Minicamp Review: NFC North
Chicago Bears - The Bears maintain high expectations for second-year wideout Earl Bennett, as spring reports surfaced that Jay Cutler's college teammate is "being counted on for major production" and "caught everything in sight" at minicamps. GM Jerry Angelo isn't actively pursuing free agents Matt Jones, Marvin Harrison, or Amani Toomer, and only views rookies Johnny Knox and Juaquin Iglesias as slot prospects. Bennett, the 70th pick overall last year, struggled to earn playing time in his first season, but has the tools to be an NFL starter. His solid combination of size (6'0/202), speed (4.48 at the 2008 Combine), and hands (Bennett left Vanderbilt as the SEC's all-time leading receiver despite declaring a year early for the draft) puts him among the most desirable late-round "flier" picks in fantasy leagues.
Cutler has mastered Ron Turner's offense and can already execute it on the field. Turner proved last year that his system can be quarterback-friendly when he wants it to be, and says he won't curb Cutler's aggressiveness. Chicago's weak on-paper supporting cast seems to limit Cutler's upside, but he's never had a dominant tight end talent like Greg Olsen or a receiver with as much deep threat potential as Devin Hester. Recall that Brandon Marshall was a developmental project and Eddie Royal a return prospect who never topped 33 catches in a college season until Cutler was throwing to them. Marshall caught 104 balls in his first full season with Cutler; Royal 91.
Matt Forte missed most of OTAs with a hamstring strain, but remains on track for the first day of training camp. ... Kevin Jones picked up first-team reps and his speed appears to have returned over a year and a half removed from a torn ACL, but it's still hard to believe he'll steal many touches. Forte's versatility is too difficult to take off the field. ... MLB Brian Urlacher is as physically fit as he's been since his ridiculous 142-tackle 2006 season. He's a major bounce-back IDP candidate with second-year NT Marcus Harrison developing nicely as a "shield" in front of him. ... With game-breaking speed, Knox looks like the biggest threat to Rashied Davis' role as Chicago's inside receiver between Bennett and Hester. Iglesias is more of a possession type in the slot.
Detroit Lions - There is growing belief among those covering the Lions that Matthew Stafford has a legitimate shot to start Week 1. If Stafford's terrific minicamp performance carries over into training camp, why not? There are plenty of reasons (Jeff Backus -- arguably the league's worst left tackle; the awful track record of throwing underclassman quarterbacks into the fire; the stomach-churning idea of paying Daunte Culpepper $5 million to be a clipboard holder instead of sack dummy), but GM Martin Mayhew has made it clear that Stafford will play when he's deemed the franchise's best option. Stafford outperforming Culpepper throughout August is certainly possible. Considering Culpepper's 26 INTs and 22 fumbles to just 17 TDs in 38 games since 2004, it's probable.
When scanning the 2009 Rotoworld Draft Guide's Average Draft Position report, it was hard not to notice Kevin Smith's surprisingly low ADP. Few NFL backs have as little competition for carries, and new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system has always been running back-friendly (see Michael Bennett's career year in 2002 and Steven Jackson's in 2006). Linehan loves throwing to his backs, and Smith proved his hands were pro-ready by hauling in 39 passes as a rookie despite sharing the backfield with Rudi Johnson. With Calvin Johnson out wide to keep eight out of the box and rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew helping in the run game, Smith has elite RB2 potential in any fantasy format, even if the Lions still stink.
Second-round pick Louis Delmas picked up his team's system quicker than any rookie in the league. It's obviously early in his career, but it couldn't have begun in more promising fashion. ... The trade of Ronald Curry to St. Louis locks in Bryant Johnson as the Lions' starting split end. Dennis Northcutt and rookie Derrick Williams will compete in the slot. ... Detroit's run defense will remain among the league's worst this year, especially if NT Grady Johnson's four-game suspension for using StarCaps is upheld.
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Green Bay Packers - GM Ted Thompson nixed any thoughts of a two-back system in Green Bay, calling Ryan Grant "our guy" with offensive coordinator Joe Philbin adding that he wants to run the football more. Throw-happy Mike McCarthy's team will likely stay high in the pass attempts rankings, but Grant will continue to dominate carries. Improvement seems inevitable after a contract holdout and in-camp hamstring injury led to a disappointing 2008 campaign for Grant.
There is some concern with the Packers' offensive line as they attempt to replace longtime right tackle Mark Tauscher, are shaking up the interior positions, and 33-year-old left tackle Chad Clifton comes off dual knee surgeries. The good news is Thompson has done an outstanding job of supplying the unit with depth. Keying on athletic linemen with position versatility, he's invested draft picks in Daryn Colledge (second round, 2006), Jason Spitz (third, 2006), Tony Moll (fifth, '06), Allen Barbre (fourth, 07), Josh Sitton (fourth, '08), Breno Giacomini (fifth, '08), T.J. Lang (fourth, '09), and Jamon Meredith (fifth, '09) over the past three offseasons. None are household names, but they're young and only going to get better.
