NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

Occasionally throughout this offseason I will check in on how every NFC North team is faring and venture a guess at how they will stack up during this coming season.

1. Minnesota Vikings (2009 Record: 12-4)

For the most part the Vikings have been dormant throughout free agency.  Brett Favre's retirement decision is often thought to be the key to the Vikings success in 2010, and remains a relative unknown.

If Favre returns, then the Vikings will bring back every one of their starting players from the end of 2010.  The only exceptions to this seem to be linked directly to the rehab of cornerback Cedric Griffin and middle linebacker E.J. Henderson.

The Vikings lost two key backups on offense in Artis Hicks and Chester Taylor.  The plans to replace these two are not 100% clear yet, but the draft may provide answers to these questions.

The Vikings signed kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd, which should help solidify a special teams coverage unit that has been known as the occasional liability throughout the last two seasons.

The Vikings only other free agent signing is Mike Montgomery, who is expected to be the primary backup at left defensive end.  He does, however, have the abilities to play at every spot along the defensive line if need be.

Other than Favre's pending decision, the only thing that really seems to present a decrease in total wins in 2010 is what appears to be a very tough schedule.

2. Chicago Bears (2009 Record:  7-9)

For quite a stretch in 2009, the Bears appeared to be the Vikings biggest threat in the Division.  After a mid-season implosion, however, the Bears were just another mediocre football team.

Mike Martz's offense has its flaws, but the high flying spectacle that he puts out there on Sunday's is usually capable of winning two or three games a season even without any talent.  The Bears have some talent, however.

The Bears were this year's big spenders in free agency where they were able to reel in Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor, filling needs that needed to be addressed.

Unfortunately for them, the draft will be of little help since they do not have their first selection until the third round.

With Jay Cutler entering his second season in Chicago, it is fair to expect some improvement out of him, especially if the Bears remain committed to improving the talent around him.

3. Green Bay Packers (2009 Record: 11-5)

Like the Vikings, the Packers were a good team and have managed to retain most of their lineup featured in 2009.  Unfortunately for them, that may not be such a good thing.

They retained Mark Tauscher at age 33 and Chad Clifton at age 34.  Plus they have aging cornerbacks.  I feel like this team is just one injury to a key member away from being terrible, especially after seeing their O-Line crumble in the absence of Clifton and Tauscher last season.

The Packers have a promising draft ahead of them, but it may not be enough help to keep up with father time… who is catching up with much of their team.

Lastly, if the Packers think they can continue to depend on Ryan Grant and Brandon Jackson to establish a run game, then they are going to continue to have a one-dimensional and predictable offense… especially in the latter half of the year.

4. Detroit Lions (2009 Record:  2-14)

The Lions may have a way to go before anyone takes them seriously, but I am really starting to suspect that Jim Schwartz knows how to build a good football team out of nothing.

Following a good draft in 2009, the Lions have added some talent to their roster via free agency.  Sure they paid too much for him, but Nate Burleson is talented enough to take some pressure off of Calvin Johnson.  Kyle Vanden Bosch will instantly improve what was once the worst defensive line in the NFL.

With the depth of talent in this draft class, the Lions could very well add another three of four starters to their team witht heir #2 position.

This team is on the rise (not that they could've fallen any farther) and may surprise a few teams in 2010.

I'm still shocked. As you know, Donovan McNabb has been traded to the Redskins for a 2nd round pick, and a 3rd or 4th, depending on performance. When I saw the news break, I thought it was some belated April Fool's joke. Did not see this coming at all. St. Louis, maybe. Oakland, maybe. San Francisco, maybe. But not Washington. Before I get into how this affects the NFC East, here a couple thoughts on the trade:

I don't like this trade for the Eagles. Give up a great quarterback, to a division rival. You don't know what you get with Kevin Kolb. I also thinks this means that the Eagles really think highly of Mike Vick. He has to be ready to step in at a moment's notice if Kolb falters.

For the Redskins, it makes them instantly better. McNabb and Shanahan go together very well. Obviously, there are still missing pieces, but they are a better team.

