.

As we noted earlier in the week, the Vikings' pass defense hasn't been, uh, good this season. They haven't intercepted a pass in eight games, tying an NFL record.

Griffin has struggled to return from his second torn anterior cruciate ligament. Sapp re-joined the team last month.

We'll keep you posted.

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

FALLING

1. Chances of a new contract for Matt Forte, Chicago Bears tailback: We've been discussing the risks and rewards of giving big money to a running back for months. Michael C. Wright of ESPNChicago.com recently posted some updated thoughts. But it's worth nothing that the better Forte plays this season, the more sense it makes for the Bears to avoid a long-term deal and instead use the franchise tag on him next spring and possibly beyond. Forte's MVP pace has elevated his value substantially since the start of training camp. The Bears can either pay out an ever-increasing total of guaranteed money, or wait until the spring, when they can lock in Forte for less than $8 million in total compensation. Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, who is averaging 2.8 yards per carry this season after receiving $30 million in guarantees, is providing the latest cautionary tale.

2. Cedric Griffin, Minnesota Vikings cornerback: How many times have you heard about an NFL player continuing his career after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in both knees? That's what Griffin has done after suffering those two serious injuries in less than a year, missing only 14 games over a two-season span because of the timing in each case. But the Vikings will take some time during their bye week to evaluate his play and determine whether a demotion is in order. It's a cruel business, but Griffin's admirable push to get back on the field and do his job has revealed him to be less effective than he once was. When he was drafted in 2006, Griffin was considered a cornerback/safety. Is it time to give the latter a try?

3. Sack totals for Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lions defensive tackle: Let's be clear from the top. A defensive tackle can have a fine season without recording a single sack. But lost in the national conversation about whether Suh is a dirty player, and his scheduled meeting Tuesday with NFL officials, has been a noticeable decline in his sack production. Suh has three sacks through eight games, tying him with 22 other players for No. 26 in the NFL. Through eight games of his rookie season, Suh had 6.5 sacks on the way to 10 for the season. As we've discussed many times, good fortune is one of several key factors in running up high sack totals. Sacks are but one measure of an effective defensive tackle. So take the drop-off for what you will.

RISING

1. NFC North in prime time: The NFL's top division is preparing for a nice run of national exposure. Three of our four teams will appear on "Monday Night Football" over the next two weeks, first the Bears (at the Philadelphia Eagles) and then the Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers (at Lambeau Field). The Packers and Detroit Lions have a pretty meaningful Thanksgiving Day game looming, and the Bears and Packers will stage their second matchup of the year on the night of Christmas. And we're just getting into the flexible portion of the NFL's national schedule!

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings tailback/receiver: That's right. Peterson caught five passes for a career-high 76 yards in Sunday's victory over the Carolina Panthers. Included in that mix was a 19-yard touchdown on a middle screen. For reasons I don't fully understand, the Panthers defense was playing deep against the Vikings' receiving corps, leaving Peterson with room to roam underneath. It sounds simple, but quarterback Christian Ponder was smart enough to take advantage. "I will take that all day," Ponder told reporters. Peterson hasn't always been the smoothest of receivers. But screens and checkdowns are an easy way for a young quarterback to deal with pressure, and there is no better player in the open field than Peterson once he gets the ball in his hands.

3. Jason Hanson, Detroit Lions place-kicker: Hanson drilled his fourth field goal of 50 or more yards this season in Sunday's victory at the Denver Broncos, a nice eight-game accomplishment for any kicker but one especially noteworthy for a 20-year veteran. Only two NFL kickers, Sebastian Janikowski and Josh Scobee, have converted more attempts of 50 or more yards. I know we've mentioned Hanson before in Stock Watch. But he continues to excel at an elite pace. Overall, Hanson is tied for first among NFL kickers with 17 field goals. His only miss this season has been from 52 yards.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Greetings from the Metrodome, where I've been keeping an eye on the two early games in the NFC North while also watching Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback Christian Ponder start his pregame warm-ups about an hour ahead of most other players.

The Vikings have one surprise on their list of inactive players: Receiver Bernard Berrian won't play for the second time in three games. Berrian didn’t appear on the injury report this week; his previous deactivation was for disciplinary reasons, according to coach Leslie Frazier.

As expected the Vikings will be without four other key players: cornerback Antoine Winfield (neck), cornerback Chris Cook (arrest), center John Sullivan (concussion) and safety Jamarca Sanford (concussion). Asher Allen will start at cornerback alongside Cedric Griffin.

