Camp Questions: NFC North

NFC North:
Chicago Bears – Is Jay Cutler a savior or a “p-word”?
I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone bitch his way out of one town only to be hailed as a conquering hero in another so quickly. I’ll be the first to admit it – I pegged Jay Cutler as a future franchise QB after he left Vandy, but I’m starting to have second thoughts. Now there are rumblings in the Bears’ locker room regarding Cutler and his manhood. Obviously, this will be a distant memory by October, but it could also be a pebble in a mountain of trouble if Cutler can’t make playmakers out of Chicago’s suspect receiving corp.

Detroit Lions – Where is the bottom in rock bottom?
Look, the Lions will be a better football team in 2009. There’s no doubting that. But what will it take to become a respectable franchise again? Was 2008 just another bump in an ugly tumble down a long hill or was it the valley for a very dark period. There’s no doubt that the lions can only go up in 2009, but they’ll have to look farther out on the horizon to solve the real issues. Culture changes take a long, long time – just ask the Cardinals.

Green Bay Packers – How long will Dom Capers need to install his 3-4 defense?
I know Aaron Rodgers is the sexy headline, but he had a very solid 2009 (especially considering is dramatic ascension to franchise QB). Rodgers is not 2009’s question mark. A completely revamped defensive scheme is. The Packers are fortunate, Capers has done great work with other defenses all over the league and he is widely considered the 3-4 guru of choice. The Packers are also lucky from a personnel stand point. They have a deep and versatile linebacking corps. Add in a talented secondary and defensive line and you have all the makings of a top tier defense. Now, if they can just master the techniques, assignments, line calls, checks, coverages, blitz packages, alignments, position changes…. I think you get the idea.

Minnesota Vikings – And your starting quarterback is who?
The Packers’ front office must have quietly chuckled when they heard the latest on Brett Favre’s retirement. They know that game all too well. Now, it seems the Vikings are in an even tougher spot that Green Bay was. Tavaris Jackson is hurt which leaves the QB battle all but decided and Sage Rosenfels a starter. I don’t care how talented your defense is and I don’t care who your running back is – when your QB is named Sage, he won’t be holding a Super Bowl trophy in February. I promise.