{"id":67683,"date":"2019-07-01T17:20:54","date_gmt":"2019-07-01T21:20:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=67683"},"modified":"2019-07-01T17:20:54","modified_gmt":"2019-07-01T21:20:54","slug":"nfc-north-off-season-yay-nay-wtfootball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/07\/01\/nfc-north-off-season-yay-nay-wtfootball\/","title":{"rendered":"NFC North Off-Season: Yay, Nay, WTF(ootball)?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The off-season in the NFC North is about to shift gears to training camp. Before camps officially open, it can be beneficial to take stock of the current state of things. What have teams in the NFC North done so far? Some good, some bad, and some downright confusing moves were made by each team, so let&#8217;s take a look.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>NFC North Off-Season: A Look Ahead at Training Camp<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>Chicago Bears<\/h3>\n<p>Last year&#8217;s division winner, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/bears\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago Bears<\/a> were much less active this year than last. That isn&#8217;t necessarily a bad thing though as general manager\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/PaceRy0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ryan Pace<\/strong><\/a> has done a good job replenishing a once-bare cupboard with talent at every level.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChicagoBears?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@ChicagoBears<\/a> defense was dominant in 2018&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>So what are the expectations under new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano in 2019?<\/p>\n<p>\ud83d\udcfa: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFLTotalAccess?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFLTotalAccess<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VpwNqZhAAa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/VpwNqZhAAa<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NFL Network (@nflnetwork) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nflnetwork\/status\/1144229442195034119?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 22px;\">Yay &#8211; Offensive Continuity<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Perhaps the best thing the Bears have going for them is that, <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/03\/28\/chicago-bears-trade-jordan-howard-to-philadelphia-eagles\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">aside from<\/a>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HowaJo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jordan Howard<\/strong><\/a>, they return every offensive starter. That is a good thing for a group that scored the fourth-most points in team history and reached the playoffs for the first time since the 2010 season.<\/p>\n<p>They ranked ninth in points per game last year and, with a year in the system under their belts, should be more potent this season. That should especially show up in their yardage output, where they ranked 21st in 2018. As long as they get the expected jump from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TrubMi00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mitchell Trubisky<\/strong><\/a>, they should be able to offset any reasonable drop-off from the defense.<\/p>\n<h4>Nay &#8211; Defensive Continuity<\/h4>\n<p>For all the returning (and additional) firepower on the offense, the defense has just as many questions. Gone are safety <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AmosAd00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Adrian Amos<\/strong><\/a> (FA \/\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/packers\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Green Bay Packers<\/a>) and nickel back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CallBr00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bryce Callahan<\/strong><\/a> (FA \/\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/broncos\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Denver Broncos<\/a>). In their places are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/ClinHa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Ha Ha Clinton-Dix<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SkriBu00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Buster Skrine<\/strong><\/a>, respectively. Clinton-Dix, despite all his talent, was <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/10\/30\/packers-trade-ha-ha-clinton-dix\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">traded mid-2018<\/a> and Skrine might not hold the job once camp breaks.<\/p>\n<p>As if that wasn\u2019t enough, defensive coordinator\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/FangVi0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Vic Fangio<\/strong><\/a> is now the head coach for Callahan\u2019s Broncos. The man who returned this defense to respectability, and even to a position of envy around the league, is replaced by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/PagaCh0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Chuck Pagano<\/strong><\/a>. His defining defensive reputation is built largely off one season with an organization that consistently fields top defenses. Hopefully similar circumstance yield similar results.<\/p>\n<h4>WTF? &#8211; Kicking Competition<\/h4>\n<p>What head coach\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/NagyMa0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Matt Nagy<\/strong><\/a> is trying to accomplish with his kickers is completely understandable. After the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.philadelphiaeagles.com\/video\/the-double-doink-cody-parkey-s-missed-field-goal-gives-eagles-win\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Double Doink<\/a> ended his team\u2019s season, Nagy has been subjecting anyone with a live leg to the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/ParkCo03.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Cody Parkey<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0challenge\u201d; a 43-yarder in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/amp.usatoday.com\/amp\/39548407\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Augusta silence<\/a>. He clearly wants to know if they can handle the pressure.<\/p>\n<p>So far&#8230;yea, no. Again, what Nagy is trying to do is understandable. But at this point, like with his playcalling at times last season, he is getting in his own way. As much as he wants a kicker to be able to stand the pressure, what he is creating is an entirely different kind of pressure. Ultimately, they should be able to find a kicker, but they might want to practice going for two more.