The Packers had no surprises among their list of inactives. It includes cornerback Sam Shields (concussion). Defensive end Ryan Pickett (concussion) is active, as expected. So is linebacker/fan favorite Vic So'oto.

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

FALLING

1. Donovan McNabb, Minnesota Vikings quarterback: We've noted many times that McNabb deserves only partial blame for the Vikings' woes this season. The lockout, an imbalanced roster and some uninspired work from offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave have all contributed. Regardless, you have to wonder if McNabb has made the final start of his NFL career. Coach Leslie Frazier officially is still mulling his starter for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers, but it doesn't usually bode well for an incumbent when the coach doesn't immediately express support. If Christian Ponder assumes the job and stays healthy for the remainder of the season, what options would McNabb have in 2012? He would have been benched in consecutive years by two different organizations. I'm not sure if another team would offer him its starting job. Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated reported McNabb will strongly consider retirement if that scenario plays out.

2. Perspective on postgame handshakes: I promise this will be my final comment on Sunday's postgame fracas at Ford Field. I've been surprised at how many people think this incident has been overblown. Rarely, if ever, in the modern history of the NFL has one head coach been restrained from going after another, regardless of provocation. To find even a similar example, the Pro Football Hall of Fame went back to a Chicago Bears-Los Angeles Rams game -- in 1947. After the game, a dirty affair from another era that featured five ejections and 16 penalties, a Bears player chased Rams coach Bob Snyder into the locker room and sparked a brawl. And this list of coaching confrontations, compiled by Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, hardly compares to what we saw Sunday. What exactly was Schwartz going to do Sunday if he reached Harbaugh? Were they going to fight right there on the field? When something so out of the ordinary occurs relative to history, it is by definition a significant event.

3. Vikings pass defense: The Vikings have gotten decent push from defensive ends Jared Allen and Brian Robison this season, but they were largely stymied Sunday night by a Chicago Bears offense that held back extra blockers in pass protection. Robbed of the protection usually afforded by Allen and Robison, the Vikings' secondary was revealed as an undermanned group that doesn't have an anchor as long as veteran is Antoine Winfield (neck) sidelined. The Vikings rank No. 24 overall in NFL pass defense. They continue to run a rotation at safety between Tyrell Johnson and Jamarca Sanford, and cornerback Cedric Griffin is gamely fighting through his second return from an ACL tear in as many seasons. All secondaries are better when they have a pass rush, but the Vikings' is a real liability if Allen and Robison can't get consistent pressure.

RISING

1. James Jones, Packers receiver: Jones wasn't happy with his playing time early in the season. But after agreeing to sit tight and wait his turn, Jones has caught a touchdown pass in each of the Packers' last three games. In fact, three of his last seven receptions have gone for touchdowns. Over that stretch, Jones has pulled himself even with the slew of receivers the Packers have behind Greg Jennings. Jordy Nelson has 20 receptions this season. Jones has 15. Donald Driver has 12 and Randall Cobb has nine.

2. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears quarterback: We'll get to this in more detail later Tuesday, but Cutler has put together his best two games of the season over the past two weeks. He's completed 71 percent of his passes over that stretch with three touchdowns and no interceptions. He's even made a believer of Total Quarterback Rating, which gave him a season-high 91.4 score after Sunday's victory over the Vikings. It's interesting that Cutler has a better sense for what the Bears offense can do, and not do, than coordinator Mike Martz.

3. Desmond Bishop, Packers linebacker: Tackles are an unofficial statistic, but I usually prefer to use the set based on review from each team's coaches. Based on that film review, Bishop had a stunning 20 tackles in Sunday's victory over the St. Louis Rams. That unofficially gives Bishop a team-high 72 tackles through six games. He also has three sacks and a forced fumble. Consider that at this time last season, Bishop was only two games into his replacement of injured starter Nick Barnett. He has now blossomed into a key ingredient of a championship defense.

A few thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings' first victory of the season, a 34-10 win against the Arizona Cardinals:

What it means: The Vikings avoided the second 0-5 start in franchise history with the first victory in Leslie Frazier's tenure as their permanent coach. (Frazier was 3-3 in an interim capacity last year.) They are now 1-4 heading into a two-game swing through the NFC North.

