If you want to dissect one position in the NFC North then you're at the right place. Quarterback is the position, and Minnesota is the place. The question, of course, is: When does Brett Favre show up with the Vikings?
Yes, he hasn't said he's coming back, but get real, people. The guy is working out. He had an injured ankle repaired. And the Vikings don't seem all that concerned about their situation at the game's most important position. Follow the bread crumbs. The signs are all there that Favre returns sometime after the Vikings leave Mankato.
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| One position battle we don't need to worry about involves a certain quarterback on a certain team. (AP) |
Johan Asiata vs. Lance Louis, left guard
Normally, you would figure veteran Kevin Shaffer to be a factor here. But he's out of the mix, with offensive line coach Mike Tice turning the position over to Louis and Asiata ... at least for now. Josh Beekman might wind up the starter, but the last time we saw him he was taking turns at center for the injured Olin Kreutz. If you haven't guessed by now, the Bears' offensive line is -- how should we put this? -- unsettled, with training camp sorting out the starters. Asiata, an undrafted free agent out of UNLV, ran with the first team during most of the OTAs, while Shaffer -- a disappointment last year at right tackle -- spent most of his time with the second team at the same position. He could emerge as a rotating backup. Asiata has the inside position, but Louis spent all of last season on the Chicago roster while Asiata bounced on and off the practice squad. Asiata is raw, not playing football until he was 19. Born in New Zealand, he was going to join the Air Force before playing junior college football in California and starting 24 games for UNLV. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Asiata started every game his junior season at right tackle before moving to left guard for all but one game the following year. Of course, Louis is inexperienced, too, playing 20 games at right guard and 19 at tight end at San Diego State. The Bears would like one of these two to emerge, with Tice open to starting either, but there's no guarantee that happens, which is another way of saying Josh Beekman, please stand by.
Edge: Asiata
Opening day starter: Beekman
Atari Bigby vs. Morgan Burnett, safety
The Packers moved up in the third round to take Burnett, a ball-hawking safety out of Georgia Tech, and that's never a good sign for the guy playing his position. That man, of course, would be Bigby, a hard-hitting tackler who produced a marvelous 2007 season when he led the team in interceptions, tied for the team lead in forced fumbles and was third in tackles. But that was then, and this is now, and now Bigby is injury prone as well as an inconsistent performer. The Packers want to improve themselves in the secondary, especially after elite quarterbacks (see the 2009 playoffs) torched them for big yards and clusters of touchdowns. So they drafted Burnett, who had 14 interceptions in college, two shy of the Georgia Tech school record. Bigby has gotten to the point where he may be a liability in coverage, and give the Packers credit: If Bigby is not, at least they've have themselves a safety net. Bigby has the experience and has been a big-time performer, so that's in his favor. But with the Packers having traded up for reinforcements at his position, it tells you they're not satisfied with their pass defense, and after the meltdown vs. the Cardinals they shouldn't be. Burnett, who projects as a better cover safety, was used in obvious passing situations in college so, if nothing else, he should see plenty of action.
Edge: Bigby, because of his experience.
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Opening day starter: Bigby, because if the competition's close you favor experience.
Kevin Smith vs. Jahvid Best, running back
This may not be much of a competition. The Lions traded up in the first round to draft Best, and last-place teams don't spend first-round choices on anyone but future starters. Best was a human highlight film at Cal, but he missed the second half of the season after suffering a concussion. While the injury scared off some teams, it didn't bother the Lions. In fact, it allowed them to get ahead of the pack to take someone who is a first-round talent but a considerable risk. Smith is the third-year incumbent so he figures to have the inside track on this job. But he's coming off a knee injury that cut short his 2009 season. Granted, he played hard and played hurt until he was forced out, but he didn't produce numbers that make defenses nervous. So the Lions' offensive line stunk. Someone has to run for more than 3.4 yards a carry, and maybe that someone is Best. "He has magic as a runner, things you can't coach," coach Jim Schwartz said. That should tell you what the Lions think of him. So should this: They traded away a second-rounder and one of their sevenths to get him, and you don't do that for backups. Smith insists he's not threatened by Best's arrival, but he should be. The Lions will use both backs, but Best should be the first in line. He has fresh legs. He has moves Smith does not. And he's a difference maker, something that is in very short supply with the Detroit offense. One problem: The concussion. That would have made me think twice about drafting him. Running backs with histories of serious concussions don't last long, and if you don't believe me ask Brian Westbrook.
Edge: Best, because the Lions think so much of him they traded into the first round to choose him.
Opening day starter: Best.
Benny Sapp vs. Lito Sheppard vs. Asher Allen vs. Chris Cook, third CB
Cedric Griffin and Antoine Winfield had offseason surgeries, but both should be good to go this season. That means both should be starting when they're ready. In the meantime, the race is on to be the No. 1 backup, and you would think Sheppard would have the inside track A) because coach Brad Childress was in Philadelphia when Sheppard starred with the Eagles, and B) because he's an experienced veteran who is also a decorated veteran. But Sheppard hasn't done much of anything lately, with the Jets letting him walk after benching him in 2009. And even though he's just 29, he might be nothing more than a journeyman at this stage of his career. That takes us to Sapp, who stepped in for Winfield last season and made some big plays. He has experience in the system, and the Vikings trust him. But he's only 5-feet-9, and small cornerbacks can be liabilities. Allen is a promising young prospect who made plays in limited duty last season, but he's 5-9, too, so size might be a factor. That's not the case with the 6-2 Cook, a rookie who has speed and the ability to man-up opponents. The Vikings thought enough of him to make him their first pick in the draft, and that should tell you how much they value this position. The only lock at cornerback is Griffin, with Winfield probable as a returning starter. So that leaves these guys, and good luck sorting them out.
Edge: Sapp because he played the position last season.
Opening-day choice: Normally, I would say Cook, but Childress brings his rookies along slowly. So I'm sticking with Sapp, believing that Sheppard may have trouble making the team.
