Black, Blue, and Ornery: NFC North News for January 18th, 2013

Top of the morning to you! It’s a monochromatic landscape out there on this Friday, January 18th, 2013, as we had a fresh dusting of snow last night. At least that means it’s warmed up a bit out there. It’s never fun when it’s too cold for snow.

Pop singer Samantha Mumba, who is part-Irish, part-Zambian, turns 30 today.

It wasn’t always so nice out, though. On this date in 1969, Southern California began to experience torrential downpours that eventually lead to massive landslides. About 100 people were killed in what turned out to be California’s most deadly weather-related disaster of the 20th century.

Also on this date in 1912, British explorer Robert Falcon Scott reached the South Pole after a grueling expedition — only to discover that he’d been beaten by Roald Amundsen of Norway, who’d attained the southernmost point of the globe over one month prior. Whereas Amundsen’s crew benefited from fine weather and they returned to civilization intact, Scott encountered brutal weather. He and his partners froze to death in their tents and were discovered months later.

If you’re looking for something a little more cheerful, on this date in 1958, the NHL was formally integrated, as Willie O’Ree laced up his skates and took to the ice for the Boston Bruins. What was most incredible about O’Ree’s accomplishment is that back in the 1955-56 season, he had sustained a blow from a puck to the eye that destroyed 95 percent of his vision in that eye, yet he was able to hide the extent of his injury and continue playing.

Before we get to the links, be sure to take a moment to honor the birthdays of some fine folks: Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers (33); stand-up comedian Dave Attell (48); Hart Trophy winner and former NHL hocker player Mark Messier (52); and Morgan York, known for playing Sarah in Hannah Montana.

NFC North News

These links be spicy!

Detroit Lions

After last season, it was a virtual certainty that the Detroit Lions would move to shore up their depleted wide receiving corps. It appears that they are already doing just that. Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com reports that Detroit signed veteran Devin Thomas to a reserve/futures contract.

This isn’t a move that is likely to set the world on fire — Thomas was in the league from 2008 to 2011 and only amassed 482 yards and three touchdowns on 43 career receptions — but has proven himself valuable in a situational role. For example, it was Thomas who, while with the New York Giants, recovered the two fumbled punts that doomed the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. Detroit desperately needs someone besides Calvin Johnson to produce in 2013, and while there’s no guarantee that Thomas will even make the roster, it’s good to see that the Lions are doing their due diligence.

It might only be January, but the debate is already raging over at MLive.com: Whom should the Lions draft in April with their fifth overall pick? If you have a burning opinion, head on over there and give columnist Justin Rogers your opinion. He’s known as a very interactive journalist, so don’t be surprised if he responds to you personally.

Chicago Bears

Everyone suspected that when general manager Phil Emery fired head coach Lovie Smith, the Chicago Bears would be going in an offensive direction. Well, they did just that, hiring Montreal Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman, whom they introduced to the press yesterday. Trestman is known for being something of an offensive guru.

According to Thaddeus Novak of the International Business Times, during Trestman’s five-year tenure in Montreal, “quarterback Anthony Calvillo averaged 5,089 passing yards a year, an eye-opening figure even in that pass-happy league,” and also took home a pair of MVP awards. Trestman also lead the team to two Grey Cup championships. Novak won’t go so far as to say that Bears quarterback Jay Cutler will ever win the NFL MVP under Trestman’s guidance, but he does believes that Trestman has the chops to steer Cutler to multiple Pro Bowl appearances.

In his press conference, Trestman stressed efficiency, consistency, and discipline — all traits that Cutler has frequently lacked. If the incoming head coach can succeed in instilling his quarterback with these principles, we could witness a renaissance in Cutler’s career.

Although he declined to comment specifically on the futures of various coaches and players, Trestman didn’t exactly deny that there will be a bloodletting in this organization. It wasn’t difficult to read between the lines and conclude that, for example, veteran linebacker Brian Urlacher is not likely to be suiting up for the Bears in 2013. If you want a quick summary of some of the changes likely to be coming down the pike, check out this piece by Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. 

Some of the most ruthless cats have a Cheshire grin and claws sheathed in velvet. Bears players would do well not to be lulled into complacency by Trestman’s warm, gentle persona.

Incoming Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman has guided Montreal Alouettes quarterback to two Grey Cup titles and two MVP awards.

Minnesota Vikings

Dan Wiederer of the StarTribune continues his look around the Minnesota Vikings roster, letting us know what we can look for in the coming year. Today he focuses on the defensive line.

For fans looking for something to be excited about, he points them to pass rusher Everson Griffen, who by all accounts is maturing rapidly. Griffen finished with eight sacks last season and is poised to take on a greater role this year. If he continues to develop, look for him to sign a long-term deal.

For something to keep an eye on, Wiederer suggests that the Vikings might be looking to draft a defensive tackle in April. This draft is believed to be deep at that position, and given that three of the Vikings defensive-line starters will be in their 30s by training camp — which, not coincidentally, happens to be the reason for worry he brings up — an infusion of young talent could be valuable.

Although he is an unrestricted free agent, linebacker Erin Henderson insists that he wants to stay in Minnesota. He has put down roots in the Land of Lakes, calling the state home and obtaining a Minnesota driver’s license. He’s hoping to ink a deal with the Vikings that will let him buy a house in the state. If you’d like to be able to say, “‘Ey, that Henderson, ‘e’s my naybur, don’tcha know,” then consider putting in a call to general manager Rick Spielman and giving him a piece of your mind.

Linebacker Erin Henderson is hoping the Minnesota Vikings keep him in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Green Bay Packers

Whereas it can be hard to find in-depth news stories for some of the other NFC North teams, you can always count on the Journal Sentinel to serve up some dissertations. Today they are breaking down the Green Bay Packers’ 2012 season by the numbers. There are some interesting tidbits to be found in the piece.

For example, although it wasn’t enough to propel them past the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs, it appears that head coach Mike McCarthy made good on his promise to improve the team’s tackling. Whereas in 2011 they missed 140 tackles in 17 games, this year they only missed 100 tackles in 18 games, including a notable drop in special teams tackles from 37 to 19. Although those numbers look good, the article does not state how many tackles were attempted, to it’s difficult to judge the improvement in relative terms.

It won’t surprise anyone to know that yet again, linebacker Clay Matthews III was the team’s leading pass rusher and that no one else came close. Nor will anyone be caught off guard to hear that the offensive line was charged with almost 10 more sacks this year than last year. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was charged with 14 more sacks this year (up from 6-1/2 a year ago), the most since 2009, when he was faulted for 16-1/2. Rodgers has an allergy to throwing interceptions and will gladly take the hit rather than risk turning the ball over.

Except on third and short. Then he’ll throw the ball deep downfield into the waiting arms of defensive backs. Maybe he thinks punters are overrated.