<\/p>\n<h3>Detroit Lions<\/h3>\n<p>Things did not go as planned for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/lions\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Detroit Lions<\/a> in 2018. Rookie head coach\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/PatrMa0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Matt Patricia<\/strong><\/a> took his first crack at creating the Motor City version of the \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/johnbaldoni\/2017\/01\/28\/the-patriot-way-do-your-job\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patriot Way<\/a>\u2019. It resulted in three fewer wins, 86 fewer points, and a fourth-place finish in the division.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Matt Patricia and the Detroit <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Lions?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Lions<\/a> need a culture change. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YahooSchwab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@YahooSchwab<\/a> thinks rookie TE TJ Hockenson (<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TheeHOCK8?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@TheeHOCK8<\/a>) might be the spark they need \ud83e\udd1e\ud83c\udffe<\/p>\n<p>Full team preview \u27a1\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/38U2f4EGmS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/38U2f4EGmS<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/A9ihha8m2a\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/A9ihha8m2a<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Yahoo Sports NFL (@YahooSportsNFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/YahooSportsNFL\/status\/1144359756447903744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Yay \u2013 Offensive Additions<\/h4>\n<p>Last year the Lions <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2018\/10\/30\/detroit-lions-trade-golden-tate-to-philadelphia-eagles\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">traded<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TateGo00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Golden Tate<\/strong><\/a> to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/eagles\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Philadelphia Eagles<\/a> after a Week Eight loss to the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/seahawks\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Seattle Seahawks<\/a>. He was their leading receiver in targets, catches, and yards at the time. Their scoring average dipped from 24.4 points per game before Tate was traded to 17 after. Then <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JohnKe06.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kerryon Johnson<\/strong><\/a> went down; they averaged 22.2 points with him and 17 without.<\/p>\n<p>Enter <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AmenDa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Danny Amendola<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AndeC.00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>C.J. Anderson<\/strong><\/a>. Amendola started a career-high 15 games for the <a href=\"http:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/dolphins\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Miami Dolphins<\/a> catching 59 passes (79 targets), 575 yards, and a score. Anderson started the season on the <a href=\"http:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/panthers\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Carolina Panthers<\/a>. He got cut after eight games only to end up playing significant snaps (averaging seven yards per carry) for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/rams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a> on their run to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/boxscores\/201902030ram.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Super Bowl LIII<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>Nay \u2013 Pass Rusher\/Linebacker<\/h4>\n<p>The team largely ignored both of these positions in free agency and the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.nfl.com\/videos\/draft-tonight\/0ap3000001028841\/Which-team-won-the-2019-NFL-Draft\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NFL Draft<\/a>. Their lone free agent addition of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FlowTr00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Trey Flowers<\/strong><\/a> might not be enough; neither he nor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/O\/OkwaRo01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Romeo Okwara<\/strong><\/a> have ever reached double digits in sacks. Fourth-round rookie <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/04\/22\/austin-bryant-2019-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Austin\u00a0Bryant<\/a><\/strong> will have to contribute. As will rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/T\/TavaJa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jahlani Tavai<\/strong><\/a>, the only key addition to the linebacking corp.<\/p>\n<p>Detroit was 15th against the run and 11th in sacks, so this may not be as dire as it seems. But the division they play in is loaded with capable quarterbacks. It appears the Lions are taking the very Pats-like path of trusting their scheme to maximize the talent. That has not always worked for anybody not named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/BeliBi0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bill Belichick<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>WTF? &#8211; Belichick&#8217;s Coaching Tree<\/h4>\n<p>The great coaches tend to produce more good to great coaches. Arguably the best coach in the game has produced some\u2026eccentric ones. Current Pats assistant <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/McDaJo0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Josh McDaniels<\/strong><\/a> took the head coaching job with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/colts\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Indianapolis Colts<\/a> just to back out almost immediately. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/OBriBi0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Bill O&#8217;Brien<\/strong><\/a> can\u2019t keep a general manager after finally having a quarterback capable of forcing that decision.