So free agency has begun and the Bears are off to a very quick start. Much like the Redskins last year when they signed the highly coveted Albert Haynesworth, Chicago general manager Jerry Angelo has already inked running back Chester Taylor to a four-year, $12.5 million deal, taking him away from division rival Minnesota Vikings.

The Bears have now signed defensive end Julius Peppers to a big deal, making a huge impact on their defensive line.

Now I know it's early, but isn't this a bad sign for the Vikings? The Packers are clearly on the right track. Let's say Brett Favre retires. So now who is going to be the starting quarterback there? Sage Rosenfels? Tarvaris Jackson? Minnesota needs to act and they need to act fast.

Maybe as important, who is going to back up Adrian Peterson? Taylor was an accomplished 1,200 yard rusher before Peterson came into the picture and when Peterson gets fumblitus they had another go-to guy that they could depend on. What if they can't cure Peterson's fumbling problems? He catches the ball out of the backfield too. Even as a back-up he's had 89 catches for 788 yards the past two years. That's better than many of the feature back in the league. Who's that guy now?

Even the Detroit Lions are making moves. The Lions have already signed defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch to a four-year, $26 million deal. They have also signed wide receiver Nate Burleson just two hours into free agency. (What were Vanden Bosch and Burleson thinking?)

I'm not saying Detroit is going to get much better, but they're still in the making progress stage. The Lions at least are moving forward, while the Vikings could very well be taking a giant step backwards, especially with no Favre.

The Bears snagged Taylor, who could shape up to be a great running partner for Matt Forte. Taylor, when used the right way, was a great backup for Adrian Peterson. He had somewhat of a mediocre year in 2009, but that's because Favre took over the offense. If I were the other teams in the NFC North, I would be a little scared to see Forte and Taylor both coming out of the backfield.

Now, if the Bears have Peppers on the defensive line and a healthy Brian Urlacher at linebacker, that's the start of something special.

The Vikings defense is still one of the best in the league. They can rush the passer better than any team in the league and they can shut down play-making receivers. But the other teams in the NFC North are making moves. Minnesota's offense just lost Peterson's backup and nobody has any idea whether Favre is coming back or not.

The NFL is all about parody and the NFC North certainly looks like it's starting to even out. Free agency is just getting started, with the Vikings having ‘Final Eight' restrictions and the Lions and Bears looking to spend at will in this uncapped year, the offseason in the NFC Central will be something to watch. - Michael Klopman

Confused about the 2010 NFL uncapped season and what it means?  You can get up to snuff here:

• NFL Free Agency / Uncapped Season Begins Today - What they are "saying"
• NFL Labor Issues Made Simple
• NFL Trades expected to increase in frequency
• NFL Labor isues to receive political attention
• NFL Franchise Players Announced

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