The Packers say Aaron Rodgers will take on more responsibilities at the line of scrimmage, which will result in increased audibling and improvisation. This is to be expected for a second-year starting QB, but it also means that the coaching staff will encourage Rodgers' aggressiveness after he threw for 4,038 yards (fourth most in the NFL) and 28 touchdowns (also fourth). It's a potential formula for even more production.
Jermichael Finley will get a serious look in camp to be Green Bay's new starting tight end. Even if Finley stays in a pass-catching backup role, Donald Lee will do more blocking. ... James Jones is fully recovered from his 2008 knee woes and poised to reclaim his third receiver job from Jordy Nelson. The Packers have the weapons to flood the field with four starting-caliber wideouts. Their depth at the position is finest in the league.
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Minnesota Vikings - Brett Favre is getting the headlines as the Vikings pack for Mankato, but the talk of minicamps was first-round pick Percy Harvin. The former Florida Gator with a deadly first step, sure hands, and the ability to contribute from any spot on the field exhibited his trademark playmaking skills, with even coach Brad Childress admitting he was "awestruck" by the rookie. It might be easier said than done, but the plan is for Harvin to operate mostly in space, where he can exploit one-on-one matchups. That's probably going to mean a lot of time in the slot, between outside receivers Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice, and even some snaps behind center. Rookie-year production like DeSean Jackson or Donnie Avery's isn't out of the question, even if the Vikings' offense is run heavy. Harvin is going to get the rock early and often.
There was some buzz about Minnesota possibly pursuing free agent Marvin Harrison in June, but that died down after Rice showed he was healthy during OTAs. The 2007 second-round pick has finally shed his knee brace after battling a "sprained" (more likely, torn) PCL all last season. Rice is only a fourth option in the Vikings' attack, but he'll be a go-to guy in the red zone. If the physical, 6'4/202 specimen has shown anything in his first two seasons, it's that he can score (eight career touchdowns on just 46 catches).
40 percent of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's playbook has already been tweaked to cater to Favre. He won't have any trouble picking up his former position coach's system. ... Expect the Vikings to announce an extension for Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield by the end of the week. Winfield's agent was in the Twin Cities Wednesday. ... The Vikings' run defense will take a big hit if DTs Kevin and Pat Williams' four-game suspensions continue to be upheld. Fred Evans (6'4/305) and Letroy Guion (6'4/303) are next on the depth chart. Pat goes 6'3/317 when dieting, and Kevin 6'5/311. Keep this in mind for early-season matchup purposes. The Vikings get Jamal Lewis, Kevin Smith, Frank Gore, and Ryan Grant in their first four games.
Chicago Bears - The Bears maintain high expectations for second-year wideout Earl Bennett, as spring reports surfaced that Jay Cutler's college teammate is "being counted on for major production" and "caught everything in sight" at minicamps. GM Jerry Angelo isn't actively pursuing free agents Matt Jones, Marvin Harrison, or Amani Toomer, and only views rookies Johnny Knox and Juaquin Iglesias as slot prospects. Bennett, the 70th pick overall last year, struggled to earn playing time in his first season, but has the tools to be an NFL starter. His solid combination of size (6'0/202), speed (4.48 at the 2008 Combine), and hands (Bennett left Vanderbilt as the SEC's all-time leading receiver despite declaring a year early for the draft) puts him among the most desirable late-round "flier" picks in fantasy leagues.
Cutler has mastered Ron Turner's offense and can already execute it on the field. Turner proved last year that his system can be quarterback-friendly when he wants it to be, and says he won't curb Cutler's aggressiveness. Chicago's weak on-paper supporting cast seems to limit Cutler's upside, but he's never had a dominant tight end talent like Greg Olsen or a receiver with as much deep threat potential as Devin Hester. Recall that Brandon Marshall was a developmental project and Eddie Royal a return prospect who never topped 33 catches in a college season until Cutler was throwing to them. Marshall caught 104 balls in his first full season with Cutler; Royal 91.
Matt Forte missed most of OTAs with a hamstring strain, but remains on track for the first day of training camp. ... Kevin Jones picked up first-team reps and his speed appears to have returned over a year and a half removed from a torn ACL, but it's still hard to believe he'll steal many touches. Forte's versatility is too difficult to take off the field. ... MLB Brian Urlacher is as physically fit as he's been since his ridiculous 142-tackle 2006 season. He's a major bounce-back IDP candidate with second-year NT Marcus Harrison developing nicely as a "shield" in front of him. ... With game-breaking speed, Knox looks like the biggest threat to Rashied Davis' role as Chicago's inside receiver between Bennett and Hester. Iglesias is more of a possession type in the slot.
Detroit Lions - There is growing belief among those covering the Lions that Matthew Stafford has a legitimate shot to start Week 1. If Stafford's terrific minicamp performance carries over into training camp, why not? There are plenty of reasons (Jeff Backus -- arguably the league's worst left tackle; the awful track record of throwing underclassman quarterbacks into the fire; the stomach-churning idea of paying Daunte Culpepper $5 million to be a clipboard holder instead of sack dummy), but GM Martin Mayhew has made it clear that Stafford will play when he's deemed the franchise's best option. Stafford outperforming Culpepper throughout August is certainly possible. Considering Culpepper's 26 INTs and 22 fumbles to just 17 TDs in 38 games since 2004, it's probable.
