Packers Morning Buzz: Offensive starters expected to sit
Aaron Nagler
Welcome to your game-day Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.
The Packers take on the Raiders at 9:30 p.m. CT out in Oakland in their third preseason contest for 2018.
We’ll start with Tom Silverstein’s column looking at the offensive tackle position and how the health of the starters could end up determining how successful the Packers are this season.
Gutekunst’s other addition was veteran Byron Bell, who is entering his eighth season and has more than 70 starts under his belt. When Spriggs wasn’t giving Mike McCarthy what he wanted out of the backup right tackle position, the Packers coach inserted Bell. But lately Bell has been playing guard and could lock down the top backup spot there.
Where tackle is concerned, if you think Gutekunst is going to find someone on the trade market or after cuts who can keep Rodgers clean, forget it. Tackles are a prime commodity and most teams are lucky to have one good one, so if they get rid of a guy it’s because he’s too old or too injured or no good.
“I’ve always thought it’s really difficult, quite frankly, after you get out of the spring time to find the bigger guys,” Gutekunst said. “It’s much more difficult.
“I kind of feel you can find some legs, guys who can run, but finding big people that can play the game is always one of the most difficult challenges.”
It doesn’t mean Gutekunst won’t stop looking. Maybe there is a Bruce Wilkerson (think 1996) who can come in and be a capable backup, but it would be silly to count on that happening.
The Packers are simply all in on Spriggs and Murphy.
I chatted with readers Thursday afternoon:
Elsewhere, don’t expect to see many offensive starters tonight:
This is a great read on Davante Adams from Mirin Fader:
Rob Demovsky tries to read between the lines:
Speaking of Williams, he’s going earlier in fantasy drafts:
The Packers' first-round pick could get a look at returner tonight:
Great story from Wes Hodkiewicz:
Andy Herman takes a look at the play of Clay Matthews:
Brady or Rodgers: Which one is a lock to throw 30 TDs this year?
Jason Wilde writes on the friendship between several Packers and Jordy Nelson:
Cobb talked Nelson on the radio:
Nice throwback from the team’s Hall of Fame:
Speaking of throwbacks:
There are regular old game previews, then there is whatever this is: