NFL Free Agency opens up in full swing
By Chris Willis
Western Herald
The opening of Free-Agency in the National Football League has made quite a splash. Thus far, a couple of NFC North division foes have been the biggest winners. Both the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears have added three big name players to its roster.
The Lions re-unite head coach Jim Schwartz, with former Tennessee Titan free-agent defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch. Schwartz was the defensive coordinator in Tennessee before coming to Detroit, so Vanden Bosch is well acquainted with Schwartz’s defensive schemes.
To help out the offensive attack, Detroit signed former Seattle Seahawks free-agent wide receiver, Nate Burleson, to a five year deal. The Lions also acquired defensive tackle, Corey Williams, in a trade with the Cleveland Browns.
The Chicago Bears added the biggest name on the market. Disgruntled Carolina Panthers defensive end, Julius Peppers, was signed to sure-up Chicago’s D-line and strike some fear into dominant division quarterbacks, Minnesota’s Brett Favre and Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.
The Bears also stole Minnesota’s back-up running back Chester Taylor. Couple that with adding San Diego tight end, Brandon Manumaleuna and I’d say Chicago’s making a statement.
If Brett Favre returns to Minnesota for a 20th NFL season, (yes, 20th) the Vikings will be the favorite to win the NFC North for the third consecutive year. Minnesota brass will not rush Favre’s decision and more than likely that will pay dividends for Vikings fans come September.
Not to mention, the Green Bay Packers will be a force to be reckoned with in 2010. The team basically won’t lose much and its offense is becoming one of the best in the league. A lot of which is due to extending the contract of wide receiver and WMU alum Greg Jennings to a lengthy deal.
The Pack will be under its second season running Dom Capers 3-4 defense and something tells me this ball-hawking defense hasn’t peaked yet.
The old “Black and Blue NFC Norris Division” looks like the days of old might be coming back.
Detroit Lions fans should be proud of its organization for once. The team is starting to resemble a real life NFL franchise. At worst, the Lions are earning credibility across the league. Bringing in big-name talent will only lead to good things for the laughing stock of the last decade.
Chicago hired former Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz to help “drama queen” QB, Jay Cutler, get his act together. With its new free-agent acquisitions, Chicago may do just that.
Either way, the NFC North will be very competitive. It definitely won’t be labeled the worst division in the NFL in 2010. Fans of the division are already excited only one month removed from the Super Bowl. But slow down people, the NFL draft is still seven weeks away.
No-one knows what will unfold, but it should be interesting to say the least.
Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=15344
Posted by heraldstaff
on Mar 7 2010. Filed under Sports.
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