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Most discussion about the Green Bay Packers' draft prospects have centered around outside linebacker and the offensive line. The truth, of course, is that at No. 32 the Packers might not be in position to dictate the position of their first-round pick. They could draft a linebacker, an offensive tackle, a defensive end, a receiver or even a running back.

For that reason, I found myself mostly glossing over the specifics of the Packers' draft over the past few months. Frankly, what makes more sense than anything is a scenario where the Packers offer their spot to a team that wants to trade up in the second round but doesn't want to spend all day Friday bidding to get the No. 33 overall pick.

At some point, the Packers will need to find a starter at right outside linebacker, a position four players shared last season. They'll also need to continue developing a transition plan for both offensive tackle positions. Will they accomplish either with the No. 32 pick? Not even the Packers know at this point. There are simply too many variables.

Earlier: I took Mississippi State offensive tackle Derek Sherrod for the Packers in our ESPN.com Blog Network mock draft. Packers safety Nick Collins would like to see the team focus on offensive linemen in the draft. Don't rule out general manager Ted Thompson drafting Alabama running back Mark Ingram. The Packers' player acquisition system under Thompson is especially equipped to handle a lockout.

There really isn't an AFC East angle to what I'm about to write.

I just felt like venting or commiserating with disenfranchised fans who have every right to be disgusted with the NFL these days.

As of the time of this posting, the lead news stories in the upper right corner of ESPN.com's NFL page deal with:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib's felony arrest over a shooting incident.
• Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly being denied bail on another drug possession charge.
• Two pieces on Dallas Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant's mounting legal woes.
• New York Jets quarterback Erik Ainge's battle with drug addiction and mental illness.
• A guilty plea from the pimp who supplied Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor with an underage prostitute.

And that's in addition to three articles on the work stoppage.

I want to go back to bed.

News of Johnny Jolly's latest arrest makes it hard to imagine Jolly returning to the NFL, let alone the Green Bay Packers, in 2011.

According to police in Houston, Jolly was arrested Friday morning after police officers found 600 grams of codeine in his car during a traffic stop. The substance is the main ingredient in a narcotic known as Purple Drank, and the charge is similar to the one that ultimately got Jolly suspended for the 2010 season.

To avoid a trial on the first charge, Jolly agreed to "pretrial diversion." According to the Associated Press coverage of the agreement, it was "a form of probation that will have the charge against him dismissed in a year if he doesn't break the law and completes other requirements, including 160 hours of community service."

Jolly hadn't reached that one-year watermark, presumably re-activating the original charge on top of the new one. It's always risky to predict the course of a legal situation, but jail time seems awfully likely.

This winter, Jolly applied for NFL reinstatement. Coach Mike McCarthy said earlier this week that July was "definitely" in the team's plans if NFL commissioner Roger Goodell lifted the suspension. Given the latest development, it's hard to imagine Goodell feeling compelled to do that.

The Packers weren't necessarily counting on Jolly in 2011, but it was hoped that his return could help alleviate the expected loss of defensive end Cullen Jenkins. The Packers have two young players in Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson who will compete for the starting job.

It's hard to say at this point if Jolly, 28, has completely trashed his career. Goodell has allowed multiple offenders back into the league before. But it's not looking good right now.

Something has been missing from my life, and perhaps yours as well. Our extended postseason run and an unusual start to the offseason has delayed a follow-up I've been meaning to write for some time. So while we have a moment, let's finally restore order around here.

One of our primary themes for the 2010 season was the NFC North's response to its precedent-setting passing numbers in 2009. In a pre-training camp post, we suggested the division race would turn on the degree to which each team's pass defense could catch up to our passing offenses.

Would the Chicago Bears' acquisition of defensive end Julius Peppers pay off? How much better would the Detroit Lions' pass rush be with their retooled defensive line, one that now included a former Pro Bowl defensive end (Kyle Vanden Bosch) and the No. 2 overall pick of the draft (defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh)? Would the Minnesota Vikings sustain their historic passing efficiency of 2009 while improving their own pass defense? Could the Green Bay Packers straighten out the personnel shortage that led to an epic collapse in the wild-card playoffs?

Our theory: The most effective response would clinch the division and, perhaps more. And although there were a few exceptions here and there, the end result proved illuminating.


