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Mocking the NFC North

2011 NFL Draft Needs: Green Bay Packers

ARLINGTON TX - FEBRUARY 06:  Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers celebrates after the Green Bay Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 31 to 25 in Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium on February 6 2011 in Arlington Texas.  (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Cheeseheads across America rejoiced this past February as the Packers brought home the Lombardi Trophy to Wisconsin. As Green Bay heads into the offseason there are very few holes it will have to fill to contend for the title again next year.

The Packers were able to win the Super Bowl with significant injuries on both sides of the football. Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley were lost for the season on offense and the same goes for middle linebacker Nick Barnett. Through all the injuries, Green Bay was able to persevere and find competent replacements at any position.

On offense, Aaron Rodgers led a high powered attack that averaged 24.2 points per game. Without Grant, the running game struggled throughout most of the regular season, but sixth-round draft pick James Starks was the leading rusher in the playoffs with 315 yards. Rodgers wasn’t short on targets to throw to as Jordy Nelson and James Jones emerged this year to go along with Donald Driver and Greg Jennings.

Clay Matthews led a Packers’ defense that only allowed 15 points per game, which was the second lowest total in the NFL next to Pittsburgh. Matthews had another big year coming off the edge as he finished with 13.5 sacks. The strength of the defense is clearly in the secondary where Tramon Williams had another solid year to compliment the strong play of Charles Woodson and Nick Collins.

 

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2011 NFL Draft Team Needs: Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions' 6-10 record is not as dismal as it seems. They played the majority of the season without Matthew Stafford, their starting signal caller. Despite Stafford's injuries, the Lions won six games and seven of their losses were decided by one score or less. The future is bright in Detroit.

Matthew Stafford will start the 2011 NFL season healthy. The Lions have to focus on keeping it that way. With a healthy Matthew Stafford, the Detroit Lions will contend for a playoff spot. They have a dynamic offense driven by a handful of young stars.

On defense, the Lions are improving. Ndamukong Suh was everything he was hyped up to be in 2010, collecting 10 sacks and constantly wreaking havoc in opposing backfields. The front seven still requires multiple upgrades, especially at linebacker. The secondary also needs to be addressed after allowing 7.3 yards per pass attempt in 2010.

The Detroit Lions are just a year or two away from their first winning season since the year 2000.

Poll
What is the biggest need of the Detroit Lions?
Tackle
178 votes
Cornerback
233 votes
Linebacker
137 votes

548 votes | Poll has closed

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35 comments  |  1 recs | 

2011 NFL Draft Needs: Minnesota Vikings

Photo

With the Brett Favre saga finally behind them, (wink wink) the Minnesota Vikings can finally turn the page to the next chapter of their franchise. After finishing with a 13-5 record in 2009-10, the Vikings took a major step back this past season. Following an embarrassing week 10 loss to the Chicago Bears, the team fired Brad Childress and named defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier as the interim coach. Frazier took control of the team and guided them to a 3-3 record over their final six games and Minnesota finished the season with a dismal 6-10 mark.

The biggest struggle last season came from the quarterback position where Favre was no where near his form of 2009-10. After an injury to Favre late in the season, the Vikings turned to Tavaris Jackson and he fared no better until he eventually got hurt himself. Enter Joe Webb who used his athleticism to guide Minnesota to an upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles late in the season. So where does that leave Frazier, the newly anointed coach, and the Vikings at quarterback? The answer is simple: still searching for answers.

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Bears could be position to take cornerback in 2011 NFL Draft

The Chicago Bears are in a circumstance unique for them this year. They actually have draft picks in the first two rounds.

In 2010 and 2009, the Bears haven't had a pick before the third round. In 2010, their first choice was Florida safety Major Wright. In 2009, it was defensive lineman/pool jumper Jarron Gilbert.

Currently, they're slated to have picks 29, 62 and 93 in the first three rounds. At least one of those picks should address the team's need at cornerback.

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Minnesota Vikings team needs

The Minnesota Vikings had a really nice run this season but some question marks surround the team. Will Brett Favre and Pat Williams retire? Will Antoine Winfield recover from his knee injury? Below are what I believe the Vikings need to address this offseason. Take note that quarterback isn’t one of them, I still have some hope for Tavaris Jackson (maybe due to lack of better options).

 

1. Middle Linebacker

- It’s quite possible that EJ Henderson’s career is over and while Jasper Brinkley looks promising he has shown that he is the long term solution. Unfortunately there really isn’t a first round prospect behind Rolando McClain (who will be long gone). Look for this to be a position they address after the 1st round. Possibilities include Sean Lee (PSU) and Brandon Spikes (Fla).

2. Defensive Tackle

- Many will argue that the Williams Wall is directly responsible for the success of the Vikings defense. Pat Williams is pushing age 38 and talking retirement so it’s important that the Vikings look to address this position. There could be several tackles around at the end of round 1 such as Dan Williams (Tenn), Terrence Cody (Ala) and Jared Odrick (PSU).