Salty atmosphere: Sunday might have been the brightest moment of the Vikings' season, but their inability to hold leads to this point made for a nervous and itchy crowd at the Metrodome. Not even a 28-0 first-quarter lead felt safe until midway through the fourth. Fans chanted for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder and booed the Vikings off the field at halftime when Frazier was content to take a 28-3 lead to the locker room rather than push the ball upfield.

First quarter romp: The Vikings' big lead featured three Adrian Peterson touchdowns, but field position was the big story. Three of the four touchdown drives started inside the Cardinals' 26-yard line thanks to a pair of turnovers and a 22-yard punt return from Marcus Sherels. Their fourth scoring drive was aided by a 36-yard pass interference call on a pass that quarterback Donovan McNabb overthrew in the direction of receiver Michael Jenkins.

McNabbWatch: McNabb completed 10 of 21 passes for 166 yards and one rushing touchdown, once again playing below his career standards but well enough to ensure the starting job moving forward.

Edge rushing: The Cardinals couldn't block Vikings defensive ends Jared Allen and Brian Robison, each of whom finished with two sacks. Robison also induced an illegal-use-of-hands penalty on right tackle Jeremy Bridges, nullifying a touchdown that would have pulled the Cardinals to 31-17 midway through the fourth quarter.

Personnel changes: Frazier pledged to stay the course after an 0-4 start, but he did make two notable changes. As we've already discussed, receiver Bernard Berrian was deactivated despite not appearing on the injury report this week. We'll let you know how Frazier explains that move. Also, cornerback Cedric Griffin didn't play until the second series because for what might have been a disciplinary reason. Griffin, meanwhile, didn't seem worse for the wear after Cardinals tailback Beanie Wells steamrolled him and dislodged his helmet in the second quarter. It was one of the most violent collisions of the NFL season, to be sure.

What's next: The Vikings will play in front of a national television audience next Sunday night at the Chicago Bears.

It's been a rough first four games for NFC West teams in the penalty department, and not just in the tripping department.

Officials have flagged teams from the division 153 times, assessing penalties covering 1,054 yards. The other divisions average 118 penalties and 835 penalty yards, according to ESPN Stats & Information. No division has as many in either category.

The totals count declined penalties.


The chart below shows all 14 NFL players with at least five declined and assessed penalties this season. Five of them play for NFC West teams.

On a side note, penalties for unnecessary roughness are on the rise, with 57 having been called through the first four weeks of the season. There were 25 through the first four games of the 2007 season. That number has risen to 37 (2008), 41 (2009), 53 (2010) and now 57.

I doubt players have gotten any rougher unnecessarily. Officials are likely calling these penalties more aggressively. Calls for unsportsmanlike conduct are also up. There have been 17 through four games this season, up from an average of nine at this point in the previous four seasons.

A few thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings' 22-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs:

What it means: The Vikings are 0-4 for the first time since 2002. Situated in a division with the NFL’s two undefeated teams, the Vikings can essentially kiss the playoffs goodbye. That leaves only one bit of drama left in their season. Namely ...

PonderWatch: Coach Leslie Frazier said "I don’t think" the Vikings are in a position where changing quarterbacks is required. But what is the value of playing a 34-year-old quarterback on a one-year contract when you’re 0-4 and four games back in your division? Donovan McNabb completed 18 of 30 passes against the Chiefs, including a nicely-thrown 34-yard touchdown pass to receiver Devin Aromashodu in the second quarter. Sunday’s loss wasn’t all on him. But the competitive portion of 2011 is almost done for the Vikings. That pushes our attention to 2012, when their quarterback almost certainly will be Christian Ponder. The only reason to delay the inevitable is if the Vikings feel Ponder hasn’t developed enough to give him a chance. I would find that hard to believe.

Tackling woes: I had my eyes mostly focused at Cowboys Stadium, but one play I saw from the Vikings really stood out. Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe blew past cornerback Cedric Griffin, who had slipped, and hauled in a Matt Cassel pass. Safety Jamarca Sanford bounced off Bowe on a shoulder-tackle attempt, and Griffin couldn’t bring him down either. Bowe scored on a 52-yard touchdown when all he had done was take about six strides past the line of scrimmage. Way too easy.

What’s next: The Vikings will try to avoid an 0-5 start when they host the Arizona Cardinals.

Eighteen NFL players have more receptions this season than Calvin Johnson. The Detroit Lions receiver ranks behind 20 others in total yards. But let me ask you this: Has any non-quarterback had a greater impact on his team's start to the 2011 season?

