SCOUTING REPORT | NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS
2002 record: 4-12.Coach: Dick Jauron.Key additions: DE Michael Haynes (D-1), QB Rex Grossman (D-1), DB Charles Tillman (D-2), LB Lance Briggs (D-3), QB Kordell Stewart (released-Steelers), TE Desmond Clark (UFA-Dolphins).Key losses: T James Williams (released), QB Jim Miller (released-Bucs), LB Rosevelt Colvin (UFA-Patriots), QB Jim Miller (UFA-Bucs), WR Marcus Robinson (released), DT Ted Washington (trade-Patriots).Profile: Stewart has the job, for now. But let's see how fast Grossman develops. They suffered through a host of injuries last season, which explains the major dropoff. But they also did not get a good year from RB Anthony Thomas. Good receivers in Marty Booker and Dez White and an offensive line that gives solid protection when intact. They haven't found Colvin's pass-rushing replacement in free agency, so they'll rely on Haynes for pass-rush.Key stat: Only eight rushing touchdowns.Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- at San Francisco4:15
Sept. 14 -- at Minnesota8:30
Sept. 21 -- Bye
Sept. 29 -- Green Bay9
Oct. 5 -- Oakland1
Oct. 12 -- at New Orleans1
Oct. 19 -- at Seattle4:15
Oct. 26 -- Detroit1
Nov. 2 -- San Diego1
Nov. 9 -- at Detroit1
Nov. 16 -- St. Louis1
Nov. 23 -- at Denver4:05
Nov. 30 -- Arizona1
Dec. 7 -- at Green Bay1
Dec. 14 -- Minnesota1
Dec. 21 -- Washington1
Dec. 28 -- at Kansas City1
DETROIT LIONS
2002 record: 3-13.Coach: Steve Mariucci.Key additions: WR Charles Rogers (D-1), LB Boss Bailey (D-2), DE Cory Redding (D-3), CB Dre' Bly (UFA-Rams), LB Wali Rainer (UFA-Jaguars), LB Earl Holmes (released-Browns), DT Dan Wilkinson (released-Redskins).Key losses: WR Germane Crowell (released), LB Chris Claiborne (UFA-Vikings).Profile: Mariucci, dumped in San Francisco, brings his winning philosophy to the NFC's worst club. QB Joey Harrington got help in the draft, though even top college receivers often need at least half a season to develop chemistry with a quarterback. Despite signing Bly, they still need help on the corner as well as at safety. They can live with RB James Stewart one more season. Five wins in the past two seasons put club President Matt Millen in a hot seat. Bailey is an exciting player, and they hope that translates into a real defensive star.Key stat: Leading interceptor was a linebacker (Chris Claiborne with three).Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- Arizona1
Sept. 14 -- at Green Bay1
Sept. 21 -- Minnesota1
Sept. 28 -- at Denver4:15
Oct. 5 -- at San Francisco4:15
Oct. 12 -- Bye
Oct. 19 -- Dallas1
Oct. 26 -- at Chicago1
Nov. 2 -- Oakland1
Nov. 9 -- Chicago1
Nov. 16 -- at Seattle4:15
Nov. 23 -- at Minnesota1
Nov. 27 -- Green Bay12:30
Dec. 7 -- San Diego 1
Dec. 14 -- at Kansas City1
Dec. 21 -- at Carolina1
Dec. 28 -- St. Louis1
GREEN BAY PACKERS
2002 record: 12-4.Coach: Mike Sherman.Key additions: LB Nick Barnett (D-1), DT Kenny Peterson (D-3), LB Hannibal Navies (UFA-Panthers), CB Al Harris (T-Eagles).Key losses: LB Nate Wayne (released-Eagles), CB Tyrone Williams (UFA-Falcons), DE Vonnie Holliday (UFA-Chiefs), WR Terry Glenn (T-Cowboys).Profile: They made the playoffs and got waxed, at home, in the deep freeze, by an indoor club (the Falcons). The offense is remarkable, though QB Brett Favre has hinted at retiring. Ahmad Green provides the running and WR Donald Driver emerged to catch 70 passes for 1,064 yards and nine TDs. Defensively, they've lost Williams and Holliday, but the rest of the secondary is solid and Holliday (six sacks) was overrated as a pass-rusher. They have to plan for Favre's eventual retirement.Key stat: Tight end Bubba Franks caught seven TD passes, all in the red zone.Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- Minnesota1
Sept. 14 -- Detroit1
Sept. 21 -- at Arizona4:05
Sept. 29 -- at Chicago9
Oct. 5 -- Seattle1
Oct. 12 -- Kansas City1
Oct. 19 -- at St. Louis1
Oct. 26 -- Bye
Nov. 2 -- at Minnesota8:30
Nov. 10 -- Philadelphia9
Nov. 16 -- at Tampa Bay4:15
Nov. 23 -- San Francisco1
Nov. 27 -- at Detroit12:30
Dec. 7 -- Chicago1
Dec. 14 -- at San Diego4:15
Dec. 22 -- at Oakland9
Dec. 28 -- Denver4:15
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
2002 record: 6-10.Coach: Mike Tice (6-10).Key additions: DT Kevin Williams (D-1), LB E.J. Henderson (D-2), WR Nate Burleson (D-3), CB Denard Walker (UFA-Broncos), QB Gus Frerotte (UFA-Bengals), T Mike Rosenthal (UFA-Giants), LB Chris Claiborne (UFA-Lions).Key losses: K Doug Brien (UFA-Jets), RB Michael Bennett (injury, possibly season-ending).Profile: Mike Tice is a rough-hewn guy who may not be an X's and O's genius, but he has his men playing together for the first time in three years. Top project this offseason is getting QB Daunte Culpepper's head squared away after 23 interceptions. They produced only 27 sacks and desperately need run-stoppers. WR Randy Moss needs a competent, counterpoint running back, and with Bennett injured they're going to have to find that man on the roster. Rosenthal will be one of the top free-agent pickups. They need to develop a quality No. 2 receiver to relieve pressure on Moss.Key stat: They averaged 4.7 points in the first quarter.Schedule:
Sept. 7 -- at Green Bay1
Sept. 14 -- Chicago8:30
Sept. 21 -- at Detroit1
Sept. 28 -- San Francisco1
Oct. 5 -- at Atlanta1
Oct. 12 -- Bye
Oct. 19 -- Denver1
Oct. 26 -- New York Giants1
Nov. 2 -- Green Bay8:30
Nov. 9 -- at San Diego4:05
Nov. 16 -- at Oakland4:15
Nov. 23 -- Detroit1
Nov. 30 -- at St. Louis1
Dec. 7 -- Seattle1
Dec. 14 -- at Chicago1
Dec. 20 -- Kansas City4
Dec. 28 -- at Arizona4:05