our Fantasy Football Offseason Refresher: NFC North

By: FantasyFootballGoat.com

Outside of the Chicago Bears D, Mike Furrey and the occasional Brett Favre explosion, the NFC North hasn’t exactly been a hotbed for fantasy football success, but this year, things are looking up.

Before sharing my notes with you I want to explain a few things. I have added a position category for the offensive line (OL). I rarely see anyone else paying much attention to this when breaking down players, but, it is pretty important to consider when getting a feel for their true value. Cliche’ or not, it all starts up front.

Also, when you see PMTS it means “pretty much the same” meaning not much has changed with this teams particular positions since last year. Just saving you some time. You know these teams already and we are just interested in getting up to date at this time.

Here are my notes to get you up to date on some of the fantasy worthy offseason happenings within the division.

Chicago Bears
OL - PMTS
QB - PMTS but a new QB coach for Rex
RB - The super bowl runner ups have ditched Thomas Jones and will be featuring Cedric Benson. Adrian Peterson looks to be the back-up but keep an eye out for Garrette Wolfe who has impressed early and has been mentioned by coaches as a change of pace/good hands back.
WR - PMTS other than Dave Ball who is making noise in rookie camp.
TE - Added first round draft pick Greg Olson to back up, and even steal a few minutes from, Desmond Clark.
D - In the middle of a getting-messier-by-the-day contract dispute with Lance Briggs. Also, lost coordinator Ron Rivera.

Detroit Lions
OL - New OL coach. Released a few of their starters from last year and upgraded with veterans OT George Foster, OG Edwin Mulitale and OG Zach Piller.
QB - PMTS except for rookie Drew Stanton
RB - Despite Kevin Jones’ optimism, the team worried enough to grab Tatum “Fumble Machine” Bell and the sudden journeyman, T. J. Duckett.
WR - Wow! Roy Williams, Mike Furrey and now, in case you haven’t heard, Calvin Johnson.
TE - Released Marcus Pollard and currently have only Dan Campbell and some Fitzsimmons dude
D - Overhauled for the most part.

Green Bay Packers
OL - PMTS. Young, improving and one year older.
QB - PMTS
RB - Ahman is gone. Vernand Morency is said to be in great shape and is slated to be the starter at least until draft pick Brandon Jackson learns the ropes.
WR - PMTS with the addition of James Jones
TE - PMTS
K - Kickers are a dime a dozen but thought I’d mention they drafted Mason Crosby
D - Shored up a few spots in the draft. They looked pretty decent the last month of the season.

Minnesota Vikings
OL - PMTS. Highly paid and under performing. Did lose a little depth
QB - No Johnson. Welcome to the Tavarius Jackson era. Brooks Bollinger backs him up. (little worried about my teams QB situation)
RB - PMTS and added who many thought was the best back in the draft, Adrian Peterson. See AP in action in an earlier post of mine here.
WR - Added Bobby Wade from the Titans, drafted highly touted Sidney Rice. Other than that PMTS.
TE - Lost Wiggens but gained possible sleeper Visanthe Shiancoe who has been buried behind Shockey in New York.
D - New coordinator AND we will finally see Chad Greenway. Signed Mike Doss from the champs. Lost LB Napolean Harris.

It looks like you can expect more of the same from the Bears. The Pack seem to be moving towards a more ball control, defensive approach. The Vikes have a solid line and solid backs but is anyone going to respect the pass? Stay tuned.

I’d say the players to watch here are on the Lions. They were putting up some number here and there last year. We know what Martz can do, they have upgraded their line and, if that receiving corp starts to click…look out.

I’ll be back in a few days to give you my notes on the NFC South.

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Corey Koehler is a blogger, podcaster and NFL fantasy football freak. He thanks you for reading his article and invites you to stop by and check out his Fantasy Football Blog at FantasyFootballGoat.com. There you will find more of the valuable NFL and fantasy football information seen here. Also, make sure you don't miss another post by Corey - or his team of fantasy geniuses - by subscribing to his all of his content for the very low price of FREE. You can subscribe to The Fantasy Football Goat by email and have this stuff in your inbox seconds after I post it or you can subscribe in your feed reader or on your home page. Either way you get the info fast and easy. Don't understand this whole subscribing thing? Check out this short video on RSS. See you at the top!

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