Morning Buzz: Wrapping up the league meetings
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. Grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know about the Packers and the NFL.
Ryan Wood has all the latest from the annual league meetings, which officially adjourned late Tuesday evening with the commissioner’s news conference. Mike McCarthy and the NFC head coaches still will be meeting with the media this morning for breakfast, so be sure to check back later today for all the latest from the Packers head coach.
Ryan starts us off with a look at Mike McCarthy’s plans for Martellus Bennett.
Even with more production from their tight end position last season — thanks to one-year rental Jared Cook — it remained a “displaced” position in McCarthy’s system. Packers tight ends split out wide. They lined up in the backfield.
More than ever, McCarthy said, tight ends were not in the one place most expected: line of scrimmage, next to the tackle.
McCarthy wants to change that this fall. In Bennett, the Packers signed a player capable of creating mismatches as an in-line tight end. He’s a big, mauling blocker, standing 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds. And he can run, a 4.68-second 40-yard dash that stretches the middle of the field.
Put a tight end who doesn’t reveal tendencies on the line of scrimmage, and it can knock defenses off balance. A playmaker who can block and catch is difficult to defend. Harder, still, for a defense to know what play is coming.
That’s just what McCarthy expects from Bennett.
McCarthy also spoke about the vacant spot at right guard on his offensive line and how there are no plans to move Bryan Bulaga inside to make way for Jason Spriggs.
I chatted with readers over on our Facebook page late Tuesday afternoon about all things Packers:
The NFL adopted a slew of new rules changes at the owner’s meetings Tuesday.
The Packers are getting close to a potential date with London:
The AFC coaches met with the media Tuesday and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh couldn’t help but remark on Larry McCarren’s finger:
Would the Packers take Joe Mixon in the first round? Mel Kiper thinks it’s a possibility.
The Power Sweep takes a look at how Forrest Lamp’s game could translate to the NFL:
Lombardi Ave. explores three bold trade possibilities for the Packers during the NFL draft:
Really good post from Michelle Bruton here on the Ricky Jean Francois signing:
Rob Demovsky writes on Adam Gase’s advice on coaching Martellus Bennett:
This isn’t Packers-related, but I thought this was inspired:
Would the Seahawks trade Richard Sherman? They would listen if a team had an offer…