We're Black and Blue All Over:
Not every arrest of an NFC North player merits a blog entry, and I haven't covered all of them this offseason. This week, however, we learned that the Detroit Lions' list of offseason arrests had grown to two, so I guess it's time to catch up.
Last weekend, Lions defensive end Ronnell Lewis was arrested after an altercation at an Oklahoma bar and charged with three misdemeanors, according to Jake Trotter of ESPN's SoonerNation. Lewis, who played one defensive snap last season, was booked on complaints of disturbing the peace, public intoxication and interfering with official procedure. Officers used a taser to try to subdue him during a fight, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press.
The arrest came a month after safety Amari Spievey was charged with felony assault and misdemeanor risk of injury to a child after a domestic dispute. Spievey has entered a counseling program and his attorney hopes to have the charges dropped.
From a legal and NFL eligibility standpoint, these arrests are relatively minor. But taken together and added to last year's string of spring incidents, they feed the Lions' reputation for employing players who find trouble in the offseason.
Continuing around the NFC North:
The Lions could be thinking big at No. 5 in the draft, writes Chris McCosky of the Detroit News.
The Lions have been making calls about moving back in the draft, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
What if Notre Dame tight end Tyler Eifert is the best player available when the Green Bay Packers pick at No. 26 overall? Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press-Gazette looks into it.
It wouldn't be surprising to see the Packers draft a safety in the first round, writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.
Cornerbacks are among the most compelling stories in this draft, writes Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Phone lines for the Minnesota Vikings have been buzzing this week, according to general manager Rick Spielman via Dan Wiederer of the Star Tribune.
Should the Vikings plan to find another backup running back assuming Toby Gerhart departs after the 2013 season? Tom Pelissero of 1500ESPN.com explores that question.
The Vikings should take a receiver and either a cornerback or middle linebacker with their two first-round draft picks, according to Bob Sansevere of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.
The Chicago Bears' Brian Piccolo Award winners were cornerback Charles Tillman, defensive end Julius Peppers and defensive end Shea McClellin, notes Jeff Dickerson of ESPNChicago.com.
Tillman on the departure of linebacker Brian Urlacher, via Dickerson: "I wish he was here, but it's a cutthroat business."
The Bears have more needs than draft picks, writes Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.
