Capsule summaries from the NFC North:
Chicago Bears
Coach: Dick Jauron turned his job insecurity around when he led the Bears to the NFC Central title a year ago. It was Chicago's first playoff appearance since 1994. Jauron will have Greg Blache back as defensive coordinator and John Shoop running the offense.
2001 season: Won the NFC Central with a 13-3 record, one game behind St. Louis for the conference's best record. Lost to Philadelphia in the divisional playoff after receiving a first-round bye. This season, the Bears will play their home games at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois and will return to Soldier Field in 2003 after renovations are completed.
Major adds: TE Luther Broughton, QB Chris Chandler, LB Mike Caldwell.
Major Losses: RB James Allen, T Blake Brockermeyer, QB Shane Matthews, CB Walt Harris.
Quarterback: Jim Miller passed for 2,299 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2002 but suffered a separated shoulder in the team's playoff loss to Philadelphia. The Bears re-signed Miller for a fifth season and released Shane Matthews in April. Miller's backup will be 36-year-old veteran Chris Chandler, who was signed as a free agent after spending the last five campaigns in Atlanta. Chandler threw for 16 touchdowns in 2001 and passed for 2,847 yards.
Running back: Anthony Thomas was the steal of the second round in 2001, rushing for 1,183 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie - a major reason why the Bears won the division. Fullback Daimon Shelton will miss the first three games of the season as a result of his suspension for violating the league's steroid policy.
Receivers: Marty Booker became the first receiver in team history to catch 100 passes in a season last year, breaking Johnny Morris' club record of 93 receptions in 1964. Booker replaced Marcus Robinson, who was sidelined all of last season with torn knee ligaments. Chicago signed former Panthers tight end Luther Broughton to give them an added threat at that position along with Fred Baxter.
Offensive line: Bears quarterbacks were sacked just 17 times last season, the fewest in the league, on 528 passing attempts. The offensive line was also a major reason for Thomas' success. But have a problem at left tackle after releasing Blake Brockermeyer for salary cap purposes. Second-year player Bernard Robertson and first-round pick Marc Colombo will compete for time at the position. Right tackle James "Big Cat" Williams made his first Pro Bowl appearance last season.
Defensive line: The Bears allowed the fewest points in the league in 2001 (203) and gave up just 18 TDs. Most of that had to do with massive tackles Ted Washington and Keith Traylor. Left end Bryan Robinson suffered two broken wrists in a fall at his home, but is expected to be ready for the season. Robinson is not a great pass rusher, but is solid against the run. Phillip Daniels, who tied his career high with nine sacks last season, is the team's best pass-rushing end.
Linebackers: The strength of the defense. Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher finished fifth in the MVP voting, the best of any defensive player in 2001. He led the Bears with 148 tackles and recorded six sacks for 37 yards. Outside linebacker Warrick Holdman had 145 tackles last year and was courted by Kansas City as a restricted free agent but the Bears matched the offer sheet. Rosevelt Colvin emerged as a top pass rusher with a team-high 10 1/2 sacks last season. Free agent signee Mike Caldwell will serve as a top backup.
Secondary: Safety Mike Brown had game-winning touchdown interceptions in back-to-back overtime contests last season and had five picks overall to go along with 86 tackles. He will be joined by third-year veteran Mike Green, who will fill the void left by Tony Parrish, who signed with San Francisco. R.W. McQuarters returns as a starting cornerback and Jerry Azumah replaces Walt Harris, who signed with Indianapolis.
Special teams: Kicker Paul Edinger booted 26 field goals and was successful on all of his 34 extra-point attempts for 112 total points. Punter Brad Maynard had eight touchbacks last season and kicked 36 times inside the opponents' 20 yard line and averaged 42.6 yards per punt. The longest return allowed by Chicago was 39 yards.
Prediction: If the defense plays the way it did last season, the Bears will contend for the division title again. But traveling for home games is a disadvatage. Should drop from 13 wins to 10.
Detroit Lions
Coach: Marty Mornhinweg begins his second season at the helm of the Lions after winning only two games a year ago. Mornhinweg promoted Maurice Carthon from running backs coach to offensive coordinator and named Sherman Lewis as special offensive assistant. On defense, coordinator Kurt Schottenheimer will work for someone other than his brother for the first time in his 16-year coaching career.
2001 season: Detroit finished 2-14 last year and team president Matt Millen made sure plenty of changes were made. Among them, a new venue as the Lions move into Ford Field in downtown Detroit.
Major adds: WR Az-Zahir Hakim, WR Bill Schroeder, S Corey Harris, S Brian Walker.
Major Losses: WR Herman Moore, WR Johnnie Morton, QB Charlie Batch, CB Bryant Westbrook, DE Tracy Scroggins.
