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It appears that two NFC North teams will have highly-regarded rookie punters in 2013. We noted earlier that the Minnesota Vikings drafted UCLA's Jeff Locke with the No. 155 overall pick Saturday afternoon, a move that will probably prompt the rele...

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...

Over on our still-churning Facebook page, Justin offers evidence that some of you have a better mental catalogue of this blog's archives than me. Justin pointed out this 2011 post on Chicago Bears returner Devin Hester's candidacy for the Pro Foot...

Mel Kiper lists the top 10 all-time NFL kicker and punter prospects, revealing the grades he gave those players before they were drafted.

Story | Conversation | April 12, 2013

The Detroit Lions are giving a Norwegian Internet kicking sensation a shot to make the team.

When the Detroit Lions signed place-kicker David Akers last week, it was worth asking whether he would be given the 2013 job outright or if he was acquired to participate in a competition for Jason Hanson's old job. Details of his one-year contrac...

We're Black and Blue All Over: No player has worn No. 50 for the Chicago Bears since Mike Singletary's last game 21 years ago, but it was not retired and apparently will not be anytime soon. The team issued it to new linebacker James Anderson, aft...

In the days since place-kicker Jason Hanson announced his retirement from the Detroit Lions, I've received a steady stream of the same question: Will he be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame? Hanson, after all, finished his 21-year career wi...

The Detroit Lions officially signed kicker David Akers on Tuesday and bid farewell to Jason Hanson.

We're Black and Blue All Over: Last month, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman was asked if veteran punter Chris Kluwe would be with the team in 2013. Spielman wouldn't answer. Kluwe has the highest gross average (44.4 yards) in team h...

The Detroit Lions signed veteran place-kicker David Akers on Friday night, and to me it's fair to ask if the Lions will hand him the 2013 job outright or pit him in a competition before deciding who will replace the retired Jason Hanson. Akers is ...

The Detroit Lions didn't have to look long for a new kicker.

We're Black and Blue All Over: A Minnesota state senator plans to introduce a bill next week to delay construction of the Minnesota Vikings' new stadium until revenue streams for paying the public's annual share are secured. Many of you panicked w...

How best to put into perspective the duration of Jason Hanson's career with the Detroit Lions? Here is one attempt: When his tenure began in 1992, about two-thirds of the players on the Lions' roster weren't yet in the first grade. Hanson spent 21...

Jason Hanson wanted to keep on kicking. His body told him to stop. The Detroit Lions kicker is retiring after 21 seasons. The 42-year-old Hanson announced his decision Thursday.

I usually try to post a "Quick Hit" item to catch up after missing some blog time, but the Chicago Bears' activity over the past week merits its own post. That item will publish shortly. For now, let's catch up on the other 75 percent of the division...