THE OTHER GUYS: Rodgers, Freese, and Wilson
Adam Warwas
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Our weekly look throughout the NFC North at what is the hottest topic for each of our foes:
GREEN BAY PACKERS
This is the time of year when overreactions to OTA’s are a dime a dozen. Out of Green Bay, however, one rookie is making clear strides towards an unlikely landing spot on the starting roster. With Jermichael Finley still looking like a giant question mark, and Andrew Quarless reeling from an injury, third round selection Richard Rodgers is turning heads in Green Bay. We all hope that Mike Zimmer can fix a lot of things on this Vikings defense, but in the recent past they have struggled to match the size and athleticism presented by opposing tight ends, and Rodgers seems like the type of guy that could feast against a Leslie Frazier defense. If you are looking for a late-round fantasy sleeper, however, being a potential starter in Green Bay’s offense can’t possibly be a bad thing.
DETROIT LIONS
As this article points out, the Detroit roster isn’t too difficult to predict with relative confidence compared to many rosters around the league. One position battle that seems to have already started sorting itself might involve the first Lions player to officially touch a football in 2014… if they end up kicking off the ball to start the regular season. The Lions were one of two teams to invest a draft pick into the kicker position this offseason, and seventh round selection Nate Freese seems to have the upper hand versus Giorgio Tavecchio, but neither has looked like an All Pro talent so far. The battle is one to keep an eye on, but kicker is also a position that could leave the Lions vulnerable in 2014, just as it has so many teams in the past.
CHICAGO BEARS
The Bears defense might have gotten younger when they parted ways with Brian Urlacher, but additions like Jared Allen and Adrian Wilson aren’t exactly spring chickens, and certainly can’t be thought of as long-term solutions. Wilson signed with the Bears on Monday, according to multiple reports, and he aims to rejuvenate his amazing career in a defensive backfield that could really use a hand. Wilson spent 12 seasons in Arizona, but signed with the Patriots last offseason before suffering an achilles injury that sidelined him for all of 2013.