NFC North.(NFL Free Agents Preview)

CHICAGO BEARS

MOVING ON: The team has just four unrestricted free agents, none of whom is a starter. The biggest name is RB Anthony Thomas, who averaged a career-low 3.3 yards per carry and lost his starting job to Thomas Jones last season. Thomas has not been offered a contract and won't return. Third-string RB Adrian Paterson is expected to step up to the backup role. The Bears also are expected to draft a running back, perhaps at No. 4 overall if they believe the position offers the best value. The other three free agents might not even be in the league next season. RT Aaron Gibson is a decent backup who's limited by weight and knee problems. No. 5 CB Todd McMillon does most of his work on special teams. Journeyman QB Jeff George was an emergency replacement late last season after being out of football for a couple of years. ACTION PLAN: Much of the money earmarked for signing free agents was used last season to give contract extensions to P Brad Maynard and DEs Adewale Ogunleye and Alex Brown. The team's needs are apparent. The Bears must add at least one offensive lineman and one wide receiver before the draft. There is enough money available to go after the best at those positions, or the team could sign second-tier players who would provide upgrades. A backup quarterback also is a must. Rex Grossman will be the starter, and Chad Hutchinson looks like a keeper as a No. 2 or No. 3, but the Bears would like to add a veteran such as Kurt Warner or Kelly Holcomb to upgrade depth at a position that has been a sore spot.--Mike Mulligan

DETROIT LIONS

MOVING ON: The two most important free agents are C Dominic Raiola and RT Stockar McDougle because the line already is thin. Raiola wants to re-sign, but if he leaves, RG Damien Woody could move to center, and the team would look for a freeagent guard. The club has a couple of young players (Kelly Butler, Victor Rogers) who could replace McDougle, but they lack his athleticism. With DT Kelvin Pritchett contemplating retirement, the team doesn't want to lose Marcus Bell, a valuable player in the rotation. If Bell leaves, the interior line depth will be severely damaged. WRs Tai Streets and Az-Zahir Hakim aren't expected to return. Streets is a free agent, and Hakim is expected to be a cap casualty. The team wants to upgrade its wideout depth through the free-agent market and the draft. ACTION PLAN: The club needs to find quality guards and a right tackle (if McDougle leaves). The Lions won't be able to afford two high-priced free-agent linemen, so they will focus on adding a tackle. They also might try to sign Packers G Marco Rivera. The team needs a strong safety, and its No. 1 target is Donovin Darius of the Jaguars. At receiver, the Lions already have Ray Williams and Charles Rogers, so they are looking for an experienced player to use in three-receiver sets. They could pursue David Patten or David Givens of the Patriots', Givens is a restricted free agent. The Lions also want to bring in a quarterback with the ability to beat out Joey Harrington. Options include Kurt Warner and Kelly Holcomb. The team likely will re-sign TE Stephen Alexander, who provides experience and steady play. Besides Casey FitzSimmons, there is little depth at tight end.--Tom Kowalski

GREEN BAY PACKERS

MOVING ON: The club is facing the possible departure of four starters: Gs Mike Wahle and Marco Rivera, TE Bubba Franks and OLB Hannibal Navies. The team likely will be able to afford only Wahle or Rivera--not both. Wahle, 27, is more athletic and bound to hit it b g on the open market. The team can't afford to keep Wahle under the terms of ...