Johnson has scored two touchdowns in each of the Lions' three victories, the first player in NFL history to do so. He's accounted for nearly half of the scoring for the NFL's No. 4-ranked offense, and his most important catch of the season wasn't even a touchdown. I know you're going to laugh at me, but Johnson's efficiency this season -- he's averaging one touchdown for every 2.7 receptions -- makes it worth noting that the NFL record for touchdowns in a season is 23.

The first chart illustrates the 2007 pace set by New England Patriots receiver Randy Moss, who had seven touchdowns after four games that year. We probably won't get serious about it until midseason, but as the second chart shows, no NFL receiver in history has shot out of the gate any faster.

"He's pretty good," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said with a laugh this week.

Lions players and coaches have watched Johnson make circus catches for years, and I think the general public (even ESPN analyst Cris Carter) accepts he is among the best receivers in the league. But it's easy to go unnoticed while your team loses 40 of 48 games, as the Lions did from 2008-2010.

That shouldn't be a problem any longer. The Lions' 3-0 record, to be followed by high-profile games at the Dallas Cowboys and on "Monday Night Football" against the Chicago Bears, will ensure plenty of national discussion. Around here, of course, there has never been much debate about Johnson's elite status. What has piqued my interest this season is how many of Johnson's catches have come at critical moments of games and played such a primary role in their outcome.

A closer look:

Week 1
Touchdown No. 1: A 36-yard catch on fourth down that erased a 10-6 deficit and gave the Lions a lead they never relinquished against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Touchdown No. 2: A 1-yard grab in the third quarter that provided the final margin of victory in a 27-20 game.

Week 2
Touchdown No. 1: A 15-yard reception that opened the scoring against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Touchdown No. 2: A 1-yard catch on fourth down that put away a game that had been stuck at 20-3 in the third quarter.

Week 3
Touchdown No. 1: A leaping 32-yard third-quarter grab that started the Lions' comeback from a 20-0 deficit against the Minnesota Vikings.
Touchdown No. 2: A 5-yard catch that pulled the Lions to within three points at 20-17 early in the fourth quarter.

So think of it this way: The Lions have targeted Johnson on 29 passes this season; he's caught 16 of them. Two were fourth-down touchdowns. Two others provided scores that largely made up the deficit during the biggest comeback in team history. Two gave the Lions a lead they wouldn't relinquish, and another set up the game-winning score in overtime at the Metrodome.

You've probably seen it on video. (If not, NFL.com has it as part of this highlight video.) Matched up in single coverage against Vikings cornerback Cedric Griffin, Johnson hauled in a 40-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to put the Lions in position for Jason Hanson's 32-yard field goal.

I referred to it as a Willie Mays-like catch because, like Mays did 57 years ago, Johnson made the catch with his back to the direction the ball arrived from. It sailed not over his shoulder, but directly over his head. That means Johnson didn't see the ball until it was on top of him. The level of difficulty, not to mention the circumstances, already qualifies the plays as among the best catches you'll see all season.

"I don't know what to tell you," Stafford said. "He's an unbelievable player. I just try to give him a chance on some balls."

Johnson isn't your typical bigmouth receiver, and you don't get much when you ask him to take you through one of his catches. On that 40-yard catch, Johnson noted he and Stafford had connected on a similar pass during pregame warm-ups and added: "I had a feeling the ball could be up in the air for me, so I just went up and got it."

Yes. Yes he did. But Johnson's impact has extended well beyond his 16 catches and six touchdowns. Consider tailback Jahvid Best's 60-yard screen reception this past Sunday, the one that set up Johnson's second touchdown. When you watch the replay, you can see Johnson effectively take three Vikings defenders out of the play.

Lined up on the far side, Johnson drew cornerback Antoine Winfield -- the Vikings' best tackler -- in coverage. Winfield had to stay with Johnson even when it appeared a screen was on the way. Middle linebacker E.J. Henderson also took several steps in his direction, leaving him out of position once Best took off with the ball. Finally, Johnson blocked Vikings safety Husain Abdullah as the play developed.

"He changes the game," Schwartz said. "He changes the way people play us, and you can see when people put attention on him there's room for other people to make plays. You don't get 60-yard screen passes if you don't have a guy who's a threat on the outside part of the field. It doesn't open it up for a tight end to get 11 catches over the middle [as Brandon Pettigrew did] if you don't have a player like Calvin on the field."

