NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS

Replacing FS Mike Brown (Achilles') won't be easy; he was one of the team's premier playmakers on defense. Most likely, SS Mike Green will shift to free safety and Bobby Gray will start at strong safety. Gray is a dangerous hitter and can be effective if he is lined up correctly. He doesn't play the ball well in the air, but he is the team's best safety in run support. A less attractive option is to leave Green at strong safety and replace Brown with second-year man Todd Johnson, a jack-of-all trades type who isn't at Brown's level. PROBLEM SPOT: Coach Lovie Smith constantly preaches about takeaways, and he has made it a priority to get MLB Brian Urlacher more involved in the defense. Urlacher forced a fumble against the Packers that Brown recovered and returned 95 yards for a touchdown. Urlacher did not create any takeaways all last season. Smith has his players treating every incomplete pass in practice as a live ball; he encourages defenders to pick up the ball and run with it.--Mike Mulligan

DETROIT LIONS

The run defense, which looked horrid in the preseason, has been a strength. Ts Shaun Rogers and Dan Wilkinson are the anchors, but the defensive backs have been good in support and in preventing backs from getting outside.... CB Chris Cash, who will start until Din' Bly (knee) returns in a few weeks, is healthy after knee surgery but still is dealing with the mental challenge of going all-out. Cash (5-11, 170) is vulnerable to deep, outside routes because he lacks ideal size and recovery speed. But he's good at covering underneath routes, especially crossing patterns. He is best suited for nickel back, a job he'll return to when Bly returns. For now, rookie Kevin Smith is the nickel back. PROBLEM SPOT: Rookie RB Kevin Jones didn't get a lot of playing time in the preseason because of injuries and still is getting used to the NFL's speed. He's getting better at setting up FB Cory Schlesinger's blocks, and lone should make some big plays as they find their rhythm. He must continue to attack the hole without hesitation.--Tom Kowalski

GREEN BAY PACKERS

CB Mike McKenzie reported in excellent shape and played about 10 snaps in the loss to the Bears, but he didn't make a tackle and needs to improve his timing. He'll play in the base and dime packages Sunday at Indianapolis.... DT James Lee started in place of NT Grady Jackson (kneecap) but couldn't match Jackson's ability to stuff the run. Lee (6-4, 325) has a quick first step, but he has to get his pads lower and find the ball. In addition, DT Cletidus Hunt needs to pick up his game and help solidify the middle. PROBLEM SPOT: Improving the run defense is paramount, and not just because Jackson is out. The linebackers are playing more aggressively but have to avoid taking themselves out of plays. The safeties must do a better job of moving around in the blitz scheme and making sure they're covering gaps. There is a lot of emphasis on rushing the passer, and the Packers can't lose sight of their primary goal of stopping the run.--Tom Silverstein

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

DT Chris Hovan has irked coaches with lapses in technique, which mostly are caused by him playing out of control. At times, Hovan tries too hard to make plays and gets out of position. His tendency to turn his shoulders sideways relative to the line of scrimmage also makes it easier for a lineman to block him.... TE Jim Kleinsasser (partially torn ACL) could miss the rest of the season, and his absence will alter the team's blocking schemes. TE Jermaine Wiggins mostly is a receiving threat, so rookie TE Jeff Dugan, a very strong blocker, figures to take on an expanded role as a complement to Wiggins. PROBLEIlll SPOT: The team runs away from LT Bryant McKinnie's side most of the time, but McKinnie must improve at cutting off backside pursuit. He's a superior pass protector, but to be a complete player, he must address his run-blocking technique, get into space faster and be more consistent.--Kevin Seifert

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