Good morning, folks! Welcome to the NFC North News for Tuesday, January 15th, 2013.
I don’t have one huge event that happened on this day in history, but I have a couple of quick hits for you!
Professional wrestler and model Kelly Kelly turns 26 today.
On this day in 1889, the former Pemberton Medicine Company was incorporated as the Coca-Cola Company in Atlanta, GA.
Three years later, a chap by the name of James Naismith published a set of rules for a little game called basketball. It’s no football, but it’s interesting during March.
And last but not least, a day that will live in infamy for a certain set of our readers. On this day in 1967, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the first ever Super Bowl by a score of 35 to 10.
Little known fun fact was that this game was a young Charles Woodson’s first career start.
Another fact that you may enjoy is that the following celebrities are celebrating their birthdays today: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, rapper Pitbull, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
NFC North News
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Chicago Bears
I know you gentle readers probably think I have the inside scoop about the Chicago Bears coaching search, but, unfortunately that isn’t the case. It’s not entirely my fault, though.
ESPN Chicago reports in a recent article that the Bears are unlikely to tip their hand when it comes which candidates they view as finalists for the position. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see like the rest of the peons out there.
Bobby Johnson has been hired on as tbe Detroit Lions tight ends coach.
I know it’s not groundbreaking, but writer Michael C. Wright did give his opinion on the matter, stating “No big revelation here, but eliminate ALL defensive or special-teams coaches involved in this HC search from your thinking.”
Vaughn McClure has an opinion too! He posted “I’m told that Trestman is the heavy favorite for the job” on his Twitter account yesterday evening.
Speaking of head coaching in Chicago, the Chicago Tribune wants to know what you think! Head on over and vote for your favorite candidate today!
Detroit Lions
According to the Mlive.com, the Detroit Lions have been doing a little coaching shuffle in the last couple of days.
First, the team hired former Jacksonville Jaguars assistant Bobby Johnson as their new tight ends coach. That, however, displaced former tight end coach Tim Lappano. Don’t worry about him, though! He’s now the team’s wide receivers coach, replacing Shawn Jefferson who is no longer with the team. They also hired former Buffalo Bills coordinator Curtis Modkins as their new running backs coach and promoted assistant line coach Jeremiah Washburn to “take over that position group.”
It doesn’t end there. The article notes that special teams coach Danny Crossman won’t be back with the team in 2013. It doesn’t sound like he was fired, though. The author states that Crossman “ask(ed) out of the final season of his contract.” Although head coach Jim Schwartz noted earlier in the year that the team expected to keep Crossman, he may be leaving to join the new regime in Buffalo.
That’s a lot of moves!
This Detroit Free Press article is a few days old, but it’s an interesting look at how the failure of kicker Morten Andersen to get passed the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s second round of voting doesn’t bode well for current Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hanson’s chances in the future.
He’s dreamed of this day for a long time, and it’s finally here: John Dorsey, formerly director of football operations for the Green Bay Packers, is now general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Green Bay Packers
I know you were all focused on watching the Green Bay Packers defeat at the hands of those dirty San Francisco 49ers, but the team lost a longtime front office talent on Saturday as well.
Director of football operations John Dorsey was snagged by Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs for their vacant general manager position. Dorsey has been involved with the Packers for a large part of his life, starting as a linebacker in 1984 and then returning as a college scout a few years after his playing career ended. Since 1991, aside from one year where he worked in Seattle with Ted Thompson and Mike Holmgren, he’s held various jobs in the organization, mainly in the area of scouting.
According to the Kansas City Star, John Dorsey described the opportunity as his dream job:
Ever since I met my wife in 1993 . . . I’ve always dreamt about being the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs one day.
I’m sure you join me in wishing him the best of luck in his new opportunity.
If it were up to Green Bay Packers tight end Jermichael Finley, he’d be part of the organization for a long time, according to the Journal Sentinel. He points out that his full potential has yet to be reached:
I don’t think I even scratched it. I’ve poured it all out, but I don’t think consistently for 16 games. You’ve got to have opportunities, too. I’m not saying they’re not coming to me or what not, but if I had a chance to show my skills, I think I’d be a little bit better. It’s all about trust and communication.
We’ll have to wait and see if the front office agrees with him.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings official site takes a look at the teams draft position for the 2013 draft. They’ll have the 23rd pick this year in the first round, but then the 22nd pick in the second. How the heck can that happen you ask? Well, follow the link and you’ll learn what happens when three Wild Card losers have the exact same record!
The website SOTL.com (School of the Legends) is affiliated with NFL Players association and asked some former players and fans who they thought should be the league’s MVP. Vikings fans will be happy to know that both groups are choosing Adrian Peterson in a pretty decisive manner. He’s leading with about 60% in both polls.
