Sunday Insider: Northern Intelligence

September 9, 2012 at 7:06AM

One of the division's biggest matchup nightmares sounds like a guy who's ready to cause problems. Packers TE Jermichael Finley, sidelined by a concussion and a thigh strain through most of camp, says he's physically ready to go. Mentally, too. Explaining his clear-minded approach to the season, Finley told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Every single guy I'm going against, if it's a linebacker, a safety, is probably thinking a little bit more than I am. I promise you."

• • •

No one should ever doubt Megatron. But 2,000 yards receiving? In a single season? Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, who had 1,681 yards a year ago, believes it's possible. The record is 1,848 by Jerry Rice in 1995. Said Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, per the Detroit News: "We will just take it one game at a time, OK? But I won't put anything past what Calvin can do. He's special."

• • •

The Bears obviously know the Colts will try to test middle linebacker Brian Urlacher early and often, assuming Urlacher (injured knee) plays Sunday and is asked to cover the normal amount of ground required of a middle linebacker in the Tampa 2 scheme. Teammate Lance Briggs, when asked whether he thinks the Colts will test Urlacher. "They can try," he told ESPN.com Chicago. "But they will fail."

about the writer

about the writer

Mark Craig

Sports reporter

Mark Craig has covered the NFL nearly every year since Brett Favre was a rookie back in 1991. A sports writer since 1987, he is covering his 30th NFL season out of 37 years with the Canton (Ohio) Repository (1987-99) and the Star Tribune (1999-present).

See Moreicon

More from No Section

See More
FILE -- A rent deposit slot at an apartment complex in Tucker, Ga., on July 21, 2020. As an eviction crisis has seemed increasingly likely this summer, everyone in the housing market has made the same plea to Washington: Send money — lots of it — that would keep renters in their homes and landlords afloat. (Melissa Golden/The New York Times) ORG XMIT: XNYT58
Melissa Golden/The New York Times

It’s too soon to tell how much the immigration crackdown is to blame.