Chicago Bears
Bears Improving Defensive Line Quickly
In what seems to be a theme for the NFC North, Chicago entered the offseason with its sights set on upgrading the defensive line and they’ve done exactly that so far. The biggest signing was Lamarr Houston but the Bears also brought in defensive end Willie Young.
Houston was one of the big signings to kick off free agency and a big haul considering the Bears were able to keep him away from the Green Bay Packers. Houston signed a five-year deal worth $35 million as Julius Peppers replacement at defensive end. While Houston posted just six sacks last season, he has shown through stretches of the season that with the right coaching staff he can be a great player, and he may have just found that in Chicago.
Meanwhile Young comes in on a three-year deal for $9 million and like Houston should start immediately on the Bears’ defensive line. Young showed last season with the Detroit Lions that he can create pressure on the quarterback, something a Bears team that recorded just 31 sacks last season desperately needs. General Manager Phil Emery did an excellent job improving on the defensive line, but still has a hole at defensive tackle.
Safety Remains a Big Concern for Chicago
Despite filling needs on the defensive line, one of the main questions still facing the Bears’ defense is in the secondary. While the team signed safety M.D. Jennings and Ryan Mundy, it might be a stretch to consider either player quality starters.
Jennings is very familiar with the Bears and the NFC North, he served as the Packers’ starting free safety last season but Green Bay was more than happy to let him walk in free agency, as his struggles versus the run and in coverage were not worth bringing back. Meanwhile Mundy also started at free safety for the New York Giants but was forced into too big of a role and is more of a backup safety that can pay multiple spots.
Fortunately, Chicago only gave Jennings a one-year deal and Mundy two years so both players don’t present major commitments long-term. If either player ends up starting in 2014, Chicago will be in serious trouble in the secondary.
Detroit Lions
Lions Offense May Finally Be Nearing Completion
The search is finally over, the Lions have finally found the perfect number two wide receiver to complement Calvin Johnson and now have built an offense that’s going to be almost unstoppable for the coming years.
When Detroit announced they agreed to terms with wide receiver Golden Tate on a five-year deal, Johnson did fist pumps, Matthew Stafford did a handstand and the city of Detroit celebrated. Tate has always impressed with his ability to turn short completions into big plays and of course the ability to make tough catches against the Bears’ new free safety.
But Tate’s arrival means an offense that finished second in the league in passing attempts last season will be even better this year, as the Lions have a wide receiver who can not only stretch the field but work underneath on screens and against single coverage. Tate lands in a perfect situation where the Lions will use him everywhere on the field and putting Tate in position for his first 1,000-yard season.
Lions Can Focus on Secondary in Draft
Now that the Lions have their offense set up to dominate, they can focus much of their efforts for the 2014 NFL Draft on improving in the secondary. Filling the void at free safety and cornerback would be a great step to bounce back and be right in the thick of the NFC North race.
With the 10th overall pick, the Lions could have their choice of the top cornerback or free safety if the board falls their way, which is a very realistic possibility. Cornerbacks Justin Gilbert and Darqueze Dennard will more than likely be available at 10 and so could Alabama free safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Gilbert would be better off in a reduced role to begin the season, but as he develops could become the top-level cornerback the Lions have needed for some time.
If Clinton-Dix is on the board, he should no doubt be the selection for the Lions where they can pair him with Glover Quin and really turn this defense from a very good group into a great defense. The Lions already have a dominant defensive line and with improvements in the secondary, they could become one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Green Bay Packers
Ted Thompson Playing the Waiting Game
When the first day of free agency came and passed and the Packers stayed quiet through the first three days, nobody should have been surprised. In all of Thompson’s years he has always played the waiting game, letting other teams pour out their wallets while he waits to strike on the bargain deals.
We are going to see that again this year as the Packers still have over $20 million in cap space and plenty of holes to fill on defense, Thompson is more than happy to monitor the market prices until he finds a deal where the value is right for the franchise. While fans may not like seeing the money just sit unused, Thompson’s track record with the Packers really speaks for itself.
Even years ago when Green Bay signed Charles Woodson and Ryan Pickett it’s the same story, as he will sit in the film room studying tape while everyone goes crazy, he remains composed and won’t overpay unless absolutely necessary. In the coming days you will see Green Bay linked to more players for visits, and if the money is right for Thompson then a deal may get done. But for the Packers, the focus always remains on the draft and retaining your own players.
Packers Focused On Bringing Back Their Own
For years this has always been the Packers’ way of business, they draft and develop players and once their own reach free agency, they do what they can to bring them back into the fold. It’s happening again this offseason as Green Bay has already re-signed cornerback Sam Shields, tight end Andrew Quarless and defensive lineman/outside linebacker Mike Neal.
While the Packers may have overpaid market price for Shields and Neal both players offer potential and youth that the team loves. Shields was inconsistent last season but continues to improve at the age of 26, while Neal played most of his snaps at outside linebacker last year but also can move inside to defensive tackle.
The Packers struggled in the secondary last season but couldn’t afford to lose Shields and open up another hole, so they paid above the valued price because they had the cap room to afford it. Meanwhile Neal offers them the versatility they love and showed last season he can create pressure. Quarless was the best value signing, he stepped up in the wake of Jermichael Finley’s season-ending injury and performed well enough to earn him another contract, after drawing interest from several teams.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Spending Money on Defensive Line
Just like the Bears, the Vikings have been using most of their available money on upgrading the defensive line going into next season. The team re-signed Everson Griffen, Fred Evans and found a free agent steal with Linval Joseph.
While the Vikings may have overpaid for Griffen especially given what players like Houston, Michael Johnson and Michael Bennett, but it was a move they had to make to secure Griffen’s potential with the belief he can grow even more under Zimmer. Evans comes back to the Vikings as a situational player who is good against the run, but the biggest signing was Joseph.
Joseph is just 25 years old coming off another strong season with the New York Giants, now he arrives in a terrific situation in Minnesota. He finished with three sacks last season and four in 2012. Joseph has shown plenty of ability creating interior pressure on the quarterback, but also does a very nice job versus the run. Paired with Griffen and Sharrif Floyd, the Vikings are putting together a very young and impressive defensive line.
Vikings Sign Captain Munnerlyn to Bolster Secondary
As the Vikings start to put the finishing touches on their defensive line, the front office has now started working on plugging holes in the secondary with the signing of Munnerlyn.
The former Carolina Panthers cornerback was coming off a solid season when he posted career- highs in tackles (74) and sacks (4.5), with even more room to develop at the young age of 25. Munnerlyn wanted to return to Carolina but when the team was still making cap room, he signed a three-year, $14 million deal with the Vikings.
One of the underrated names on the free agent market, he should immediately help a Vikings’ secondary that ranked 31st against the pass last season. As Minnesota continues to bring in more talent at cornerback, things will only get better for the future.