Packers Morning Buzz: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix responds to critics
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 look at the new kickoff rules and what they might mean for the league’s “most dangerous play” going forward.
The new set of rules, instituted this fall, will be reevaluated next spring to determine if the primary goal of reducing the number of injuries — especially concussions — was, in fact, accomplished.
“I think it’s going to be interesting,” Packers special teams coordinator Ron Zook said during organized team activities. “I think there’s a lot of people wondering about how it’s going to be. Thankfully, we have at least what we think it’s going to be now, the rules and so forth, (so) we’re able to work on it. You’re probably going to see, in my opinion — it’s just my opinion — but more returns.”
Zook believes the elimination of the running start for the coverage team will benefit the return team, which may or may not solve the league’s injury problem. If members of the coverage team need a split second of additional time to get downfield, Zook envisions returners being even more likely to bring the ball out in hopes of igniting their offense with better field position after a big return.
Will the changes to alignment and blocking requirements be affective enough to mitigate injury risk if the number of returns increases? Or is a potential uptick in the number of returns — which may yield more injuries — an unfortunate byproduct of a well-intentioned rule?
A long-running lawsuit by a Packers fan against the Bears could end up affecting the NFL’s new anthem protest rule:
Overnight, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix responded to the many online critiques of his play last year:
Elsewhere, Clinton-Dix will be in attendance for mini camp next week:
The Packers website looks back at their uniforms throughout the years:
Andy Herman breaks down the film on Marcedes Lewis:
Jason Wilde spoke with Tom Clements about coaching Aaron Rodgers:
Good Morning Football discusses what kind of effect a Rodgers megadeal could have:
Gregg Rosenthal goes in depth on Rodgers and the Packers offense:
Mike Daniels has a warning for defenses around the league:
Jerry Kramer looks back at the last year leading up to the Hall of Fame:
One veteran corner is expecting a big jump from Kevin King:
James Jones looks at the Packers offense:
Out in Oakland, it sounds like Jordy Nelson is already leading by example:
This is a pretty cool:
Fantasy Football Faceoff looks at the Packers in 2018:
Someone made a 30-minute highlight video on the Packers running the table: