ESPN.com continues its examination of each team's master plan with a look at the NFC Central, where Barry Sanders' status hasn't changed (yet).

	James Stewart tied for the AFC lead with 13 rushing TDs in 1999.

Chicago Bears
1999 record: 6-10.
First-round pick: Ninth overall.
Offseason plan: Defense wins championships but can you buy a championship defense? The Bears are certainly trying. Ranked 29th overall last season, Chicago shelled out $15.5 million for DE Phillip Daniels and CB Thomas Smith. Their spending spree continued at safety with ex-Dolphin Shawn Wooden. Re-signing Bobby Engram became a low priority after QB Jim Miller got a new deal. Now the issue is moot after Chicago dealt for the speedy Eddie Kennison. The team may use its first pick on another big-play wideout.
Big-name acquisitions: DE Philip Daniels, CB Thomas Smith and S Shawn Wooden.
Significant re-signings: QB Jim Miller.
Most pressing question: Who will be the starting QB — Jim Miller or Cade McNown?
Sean Salisbury's answer: McNown will be the starter. I think the Bears will go with the young guy first. They have a long-term financial committment to McNown, so he will get the first look. Miller played great last year. His suspension was somewhat of a bogus situation, but it bodes well for Chicago to play McNown. He is a playmaker who reminds me a lot of a left-handed Jim McMahon. Having two quarterbacks like McNown and Miller is a good problem to have, but the Bears must go with McNown.

Detroit Lions
1999 record: 8-8.
First-round pick: 20th.
Offseason plan: The Lions successfully outrecruited Cleveland for RB James Stewart's services, then quickly plugged the hole left by FS Mark Carrier with ex-Bill Kurt Schulz. Now they're looking to deal DE Robert Porcher, who, as a non-exclusive franchise player, can pursue free agency. Detroit, however, has the right of first refusal on any offer. Any trade would force the Lions, who reportedly are willing to receive less than two first-rounders for Porcher, to find another pass rusher in the draft. Right now, they're likely to take an offensive lineman, namely a left guard.
Big-name acquisition: RB James Stewart.
Significant re-signings: P John Jett.
Most pressing question: Is James Stewart the answer at running back?
Sean Salisbury's answer: Stewart would have been starting for a lot of teams last year, so there is no question that he is the Lions' answer at running back. I believe that this frees Detroit up to make a decision that allows Barry Sanders to go to another team and to get a high draft pick in return. If Sanders can go somewhere else and Detroit can get a first-round pick, why wouldn't the Lions do it? With Stewart in Detroit, the Lions won't have the running back woes it had last season.

	Arrivals
	Player, Pos.	New team
	Jeff Christy, C	Buccaneers
	Phillip Daniels, DE	Bears
	Eddie Kennison, WR	Bears
	Randall McDaniel, G	Buccaneers
	Kurt Schulz, FS	Lions
	Thomas Smith, CB	Bears
	Steve Stenstrom, QB	Lions
	James Stewart, RB	Lions
	John Thierry, DE	Packers
	Mike Tomczak, QB	Lions
	Shawn Wooden, S	Bears
	Departures
	Player, Pos., Team	New team
	Vaughn Booker, DE, Packers	Bengals
	Jeff Christy, C, Vikings	Buccaneers
	Curtis Conway, WR, Bears	Chargers
	Gus Frerotte, QB, Lions	Broncos
	Andrew Glover, TE, Vikings	Saints
	Jimmy Hitchcock, CB, Vikings	Panthers
	Randall McDaniel, G, Vikings	Buccaneers
	Hardy Nickerson, LB, Buccaneers	Jaguars
	Keith McKenzie, DE, Packers	Browns
	Jake Reed, WR, Vikings	Saints
	Possible flights
	Player, Pos.	Central destination
	Darren Bennett, P	Packers
	Ben Coates, TE	Buccaneers
	Dan Marino, QB	Vikings

Green Bay Packers
1999 record: 8-8.
First-round pick: 14th.
Offseason plan: Despite the signing of DE John Thierry, the Packers still lack depth on the defensive line. With Vaughn Booker already gone to Cincinnati and Keith McKenzie and Gilbert Brown also headed out of Green Bay, GM Ron Wolf is looking to upgrade the defense at defensive tackle and linebacker. Re-signing C Frank Winters, however, is high on Wolf's wish list, too.
Big-name acquisition: DE John Thierry.
Most pressing question: Will improving the defense lead to an improved win-loss record?
Sean Salisbury's answer: No question. The Rams proved that an explosive offense is what's most important, but an improved defense can get the Packers to the Super Bowl. If the defense is better, that will give Brett Favre better field position to make plays. The Packers, who lost a ton when Reggie White retired, need to get after the quarterback more. An upgraded pass rush will make their suspect secondary that much better.

Minnesota Vikings
1999 record: 10-6.
First-round pick: 25th.
Offseason plan: The story isn't who's coming to Minnesota but who's leaving. The Vikings' cut list included Pro Bowl G Randall McDaniel and WR Jake Reed. Moreover, Pro Bowl C Jeff Christy left for Tampa Bay, and both Randall Cunningham and Jeff George could be headed out of town. The team used its remaining salary cap room on Pro Bowl P Mitch Berger but hopes to restructure more contracts to pursue a second-tier free agent, most likely an offensive lineman. John Randle refused to rework his deal, however. So much for taking one for the team.
Big-name acquisition: None.
Significant re-signings: P Mitch Berger.
Most pressing question: Who'll be launching long bombs to Randy Moss? Jeff George or Randall Cunningham?
Sean Salisbury's answer: It doesn't appear the quarterback will be George, and Cunningham says he won't take a paycut. Don't be surprised if the Vikings force Daunte Culpepper to play. That would shock me because Culpepper is not ready. George and Cunningham have proven they can play, but I'm not sure the Vikings are making a longterm financial commitment. I am a little flabbergasted at the Vikings' offseason moves. Maybe there is something about George we don't know. But a few prominent players in Minnesota have said George was nothing but a joy to work with last season. Maybe the Vikings have something else in mind, but I don't believe it will be George because they won't commit to him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1999 record: 11-5.
First-round picks: 13th and 27th.
Offseason plan: It's no secret what the Buccaneers need to do — improve an offense that was ranked 28th overall. Part of the plan is to get quicker and more athletic on the offensive line. They accomplished that at center by replacing Tony Mayberry with another Pro Bowler, ex-Viking Jeff Christy, and adding another Viking. The pursuit of free agent OT Roman Oben is on hold until veteran Paul Gruber informs the team of his plans. That is also holding up the shopping for a backup QB and tight end. Tony Dungy says he'll also focus on offense in the draft.
Big-name acquisition: C Jeff Christy.
Significant re-signings: OT Jason Odom.
Most pressing question: Will new O-coordinator Les Steckel bring excitement to the offense?
Sean Salisbury's answer: Excitement is what players bring to an offense, not coaches. Mike Martz was exciting in St. Louis because he had exciting players. I think the Bucs offense, under Steckel, will be more aggressive than last year. But Steckel coached a good, ball-control offense in Tennessee. And Shaun King's style of play is similar to Steve McNair, although he is not in McNair's category as a runner. The Bucs will challenge more down the field. Steckel, however, will not use a wide-open style like the Vikings because the Bucs don't have the offensive players to make it work.

Joe Lago is the NFL editor for ESPN.com.