As the charts show, the Bears won the NFC North after making a 24-spot jump in the NFL's rankings for defensive passer rating. The Packers, who fielded the league's best pass defense and No. 3 passing offense based on quarterback rating, won Super Bowl XLV. The Vikings improved their pass defense, but the collapse of their passing offense was the single biggest factor in their 6-10 record. Finally, the Lions' progression in both categories mirrored their four-victory improvement from 2009.

Sorry, run-and-run-defense enthusiasts. Success in today's NFL requires efficient passing and pass defense. Passer rating isn't a perfect common evaluator, but I like it better than the NFL's traditional measure using total yards. And as Kerry Byrne of Football Facts points out, defensive passer rating is one of the most reliable indicators of championship-caliber teams.

"This game is made for offensive players, I think," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said recently. "The rules are, and all that kind of stuff."

In turn, any team that can take either special advantage of those rules and make headway against them on defense -- or both -- figures to be in the playoff conversation. So let's take this quiet moment in the NFL offseason to measure each NFC North team through the passing lens. Where are they and how can they improve?

Chicago Bears

Quarterback Jay Cutler threw 10 fewer interceptions in 2010 after getting assimilated into Mike Martz's offense, and the entire team figures to benefit from its familiarity with Martz's system. With that said, I see two pass-related areas the Bears should focus on this year: Pass protection and interior pass rush.

The Bears gave up an NFL-high 56 sacks last season, a figure that doesn't directly apply to passer rating but assuredly affects a quarterback's accuracy and decision-making over time. In a recent interview with the Bears' website, coach Lovie Smith noted "the number of hits Jay took this past season." On many levels, the Bears need to enter 2011 with a better Week 1 plan for their offensive line.

Meanwhile, the release of defensive tackle Tommie Harris reminds us the Bears don't have an established interior pass-rusher who has typically defined their defense. Matt Toeaina, who replaced Harris in the starting lineup last season, was credited with two sacks.

Detroit Lions

The Lions are hoping that Vanden Bosch returns at full strength following neck surgery. If so, their biggest pass-related need this offseason is continuing to rebuild their cornerback position. They did not re-sign starter Chris Houston before last week's deadline, but it's possible he could return to the team after testing the free-agent market. At the moment, however, the Lions have only two established cornerbacks under contract: Alphonso Smith and Nate Vasher.

Meanwhile, the Lions have acknowledged the need to improve at their No. 3 receiver position. Although they can mitigate this issue with the smart use of tight ends Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler, the Lions' offense would take a substantial hit if either Calvin Johnson or Nate Burleson were forced from the lineup for an extended period. Bryant Johnson and Derrick Williams combined for a substandard 21 receptions last season.

Green Bay Packers

Thompson will need to sort out his receiver depth in anticipation of James Jones' pending free agency. Jones said Monday he wants to be a starter, an indication that he will look to sign elsewhere when the market opens. The Packers could use Jordy Nelson as their unquestioned No. 3 receiver and seek further depth in the draft, a reasonable path that could make Jones' departure inevitable.

The Packers' other big challenge will be replacing defensive end Cullen Jenkins, who led their linemen with seven sacks despite missing five games because of injury. Jenkins is a pending free agent and appears set to move on. Rising second-year players Mike Neal and C.J. Wilson could vie for that job. Reviews on both players have been good, but are they seven-sack good? Another possibility is veteran Johnny Jolly, who has applied for reinstatement after a one-year suspension.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings might have more passing-game work ahead of them than the rest of the NFC North combined.

At the top of the list is finding short- and long-term answers at quarterback, a job that could require multiple acquisitions. Former Pro Bowl receiver Sidney Rice is a pending free agent and wants to test his value on the market, and last season ended with high-priced veteran Bernard Berrian as an afterthought. A significant rebuild of the receiving corps could be on the horizon.

Defensively, the Vikings probably are looking for two new starters on their defensive line. Left end Ray Edwards, who recorded 16.5 sacks over the past two seasons, appears set to move on in free agency. (Backup Brian Robison signed a new contract last week.) Nose tackle Pat Williams also isn't expected back.

