Players to Watch in NFC North
The National Football Conference’s (NFC) North division is a historic and heralded division. In recent years, it has been known as the home of three strong teams and the miserable Detroit Lions. With the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers consistently fielding competitive teams in recent years, here are the players to watch for in the NFC North:
Brian Urlacher:
Many think that Jay Cutler may be the most interesting player to watch on the Chicago Bears’ roster. Cutler may have had his trouble with interceptions and maturity, but he has shown the ability to perform and will not be as utilized with Mike Martz and his run-heavy philosophy controlling the offence.
Urlacher’s injury is essentially what derailed the Bears last season. After he hurt his wrist in the first game of last season, Urlacher missed the entire year. The Bears could not do anything without Urlacher’s presence. Now Urlacher is coming back, but will he be able to help?
Urlacher is 32, an age at which recovering from a severe injury becomes kind of tough. The Bears need him badly, as they are 7-15 with Urlacher since Lovie Smith became the coach. The Bears fortunes are intertwined with those of Urlacher, and whatever happens with him dictates the 2010 season for the Bears.
Kyle Vanden Bosch:
It is almost bizarre to think that the Detroit Lions could have a strong defence in 2010. Head coach Jim Schwartz showed up at Vanden Bosch’s doorstep to sign the former Tennessee Titans player and many have criticized the size of the deal given to the Nebraska album.
Vanden Bosch is 32 years-old and it will be intriguing to see just how much he has left in the tank. The amount of money he earns means he needs to be an all-around defender. Vanden Bosch will also provide valuable mentorship to rookie and fellow Nebraska alum Ndamukong Suh. Suh is bound to be a star, but if Suh and Vanden Bosch can work well as a tag-team, Detroit will immediately have a strong defence.
Green Bay’s Offensive Tackles:
The Packers’ last season ended when the offensive line allowed Aaron Rodgers to get mauled, resulting in a game-winning touchdown for the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers have then brought back tackles Chad Clifton and Mark Tauscher for a lot of money, and the pressure is on them to perform.
The Packers need Clifton to hold it down on the left side and Tauscher to contribute on the right while they wait for their young picks to grow. The duo must make sure Rodgers gets hit a lot less than he did in 2009, or else the Packers will have no chance at the Super Bowl.
Bryant McKinnie:
McKinnie seems to be losing his elite status as a left tackle. He was one of the Minnesota Vikings players selected for the Pro Bowl, but was then kicked off the NFC team for his constant behavioural issues. Of more concern to the Vikings is his growing inability to stop speedy rushing.
Last season, McKinnie, who has started 107 of 108 career games, was benched in Carolina after defensive end Julius Peppers mercilessly dominated him for most of the game. Peppers has since moved from the Carolina Panthers to the Chicago Bears. This means that McKinnie is going to have a lot to prove while facing the division rivals twice during the year.
It is uncertain who McKinnie will be protecting at quarterback, but he is the blindside guard for right-handers and thus his performance will be crucial in the Vikings’ Super Bowl aspirations.
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