Johnson's national breakthrough has come at an important time in his relationship with the Lions. His contract continues through the 2012 season, but a projected $18.5 million cap charge next season means the Lions likely will need to extend him before then. Scoring six touchdowns during a 3-0 start has pretty much solidified the value of a receiver who can dictate to defenses the way Johnson can. Don't you think?

Reviewing Saturday's action at the Metrodome:

Dallas Cowboys 23, Minnesota Vikings 17

Preseason record: 1-2

Of interest: The Vikings first-team offense converted a touchdown for the first time this preseason when Donovan McNabb found receiver Bernard Berrian behind the defense for a 49-yard touchdown pass on their first possession. Berrian later caught a 15-yard pass in showing his first signs of life in more than a year. ... Most important for the offense: It controlled the line of scrimmage for a good portion of its stint against the Cowboys' first-team defense. Tailback Adrian Peterson rushed for 81 yards on 14 carries, possibly coinciding with the return of right guard Anthony Herrera. ... McNabb also connected on another nice downfield pass to receiver Michael Jenkins (26 yards). ... Defensively, the Vikings looked pretty vulnerable against Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who completed 15 of his 20 passes. Cornerback Antoine Winfield's right shoulder stinger was a scary, but apparently not long-term, sight. At this point, depth is a big concern. ... Place-kicker Ryan Longwell hit a 44-yard field goal, but was short from 52 and had a 47-yard attempt blocked and returned for a touchdown. ... No. 2 quarterback Joe Webb had a 36-yard scramble and also a 10-yard touchdown run, showing again why the Vikings should make room for him somewhere in their offense. But the flip side was that rookie Christian Ponder didn't get much work. Perhaps he will start the preseason finale Thursday.

Local coverage: Winfield and cornerback Chris Cook (hamstring) will be "fine," coach Leslie Frazier told reporters, according to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune. ... Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: "The Vikings may have to put a 'help wanted' sign out on I-494 in front of Winter Park. 'Defensive Backs Inquire Within.'" ... Frazier on the Vikings' secondary, via Judd Zulgad of 1500ESPN.com: "What I was encouraged by was when Chris was out there, when Cedric [Griffin] was out there, when 'Toine was out there, we held our own. That is really encouraging for our defense and for our team, because we're going to need those three guys to really play at a high level in order for our defense to play well. When they were there, I thought we held them in check." ... McNabb on the pass to Berrian, via Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com: "I know everyone kind of thought we were going to kind of stay intermediate and kind of play it safe. But we've been trying to open up the offense. It really depends on what the defense is dictating for us." ... The Vikings worked hard to develop a rapport between McNabb and Berrian in practice last week, offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave told Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune.

Up next: Thursday against Houston Texans

Reviewing Saturday's action at LP Field:

Tennessee Titans 14, Minnesota Vikings 3

Preseason record: 0-1

Of interest: The Vikings' offense proved very much to be a work in progress, going scoreless until Ryan Longwell's 37-yard field goal in the third quarter. Quarterback Donovan McNabb's two series featured 11 mostly short-range passes and both ended in punts. Backup Joe Webb proved once again to be an effective open-field runner, scrambling five times for 33 yards, but at some point you would like to see him stay in the pocket. In his debut, rookie Christian Ponder completed eight of 13 passes for 84 yards. He made a nice play to escape the pocket and convert a third-and-16, but it was called back by penalty. It's likely Ponder will see work with the second team next week. ... Receiver Jaymar Johnson put in a stake at the punt returner job with a 40-yard return... Cornerbacks Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin, along with defensive linemen Kevin Williams and Jared Allen, did not play. ... Cornerback Chris Cook was beat on a 45-yard touchdown pass to Yamon Figurs, whom he lost sight of after quarterback Jake Locker dropped the snap.

Local coverage: Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave, via Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune: "I thought their effort was good, and the execution was good up to a point. We always want points. We'll have to make bigger strides next time with that first unit." ... Cook on the touchdown, via Zulgad: "Definitely saw the ball on the ground and just came up thinking that we were going to get the ball, pursuing the ball and they got a lucky play on it." ... The Vikings don't appear to have done much to address their shaky depth at cornerback, writes Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com. ... Receiver Percy Harvin isn't worried about the Vikings' offense because it will rely on tailback Adrian Peterson, not the passing game. Jeremy Fowler of the St. Paul Pioneer Press explains.

Next: Saturday at Seattle Seahawks