Welcome to Around the NFL. After four (4) weeks in the 2001 regular season, we are still not marching in sync. This is disappointing, but we are not discouraged. The New Orleans Saints 28-15 over our Minnesota Vikings. With this loss, it leaves us at 1-3 with 12 games remaining in the regular season. We are not out of the hunt for a championship. However, my number one concern is how we can play better football. You win or lose with offense, defense and special teams. Getting all three phases working together at the same tempo and level of productivity is our challenge.

Even though this is my 30th year of coaching, there is no guaranteed way to achieve this. My confidence level to achieve this is very high. We have a good understanding of how we win games and it is also clear to us what things we are doing incorrectly when we lose. The key element for us now is to stick together and recognize the priority of that. This week we play the Detroit Lions at home. We both need a win so it will be a typical NFC Central Division game.

How about the Chicago Bears? They followed up their win against us at home in Soldier Field with an outstanding win on the road in Atlanta. The Bears are playing outstanding defense and have two (2) of the best, most athletic quarterbacks in the league. First with our Daunte Culpepper, and this past Sunday, against the #1 pick of the entire 2001 draft, Michael Vick, who they sacked six (6) times. In the image of the legendary middle linebacker Dick Butkus, Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher scooped up a fumble and raced 90 yards for a touchdown.

Around the NFL there is only one (1) undefeated team, but there are five (5) teams looking for their first win. Believe it is still early, so enjoy it.