Former Chicago Bears tight end and coach Mike Ditka says hell probably catch some flak for saying this, but hes picking the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC North this season.

Forget about Ditkas strong ties to the Bears, or that he owns two restaurants in Chicago and does a lot of business with Bears fans. As always, Ditka calls it the way he sees it, and if someone doesnt like it, too bad.

Im not politically correct, Ditka said this week in a telephone interview from Chicago. I dont try to be. I speak my piece.

Ditka gives motivational speeches around the country and will appear at the Meyer Theatre in Green Bay on Tuesday night. But he has a warning for those in attendance: People who say dont talk about religion and politics, they got the wrong guy because Im going to bring it up somewhere in there because I think its important.

Ditka will also talk with authority about achieving success. As a Pro Football Hall of Famer and one of only two men to win Super Bowl rings as a player, assistant coach and head coach, Ditka comes with glowing credentials.

He doesnt consider Green Bay enemy territory, even though he was one of the Packers fiercest rivals.

The greatest franchise I ever played against was the Packers under (Vince) Lombardi, he said. They were great guys. We played hard. It was based on respect.

The only problem Ditka had with the Packers occurred in the 1980s when Forrest Gregg was head coach. The two carried on a heated rivalry. At times it turned ugly, and Ditka and Gregg havent spoken since.

I think the game of football is a great game, Ditka said. Its competition, but when you go outside the rules and take cheap shots, then it ceases to be competition. I played against (Ray) Nitschke and we had wars. I mean hed try to kill me and Id try to kill him, but yet it was all within the rules.

But against Greggs Packers, it was different.

The games a physical game, but when you pick up the quarterback and slam him down on his head, theres no need for it, Ditka said.

The reference was to the Packers Charles Martin injuring Jim McMahon with a flagrant late hit in a 1986 game that ended the Chicago quarterbacks season. Some say the cheap shot cost the Bears a second straight Super Bowl title.

It didnt help, lets put it that way, Ditka said.

Theres no question Ditka possesses an old-school mentality and charm. He still calls the Packers division the NFC Central. In talking about his life, he references Frank Sinatra: That song (he) sang was pretty good: Regrets, Ive had a few, but then again too few to mention.'"

He doesnt agree with the Minnesota Vikings letting Brett Favre decide to come out of retirement in the middle of training camp.

I wouldnt have allowed it, but thats me. It doesnt make me right, Ditka said. Lombardi wouldnt have allowed it. (Tom) Landry wouldnt have allowed it. Do you want to keep going? We could go on forever. A lot of guys wouldnt have allowed it, but you know, they made some concessions to get him in there.

Ditka, who is as an NFL analyst for ESPN, said he loves and respects Favre but isnt convinced the veteran quarterback will put the Vikings over the top.

I think everybody is picking them to win the division, he said. Im not doing that. I picked the Packers.

And then he adds: Ill probably get in trouble (for that).

Maybe in Chicago. But those words should elicit a warm welcome in Green Bay.

By trading away eight draft picks, the Saints acquired more than $12 million in cap space. It was as if you downsized to a lesser house and subsequently had extra money to upgrade your new home into a small palace. That cap space enabled the Saints to go on a spending spree that allowed them to sign defensive tackle Norman Hand, receivers Joe Horn and Willie Jackson, middle linebacker Charlie Clemons, outside linebacker Darrin Smith, cornerback Fred Thomas, punter Toby Gowin and quarterback Jeff Blake.