Quarterback: The Lions selected Joey Harrington with the third overall pick in the draft and he competed with Mike McMahon for the starting job in the preseason. Waived last year's starter
Charlie Batch for salary cap purposes.
Running backs: James Stewart is not the prototype back for the West Coast offense. He is a power back and rushed for 685 yards in 11 games last season. However, Stewart crossed the goal line just once. To help Stewart, the Lions will look to Lamont Warren, who caught 40 passes for 336 yards. Cory Schlesinger blocks and catches passes as the West Coast fullback.
Receivers: Az-Zahir Hakim and Bill Schroder will have big shoes to fill after Herman Moore was released and Johnnie Morton went to Kansas City. Hakim caught 39 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns with St. Louis in 2001 and Schroeder had 53 catches for 918 yards and nine scores. Germane Crowell is the team's top receiver. Lost tight end David Sloan and signed Mikhael Ricks.
Offensive line: This unit allowed 66 sacks last year and coordinator Carl Mauck will have most of the line back in 2002. Stockar McDougle, a first-round pick in 2000, has been moved to right tackle. Jeff Backus returns as a starter at left tackle. Tony Semple and Brenden Stai are the guards. Eric Beverly and Dominic Raiola can split time at center.
Defensive line: The strength of the defense with Pro Bowl end Robert Porcher and promising young tackle Shaun Rogers. Would love to see rookie Kalimba Edwards, their second-round pick, become a situational rusher. Luther Elliss is a reliable defensive tackle.
Linebackers: Chris Claiborne led the team with 77 solo tackles and had four sacks as well as two interceptions. After playing the middle last season, Claiborne is expected to move back to the outside, his original position. Barrett Green was originally drafted as a defensive back but was moved to the outside spot last year, where he recorded 54 solo tackles and a sack.
Secondary: Upgraded at the safety positions with Brian Walker and Corey Harris. They replace Kurt Schulz and Ron Rice. Lost cornerback Bryant Westbrook to Dallas in free agency. Terry Fair is the team's top cornerback, but is coming off a foot injury. Vet Todd Lyght may have to start at the other corner spot and the Lions prefer he play at nickel back.
Special teams: Desmond Howard is recognized as one of the top return men in the league, averaging 25.4 yards per kick return and 9.1 yards per punt. Hakim can also be used as a returner, although he has a propensity to fumble. Jason Hanson made all 11 of his field-goal attempts from inside 40 yards but was successful on just 10 of 19 outside. John Jett averaged 41.6 yards on punts.
Prediction: It should be last place for the Lions, but they can triple their win total to 6-10.
Green Bay Packers
Coach: Mike Sherman begins his third year as coach after taking the Packers to the second round of the NFC playoffs last season. He also serves as the team's executive vice president and general manager. His assistants include offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley and Ed Donatell, who will handle the defense.
2001 season: Finished a strong second in the NFC Central division with a 12-4 record, one game behind Chicago. Beat San Francisco in the wild card round but lost at St. Louis in the divisional playoff.
Major adds: WR Terry Glenn, RB Ki-Jana Carter, DE Joe Johnson.
Major losses: RB Dorsey Levens, WR Antonio Freeman, LB Bernado Harris, DT Santana Dotson.
Quarterback: Brett Favre returns for his 12th season at the helm of the offense that will be without Levens and Freeman. The future Hall-of-Famer passed for 3,921 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2001 and will hope his offensive line forgives him for allowing New York Giants end Michael Strahan to break the single-season sack record against him last season. Favre threw 15 interceptions in 2001 after averaging 21 picks the previous three campaigns.
Running backs: Made Ahman Green the featured back and waived Levens, who signed with Philadelphia in the offseason. Green totaled 1,387 yards rushing a year ago and had 1,981 total yards from scrimmage. Rondell Mealey won the backup role after outplaying Ki-Jana Carter, who was cut, in the preseason. Fullback William Henderson had 21 catches for 193 yards last season and should earn starting honors for the seventh consecutive year.
Receivers: Terry Glenn was acquired from New England after six season with the Patriots. The fiery wideout was suspended for four games by the league for violating its substance abuse policy and served a one-game ban by the team for conduct detrimental to the club. Glenn played just four games and started just once and will have to fill the void left by Antonio Freeman, who was released. Moved up in the first round to select Florida State receiver Javon Walker and expect him to make an immediate impact. Tight end Bubba Franks will try to improve on his 2001 campaign, when he caught 32 passes for 322 yards and nine touchdowns.
Offensive line: All five starters are back. This group gave up just 22 sacks last year. Mark Tauscher is a standout at tackle, but veteran Frank Winters is forced to start the year at center with Mike Flanagan recovering from an injury.
