Packers Morning Buzz: 'Midwest Patriots' in for a rude surprise

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers from around the web and here at PackersNews.com.

We'll start with the roar coming out of Detroit after the Lions made four big moves Monday in free agency, agreeing to deals with edge rusher Trey Flowers, cornerback Justin Coleman, slot receiver Danny Amendola and tight end Jesse James.

Columnist Jeff Seidel of the Detroit Free Press notes that three of the new acquisitions have New England ties and dubs Detroit the "Midwest Patriots."

Seidel writes:

It makes some sense to bring in guys you know.

But these guys are about to be shocked. This is an organization that hasn’t won in forever. Losing oozes out of the ground around the Lions’ facility. And three guys will have a hard time changing 50 years of history.

And I fear something.

The Lions are trying to create the Patriot Way in the Motor City. But the Lions don’t have Belichick on the sidelines and they don’t have Brady at quarterback.

And remember: Belichick decided to let Flowers go, and that’s something I can’t forget.

You can read the entire column here:

More on the Lions' big day from ace beat reporter Dave Birkett:

After a quiet day from the Packers, Pete Dougherty writes about how general manager Brian Gutekunst needs to use free agency to improve his flexibility in the draft:

Scratch Jacksonville free agent Tashaun Gipson from the list of possible Packers signings at safety:

Fear not, Packers fans. Former star safety LeRoy Butler is promising a "big splash":

The Packers are inclined to wait until after the first wave of free-agent signings to focus in on a possible trade for edge rusher Dee Ford, writes The MMQB's Albert Breer:

Slot receiver Randall Cobb's value is on the rise:

Our Packers free-agency tracker is the best way to keep up with all of Green Bay's comings and goings, plus free-agency updates from around the NFL:

Looks like big paydays ahead for free-agent safeties after Landon Collins breaks the bank with Washington:

Another top safety is off the market:

Will Packers make a bold addition to their kick-return game?

Would be a better fit in Green Bay than Antonio Brown, but wide receiver isn't at top of Packers' needs list and OBJ wouldn't come cheaply:

The Vikings will have some new faces on defense:

ESPN's esteemed Matt Bowen shares the opinion of our Pete Dougherty that Le'Veon Bell would be a good fit for the Packers' new offense:

Free agency hasn't even officially begun and already there are grades to hand out:

What does the Raiders' signing of Antonio Brown mean for Jordy Nelson?

Will Kevin King ever stay healthy long enough to justify the Packers passing on T.J. Watt?

And finally ... how times have changed ...