Morning Buzz: Packers preseason is finally here

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

The Packers kick off their preseason tonight when they take on the Tennessee Titans in Lambeau Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm.

We’ll start with Ryan Wood’s look at the play of Josh Jackson and the adjustment he needs to make to avoid penalties at the NFL level.

From Ryan:

With injuries already affecting the Packers' secondary, Jackson should get plenty of snaps. Second-year cornerback Kevin King (shoulder) and rookie Jaire Alexander (groin) are unlikely to play after missing the past two practices. Their absence elevated Jackson to the No. 1 slot corner role, with Tramon Williams and Davon House flanking the perimeter.

It’s unclear how much veterans Williams and House will play in the preseason opener, but Jackson should see plenty of playing time in the slot and on the perimeter. No matter where he is on the field, Jackson is curious how the game will be called.

“I did expect them to be a little more strict here,” Jackson said, “because it’s the NFL. I’d say what I’ve learned from college to now is you’ve got to play cleaner.”

For Jackson, playing cleaner means relying more on his feet. Like a basketball player guarding the dribble, it’s incumbent on NFL cornerbacks to use their footwork to shadow receivers. After five yards, no hand checking is allowed.

Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine said the biggest adjustment for young cornerbacks is learning how to avoid contact at the top of the stem, which is when a receiver starts gathering his momentum to change direction on his route. Without knowing which direction a receiver will break, the natural reaction can be to reach out and grab.

Ryan and I took a look at the state of the team prior to preseason starting on my latest podcast:

Tom Silverstein has a preview of tonight’s game:

I wrote on Aaron Rodgers and his thoughts on the state of the league:

If you missed Pete’s Packers chat, be sure to check out his answers here:

Elsewhere, Tom Oates writes on the young edge rushers finally getting a chance to get after it:

Rob Demovsky writes on the path Jake Kumerow has taken to get where he is:

Peter King talks with Randall Cobb:

Nice look at how Jimmy Graham can be a legit red-zone weapon for Aaron Rodgers:

First Take talks about Rodgers' admonishment of his young wideouts:

Let’s see how the young wideouts respond to criticism from Rodgers:

Good Morning Football talks Rodgers, too:

ACME Packing Company has the goods on the Packers' latest signing:

KDG looks at a potential trade for Khalil Mack: