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Hey there, football fans. I'm pretty sure the nation's mourning stage of the Brett Favre retirement saga has officially come to a close following his emotional press conference and ESPN's 45 minute dedication to the life and times of Brett Favre (Note: This is not another Brett Favre thing, dont worry.). With a happy heart, I'm ready for some real preseason football talk.

Trade Rumors

Possible Future-Bear (it can't hurt to dream, can it?) Larry Fitzgerald, who was reportedly on his way to Philly, is still on the free agency market. Apparently the Eagles tried pursuing Fitzgerald but the Cardinals refused to allow the two sides to begin talks. Fitzgerald will cost anyone who wants him major dough: $14.6 million, in fact, and the Cardinals are hanging on to him by their claws (do Cardinals have claws?)

Jason Taylor's future destination is out of his hands, according to the Miami Herald, who say Taylor is well aware that he may have to stay in Miami if Miami really wants to keep him. Sad news for teams who need a DE, and for Taylor, for that matter. It's tough to see a guy who's so talented play on a team that's so bad.

News from the NE Patriots Spygate Extravaganza: Apparently Matt Walsh (the video-taper) is reaching a deal with the Boston Globe to spill the beans on the Patriot's video-taping antics, which go as far back as 2000, that possibly involving the 2002 Super Bowl which the Pats won. This could be even more disaterous than the Patriots. Yes, it can get much much worse here. However, Roger Goodell and other NFL officials have been said to believe that if Walsh did in fact tape the Rams warm-up before the 2002 Super Bowl that Walsh did it on his own.

I find this very hard to believe. Walsh sneaks into the Rams practice on his own, videotapes it on his own and then gives the tape to the Patriots on his own? The guy was working for the Patriots as a video assistant and the Super Bowl was quickly approaching. I highly doubt this guy had enough free time to sneak into the Rams practice and film them (for fun?) when he should have been preparing game footage of the Rams for the Patriots to watch. Technically he was "preparing", but I really don't think he went and did this on his own without the Pats secretly telling him to.

We may have some players returning to the NFL this season. Re-rookies if you will. Pacman Jones, who was thought to have played his last game in the NFL in 2006 after catching a 1 year suspension for being a dumbass, is said to be considered Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys as their new CB. I really hope this doesn't happen. Guys like Pacman, who constantly break the law and never seem to learn their place, don't deserve to step on the field, rink, court, pitch, etc. People like that who have such a god-given talent and waste it by punching women sicken me.

Apparently Ricky Williams is also expecting a comeback with the Dolphins again under new VP Bill Parcells. This would make this his 3rd comeback, wouldn't it? I loved Ricky with the Saints, but all these drug problems are getting in the way. He's gotta choose between football or whatever acid he's currently on. Can't keep flip-floppin.

Now for some Bear blabber. We've already discussed what the Bears need to change in the offseason, who they should draft, what problems they need to address and what they need to look for in free agency. What we haven't discussed, though, is where the rest of the NFC North stands next season.

So, without further adieu, I proudly present:

Bear Down Nation's 1st Annual NFC North

 Scouting Report  

Brought to you by Dr. Suess's Horton Hears a Who, starring Jim Carey and Steve Carrell, in theaters this Friday!

 (rawr)

Let's face the facts. The NFC North is no longer as tough and intimidating as it was in the 60's, when it was known as the Black and Blue Division. Even the Bears defense, one of the most historically feared Defenses in NFL history, has lost it's funk. However, the North is on the rise. Back to back NFC Championship games is a pretty good start, and this year looks to be another tight race.

1. Minnesota Vikings (8-8)

Now don't go batty on me just for predicting the Vikings will finish ahead of the Packers next season. Here me out here...

The Vikings went 8-8 last year, missing the playoffs by a hair, with a QB in his 2nd year and a rookie at RB leading the offense. Jackson struggled behind the Center with a lackluster 70.8 QB rating. Adrian Peterson, however, had one of the best rookie seasons I've seen in a long time, running for 1,341 yards with 12 TD's in 14 games. Amazing numbers for a rookie. Sidney Rice, another rookie, also played a major role on the offense at WR.

Minnesota had the #1 running offense in the NFL last season, but were 13th in overall yards per game. Look for the running O numbers to stay high this season, and the Passing O numbers to improve with the addition of my Bernard Berrian (Mine!), plus the fact that Tavaris Jackson will gain more experience from last season and probably will improve his numbers as well. Don't expect them to be throwing the ball as much. AP will be carrying this O on his shoulders, if he isn't already now, until the passing O can learn to walk on its own.