3. Cornerback

- Antoine Winfield’s injury really exposed a weakness for the Vikings defense. While he made it back in the playoffs, Cedric Griffin went down with a serious knee injury. Knees can be very tricky, so at least depth needs to be addressed. Someone like Patrick Robinson (FSU) might be available when the Vikings pick at the end of round 1.

Poll
Do you feel comfortable with Tarvaris Jackson as your "quarterback of the future"?
Yes
132 votes
No
480 votes

612 votes | Poll has closed

11 comments  | 

Detroit Lions team needs

This might be easier to examine what the Detroit Lions don’t need. However, they did manage to pull several nice prospects out of last year’s draft. If Stafford can stay healthy he looks like the real deal and he along with Brandon Pettigrew, Louis Delmas, Sammie Lee Hill, and DeAndre Levy provide a glimpse of hope. Coach Jim Schwartz seems like the right guy for this tough job and it’s nice to see him putting in the extra time down at the Senior Bowl. Here is what I see as the top needs for the Detroit Lions:

1. Left Tackle

- Having a talent like Matt Stafford does you no good if he is constantly injured due to receiving continuous punishment from opposing defenses. Unfortunately for the Lions there isn’t a left tackle prospect worry of the #2 pick, in this year’s draft. Look for the Lions to snatch up offensive linemen later in the draft. Too bad they selected Brandon Pettigrew over Michael Oher last year.

2. Defensive Line

- Lion’s management are all wearing their lucky underwear in hopes that Ndamukon Suh drops to them at #2, but Gerald McCoy would be a nice consolation prize. The fact is that while McCoy is not Suh but he is better than everyone on their defensive line right now. As of now I am very confident that McCoy or Suh will be the pick at #2.

3. Cornerback

- Phillip Buchanon is serviceable but the rest of the players at this position are problems. Look for the Lions to address this later in the draft with several picks. The addition of Suh or McCoy will help against the pass but new talent and depth is needed.

Poll
How big of a mistake was selecting Brandon Pettigrew over Michael Oher in last years draft?
Oher is going to be great, this really hurts
187 votes
We will find a Left Tackle in the future
144 votes
Pettigre is going to be great, Jeff Backus can handle Left Tackle
201 votes

532 votes | Poll has closed

34 comments  | 

Green Bay Packers team needs

Green Bay’s season ended in disappointment but the future is bright. There are a lot of nice pieces in place but some key positions need to be upgraded before a super bowl run. Green Bay will benefit from an uncapped season because they have a lot of potential free agents. Below are some positions that need to be addressed.

1. Offensive Tackle

- Both Chad Clifton and Mark Tausher are free agents, aging, and lacking production. Packer management is high on T.J. Lang but last year’s 4th round pick still is unproven. Any team looking to make a super bowl run needs a strong offensive line.

2. Outside Linebacker

- The switch to the 3-4 defense was successful but had some growing pains. Free agent to be Aaron Kampman struggled to make the adjustment to linebacker and rookie Brad Jones has potential but isn’t a guarantee.

3. Safety

- Both starters (Nick Collins and Atari Bigby) are potential free agents which could spell trouble. The Packers secondary was exposed in the playoff game against Arizona. GM Ted Thompson has a lot of decisions to make.

Poll
Is it time to abandon the Aaron Kampman experiment?
Yes
337 votes
No
133 votes

470 votes | Poll has closed

7 comments  |  1 recs | 

Chicago Bears team needs

It was a season of failed expectations for the Chicago Bears. Jay Culter’s arrival had people talking super bowl but the results were much different. There are a lot of holes on this Bear’s team that need to be addressed. Unfortunately, GM Jerry Angelo has left the Bears without a pick until the 3rd round. Well the problems still need to be addressed so what should the Bears focus on?

1. Safety - Daniel Manning has proved that he is nothing more than a nickel back and return man. Al Afalava out performed his draft position but is not the long term solution at the position. This defense needs a playmaking safety, they could have signed Darren Sharper last offseason but decided not against that. Not picking until the 3rd round will hamper the ability to upgrade this position through the draft.

2. Defensive End - Adewale Ogunleye is a free agent; Mark Anderson has not come close to his rookie years production; and Alex Brown shouldn’t be your top threat as a pass rusher. The Tampa Two defense heavily depends on pressure from the end position and this group is not getting the job done. Maybe Coach Marinelli can get some production out of last year’s draft picks, Jarron Gilbert and Henry Melton.

3. Offensive Tackle - Chris Williams showed a lot of promise at left tackle but the right side needs to be addressed. Kevin Shaffer is nothing more than a backup and hopefully Orlando Pace retires. Again its going to be tough to fill this position through the draft. Bears fans keep your fingers crossed for some late round magic.

Poll
Do you have faith that GM Jerry Angelo can get an impact player with the Bears' 3rd round pick?
Yes
71 votes
No
227 votes

298 votes | Poll has closed

8 comments  | 


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