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NFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005

CHICAGO BEARS

SS Mike Brown (calf) might be out a few more weeks, which could have far-reaching effects on the defense. Brown has been tough against the run as an extra defender in the box. The Steelers took advantage of his absence last Sunday to rush for 190 yards. Fill-in Todd Johnson is a hard hitter but is unproven against the run and can be exploited in the passing game.... John Tait's return to left tackle and RT Fred Miller's arrival have dramatically improved the line. Tait, who played right tackle from 2002-04, is athletic and has quick feet. He is a better pass blocker than run blocker, though defenders can take advantage of his short arms to get into his chest in pass protection. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: First-year defensive line coach Don Johnson gives players a written test on Friday mornings, He believes players recall information better on Sundays after they write it down. Each player must assess the strengths, weaknesses and tendencies of his opponent and know what playmakers he needs to be aware of. LE Adewale Ogunleye has found the tests particularly helpful; he says he learned the same way in college.--Brad Biggs

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DETROIT LIONS

One of the problems with the offense is the complicated passing attack. Too many opportunities have been missed because the quarterback is reading something the receiver isn't, or vice versa. Earlier in the season, some blame fell on QB Joey Harrington, but the situation didn't get better when QB Jeff Garcia took over.... The loss of starting FS Terrence Holt (elbow) for the season hurts the secondary's ability to make plays. His replacement, Jon McGraw, has speed but doesn't have Holt's instincts or pass recognition skills. SEE A DIFFERENT GAMIE: C Dominic Ralola is responsible for recognizing blitzes, but his job is difficult. His focus is on the safety rotation prior to the snap so he can get a feel for whether a safety is dropping down for run support or to "cover" for a blitzing linebacker. The main goal is to protect the quarterback's blind side, so Raiola always slides the protection to account for all defenders on that side. The problem is that teams "sugar" their blitzes. When that happens, the safety blitzes because the defense rotates behind him at the last moment to cover his void in pass coverage.--Tom Kowalski

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Rookie FS Nick Collins will be a player the club can build around in the secondary. He has tremendous speed for a 200-pounder and isn't afraid to stick his nose into the fray. He must learn to play angles better and make his blitz opportunities count more often, but he already is the team's surest tackler and is a physical presence around the line of scrimmage.... Rookie DE Mike Montgomery gradually has received more playing time and is starting to flash some ability. Montgomery (6-5, 276) lacks bulk but has natural pass-rush skills. The club still wants to re-sign starter Aaron Kampman and probably will draft an end, but Montgomery has put himself in the mix for next year. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Coaches have taken measures to make sure Samkon Gado and the other running backs don't turn into fumblers. One of the tools the coaches use is a silk-sleeve covered football, which forces the ballcarrier to grip the football higher and tighter. Another is a ball with a rope attached; players tug on it from behind to try to force a fumble. Scout team members are instructed to slap the ball out at every opportunity.--Tom Silverstein

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Partly because the team has gotten inconsistent production from its running backs, it has begun using receivers in running situations. WR Koren Robinson scored a touchdown in the win over St. Louis on a pitch play out of a backfield with no running backs, and reverses to WR Troy Williamson could be a staple in an attempt to keep teams from stacking the middle.... Second-year RE Darrion Scott continues to improve. Scott is strong enough to stand up to outside runs and also can rush the quarterback, especially on stunts. The Vikings use him often as a nose tackle in nickel situations. Scott's willingness to run downfield or across the field to make tackles is impressive.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The key to the outside running game--when it does work--is not fast running backs; it's quick offensive linemen who can pull. LG Anthony Herrera and RG Adam Goldberg are adept at pulling, and C Melvin Fowler moves well in space. When Herrera comes from the back side, Goldberg leads the way and TE Jim Kleinsasser seals the edge, runners find open space in the flat areas and grind out yardage. Pitches, sweeps and counter plays have returned to the team's regular scheme.--Kevin Seifert

NFC north

Sporting News, The, Dec 23, 2005

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