I will analyze each team's free agency gains & losses, their 2008 draft recap & overall team needs.


Chicago Bears:

The Bears suffered some big free agent losses, primarily at offensive tackle. Starter John St. Clair, backups Terrence Metcalf & Fred Miller have departed the Windy City. Starting right tackle John Tait retired & number one draft choice, Chris Williams, also a tackle, underwent back surgery during camp and didn't return until week 10. He should start in '09. Former Pro Bowl safety, Mike Brown, injured too often recently, is also gone. And apparently Bears' fans won't have QB Rex Grossman to kick around anymore. Ex-Panther, Frank Omiyale, was signed to backup at tackle. They also resigned RB Kevin Jones.


The Bears had 12 picks in last years draft. The top half, except Williams & corner Zac Bowman, both injured, fared pretty well in their rookie seasons. Second pick, Matt Forte, proved to be the answer at running back. He had a huge year, 1,238 yards rushing & 477 receiving plus 12 touchdowns. DT Marcus Harrison moved right into the rotation, playing 10-12 snaps a game & looked good doing so. Safety Craig Steltz played in the safety rotation late in the year & was a solid special teams player. TE Kellen Davis was active for all 16 games but I didn't see him play too often. Bowman was going to be in the nickel & dime packages, but he suffered a torn biceps in the first game. WR Earl Bennett couldn't get on the field in spite of the terrible WR situation the Bears have.

The Bears need speed off the edge to rush the passer & they need it badly. They also are desperate for wide receivers. Another offensive tackle would be a smart choice & let's not forget QB, Kyle Orton has no experienced backup. That's if you believe Kyle Orton is a quality NFL starting quarterback, which I don't. He's more than capable as a backup, but not a starter. Fortunately for the Bears, OT, WR & DE are the three deepest positions in this year's draft.


Detroit Lions:

The Lions had more free agent losses & gains than any team in the NFC. They released 4 players, didn't resign 9 more & brought 7 brave souls on board the first 0-16 team. Here's the one notable acquisition, DT Grady Jackson, a fine run stuffer. Their losses include 2 QB's, former starter Jon Kitna & backup Dan Orlovsky. They lost 5 other starters, but they were starters on a winless team. This team, with just a few exceptions, is devoid of NFL quality talent.

The draft class of 2008 was also a source of disappointment. First pick, OT Gosder Cherilus, started in the last 12 games, but his season was one of missed assignments & penalties. Linebacker Jordan Dizon, a 2nd rounder, was picked about 2 rounds early in my opinion. Didn't show much or play much. RB Kevin Smith, the first of three 3rd round picks, did blossom, gaining nearly 1,000 yards. He & WR Calvin Johnson were really the only playmakers this offense had. DE Cliff Avril, also a 3rd rounder, played fairly well, got 5 sacks & showed the potential to be a force off the edge.

When you have a winless team, it's obvious to all, the Lions need players on both sides of the ball. They have retread QB Dante Culpepper & no one behind him, they have RB Kevin Smith & no one behind him. They have WR Calvin Johnson & no one else, the offensive line is a mess & the only decent TE on the roster, Dan Campbell, has been injured for long periods the last two seasons. The defensive line has potential but no depth.  The acquisition of OLB Julian Peterson to bookend with Ernie Sims is a start but the cupboards bare at MLB. The entire secondary managed one (that's 1)  interception & that's all you need to know, this unit is truly bad.
New head coach Jim Schwartz has a long road back in Detroit.

Next up: the Green Bay Packers & Minnesota Vikings.