Packers Morning Buzz: No one coming to Aaron Rodgers' rescue this time

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 (3-4-1) conducted a padded practice outdoors Thursday in preparation for their game Sunday against the Miami Dolphins (5-4) at Lambeau Field.

We'll start with Pete Dougherty's look at how this Packers team (3-4-1) compares to the 2016 team that was 4-6 but ran the table and made the playoffs:

Pete writes:

Unlike in ’16, Rodgers has played injured. His sprained left knee cost him mobility and a lot of practice time early in the season and probably affected his throwing, too.

But he’s getting healthier now. He didn’t wear a brace against New England last week and had his first full week of practice this week.

His running gait looks good, though his speed isn’t all the way back. He’ll need it soon to be at his playmaking best to save the season.

More importantly, there’s the deteriorating chemistry between Rodgers and McCarthy. You don’t have to be an insider to see that the quarterback and play caller aren’t in tune. Rodgers’ body language during the dry spells tells all. If those two don’t find a spark, somehow, some way, their blasé offense will never take off.

Late in ’16 Rodgers had one thing these Packers don’t: Jared Cook. It’s no coincidence that Rodgers took off when Cook returned from a high-ankle sprain for the 10th game that year. In the final 10 weeks, playoffs included, Cook caught 42 passes for 606 yards and three touchdowns. He was the missing threat.

No one like that is coming to Rodgers’ rescue this year.

You can read Pete's entire column here:

Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine addressed the decision to release safety Jerome Whitehead:

Packers right guard Byron Bell on playing between center Corey Linsley and right tackle Bryan Bulaga: "My job is pretty easy":

Packers linebacker Blake Martinez is debating the pros and cons of trying to play Sunday against Miami on a swollen ankle:

Our Packers analysis video looks at the threat posed by the Dolphins' running game:

Packers defensive lineman Mike Daniels got added to the injury list with a shoulder problem:

Packers linebacker Clay Matthews spoke about the shooting that took place in Thousand Oaks, Calif., near his hometown:

The U.S. Navy absolved the helicopter pilots who did an unscheduled flyby of a Packers preseason game:

Navy: No violation in Lambeau helicopter flyby

The Ringer ranks the attractiveness of potential NFL offseason coaching vacancies and puts the Packers at the top of the list:

The MMQB is another national media site to include the Packers' Mike McCarthy on their list of NFL coaches on the hot seat:

Reggie Wayne of the NFL Network is predicting a Dolphins upset victory Sunday:

ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes on how Packers' slow start seems different this time:

Tom Oates of the Wisconsin State Journal is citing a lack of talent for Packers' problems:

Despite battling injuries, the Packers' Jaire Alexander is the NFL's top rookie cornerback, according to Pro Football Focus:

The Power Sweep notes how effective Aaron Rodgers has been in the fourth quarter this season:

And even though Rodgers hasn't been as sharp as usual, he still ranks among the Pro Football Focus top-five quarterbacks through nine weeks:

Lambeau Field could be hosting another big-name act next summer:

And finally ...