You say AP can't do it? Don't worry. Chester Taylor will be along to pick up the slack when needed. The Vikings have 2 dangerous running backs. They recently signed FB Thomas Tepeh (who?) to assist. Maybe he'll help. I dunno. Either way, D linemen should beware this backfield.

Their Biggest Worry: On the defensive front, the Purple People Eaters were ranked 20th in YPG (388.1). They were #1 overall in rushing D last season. However, the Passing Defense is probably their biggest problem, which they need to address in the Draft/free agency. They ranked DEAD LAST in passing D... If they want to finish in first they need to improve the secondary! This is their absolute strongest need. Keep in mind, these Scouting Report rankings aren't permanent. My opinions may change. I'll probably make another one of these before the season starts in case these situations change. As of right now, though, I'm confident the Vikings will be at #1 come Week 17. Long way away, I know, but it's a Monday and I'm bored. Why not predict what will happen next January?

2. Green Bay Packers (13-3)

The Packers had a spectacular season that ended badly last year. They haven't done anything in the offseason to improve their running offense, their weakest position last year. Their defense is pretty good, ranked #11 in overal YPG last year, with both the rushing and passing D pretty secure.

Their biggest worry: Need I say it? Yes, I'm afraid I have to. With the retirement of Brett Favre, the #1 QB position belongs to Aaron Rodgers, for now at least. The Packers have been rumored to calling up Trent Green and Marc Brunell for possible Favre "replacements" (defidently won't "replace" him, but they'll play his position)

In short, Favre was basically the main reason why the Packers were so good offensively. They had the 2nd best Passing O (in YPG) in the league last season but as low as 21st running offense (in YPG).

Fun Fact: The Packers running offense scored 13 TD's last year. (as many as Adrian Peterson's total TD's) Their Passing Offense had 30 TD's in comparrison (6th in the NFL)

He's no Brett Favre, but it may be possible Rodgers could turn out to be a great QB. His performance against the Cowboys, when he stepped in for Favre, was impressive (104.8 QB rating, 201 yards, 2 TDs) He's still got a great surrounding cast, including the entertaining Donald Driver. It's possible, but I'm not convinced. 2nd place for now.

3. Chicago Bears (7-9)

I think this proves I'm not a homer. I'm not going into detail about the Monsters of the Midway here in fear of breaking out in tears again, so just check here, here, or here. Three blogs should be more than enough Bear coverage for the normal human being. Then again, us Bears fan's aren't exactly normal, are we?

No. There's something wrong with out heads after watching Rex Grossman for 5 seasons now. Watch... sandwhich, labor laws, newspaper, Spain, pencil. Took me 3 seconds to type that. I'm insane. That's why I'm able to.

4. Detroit Lions (7-9)

See? We're a pretty underrated conference. Our weakest teams last year were 7-9.

Now, before Lions fans get "up in my grill" as youngsters like to put it today, let me explain why I have the Lions in last.

1) They have a decent offense with great WR's in Roy Williams, Calvin Johnson and Shaun McDonald, and Jon Kitna is doing a pretty decent job, but their big problem is defense. The Lions Defense is their biggest weakness. They were the worst (#32 out of 32) when it came to YPG last year (377.6 YPG ON AVERAGE) and losing two big playmakers in Dre Bly and Shaun Rodgers in two years will not help their cause at all. I see the Lions as having the worst D for two years in a row, and they're not going anywhere with the defense that they have now.

2) I would have had to throw myself off the Sears Tower if I had put the Chicago Bears in last place.

3) You may say that the Lions will bring in some great free agents to assist the D this year, but with a GM like Mike Mullin, possibly the most hated man in the city of Detroit, chances are slim on that.

I apologize if my in depth coverage of the Lions wasn't as in depth as the other three teams, but I'm really really tired and I wanted to make this one quick...

... and that's pretty much it. Should be a very exciting season next year.

AND THAT WAS BEAR DOWN NATION'S 1st

ANNUAL NFC NORTH SCOUTING REPORT!

brought to you by Dr. Suess's Horton Hears a Who, starring Jim Carey and Steve Carrell, in theaters Friday.

For more coverage, join "Bear Down Nation", the premier Chicago Bears fan site on Fannation here. Thanks.