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A look at a player entering a contract year on each NFC North team who must deliver in 2013: Chicago Bears: More than a half-dozen prominent starters have contracts set to expire after this season, including returner Devin Hester, center Roberto G...

I liked what I heard -- er, read -- from Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew this week. As Tim Twentyman of the Lions' website writes, Pettigrew has pledged to rectify the series of negative plays he made last season. "I can't put what I did...

We're Black and Blue All Over: Now that we've dissected Brian Urlacher's retirement and assessed his chances at enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we should ask the next question: Will the Bears retire his No. 54? That issue might b...

I didn't attend the Detroit Lions' rookie minicamp, but in my mind's eye, I imagine it would have been difficult to miss two tight ends as big as Michael Williams and Joseph Fauria. Williams, one of the Lions' seventh-round draft choices, is 6-foo...

We're Black and Blue All Over: In our pre-draft Inside Slant podcast, Mike Sando and I agreed it would not be surprising if the Detroit Lions used a draft pick on a tight end. While they are set for the 2013 season with Brandon Pettigrew and To...

Conventional wisdom suggests there are two explanations for any draft pick. The team either has an immediate need for the player's services, or it has followed a "best player available" approach. In a special draft edition of the Inside Slant podc...

The Detroit Lions bottomed out and had desperate needs at nearly every position in 2009 when, with the draft's No. 20 overall pick, they selected ... a tight end. No one doubted the skills and potential of the Lions' choice, Oklahoma State's Brandon ...

Let's get inside our last Friday injury report of the 2012 season. Sniff, sniff... Chicago Bears: Linebacker Brian Urlacher practiced for the first time since injuring his hamstring Dec. 2, but he was limited and is listed as doubtful for Sunday's g...

We're Black and Blue All Over: In our fantasy dramas, we expect all hands on deck for our Wild Week 17, in which two of our teams need victories to help ensure a playoff spot while a third is hoping to improve its playoff seed. But that's not the ...

Good evening. As we noted Friday, I'm monitoring Saturday night's game between the Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons from NFC North blog headquarters. I'll post when necessary during the game, especially if receiver Calvin Johnson breaks Jerry Rice's...

Let's get inside the Friday injury report in the NFC North: Chicago Bears: Defensive tackle Henry Melton (chest) returned to practice Friday but is doubtful for Sunday's game at the Arizona Cardinals. Linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring) has been...

We're Black and Blue All Over: Earlier this week, we suggested the Minnesota Vikings have won enough games this season to make coach Leslie Frazier's return in 2013 a given. And because next season is the last year of the original contract he sign...

A few thoughts on Sunday's events in Arizona: What it means: The Detroit Lions have lost six consecutive games, and Sunday's embarrassing performance to the Arizona Cardinals -- losers of nine consecutive games, including a 58-0 defeat last week -...

Let's get inside Friday's NFC North injury report: Chicago Bears: As expected, the Bears ruled out linebacker Brian Urlacher (hamstring), cornerback Tim Jennings (shoulder) and receiver Earl Bennett (concussion) from Sunday's game against the Gree...

We're Black and Blue All Over: Good morning. Week 14 brought us two things in the NFC North: Snow and a bit of clarity. We've largely dispatched the former, so let's hash through the latter while we have a moment. The Green Bay Packers (9-4), w...

A few thoughts on Sunday night's events at Lambeau Field: What it means: The Green Bay Packers overcame a two-touchdown deficit and are now within one victory of the NFC North title. They are 9-4 and can clinch the division with a victory next Sun...