Finally, the Vikings enter the offseason certain of only one starter in their secondary: cornerback Antoine Winfield. The health of fellow cornerback Cedric Griffin (knee) is uncertain, and at the very least, safeties Madieu Williams and Husain Abdullah will have to earn their starting jobs in training camp.

John Clayton updates the latest news on Sam Bradford, Johnny Jolly, Chris Johnson, Terrell Owens and Brett Favre.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell came down hard on Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly on Friday, suspending him for at least the 2010 season for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

While the loss of Jolly is significant for Green Bay, it’s not devastating because the Packers have one of the deepest 3-4 lines in the NFL. Packers general manager Ted Thompson has stacked the defensive line to be able to survive the loss of Jolly, who played 79 and 68 percent of the defensive snaps the past two seasons. Last year’s selection of defensive lineman B.J. Raji in the first round gives the Packers that type of flexibility.

During the offseason, the Packers worked Raji at nose tackle and Ryan Pickett, last year’s starting nose tackle, at defensive end. While the loss of Jolly affects the depth of the defensive line, it won’t necessarily affect the quality of play up front. The Packers can still be a top-5 defense with Pickett, Raji and Cullen Jenkins starting and having Justin Harrell as a defensive end and Jarius Wynn and second-round choice Mike Neal as backups.

Head coach Mike McCarthy has the flexibility of moving Pickett to nose tackle to give Raji rest. The challenge during training camp will be to develop a backup nose tackle who can fit into the rotation.

Jolly will go on trial in late July for a 2008 arrest in which he was charged with illegally possessing at least 200 grams of codeine, a case that is linked to the use of “Purple Drank.’’ A conviction could lead to a 20-year sentence. Jolly has been a productive player for the Packers. A former sixth-round choice, Jolly had 39 tackles last season and 49 the year before.

The NFL released a statement Friday afternoon that Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly has been suspended indefinitely.

"Johnny Jolly of the Green Bay Packers has been suspended indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse. Jolly’s suspension begins immediately and will continue through at least the 2010 season. He will be eligible to apply for reinstatement following Super Bowl XLV," the statement read.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson released a statement shortly thereafter: "Johnny is a good player that loves everything about the game of football. We appreciate the contributions he has made to the Packers the past four seasons. His focus and priorities now lie elsewhere -- our thoughts are with him during this difficult personal time."

The statement concluded by saying the team would have no further comment on the league matter.

Much like tuning up a well-maintained Lexus or recovering a rusted-out muscle car from the boneyard, there's a difference between working with Tom Brady and JaMarcus Russell.

Personal throwing coach Tom Martinez has worked with both quarterbacks and might take on Russell as a client again in hopes of salvaging a once-promising career.

"JaMarcus is a different kind of a challenge," Martinez told me last week. I interviewed Martinez for a piece about his relationship with Brady. Toward the end of our conversation, we spoke for a few minutes about Russell's uncertain future.

The Oakland Raiders made Russell the first pick of the 2007 draft but cut him this spring. The New York Jets have shown interest, but New York Daily News beat writer Manish Mehta reports any fascination has completely evaporated.

Russell's attempt to avoid being known as the biggest bust in NFL history experienced a hiccup Monday. Russell was charged with possession of a controlled substance. Russell had codeine cough syrup without a prescription and was arrested as part of an undercover narcotics investigation.

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" recently produced a story on the popularity of "purple drank," a concoction of prescription-strength cough syrup, soda or juice and Jolly Ranchers candy. Green Bay Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly was arrested for illegal possession of codeine syrup last year.

Martinez, who has been Brady's passing-mechanics guru since he was a teenager in San Mateo, Calif., worked with Russell prior to the 2007 draft.

"It's unbelievably sad from a lot of perspectives, and it's a 50-50 issue," Martinez said. "I think he's 50 percent responsible, and I think the Raiders are 50 percent responsible.

"They both got an F. They got an F because they took a guy No. 1 in the draft and it didn't work out. And it's an F for him to be drafted No. 1 and not perform. He left them no choice but to let him go."

Martinez wasn't willing to write him off and claimed a team like the Jets could find a terrific bargain by brining Russell onto the team as a backup for Mark Sanchez.

