Content provided in partnership with

NFC North

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

CHICAGO BEARS

David Terrell, the only receiver with significant experience after the trade of Marry Booker, produced the first 100-yard game of his career in the opener, but he had to be removed from the game twice when his emotions got away from him and he committed two penalties, including one for taunting. The Bears say they'll concentrate on the positives, but Terrell can't be trusted to keep his emotions in check.... RB Thomas Jones recently had been considered a draft bust, and the Bears are his third team in three years. But since joining the team, he has shown big-time ability with his field vision, cutback ability and receiving skills and has emerged as a force in an offense that fits his abilities. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: SS Mike Green has been working as the nickel back since Jerry Azumah (neck) was hurt. He plays the ball well in the air and is underrated as a tackler. He's slightly undersized (6-0, 195) but can hit hard in run support and wraps up in the open field.--Mike Mulligan

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

DETROIT LIONS

The team was dealt a huge blow when WP, Charles Rogers broke his collarbone. He will be gone at least two months and likely is lost for the year. WRs Tai Streets and Az-Zahir Hakim will share time in his place, and David Kircus will be promoted from the practice squad. Rookie WR Roy Williams will move from the weakside spot to flanker.... The offense looked horrible against the Bears. The Lions went 0-for-10) in third-down conversions in the first three quarters and needed a long kickoff return to set up their only offensive touchdown. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: With Dre' Bly out (knee), the team is so thin at corner that it will consider playing its base defense against three- and four-receiver sets. It had some success with that against the Bears but was facing a quarterback starting his fourth pro game. The linebackers are quick and good in coverage, so they will play a lot of zone. That leaves the Lions vulnerable to the draw play because the linebackers are fanned out.--Tom Kowalski

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Signing CB Al Harris to a live year contract extension assures the club will have a veteran leader and role model to help young CBs Ahmad Carroll and Joey Thomas mature into starters. Harris is 29 and isn't very fast, but he's physical at the line of scrimmage and doesn't have many miles on his legs because he was a nickel back for five years.... The addition of DE R-Kal Truluck provides the club with a possible answer at rush end opposite Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Truluck won't have to worry about playing the run much--a weakness in his game--and will be counted on to help push the quarterback toward Gbaja-Biamila on passing downs. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: NT Grady Jackson will be counted on to be a pass rusher as much as a run stuffer. Jackson has deceptive quickness and can get upfield in a hurry. He can collapse the pocket with his speed and power, but the team will have to limit him to about 35 snaps a game to get the most nut of him.--Tom Silverstein

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

In his third year in coordinator Scott Linehan's offense, QB Daunte Culpepper is playing smarter than he ever has. Culpepper is sitting back and waiting for plays to unfold. He is making use of all the team's offensive weapons.... RCB Ken Irvin will miss the season after rupturing his right Achilles' tendon. Brian Williams, who had been at nickel back, will return to his starting position, and Rushen Jones or Rhelt Nelson will play nickel. Williams is an athletic cover man with good hitting instincts. He needs to improve his study habits.... LCB Antoine Winfield is a solid cover man and a spectacular tackler and hitter. His physical presence has caused receivers to bobble catches. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The blitz has become a staple. At least one linebacker rushes on nearly every pass play. OLB Dontarrious Thomas and MLB E.J. Henderson are the primary blitzers; FS Brian Russell and SS Corey Chavous also blitz, mostly because Winfield can cover his man without help.--Kevin Seifert

NFC North

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 2004

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Reference

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports