Detroit Lions
There are many things to watch out for with the Detroit Lions. The Lions are coming into camp with something to Prove. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has to get back in rhythm with his receivers and throw the ball on the dime. He has struggled with his deep passes. Some of the balls were thrown flat, while others had a little too much air under it. Stafford and newly offensive coach Joe Lambardi will make adjustments with the play calls.
The Lions look to help improve Eric Ebron with getting the system down pact. The organization wants him ready by the end of preseason. The kid has talent and would be a huge lift with giving Stafford another target to throw at. Also in the mix-up there is a competitive kicker battle between Nate Freese and Giorgio Tavecchio, but we will not know who will get the starting job until after preseason.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers look very exceptional with their defensive front. The Packers had gotten a steal with getting Julius Peppers to join them. Both Peppers and Clay Mathews will be a problem for opponents and will help the Packers defensively. The Packers who used their first round pick to get Clinton-Dix needs to prepare him for preseason. Dix has a lot to prove before he even steps on the field as a starter.
Jermichael Finley wants to rejoin the Packers, but the doctors haven’t cleared him to return to the field. This leaves open a position with the tight end job.
Minnesota Vikings
Where do we even start? The Vikings in all aspects are in their rebuilding stage. The Vikings have yet to discuss their options about the quarterback battle between Matt Cassel, Teddy Bridgewater, and Christian Ponder. This decision will solely be based on their performance in training camp and preseason. The one bright star that has dazzled fans and players around the league has been Cordarrelle Patterson. Patterson has the potential to be a playmaker this season. He has the ability to go catch the ball in traffic and the way he uses his speed is off the charts. He is very patient with getting to his spots and just make big time plays when his team needed it.
Norv Turner is exercising his idea of bring back the option to make Adrian Peterson a wide receiver. Recently the Vikings had ran away from that dimension and it has cost them. The Vikings are literally burning out Peterson with the smash the ball down your throat theme and they need to find a way where he can be a factor early in the game.
Chicago Bears
There has been tension with the quarterback extension with Jay Cutler and the dismal of QB Josh McCown. Many have felt that Josh should have stayed with the team, but as the orchestra plays a new tune so does the future of McCown. The Bears need help defensively. Last season they were the worst rush defense in the league and had problems with getting off the field on third down situations. The prime example of a damaged defense was last year when Rondall Cobb scored a crushing touchdown that halted any type of playoff run from the Bears.
Two starting jobs are available for a group that includes M.D. Jennings, Danny McCray, Adrian Wilson and Ryan Mundy. Fourth-round pick Brock Vereen is a favorite to start at free safety. The Bears focused should be securing a lock down safety because they are in desperate need of one if they want to go far this season.
