Morning Buzz: Focus on Packers' weak spots

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here atPackersNews.com. Grab a strong cup of coffee, and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers.

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We start with Michael Cohen’s look atthe evolution of the Packers' defensive interior.

From Michael:

The Packers have dedicated a significant number of linebacker reps to Burnett and Jones during the first few weeks of OTAs. When one of them moves into the box for nickel situations, one of the traditional inside linebackers trots off the field. Kentrell Brice typically fills the empty spot at safety alongside Ha Ha Clinton-Dix.

 

The end result appears to be the slow decay of the traditional inside linebacker — at least within the confines of the Packers’ roster. (Several players pointed to other linebackers around the league who have the size and speed to stay on the field for every snap.) Instead, specialization appears to be winning out in Green Bay: First down typically belongs to the big boys — as do obvious running situations — but everything else is up for grabs with Thomas, Burnett and Jones all capable of playing nickel and dime.

Pete Dougherty saysthe Packers should continue to have someone with a scouting background as their general manager, whenever Ted Thompson moves on:

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix recentely spoke about the importance of going back to school and getting his degree:

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel summer intern Alec Lewis takes a look at the Packers’ undrafted running backs:

As usual, the Jordy Nelson charity softball game was a huge success:

Davante Adams spoke about looking ahead, not behind:

I answered reader questions in my weekly mailbag Friday:

I was also doing some research on Randall Cobb this weekend, and had to highlight this play:

Elsewhere, Michael appeared on the first episode of Cheese 'N' Packers:

Field Yates wrote on each NFL team’s biggest looming decision.

From Field on the Packers:

Secondary rebuild. The Packers' Achilles' heel in 2016? Its secondary. Passing yards piled up against Green Bay's young cornerbacks, though injuries played a big part. The secondary will look much different in 2017, as the Packers drafted cornerbackKevin King and safetyJosh Jones in the second round while also bringing backDavon House in free agency. Green Bay will also count on player development from its young defensive backs, including former first-round pickDamarious Randall and former second-round pickQuinten Rollins. Ensuring that this group is in a far better place this season is essential.

Eye In the Sky takes a look at Aaron Jones:

Scott Walker proclaimed Sunday to be Jerry Kramer Day in Wisconsin:

Great anecdote about catching his first pass from Aaron Rodgers, by Malachi Dupre:

Speaking of Dupre, he turned some heads last week:

Over at NFL.com, Gregg Rosenthal writes that running back is the Packers' biggest weak spot:

Aaron Rodgers was hitting home runs and flipping bats this weekend:

He was also supporting the Carbone Cancer Center:

Aaron Jones talks about his first summer in Green Bay:

Randall Cobb wore Snapchat spectacles during the softball game:

The Power Sweep has a collection of strange stats from 2016:

Jason Perone wrote on the bond between teammates in Green Bay:

Mike Tanier included several Packers teams on his "Greatest Ever" list. 

From Mike on the 1962 team:

These Packers forced 50 turnovers in 14 regular-season games. They rushed for 175.7 yards per game. They won by 49-0 final scores twice. In one of those contests, they outgained the Eagles, 628-54.

These are the greatest of the great Packers teams: Vince Lombardi, Bart Starr, Jim Taylor (pictured), Jim Ringo, Willie Davis, Ray Nitschke, Herb Adderly and the rest at the height of their powers. They entered the 1962 season as defending champions. Their only loss came at the hands of the Lions (whose defense was studded with future Hall of Famers) on Thanksgiving. They defended their title against the Giants with a 16-7 victory in Arctic outpost conditions at Yankee Stadium.

This team defined the way we think of great football teams. The Packers remained dominant for years, but they were never again quite as great as they were in 1962.

The undefeated teams were just as dominant as this iteration of the Packers. But no team has ever represented greatness quite like Green Bay in 1962.