When scanning the 2009 Rotoworld Draft Guide's Average Draft Position report, it was hard not to notice Kevin Smith's surprisingly low ADP. Few NFL backs have as little competition for carries, and new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan's system has always been running back-friendly (see Michael Bennett's career year in 2002 and Steven Jackson's in 2006). Linehan loves throwing to his backs, and Smith proved his hands were pro-ready by hauling in 39 passes as a rookie despite sharing the backfield with Rudi Johnson. With Calvin Johnson out wide to keep eight out of the box and rookie TE Brandon Pettigrew helping in the run game, Smith has elite RB2 potential in any fantasy format, even if the Lions still stink.
Second-round pick Louis Delmas picked up his team's system quicker than any rookie in the league. It's obviously early in his career, but it couldn't have begun in more promising fashion. ... The trade of Ronald Curry to St. Louis locks in Bryant Johnson as the Lions' starting split end. Dennis Northcutt and rookie Derrick Williams will compete in the slot. ... Detroit's run defense will remain among the league's worst this year, especially if NT Grady Johnson's four-game suspension for using StarCaps is upheld.
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Green Bay Packers - GM Ted Thompson nixed any thoughts of a two-back system in Green Bay, calling Ryan Grant "our guy" with offensive coordinator Joe Philbin adding that he wants to run the football more. Throw-happy Mike McCarthy's team will likely stay high in the pass attempts rankings, but Grant will continue to dominate carries. Improvement seems inevitable after a contract holdout and in-camp hamstring injury led to a disappointing 2008 campaign for Grant.
There is some concern with the Packers' offensive line as they attempt to replace longtime right tackle Mark Tauscher, are shaking up the interior positions, and 33-year-old left tackle Chad Clifton comes off dual knee surgeries. The good news is Thompson has done an outstanding job of supplying the unit with depth. Keying on athletic linemen with position versatility, he's invested draft picks in Daryn Colledge (second round, 2006), Jason Spitz (third, 2006), Tony Moll (fifth, '06), Allen Barbre (fourth, 07), Josh Sitton (fourth, '08), Breno Giacomini (fifth, '08), T.J. Lang (fourth, '09), and Jamon Meredith (fifth, '09) over the past three offseasons. None are household names, but they're young and only going to get better.
The Packers say Aaron Rodgers will take on more responsibilities at the line of scrimmage, which will result in increased audibling and improvisation. This is to be expected for a second-year starting QB, but it also means that the coaching staff will encourage Rodgers' aggressiveness after he threw for 4,038 yards (fourth most in the NFL) and 28 touchdowns (also fourth). It's a potential formula for even more production.
Jermichael Finley will get a serious look in camp to be Green Bay's new starting tight end. Even if Finley stays in a pass-catching backup role, Donald Lee will do more blocking. ... James Jones is fully recovered from his 2008 knee woes and poised to reclaim his third receiver job from Jordy Nelson. The Packers have the weapons to flood the field with four starting-caliber wideouts. Their depth at the position is finest in the league.
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Minnesota Vikings - Brett Favre is getting the headlines as the Vikings pack for Mankato, but the talk of minicamps was first-round pick Percy Harvin. The former Florida Gator with a deadly first step, sure hands, and the ability to contribute from any spot on the field exhibited his trademark playmaking skills, with even coach Brad Childress admitting he was "awestruck" by the rookie. It might be easier said than done, but the plan is for Harvin to operate mostly in space, where he can exploit one-on-one matchups. That's probably going to mean a lot of time in the slot, between outside receivers Bernard Berrian and Sidney Rice, and even some snaps behind center. Rookie-year production like DeSean Jackson or Donnie Avery's isn't out of the question, even if the Vikings' offense is run heavy. Harvin is going to get the rock early and often.
There was some buzz about Minnesota possibly pursuing free agent Marvin Harrison in June, but that died down after Rice showed he was healthy during OTAs. The 2007 second-round pick has finally shed his knee brace after battling a "sprained" (more likely, torn) PCL all last season. Rice is only a fourth option in the Vikings' attack, but he'll be a go-to guy in the red zone. If the physical, 6'4/202 specimen has shown anything in his first two seasons, it's that he can score (eight career touchdowns on just 46 catches).
40 percent of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's playbook has already been tweaked to cater to Favre. He won't have any trouble picking up his former position coach's system. ... Expect the Vikings to announce an extension for Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield by the end of the week. Winfield's agent was in the Twin Cities Wednesday. ... The Vikings' run defense will take a big hit if DTs Kevin and Pat Williams' four-game suspensions continue to be upheld. Fred Evans (6'4/305) and Letroy Guion (6'4/303) are next on the depth chart. Pat goes 6'3/317 when dieting, and Kevin 6'5/311. Keep this in mind for early-season matchup purposes. The Vikings get Jamal Lewis, Kevin Smith, Frank Gore, and Ryan Grant in their first four games.
