Packers Morning Buzz: Talk of rift with Aaron Rodgers 'mind-boggling' to Mike McCarthy

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.

We'll start Tom Silverstein's insightful sit-down with coach Mike McCarthy to discuss the state of the Packers' offense and his relationship with Aaron Rodgers.

Tom writes:

Whichever way the game plan sorts out, McCarthy said that people do not need to worry about the working relationship between him and Rodgers. They are two completely different people from two different walks of life and they don’t always see eye-to-eye.

They wouldn’t be friends if they weren’t connected through football. But they were brought together to win Super Bowls and they need each other.

“(That) people keep bringing up the relationship is mind-boggling to me,” McCarthy said. “This is a personality business. My brother (Joe, who passed away in 2015) is as close as anybody I’ve ever been around. I’ve had conversations with Aaron about things in life that I didn’t even have with my brother.

“I know this young man on a very deep level. We don’t run around together. That’s not really my personality. I think you have to have a line between coach and player. They know I care about them. I hope they do.''

Be sure to read Tom's entire piece here:

Pete Dougherty writes about Lions coach Matt Patricia being the latest product of the Bill Belichick coaching tree and how his proteges have struggled, as did Vince Lombardi's:

Check out our predictions and 5 things to watch for Packers-Lions:

The Packers are waiting for tight end Jimmy Graham to emerge as a major force:

Jim Owczarski reports on the health of the Packers' receiver corps:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network says to watch for Packers rookie receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling against Detroit:

The Lions will be without injured defensive end Ziggy Ansah (shoulder) and former Packers guard T.J. Lang (concussion):

ICYMI on Friday, Silverstein and Owczarski preview the Lions game in their Packers Podcast:

Aaron Rodgers opened up to sportscaster Michele Tafoya about his relationship with Danica Patrick and growing friendship with Brett Favre:

And Patrick spoke with ESPN about life in Green Bay with Rodgers:

If you could have one quarterback for the rest of this season, would be it Rodgers or the Chiefs' red-hot Patrick Mahomes?

The folks at "Good Morning Football" also discuss the test facing Rodgers and the Packers in Detroit:

ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes about the Packers' surprising sacks leader Kyler Fackrell:

The Packers weren't the only team drafting a potential impact punter in the fifth round last April:

Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack keeps posting impressive stats:

Packers right guard Justin McCray will join safety Josh Jones on "Clubhouse Live" on Monday: