NFL Team Reports: NFC North
Several times a week, The Trenches will present team reports from Sporting News’ 32 NFL correspondents. Check back each day for the latest news on your team.
The offense’s struggles in the red zone have led QB Jay Cutler(notes) to call for more playing time for WR Devin Aromashodu(notes).
He was a favorite of Cutler’s in preseason, but a quadriceps injury before the opener kept him on the sideline and rookie WR Johnny Knox(notes) stepped in. Now, with Cutler throwing interceptions at an alarming rate in the red zone, the team will will give the 6-2 Aromashodu some snaps after he made his first catch last game. The other regulars at wideout are 6 feet or shorter, and none has a TD catch the past three games.
Aromashodu’s long arms and good vertical leap could help him complement TEs Greg Olsen(notes), Kellen Davis(notes) and Desmond Clark(notes) as an red-zone receiving threat. Aromashodu, however, doesn’t have ideal speed. And if the Bears go to four-wideout sets, it could mean less playing time for Olsen, who has averaged 12.4 yards a catch the past four weeks. —Gene Chamberlain
Detroit Lions
Veteran S Marquand Manuel(notes) (shoulder), who started six games this season, was placed on injured reserve. The Lions signed DeAngelo Smith(notes) off the Bears’ practice squad, and he will provide depth at safety.
Smith is the eighth defensive back to be signed by the Lions since Sept. 4. The Lions have not only been hit by a series of injuries in the secondary, but ineffective play has forced the team to keep changing the lineup. Though a weak line is also to blame, the team¹s vulnerability to the big pass has allowed opponents to average 29 points per game. …
WLB Ernie Sims(notes) (hamstring) and RG Stephen Peterman(notes) (ankle) did not practice Wednesday and are not expected to play Sunday against the Browns. Rookie DeAndre Levy(notes), who will replace Sims for the second straight week, is an emerging talent who is a solid tackler and has a good feel for coverage. He¹s good in short zones but needs work on his deep drops and in man coverage. —Tom Kowalski
Tom Silverstein says the team is getting healthy at the right time.
Reports circulated Wednesday that coach Brad Childress was close to a contract extension, but Rick Alonzo says nothing has been finalized.
More from Sporting News: NFL Team Reports: NFC East
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- Patriots look ahead to face another unbeaten team
- Surging Titans beat Texans on late FG
- Titans, Texans tied at 17-all after three quarters
- Mangini wonders if Lions faked injuries
- Jets coach Ryan challenges Sanchez to protect ball, will take greater role
- Singletary makes tough realization: 49ers playoff hopes dwindling
- Mora: Issue of Seahawks accepting all this losing is a 'legitimate question'
- Mindset an issue for skidding Seahawks
- Field goal by Bironas gives Titans 20-17 win over Texans
- Man admits sending threatening letters to Coughlin
- Chargers take charge in AFC West; Turner says division is better than its rep
- Streaking Chargers take charge in AFC West
- Rams quarterback Bulger out 3-6 weeks with broken leg
- Jags WR Mike Sims-Walker adds another big game to breakout season


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GO VIKINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oh, and what's that with holding a mock funeral for him? How can you be so low and rude? You don't hold a funeral for someone who is still alive. That's like wishing him dead. Anyone who's wishing someone dead just because of sport competition needs to go see a shrink and have his/her head examined.
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Sorry but it wasn't bad luck that did in the pack. the game was an embarassment. They played with their tail between their legs.
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What a ridiculous statement! Favre as well as any other season professional quarterback knows how to read a defense and AUDIBLE! Or check down! Favre would be just fine.
I'm not hating on Rodgers but to see you people chant that he is the second coming is just wrong!
At least be honest and objective. He needs to learn and grow. He may get to an elite status, but that takes time.
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It's nice to be a Vikings fan this year. I guess the sun shines on a dog's ass every now and then.
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There is no way he lasts even half that long, especially the way GB's powder-puff O-Line is right now.
Go Vikes.
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Favre wanted out of GB. If he really wanted to stay, he wouldn't have pulled all that crap in the off season and would have returned as per the agreement between TT, MM and Favre. Those are facts! In true character, he chose to "stick it" to the Packers and their fans. To look at it any other way is just plain clueless.
It's no big deal, those who love him are now Queens fans. The true Packer fans know what happened and can live with it. Too bad they suffer from "fire TT and MM retardation disorder." Get over it it, the King of INT is gone. We're better off, just look at our SB's for the past 17 years. How many does Tom Brady have?
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