[CBFF] NFC North: Bears hope to breathe life into struggling offense

[Steve Behrens]

 NFC North: Bears hope to breathe life into struggling offense By Bill
Williamson
ESPN.com

The big draft noise out of the NFC North occurred four days before the
opening round, when Minnesota shipped three picks to Kansas City for
defensive end Jared
Allen<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6885>.


 Once the proceedings started Saturday, Chicago worked on improving its
offense early, the Lions moved around the draft board, trying to help their
offense and the Packers gave Aaron
Rodgers<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=7200>two
quarterbacks to look at over his shoulder.

 Here is a breakdown of this weekend's draft within the NFC North:

Best move The Bears addressed their biggest issue, and focused on offensive
help with their top three picks. It is startling how far Chicago has fallen.
Remember, this team was in the Super Bowl less than 15 months ago. Now, the
Bears seem 15 years away from their next trip. While there are problems as
well on the defensive side of the ball, the Bears had to breathe some life
into their offense.

 *This weekend, the Bears' offense made some progress. In the first three
rounds they nabbed Vanderbilt left tackle **Chris
Williams*<http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=11840>
*, Tulane running back **Matt
Forte*<http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12297>
* and Vanderbilt wide receiver **Earl
Bennett*<http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12153>
*. These are all high-value picks who should all step right in and get the
chance to contribute. It is time for Chicago to finally put an NFL-level
offense on the field, and these picks will certainly help.*

 Riskiest move

While it appears the Vikings took a chance in trading three picks for Allen,
this was not a bad move at all. Allen is a superstar in his prime. Anytime
you can get a player who led the NFL in sacks at the age of 25, you make
that deal. Add Allen with Pro Bowl defensive tackles Kevin
Williams<http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=6345>and
Pat
Williams <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=4117> and
the Vikings now have the best defensive line in the NFL.

 But Allen does come with risks. He is one violation away from being
suspended for a year under the NFL's substance abuse policy. Also, by giving
up a first-rounder and two third-rounders for Allen, this move could put a
dent in the Vikings' future.

 So if Allen has an off-field issue and takes a step back in his development
on the field, Minnesota -- which gave Allen more than $31 million in
guaranteed money -- will suffer. But this move was well worth the risk.
Allen can be a difference-maker for Minnesota.

 Most surprising move

The Packers turned some heads when they drafted quarterback Brian
Brohm<http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12009>in
the second round. There were whispers prior to the draft that Green
Bay
could take Delaware quarterback Joe
Flacco<http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=11486>in
the first round, but it seemed unlikely, despite the fact Brett
Favre <http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?statsId=1025> is
retired. Rodgers is young and appears ready, but is going to face enough
pressure with the threat of Favre coming out of retirement. So when Green
Bay chose Brohm, it provided some shockwaves.

 Green Bay general manager Ted Thompson has tried to play down the situation
by saying Brohm was brought in as a backup. That may be true, but if he
performs well in practices and in the preseason, there could be a
quarterback controversy in Green Bay. There is nothing wrong with
competition, Rodgers doesn't need any right now.

 File it away

Kevin Smith<http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2008&id=12242>will
be a star for the Lions, who traded up to get the running back with
the
first pick of the third round Sunday. Essentially, the Lions spent all of
Saturday night and early Sunday trying to figure out a way to get the player
they considered the best on the board after the first two rounds. This was
time well spent.

 The Central Florida product is a strong runner who will be a
difference-maker in the NFL. Detroit desperately needs a strong running
back, and Smith has a chance to be a consistent 1,000-yard rusher. This was
a significant pickup by Detroit.

 *Bill Williamson covers the NFL for ESPN.com*