<\/p>\n<p>Patricia is no different. He, in one year, has already <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/video\/matt-patricia-scolds-reporter-over-posture\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">chided a media member<\/a> about respect only to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/www.cbssports.com\/nfl\/news\/lions-head-coach-matt-patricia-apparently-keeps-showing-up-late-to-press-conferences-and-team-meetings\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">routinely show up late<\/a> to pressure and meetings himself. The surly attitude works for BB because the jewelry speaks for itself. The Lions coach has not attained such status. More ominous, those branches that have broken off that tree before him have not either.<\/p>\n<h3>Green Bay Packers<\/h3>\n<p>A lost, injury-riddled 2018 season got <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/McCaMi0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mike McCarthy<\/strong><\/a> fired and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/LaFlMa0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Matt LaFleur<\/strong><\/a> hired in his place. Now the Packers\u00a0will look to have a bounce-back season with a rookie head coach and a revamped defense.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">For the first time during Aaron Rodgers&#39; tenure in Green Bay, the Packers have a new head coach. <\/p>\n<p>Who has more at stake this season: Rodgers or Matt LaFleur? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fBuwlrYCTW\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/fBuwlrYCTW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Sports Illustrated (@SInow) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SInow\/status\/1144704522113159170?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Yay &#8211; Attention to Defense<\/h4>\n<p>Green Bay gave up their fifth-most points in a single season, was 29th in takeaways last year so changes were imminent. They came in the form of a rival\u2019s starting safety, a pair of free agent pass rushers and a pair of first-round rookies. Surprisingly, or perhaps not given the depleted roster last season, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/PettMi0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mike Pettine<\/strong><\/a> returns for a second season.<\/p>\n<p>Amos comes over from the Bears and is joined by rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/03\/30\/darnell-savage-2019-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Darnell Savage<\/strong><\/a> to juice up the Packer secondary. Green Bay traded up for Savage 21st overall after selecting <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/02\/27\/rashan-gary-2019-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Rashan Gary<\/strong><\/a> 12th overall. Savage and Amos hope to have a symbiotic relationship with Gary and his fellow sack-artists, free agent acquisitions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SmitPr00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Preston<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/SmitZa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Za\u2019Darius Smith<\/strong><\/a> (no relation).<\/p>\n<h4>Nay &#8211; Wide Receiver Room<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AdamDa01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Davante Adams<\/strong><\/a> is among the best wide receivers in the league after tallying 111 catches for 1,386 yards and 13 touchdowns on 169 targets, the next best was then-rookie <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/V\/ValdMa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Marquez Valdes-Scantling<\/strong><\/a>. He had all of 38 grabs (73 targets) for 581 yards with two touchdowns. Next on the list (who is still on the team) is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/St.BEq00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Equanimeous St. Brown<\/strong><\/a> with 21 reception (36 targets) with 328 scoreless yards.<\/p>\n<p>So far in OTAs Aaron Rodgers (you may have heard of him) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/packerswire.usatoday.com\/2019\/06\/12\/aaron-rodgers-raves-about-packers-wr-jake-kumerow-im-a-big-fan-of-him\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">has been raving<\/a> about second-year man <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/K\/KumeJa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jake Kumerow<\/strong><\/a>. As if his inexperience is not troubling enough, he only had 11 targets through all of 2018. He grabbed eight of those for 108 yards and a score. The Pack added <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/03\/27\/jace-sternberger-2019-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Jace Sternberger<\/strong><\/a> in the draft. He is a tight end by trade, but he has a receiver\u2019s skill set.<\/p>\n<h4>WTF? &#8211; Rodgers\/LaFleur Connection<\/h4>\n<p>When LaFleur got the Packers head coaching gig, the immediate reaction was confusion. A young, offensive-minded coach for a team with big-time defensive woes and a sure-fire Hall of Famer at quarterback just sounds doomed to fail. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/247sports.com\/nfl\/green-bay-packers\/Article\/Matt-LaFleur-Aaron-Rodgers-meet-second-time-130801636\/Amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Then came stories<\/a> of them not meeting for quite some time after LaFleur\u2019s hire followed by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/profootballtalk.nbcsports.com\/2019\/06\/16\/aaron-rodgers-wants-more-freedom-at-the-line-of-scrimmage\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reports about the audibles<\/a> in this new offense.<\/p>\n<p>The reins should, ultimately, be completely off of Rodgers. But the fact that this was even an issue is just odd. It would be less so if the discussion was about an inexperienced, non-Super Bowl winning quarterback. But this is Aaron \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/stephenasmith\/status\/381874176237137921?s=19\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baaad Man<\/a>\u2019 Rodgers.<\/p>\n<h3>Minnesota Vikings<\/h3>\n<p>It was supposed to be different for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/vikings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a> last year. They finally had the \u201cfranchise\u201d quarterback to go along with their \u201cchampionship-caliber\u201d defense. That, folks, is why they play the game.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">It&#39;s always a fun time when Coach Zimmer is wired for sound.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Skol?