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NFC north

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005

CHICAGO BEARS

RB Thomas Jones has been everything the Bears could have wanted. Before coming to Chicago, he was regarded as a cutback runner who was best when attacking the edges of a defense, but he has proved to be a tough between-the-tackles guy, too. He excels in short yardage because of his burst and vision. His strong play has kept rookie Cedric Benson on the sideline. ... The Bears consider Roberto Garza a starting-caliber interior lineman, and he is getting his chance with LG Ruben Brown (chest) sidelined, likely for the next few weeks. Garza is undersized but plays with great strength. He is quick and agile and able to get to the second level to seal off linebackers. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The Bears' cover 2 defense is loaded with talent but has struggled with technique in the secondary on long pass plays. In particular, CB Charles Tillman and FS Chris Harris have been burned. Coach Lovie Smith's system is predicated on heat from the front four, but that pressure hasn't developed. DT Ian Scott has been the most productive lineman, but he is a run-stuffing nose tackle who doesn't reach the quarterback.--Mike Mulligan

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DETROIT LIONS

There are multiple problems with the offense, and they can't all be fixed by replacing QB Jeey Harrington with QB Jeff Garcia once Garcia is healthy. The linemen are unhappy with the blocking schemes because they don't believe the schemes play to their strengths, and the team's young receivers are inconsistent and undisciplined. ... FS Terrence Holt needs to control his aggressiveness because teams are catching him out of position when he bites on fakes. ... An injury to RE James Hall (groin) has vaulted Kalimba Edwards into the starting lineup, and he's doing a better job of recognizing and responding to running plays. Edwards has added upper-body strength, and though he still gets overpowered on occasion, he is holding up better against the run. His best asset still is his pass-rush ability. He has good speed and excels in pursuit. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The linebackers have gone from shaky to productive in a three-week span. They are active against the run and are becoming playmakers by picking off passes and forcing fumbles. The defense had two TDs last week against the Panthers.--Tom Kowalski

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Rookie FS Nick Collins is the defense's toughest player. He runs a sub 4.4 40, and his tackling has been excellent. He struggles at times to decipher motion and alignments, but when he zeros in on a ballcarrier, he usually makes the tackle. He hasn't made enough plays on the ball in the passing game, and that should be his focus the rest of the season. ... Backup DL Kenny Peterson has played well, and his playing time should increase. He had trouble finding the ball in previous years, but he's getting off the snap quickly and isn't letting himself get driven out of the play. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: Coordinator Jim Bates came in with a reputation for building structurally sound units that don't give up many big plays--and he's moving closer toward that end with this group. The biggest improvement has been in the run defense; the team is allowing 3.3 yards per rush after giving up 4.6 last year. Bates protects his linebackers and expects them to shoot gaps and pursue the ball hard. But he still needs to clean up communication problems in the secondary.--Tom Silverstein

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

In an effort to help QB Daunte Culpepper against pass rushes, new offensive consultant Jerry Rhome has installed more three-step drops. Culpepper has not been reacting well to pressure, in part because of a sprained right knee that required a cortisone shot, and the coaches hope he'll be encouraged by a system that allows him to get rid of the ball before the rush has a chance to get into the backfield. ... Pat Williams has been more durable and much more athletic than a typical 33-year-old nose tackle. Williams is one of the team's leading tacklers, even though he comes out on passing downs. He's active, gets into the backfield often and doesn't miss tackles. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The defense has used a lot of schemes, but it hasn't found an identity. It doesn't have enough healthy ends to function in a 4-3; as a result, All-Pro DT Kevin Williams is being forced to play end in a 3-4. Coordinator Ted Cottrell likes to have multiple schemes; the players, though, have suggested he limit the possibilities and focus on a handful for the rest of the season.--Kevin Seifert

NFC north

Sporting News, The, Oct 28, 2005

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