Onto the NFC East. I really believe this hurt the Eagles chances. They lost McNabb. Lost Westbrook. Their run game will suffer. I like LeSean McCoy, but he's not a feature back, in my mind. Great complimentary back, not a feature back. This will all fall on Kolb. If he can deliver, and if he can be successful, the Eagles will be successful. Their defense is still good. They have great wideouts. Can Kolb get it to them? That's the biggest question. I like Kolb. The Eagles obviously love him. I just don't think he's McNabb. I could easily see the Eagles finishing last in the division. I think they took a huge step backwards.

Of course, this helps the Redskins. McNabb is such an upgrade over Campbell. But, there are still issues. I don't like the run game. Maybe in 2006, but not now. Their offensive line is very shaky (you can bet the house that they will draft an offensive lineman, probably Russell Okung, in the first round). Their defense is not bad, but they need help in the secondary. McNabb helps them, a lot. Playoffs? Close, but I don't think they will make it. They'll finish 7-9, 8-8, just miss the playoffs. It's a big move.

The real impact of this trade will be towards the Giants and Cowboys. Because, theoretically, they will be fighting it out for the NFC East title. The loser probably is a wild card team. The Cowboys, at least right now, are the best team in the division. They were better than the Giants last year (even though we beat them twice). The Giants were too inconsistent, as we know. I think the Giants could finish first. I do. But, they will have to beat the Cowboys to do it. I think the Eagles are going to be out of it–unless Kevin Kolb hits the ground running, and unless their running game really improves. You have to think they will try and trade up for CJ Spiller, to improve the ground game. I still can't fathom why they traded McNabb. I know they wanted a return for him before he left in free agency. But, they could win now! They are built to win now, and they traded away their most important part. The Eagles, in my mind, are a 5-11, 6-10 team. If Kolb is great, maybe 8-8. There are still a lot of holes. Trading McNabb didn't help.

It's really set for the Giants to make the playoffs. They'll battle Dallas for the division, and the loser will probably be the wild card team. The Giants got better this offseason, and they still have the draft. They just have to be consistent on defense. Consistent pressure, consistent effort, consistent tackling. I think they can do it. They've been given a golden opportunity. Got to take advantage of it.

The Rams today cut Marc Bulger.

We will update this post with more information as it develops.

UPDATE: After the McNabb trade, Bulger no longer had a suitor willing to trade in Washington, so he was released.  Additionally, the Rams are now certain to select Sam Bradford with the first pick of the NFL draft.  With no trade parters for the number 1 pick or for Bulger, he was released to make room for the fresh blood at quarterback.

Yet another name can be added to the list of prospects coming to Winter Park for a pre-draft visit.

Rutgers middle linebacker Ryan D'Imperio has visits set up with both the Vikings and the Niners.

At 6 foot 1 inch and 241 pounds, the projected late round pick has put up impressive numbers at the Combine and his pro day highlighted by a 4.65 forty yard dash and 9' 7" broad jump.

Scouts knew a thing or two about this kid prior to his pro day, as he was also asked to run through a number of fullback drills.  His ability to play multiple positions may make him an attractive option in the 5^th round or later.

5 teams are reportedly interested in Jason Campbell, according to  PFT:

It's only a matter of time before Jason Campbell gets traded from the Redskins.

ESPN 980 in Washington reports there are five teams already interested: Buffalo, Carolina, Oakland, Jacksonville & an unknown team.

Keep in mind that radio station is owned by Dan Snyder, so there is plenty of self-interest in floating so many teams out there to create a market.

Still, we don't think this will be a tough deal to pull off.  Consider that David Carr had multiple suitors as a free agent.  Campbell would have been the best free agent available by leaps and bounds.

I'm willing to bet the "unknown team" is the Giants.  They are notoriously tight lipped about roster moves, and are in serious need of a competent backup since David Carr went to San Francisco a few weeks ago via free agency. This could indeed be the start of "Rival Gate" in the NFC East.  Get your popcorn ready…