Morning Buzz: Packers feel the need for speed

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

We’ll start with Michael Cohen’s latest missive from the Senior Bowl down in Mobile where he spoke with new Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst about the lack of speed at the wide receiver position in Green Bay.

From Michael:

Earlier this month, an article in The New York Times confirmed the results of an eye test administered to anyone who watched the Green Bay Packers during the 2017 season. Finally, after years of anecdotal evidence, there was definitive proof of the overwhelming lack of speed at the wide receiver position.

Using data from Sportradar, which gathers information from computer chips in the players' shoulder pads, the article found the Packers’ pass catchers to be the slowest in the NFL last season. The average speed of their receivers was 11.74 mph, more than two-tenths of a second slower than the Oakland Raiders, who ranked 31st, and 1.58 seconds behind the league-leading Los Angeles Rams.

“To be honest with you, I didn’t see it,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said of the study. “It doesn’t bother me. I think we always want to get faster, but I’m not too concerned with what outside sources have to say about our group. I know there’s really good football players in that group, guys that have done a lot of good things in this league. I think speed is important, it’s a very important part of the game. At the same time, being a well-rounded football player is (just) as important.

Gutekunst also had a positive update on cornerback Kevin King after his recent shoulder surgery:

I spoke about the opportunity Mike McCarthy has to make his offense less dependent on Aaron Rodgers on my latest podcast:

I also chatted with readers late Thursday afternoon:

Michael also wrote on a former Badger turning heads down in Mobile:

Oh, and the XFL is back:

Elsewhere, Morgan Burnett is looking at a nice payday in free agency:

Cliff Christl writes on the Packers' historical kicking woes:

Davante Adams is showing off down at the Pro Bowl:

Adams also posed with Thomas Davis:

Mike Daniels is hanging out with Russell Wilson:

Brian Jones thinks the Packers should re-sign Burnett:

ACME Packing Company has a Day 3 roundup from the Senior Bowl:

Outstanding deep dive on Jordy Nelson’s 2017 season from Andy Herman

Brett Favre talked hunting with Guns.com:

The Internet’s got jokes: