2009 NFL Season Preview: NFC North
The NFC North is probably the division in the greatest flux, as major changes across the board for almost every team are taking place. The Packers are switching to a different defensive system, the Bears are still trying to figure out their offense, the Lions are trying to win a game, while the Vikings made an offseason splash with a quarterback signing. How will these teams fare in 2009?
Chicago Bears (predicted: 7-9, 2008: 9-7)
The Chicago brass stuck out their necks and put their future on the line by trading a boatload to get Jay Cutler away from the Broncos. To me it seems like Cutler is in the same position as Favre over in Minnesota- a careless, gunslinger quarterback on a run-first, defensive team that can’t afford turnovers. This could be a disaster for Chicago, especially because they don’t have the talent at wide receiver to contest poorly thrown balls. With an aging defense filled with injury-prone stars, the Bears would surprise me if they got to 8-8.
Key Question: What happens if Cutler is ineffective? The Bears played it close to the chest in 2008 and missed the playoffs.
Player to Watch: WR Devin Hester. Hester has been one of the league’s most tantalizing prospects in the past two years. After losing some of his reputation as a kickoff returner, Hester still makes a name for himself returning punts. Now he’s the only realistic receiving threat the Bears can muster. Is that scaring anyone?
Detroit Lions (predicted: 4-12, 2008: 0-16)
Head coach Jim Schwartz has to be in the best situation a head coach can be in; he literally cannot perform worse than the already-legendary 2008. Regime change takes on a new definition in the Motor City as the entire franchise has gotten a facelift, capped with new, “more ferocious” uniforms. Oh goodie. Rookie Matthew Stafford is slated to be the day one starter; if he can win a single game his rookie year will be considered a success.
Key Question: Will Stafford and Calvin Johnson be enough to lead the Lions to a victory?
Player to Watch: S Louis Delmas. The rookie safety will be starting his first NFL game, and is the best talent the Lions have had at the position in years. He has the chance to anchor a secondary that couldn’t defend against a balloon floated into the end zone last year.
Green Bay Packers (predicted: 8-8, 2008: 6-10)
The Pack’s answer to their 6-10 season was to switch their defense from the traditional 4-3 to the more exotic (yet increasingly common) 3-4. I give them credit for recognizing the problem and making the necessary change, I just doubt that it’s going to work. Lack of a true nose tackle and the wrong types of linebackers could make this a very long season for Mike McCarthy and company. On the bright side, the Packers field one of the best offenses in the league behind Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings. The Packers should at least be able to make things interesting.
Key Question: Will Aaron Rodgers learn to win games in the fourth quarter?
Player to Watch: DE/OLB Aaron Kampman. Kampman was stoic and steely-eyed (read: crestfallen) about his transition to OLB at the beginning of team workouts. Since then he has appeared increasingly comfortable in his role, despite being one of the most prolific pass rushers in the past five years. A large part of the Packers’ transition will depend on Kampman.
Minnesota Vikings (predicted: 10-6, 2008: 10-6)
After months of dangling the prospect of another Tarvaris Jackson and/or Sage Rosenfels season in front of our noses, Brad Childress went out and signed Brett Favre to take the helm of the Vikings in their quest for the Super Bowl. When Favre isn’t throwing illegal crack blocks, he’s busy cracking his ribs and tearing his rotator cuff. Yeah, who wouldn’t want to sign this guy? Never mind that he barely made it through 16 games last season (playing markedly worse as the weather grew colder) or that the 2008 Jets had one of the easiest schedules in the league. If Favre doesn’t work out, it’s hard to imagine Brad Childress keeping his job.
Key Question: How much can Favre realistically bring to the Vikings?
Player to Watch: WR Percy Harvin. Drafted despite being high, Harvin adds the Wildcat wrinkle to the Viking offense. With Adrian Peterson lurking in the backfield and Brett Favre at least willing to throw downfield, defensive coordinators have to choose their poison. I’m betting they take the risk on Harvin.
Up next is the NFC South.
Technorati Tags: NFL, football, Chicago Bears, Jay Cutler, Lovie Smith, Devin Hester, Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers, Brett Favre, Greg Jennings, Ryan Grant, Mike McCarthy, 3-4 defense, Aaron Kampman, Minnesota Vikings, Percy Harvin, Wildcat, Brad Childress, Sage Rosenfels, Tarvaris Jackson, Detroit Lions, 0-16, winless, Louis Delmas, Calvin Johnson, Matt Stafford, Jim Schartz