A charismatic psychologist such as Jets head coach Rex Ryan might be able to get Russell's attention. But a team has to be willing to take on the risk of introducing Russell to its roster first.

"He's just unbelievably, unbelievably talented," Martinez said. "He's just very young and very immature. He's got it all. He's better than anybody that was drafted this year.

"If you can steal him for minimal pay and get him in an environment where he respected the people and did what they told him, it might be one of the greatest deals of all-time, getting the first guy taken in a draft for such little investment.

"But he could already be done."

I know there's been some confusion this week about the state of the Green Bay Packers' class of restricted free agents. The NFL reported that none of the three remaining RFAs -- defensive end Johnny Jolly, cornerback Tramon Williams and safety Atari Bigby -- had signed their tenders by Monday afternoon.

But between then and late Monday night, according to Greg A. Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Jolly signed his $2.521 million tender. Bedard reports that neither Williams nor Bigby signed before the deadline, leaving both subject to reductions in their contract figures.

For Bigby, the amount is minimal: About four percent of what he would have received had he signed the tender. Williams, however, could see his salary go from $3.168 million to about $585,000 if the Packers choose to exercise the reduction some time before 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. NFL rules make this reduction the team's option.

If that happens, Williams could be headed for a long holdout. He's projected as a starter while Al Harris recovers from a serious knee injury, so a protracted absence would be significant. We'll keep you updated.

» NFC Big Question: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Will the recent run of off-field news impact the Green Bay Packers and/or Minnesota Vikings?

If you judge teams based on their headlines, it hasn't been the greatest few weeks for our presumed NFC North front-runners.

The Packers dealt with allegations of sexual assault against cornerback Brandon Underwood. The story came three months after tight end Spencer Havner crashed his motorcycle, fractured his scapula and was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Defensive end Johnny Jolly's felony drug possession case also has been hanging over the team.

In Minnesota, All-Pro tailback Adrian Peterson skipped the Vikings' mandatory minicamp to attend a hometown parade in his honor. His absence generated larger questions about the state of a veteran roster and whether exceptions made for quarterback Brett Favre have created an untenable double standard.

The big question is the extent to which any of these events matter. How much should we make of off-field news? Will the Packers' won-loss record be impacted by potential charges against a player who might be their dime back? Should the plight of a third-string tight end play any role in the NFC North title? And do we really think Peterson's minicamp absence will limit the Vikings' offensive firepower this season?

In Green Bay, the impact will be limited but not unfelt. Coach Mike McCarthy addressed the pattern in a team meeting last week and said later that "poor judgment was used." McCarthy added that players have been "in the paper way too much with things other than football." A few might need to watch themselves, but it would be difficult to suggest the Packers have been set back in a substantive way.

In Minnesota, it's not as if Peterson will have much to catch up on when he reports to training camp. (For now, I'm not taking into consideration the possibility that his absence was contract-related and could lead to a training-camp absence.) The impact of his absence, as we discussed Monday, is the legitimate question it raised. Namely: No one knows what, if anything, Peterson has done to remedy his career-long fumbling problem.

If he's unable to reverse that trend in 2010, it will be an ample hindrance to competing with the Packers for the division title. For the most part, however, the significant of these off-field news strands will be limited to where they occurred -- off the field.

» NFC Big Question: East | West | North | South » AFC: East | West | North | South

Will Johnny Jolly ever play again for the Green Bay Packers?

Jolly's long-awaited felony drug trial continues to be pushed back on a busy legal docket in Houston. It's now scheduled to be heard July 30, a day before the Packers open training camp. New details recently revealed by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel suggest prosecutors are planning a more aggressive case than first believed, one that will paint Jolly as an active and frequent participant in the Houston drug trade.

That report intensified a question we raised when the Packers shifted Ryan Pickett to Jolly's position at left end. The Packers also drafted two defensive ends in April, including second-round pick Mike Neal.

From the outside, it sure looks like the Packers have fortified themselves enough to move on without Jolly. They re-issued his $2.521 million restricted free agent (RFA) tender last week, but RFA tenders aren't guaranteed -- meaning the Packers wouldn't owe him a dime if they rescind the offer or release him before the start of the regular season.

