Morning Buzz: Rodgers agrees, Brady is the GOAT
Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers and the NFL from around the web and here at PackersNews.com. Just because it’s the offseason doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to talk about. The NFL never sleeps, so grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know.
Ryan Wood starts us off with the latest in his free-agency series, looking at J.C. Tretter.
A 2013 fourth-round pick, Tretter becomes a free agent next month when his four-year rookie contract expires. More than anything, Tretter’s ability to line up anywhere from center to tackle has clear value. At the very least, he is a plug-and-play swing offensive lineman.
“I'd love to be back,” Tretter said a day after the Packers’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC championship game. “Obviously there's still a lot that could happen the next few months. But hope to be back, I like it here. The guys that coach, this staff, I've really enjoyed the four years I've had here, and hopefully more to come.”
But the Packers won’t break the bank to do it. Not with a year left on Corey Linsley’s rookie deal. Tretter’s best position is center, where he started 10 games the past two seasons, including the first seven games in 2016. But Linsley, a fifth-round pick in 2014, figures to be the Packers’ future center.
If another team pays Tretter to be its starting center this spring, the Packers aren’t expected to match.
Ryan also held a chat with readers Thursday afternoon. You can read it all here.
Here’s one exchange:
Q: Looking back to the SB Team on '10, you had 5 legit playmakers on D - Clay, Raji, Woodson, Tramon, Collison, (not including Shields). Seems like they have 3 currently on D, and really only 2 when Clay is hurt - Daniels and HaHa. Perry had a good year, but he's hurt too much, which really makes this season even more of an anomaly. Point being, they need way more talent on D, TT's struck out a lot lately on that side of the ball - excluding HaHa (who I think would actually be better as a SS).
A: You're right, this is a defense that needs more talent. And that isn't good for a defense that has added a first-round pick each of the past five years. Even the "playmakers" weren't exactly difference makers this past season. Clay Matthews, with five sacks and two significant injuries (shoulder and hamstring), was not a difference maker. Mike Daniels, a borderline Pro Bowl talent, is better against the run than pass and didn't take over games as an interior rusher. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was a Pro Bowler, but he still can be inconsistent with his angles, and the interceptions come in spurts. Now, Clay Matthews can play better with more health, Ha Ha will get more consistent with experience, and Mike Daniels is very good inside, but Super Bowl defenses have playmakers at every level. The Packers currently do not.
I also chatted with readers on Thursday, over on our Facebook page.
Elsewhere, it sounds like Datone Jones wants to be back. Do the Packers feel the same way?
Aaron Rodgers, who grew up a Joe Montana fan, is firmly in the “Brady Is the GOAT” camp.
Sports Illustrated’s Andy Benoit has been doing some film work on TJ Lang:
Packers fans truly are everywhere:
Rodgers-to-Cobb is the Play of the Day in England. For whatever reason.
Mike Daniels was out enjoying the weather in Green Bay on Thursday:
Just a fun little note as free agency approaches:
The Cardinals and Cowboys will face off in the Hall of Fame game on Aug. 3:
The NFL Scouting Combine starts next week. There are lots of traditional stories we’ll be following, but this one is just downright weird: