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How does each NFC North team look at running back, and what still needs to be done? Chicago Bears: If you were drawing up plans for an experienced but diverse backfield, you could do a lot worse than modeling after the Bears. Starter Matt Forte is...

In February, we learned that Minnesota Vikings tailback Adrian Peterson played at least the final four games of the regular season with a sports hernia that ultimately required offseason surgery. Peterson, of course, finished the season with the seco...

Everyone remembers that feeling on the first day of school. Rolling up in that brand-new collared shirt and the impossibly clean shoes. Not thinking, but knowing that, yeah, this is going to be my year. There was something reassuring about seeing eve...

Another in a periodic series examining the roles of NFC North newcomers: In the four months since "579," the Green Bay Packers have done some serious schematic soul-searching. Coach Mike McCarthy went so far as to send his defensive coaching staff...

There was a time not too long ago when Barry Sanders seemed destined for a reclusive life after football. He faxed a surprise retirement announcement to his hometown newspaper in 1999, fled to England and later spent time in arbitration with ...

Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders beat out reigning NFL MVP Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings to land the coveted cover of "Madden NFL 25."

Here is your friendly reminder that Wednesday is the final day of voting for the all-NFC North "Madden 25" cover contest. Will it be Detroit Lions Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders, representing the "Old School" bracket? Will it be Minnes...

We wouldn't -- and couldn't -- have it any other way, could we? Of course. Of course, the Madden cover will feature an NFC North player for the second consecutive year. We just don't know which one yet. Former Detroit Lions tailback Barry Sande...

We're Black and Blue All Over: We discussed the possibility of the Minnesota Vikings drafting Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o as recently as last Friday, and over the weekend, Sports Illustrated's Peter King added a more grist to the mill. Accord...

So in case you missed it Wednesday night, we learned there is now a 50 percent chance of an NFC North player adorning the "Madden" cover for a second consecutive year. Detroit Lions Hall of Fame tailback Barry Sanders and Minnesota Vikings tailbac...

We're Black and Blue All Over: Good morning. We're going to have not one but TWO opportunities for interaction Tuesday in various places here on ESPN.com. (For some of you, it will be two chances rather than one to complain about lack of interacti...

A look at the top under-the-radar move made by each NFC North team thus far this offseason: Chicago Bears: Sometimes it's the move you don't make that stands out. The Bears were in a tough spot with guard Lance Louis, who was having the best seaso...

Yippee! Both of our NFC North contestants in the "Madden NFL 25" cover contest have advanced to the quarterfinals! As you can see, former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders is now pitted against former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Mon...

We're Black and Blue All Over: BRISTOL, Conn. -- Good morning from the ESPN mother ship, where I've made a quick trip to hold highly secretive talks with very important people about the future of the (blogging) universe. I won't be in position to ...

An NFC North player had a record-breaking season after adorning the "Madden 13" cover. So let's get serious with this year's process, the "Madden 25" cover vote over on SportsNation. The contest is in the third round of a process that will conclud...

We're Black and Blue All Over: Good morning. Wednesday was quite the day here on the NFC North blog. During the trek back from the NFL owners meeting, I did my best to keep up with the Chicago Bears' decision to part ways with linebacker Brian Url...