The issue isn't that simple, however. The fact is Jolly had a really good season in 2009 and proved well-suited for the Packers' 3-4 defense. He led defensive linemen with 75 tackles, according to unofficial team-kept statistics, and tipped a Packers-record 11 passes. His athletic interception of Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler won't soon be forgotten, and he also blocked a field goal attempt at St. Louis. It was the first time since 1993 that a Packers player had blocked a field goal, recorded an interception and recovered a fumble in the same season.

Were it not for that performance, I'm guessing the Packers would have cut Jolly loose by now. As it is, coach Mike McCarthy said recently that "I'm concerned for Johnny Jolly personally," and admitted that "definitely his availability is in question." Absent a complete exoneration in his trial, it's questionable at best whether Jolly will return for a fifth season in Green Bay.

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Sorry about the choppy posting this evening. This draft format is new for all of us, and I decided to slow down a bit and wait until I had decent information on each draft pick before writing anything. So with that said, let's make a thorough rundown of Friday's second and third rounds from an NFC North perspective.

Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson executed a significant trade upwards for the third consecutive year, perhaps permanently altering his reputation as a conservative collector of surplus picks. "I know," Thompson joked to Wisconsin reporters. "I'm going to have to stop this."

This year, Thompson moved up in the third round to select Georgia Tech safety Morgan Burnett, a playmaker who had 14 interceptions in three seasons with the Yellow Jackets. The Packers don't have an immediate need at safety, but at the very least Burnett gives them an option should starter Nick Collins or Atari Bigby suffer an injury. It also gives the Packers flexibility as Bigby's unrestricted free agent year approaches.

"I think he's got all of the ingredients we look for to play safety," Thompson said. "I think he has the ability to be a dual guy and be the kind of guy that you are looking for that is athletic enough to cover down and can still come up and make tackles."

In this report , Scouts Inc. suggests Burnett has above-average ball skills but marginal run-support ability.

Chicago also nabbed a third-round safety that could be playing a prominent role within the next year. In fact, coach Lovie Smith told Chicago reporters "it is safe to say" that Florida's Major Wright will be in the mix for a starting job at free safety in 2010.

"Being our first pick, I would say that he assumes he is going to come in and play quick," Smith said. "There is a long ways to go before you put a rookie in the starting lineup. We feel good about some of our players that we have here right now, but we don't have the depth here that we need."

Smith suggested that Wright could eventually provide the back-end leadership once supplied by former Bears safety Mike Brown.

"Tim Tebow did an awful lot for Florida on the offensive side of the ball," Smith said, "and I think [Florida coach] Urban Meyer would talk about Major doing some of those same things as far as being the fighter, the guy that is vocal, the guy that players look to for a bit of that leadership. That's what we are looking for a little bit, we are looking for a guy -- we have had a great guy in the past in Mike Brown, a big hitter, played the pass well and was a quarterback back there -- Major has done some of those things."

How happy is Wright to be with the Bears, a team where he could play almost right away? Check out what he told Chicago reporters: "I literally ran down the street and just lay in the middle of the road and started crying."

Wow.

Detroit addressed arguably its more glaring need with the No. 66 overall pick, selecting Iowa cornerback Amari Spievey. As of now, Spievey conceivably has a chance to start right away. That could change if the Lions sign veteran Adam "Pacman" Jones, but to this point Chris Houston is the only surefire starter Detroit has at cornerback.

General manager Martin Mayhew said the Lions were attracted mostly to Spievey's toughness and sound tackling skills.

"It's hard nowadays to find corners who are really solid tacklers, who are really physical players and this guy plays the game that way," Mayhew said. "I think he'll fit into our defense very well. He'll come in, I think, from day one and be a good player on special teams and compete for a chance to get a lot of playing time."

The Packers project Purdue defensive lineman Michael Neal as an end in their 3-4 scheme, based on what line coach Mike Trgovac told Wisconsin reporters. Neal gives the Packers some flexibility as they wait out Johnny Jolly's much-delayed trial on federal drug possession charges in Houston, but he'll also be an upgrade from the end rotation the Packers used last year.

New Minnesota cornerback Chris Cook was suspended from school in 2008 because of poor grades. He spent the year working at a Sears warehouse, he said, "putting refrigerators and stoves and washing machines and dryers on the back of trucks and unloading trucks, taking trash out to the dump and everything."