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Skol<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6YERhBbuQg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/6YERhBbuQg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Vikings\/status\/1144627701468340226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h4>Yay \u2013 Trench Enrichment<\/h4>\n<p>The Vikings let their $84-million-dollar-quarterback, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CousKi00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Kirk Cousins<\/strong><\/a>, get sacked 40 times. They also ranked 30th in rushing yards last season. Neither of those is a recipe for success on their own but combined they are downright insurmountable. Cousins and the running backs are far from blameless, but the Vikes o-line (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.footballoutsiders.com\/stats\/ol\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">23rd<\/a> per Footballoutsiders.com) was clearly an issue.<\/p>\n<p>General manager\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/executives\/SpieRi0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Rick Spielman<\/strong><\/a>&#8216;s answer was to spend the Vikings first and fourth-round picks on interior linemen. They also spent a sixth-rounder on tackle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/U\/UdohOl00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Oli Udoh<\/strong><\/a>. <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/2019\/03\/17\/garrett-bradbury-2019-nfl-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Garrett Bradbury<\/strong><\/a>, in particular, should be an immediate starter. He will help elevate a sub-pedestrian ground attack and keep defensive tackles out of Cousins lap.<\/p>\n<h4>Nay \u2013 Do They Like That?<\/h4>\n<p>Cousins ranked 13th in DYAR, 14th in DVOA, and 16th in QBR (per <a href=\"https:\/\/www.footballoutsiders.com\/stats\/qb\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Footballoutsiders.com<\/a>) in 2018. That has to terrify a Vikings front office that allocated a small fortune to an escrow account in Cousins&#8217; name. He was 16th, 18th, and 17th respectively in those same categories in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.footballoutsiders.com\/stats\/qb2017\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">2017<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/redskins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Washington Redskins<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Minnesota\u2019s brass clearly does not think they have a quarterback issue. Their selecting four-straight offensive players to start the draft (seven of 12 picks total) hints as much. There were issues in the personnel around Cousins. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CookDa01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Dalvin Cook<\/strong><\/a>, for one, only broke 100 rushing yards once and 50 receiving yards twice in another injury-marred season.<\/p>\n<h4>WTF? &#8211; Anthony Barr Waffles<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/26500050\/how-anthony-barr-went-vikings-jets-vikings-24-hours%3fplatform=amp\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Over the course of 24 hours<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BarrAn00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Anthony Barr<\/strong><\/a> went from re-signing with the Vikings to signing with the <a href=\"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/nfl-teams\/jets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New York Jets<\/a> and back to Minnesota. Now, this is a tug-of-war that the Vikings won. It is also a rare example of a player taking less money to stay. While it is not a suggestion that would be found here, it is commendable.<\/p>\n<p>There are still questions begging to be answered. Did he make the right decision? Barr <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/amp\/s\/www.twincities.com\/2019\/06\/12\/vikings-lb-anthony-barr-says-only-goal-is-to-win-the-super-bowl\/amp\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">says that his only goal<\/a> is winning a Super Bowl. One can question the viability of that in Minnesota; they gave up the most points since head coach\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/coaches\/ZimmMi0.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Mike Zimmer\u2019<\/strong><\/a>s first year. Barr did his part. He received a 71.4 grade from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.profootballfocus.com\/news\/pro-2019-free-agency-profile-anthony-barr\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pro Football Focus<\/a>, his best since 2015.<\/p>\n<h3>Yay, Nay, WTF?<\/h3>\n<p>NFC North teams saw the division shakeup for the first time in a long time last season. The reactions were dramatic in some cases and subtle tweaks in others. There is a long way to go before the regular season starts and things can change at any time. One thing is for sure, it will be another exciting season in the Black-and-Blue Division.<\/p>\n<p><em>Stats and info provided by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Pro-Football-Reference.com<\/a> unless otherwise noted.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a id=\"bBScgiXPQqFj4vtsgfANaA\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1091014790\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'bBScgiXPQqFj4vtsgfANaA',sig:'nln2nUL8wJ-Se5KCp8QwEIaSXdPXkRvyPdFp0wr3lc0=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1091014790',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The off-season in the NFC North is about to shift gears to training camp. Before camps officially open, it can be beneficial to take stock of the current state of things. What have teams in the NFC North done so far? Some good, some bad, and some downright confusing moves were made by each team, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2879,"featured_media":67826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[23,24,25,26],"tags":[4547,1031,42,43,61,44,403,45,40],"class_list":["post-67683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bears","category-lions","category-packers","category-vikings","tag-2019-nfl-season","tag-anthony-barr","tag-chicago-bears","tag-detroit-lions","tag-football","tag-green-bay-packers","tag-kirk-cousins","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-nfl"],"modified_by":"John Bava","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2879"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67683"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67683\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/67826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}