This is part 7 of 8-part series as I gear up for Next Saturday's NFL Draft. I try to give a depiction of each team's present situation and try to summarize their primary needs. Enjoy.
Minnesota Vikings 8-8 (lost at Philadelphia in NFC Semifinals)
Offense 4th/Defense 27th
Last year, gave up 30 TD Passes
Defense will start 5 new players in ‘05
Culpepper 39 TD’s – 26 to players other than Moss
RT Mike Rosenthal returns from injury in ‘04
Traded Randy Moss for Napoleon Harris and 1st (#7) to Oakland
Added: Fred Smoot, Pat Williams, Darren Sharper, Sam Cowart, Brad Johnson, Travis Taylor; kept Jermaine Wiggins (5 year deal)
Lost: Moss, Chris Claiborne, Terrence Shaw, Frerotte, Chris Hovan
New OC: Steve Loney
1st round picks: 7th and 18th
Needs: Vertical threat at WR, Running game commitment
Pick #7 : Troy Williamson? Mike Williams?
Pick #18: CB? Or defense
Green Bay Packers 10-6 (lost to Minnesota in NFC Wildcard)
Offense 3rd/Defense 25th
Favre 3rd in TD’s, 3rd in yards – will turn 36 years old
OL lost both guards – gave up only 14 sacks last year
Defense created only 15 turnovers; killed through the air 33 TD’s (most in NFL)
Lost: Wahle, Rivera, Sharper, Jue, Navies
Added: G Klemm, G O’Dwyer, S Arturo Freeman
New DC – Jim Bates (3rd DC in 3 years)
Needs: OG, Favre successor, DEFENSE
24th Pick: Dan Cody OU?
Detroit Lions 6-10
Offense 24th/Defense 21st
Offense: Injuries and inconsistency have hurt Harrington and Charles Rogers
Defense: Allowed 29 touchdown passes
Harrington 22nd in passer rating, enters his 4th year – (44 starts: 48 TD/50 INT)
New OC – Ted Tollner (from SF)
Added: Jeff Garcia, Kennoy Kennedy S, Marcus Pollard TE, Rick Demulling G
Lost: Stockar McDougle T (Mia), Mike McMahon (Phil), Steven Alexander TE (Den), Brian Walker S
Needs: Edge Rusher and better QB Play
Pick #10 – Derrick Johnson, Erasmus James, David Pollack
Chicago Bears 5-11
Offense 32nd/Defense 20th
Offense: Gained fewest yards, fewest points, gave up most sacks (66)
Defense: 1st in NFL for tackles for losses
Defense better than numbers suggest. Mike Brown missed 14 games last year.
WR corps awful in 04’; Muhammad will really help ($12M bonus)
It all depends on QB Rex Grossman
Add: M, Muhammad, Fred Miller T, Robert Garza G
Lost: D Terrell, M Gandy T
Needs: Playmakers, Vet QB
#4 – Cedric Benson?
Previous Previews:
NFC South
NFC West
AFC North
AFC South
AFC West
AFC East
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