Virginia allowed him back in school last year, and he was determined not to let the opportunity pass by.

"It killed me that I had to sit out for a year," he said. "I won't say it benefited me, but I feel like it made me a smarter person and a stronger person, having to deal with that situation."

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

» Draft Watch: Biggest needs (2/17) | Busts/gems (2/24) | Schemes, themes (3/3) | Recent history (3/10) | Needs revisited (3/17) | Under-the-radar needs (3/26) | History in that spot (3/31) | Draft approach (4/7) | Decision-makers (4/14) | Dream scenario/Plan B (4/21)

Each Wednesday leading up to the NFL draft (April 22-24), the ESPN.com blog network will take a division-by-division look at key aspects of the draft. Today's topic: Draft approach.

Chicago Bears

General manager Jerry Angelo's background is a scouting director, so for most of his Bears tenure he accumulated and guarded draft picks as if they were gold. In his first seven drafts with the Bears, he made 28 picks in the first three rounds (an average of four per year). But Angelo has changed his team-building process in the past two years, releasing that grip when offered the opportunity to acquire more established players. He gutted the top of the 2009 and 2010 drafts in trades for quarterback Jay Cutler and late defensive end Gaines Adams, supplementing those losses by signing veteran free agents to fill individual needs. It's not a bad idea when considering Angelo's current situation. The more immediate approach will either work or, after already missing the playoffs for three consecutive years, it will be a mess someone else has to clean up.

Detroit Lions

The talent gap in Detroit remains wide enough that the Lions will continue following their new mantra under general manager Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz: Talent must trump need at every pick. That was the case last year, when the Lions considered tight end Brandon Pettigrew the best player on their board at the No. 20 overall pick, and will resume in 2010. It is the Lions' luxury and curse. Although some positions are more dire than others, the team needs help at all of them except quarterback. So while the Lions' ideal scenario would be to grab multiple linemen in the first three rounds, they can't afford to force it by passing up players they consider more talented -- no matter what position they play.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers have largely sat out the free-agent market over the past four years, leaving them to fill all of their needs through the draft. As a result, general manager Ted Thompson hasn't been afraid to trade down to accumulate additional picks and provide maximum depth on his roster. This tack values volume over elite pedigree but has brought players like receiver Greg Jennings and defensive tackle Johnny Jolly to the team. Thompson did trade up last year to grab linebacker Clay Matthews in the first round, but in general that has been an exception to his rule. I'm guessing the Packers wouldn't be opposed to moving below their No. 23 overall pick this year if it means an additional choice in the late second or early third round.

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota vice president Rick Spielman inherited a relatively talented roster in 2007 and thus has used the draft to target individual players his scouts have identified for specific roles on the team. By my count, Spielman has made seven draft-day trades to position himself to take the players he wanted over the past three years. Those players include receiver Sidney Rice (2007), safety Tyrell Johnson (2008) and linebacker Jasper Brinkley (2009). Expect more of the same this year from Spielman, who has the luxury of drafting purely for value rather than need.

Chicago Bears

Potential unrestricted free agents: Linebacker Darrell McClover, defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, running back Adrian Peterson, linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa.

Potential restricted free agents: Defensive end Mark Anderson, safety Josh Bullocks, safety Danieal Manning, linebacker Nick Roach, linebacker Jamar Williams.

Franchise player: None

What to expect: With no picks in the first or second round of next month's draft, the Bears are gearing up for a relatively major jump into free agency. They're expected to bid for defensive end Julius Peppers and possible safety Antrel Rolle and would also like to re-sign linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa. Tight end Brandon Manumaleuna could also be a target. Manumaleuna played for new offensive coordinator Mike Martz in St. Louis.

Detroit Lions

Potential unrestricted free agents: Linebacker Vinny Ciurciu, offensive lineman Damion Cook, quarterback Daunte Culpepper, tight end Casey Fitzsimmons, linebacker Larry Foote, tight end Will Heller, cornerback Anthony Henry, cornerback Will James, offensive lineman Jon Jansen, safety Marquand Manuel, quarterback Patrick Ramsey.