Defensive line: Defensive end Vonnie Holliday made 46 tackles and recorded seven sacks last season. He will team up with end Joe Johnson, who was signed as a free agent. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila is a situational pass-rushing end. Cletidus Hunt replaces Santana Dotson, who was waived, at defensive tackle. End Jamal Reynolds, the team's first-round pick in 2001, is coming off arthroscopic knee surgery.
Linebackers: Signed veteran Hardy Nickerson to play middle linebacker after waiving Bernardo Harris. Nate Wayne returns at outside linebacker along with Na'il Diggs. Torrance Marshall is the top backup.
Secondary: Strong safety LeRoy Butler retired and will likely be replaced by Antuan Edwards, who has a lot to prove. Third-round pick Marques Anderson will also see time at the position. Safety Darren Sharper is the secondary's top playmaker. Mike McKenzie is emerging as a top-notch physical cornerback. Tyrone Williams is the other corner.
Special Teams: The Packers lost their number-one return man Allen Rossum to Atlanta after 2001 and will look to Darrien Gordon to fill the vacancy. Josh Bidwell averaged 42.5 yards per punt last year. Kicker Ryan Longwell struggled last season, making just eight of his 17 field-goal attempts from outside the 40.
Prediction: The Packers have the talent to win the division with an 11-5 record.
Minnesota Vikings
Coach: Mike Tice officially takes over the reins in Minnesota after Dennis Green stepped down after 15 games last season. Tice served as the interim coach for the final contest in 2001 and was named permanently to the coaching position on January 10. Tice becomes just the sixth head coach in the Vikings' 42-year history after six seasons coaching the offensive line and tight ends. The 43-year-old is also the first coach in team history to also play for Minnesota, having played tight end from 1992-93 and 1995.
2001 season: The Vikings were 5-11 and missed the postseason in back-to-back years for the first time since 1990-91.
Major adds: WR Derrick Alexander, DE Lorenzo Bromell, LB Henri Crockett, DE Kenny Mixon.
Major Losses: P Mitch Berger, WR Cris Carter, CB Dale Carter, K Gary Anderson, LB Kailee Wong.
Quarterback: Daunte Culpepper played just 11 games last season because of a bad knee. He threw for 2,612 yards and 14 touchdowns but was intercepted 13 times in 2001 and rushed for 416 yards on 71 carries. Todd Bouman will back up Culpepper once again.
Running backs: Michael Bennett ran for 682 yards on 172 carries in his rookie season and should be the featured back in 2002. Bennett was drafted by the Vikings in the hopes he would replace former running back Robert Smith, who retired unexpectedly after the 2000 season. Fullback Jim Kleinsasser was moved to tight end after catching 24 passes for 184 yards and ran for 72 yards on 23 carries.
Receivers: The duo that was once the best in the league is down to Randy Moss after Cris Carter retired. Tice has made it clear that this offense will revolve around Moss, instituting "The Randy ratio" to make sure 40 percent of the pass plays are directed at Moss. Signed receivers Derrick Alexander and D'Wayne Bates as free agents to play with Moss. Tice will play a lot of double tight end with Byron Chamberlain working in the slot with Kleinsasser.
Offensive line: Spent a first-round pick on Bryant McKinnie with the intention of starting him at left tackle and then watched him hold out through the preseason. May be forced to move Pro Bowl center Matt Birk to left tackle. Moved Chris Liwienski inside to right guard and will start NFL Europe player Lewis Kelly at right tackle.
Defensive line: Tackle Chris Hovan is the top player on the line. Need Fred Robbins to emerge at the other tackle position in his third year. Signed two players from the Miami Dolphins -- Kenny Mixon and Lorenzo Bromell -- to play the end positions.
Linebackers: Zack Crockett recorded a career-high 81 tackles last season with Atlanta and should start in the middle for Minnesota in 2002. Crockett takes over for Kailee Wong, who signed with Houston. Expect second-round pick Raonall Smith to start at outside linebacker.
Secondary: Corey Chavous was signed to replace Dale Carter at left cornerback and second-year player Eric Kelly will probably start at the other corner spot. Suffered a major loss with the departure of strong safety Robert Griffith. Tyrone Carter has been moved to strong safety and draft picks Willie Offord and Brian Williams will work at free safety.
Special teams: Veteran Doug Brien will replace aging Gary Anderson. Like Anderson, Brien is not regarded as a good kickoff man. Kyle Richardson will replace Mitch Berger, who handled kickoffs, as the punter. Richardson is a good directional punter but does not have a strong leg. Nate Jacquet will handle returns.
Prediction: With the Bears and Packers in the same division, it's going to be hard to expect the Vikings to finish any higher than third place. May improve from 5-11 to 7-9.