Potential restricted free agents: Defensive end Copeland Bryan, offensive lineman Dylan Gandy, defensive lineman Jason Hunter, offensive lineman Daniel Loper, offensive lineman Manny Ramirez, safety Ko Simpson, linebacker Cody Spencer.

Franchise player: None

What to expect: The Lions aren't likely to be as active as they were last year, but general manager Martin Mayhew said over the winter that he could envision a five- or six-man free agent class. Running back, defensive end and defensive back are all positions they will investigate. They'll also need to find a backup quarterback, assuming Daunte Culpepper moves on.

Green Bay Packers

Potential unrestricted free agents: Offensive lineman Chad Clifton, running back Ahman Green, linebacker Aaron Kampman, offensive lineman Mark Tauscher.

Potential restricted free agents: Safety Atari Bigby, defensive back Will Blackmon, offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, safety Nick Collins, defensive end Johnny Jolly, running back John Kuhn, offensive lineman Jason Spitz, cornerback Tramon Williams.

Franchise player: Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett

What to expect: The Packers will have a demanding offseason filled with difficult decisions. To this point, they haven't re-signed either of their starting offensive tackles. They are clearly approaching injured linebacker Aaron Kampman with caution. And they have a long line of restricted free agents who would like long-term contracts, starting with Pro Bowl safety Nick Collins. The Packers have more than enough to keep them busy, but they haven't dabbled much in free agency in recent years, anyway.

Minnesota Vikings

Potential unrestricted free agents: Offensive lineman Artis Hicks, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, cornerback Benny Sapp, running back Chester Taylor.

Potential restricted free agents: Offensive lineman Ryan Cook, defensive end Ray Edwards, defensive tackle Fred Evans, safety Eric Frampton, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, fullback Naufahu Tahi.

Franchise player: None.

What to expect: The Vikings are awaiting word from quarterback Brett Favre on the 2010 season, a decision that could impact their offseason plans. They would like tailback Chester Taylor back, but it's possible Taylor will at least test his value on the open market. As a Final Four team, the Vikings will be limited to signing players that have been released by other teams unless they lose one of their own unrestricted free agents first.

OK class, it's time for one of our final lessons in the new world of an uncapped NFL. Before the free-agent market opens Friday morning, each team must first address its entire list of restricted free agents in one of two basic ways:

1. Tendering a 1-year contract, OR
2. "Non-tendering" the player, essentially cutting ties.

Remember, a restricted free agent (RFA) is a player with four or five years of experience whose contract has expired. Those players are free to seek offers elsewhere, but current teams at least have the right to match that offer and keep the player. Depending on the level of contract tender, the team could also receive draft-pick compensation.

If the player doesn't sign an offer sheet elsewhere, and can't agree on a long-term contract, he plays at the salary in the chart below. (There are slightly higher values for players in their fifth seasons.)


Because of the addition of a fifth year to the RFA list in the uncapped year, an additional 212 players are scheduled to be restricted free agents this offseason. Below is a list of the primary RFAs for each NFC North team.

There have been some reports about individual tenders, but no team has officially released its decisions. That will happen sometime between now and Thursday night. When it does, we'll analyze how easy or difficult it will be for those tendered to move on to another team.

Chicago Bears: Defensive end Mark Anderson, safety Josh Bullocks, safety Danieal Manning, linebacker Nick Roach, linebacker Jamar Williams.

Detroit Lions: Defensive end Copeland Bryan, offensive lineman Dylan Gandy, defensive lineman Jason Hunter, offensive lineman Daniel Loper, offensive lineman Manny Ramirez, safety Ko Simpson, linebacker Cody Spencer.

Green Bay Packers: Safety Atari Bigby, defensive back Will Blackmon, offensive lineman Daryn Colledge, safety Nick Collins, defensive end Johnny Jolly, running back John Kuhn, offensive lineman Jason Spitz, cornerback Tramon Williams, running back DeShawn Wynn.

Minnesota Vikings: Offensive lineman Ryan Cook, defensive end Ray Edwards, defensive tackle Fred Evans, safety Eric Frampton, quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, cornerback Karl Paymah, fullback Naufahu Tahi.

To read all of our award-winning CBAWatch discussion, click here.