Morning Buzz: Time for Thompson to pay up
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. The NFL never sleeps, and the NFL Scouting Combine is only a day away, so grab a strong cup of coffee and get caught up on everything you need to know.
We’ll start with Ryan Wood’s latest free-agency offering. Today, he’s focused on Datone Jones and expectations.
Jones was a first-round pick, the 26th overall selection of the 2013 draft, and first-round defensive ends are expected to wreak havoc on the passer. With nine sacks in 59 regular-season games, he never developed into much of an edge rusher. His 3.5 sacks as a rookie stands as his single-season high.
That didn’t change when the Green Bay Packers moved Jones to outside linebacker last season. Despite a career-high 31½ pressures last season, according to stats compiled by the Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn , Jones had just one sack. And first-round picks are paid for sacks.
But while Jones never became a Cameron Jordan or Chandler Jones — edge rushers drafted in the mid-20s of the first round in recent years — he developed into a serviceable rotational player in the Packers’ defensive front.
Bob McGinn and Michael Cohen are back with their latest podcast, focusing on the defensive side of the ball this time around.
My latest mailbag is up, complete with answers to questions about Davante Adams, T.J. Lang and free agency.
In case you missed it, the Packers were awarded a fifth-round compensatory draft pick Friday:
Rob Reischel and the Packers Plus crew put together a great look back at the biggest moments and top stories of the 2016 season.
Top Stories of the 2016 Packers Season
Elsewhere, NFL Network’s Mike Silver thinks it’s time for Ted Thompson to spend some money to help Aaron Rodgers:
Evan over at ACME Packing Company takes a fun look back at Jay Cutler’s early career in Chicago against the Packers:
The runaway favorite Oscar meme from Sunday night gets the Packers treatment:
Dane Brugler and Rob Rang have an “offseason preview” for each team in the NFC North for CBS Sports.
Injuries decimated the secondary in 2016, resulting in a pass defense that was ranked next to last in the league. Cornerback Sam Shields was released in early February after being sidelined by a concussion last season. The pass rush also needs help, especially if Nick Perry can’t be re-signed.
On offense, the running game needs attention.
Over at USA Today’s Draft Wire, experts teamed up to make first-round selections for each of the league’s 32 teams.
Inside the Pylon’s Shane Alexander represented the Packers and selected Alabama edge rusher Tim Williams.
Far and away the best player available, Williams also fills the need for another EDGE rusher, regardless of if Nick Perry is re-signed. With as much sub-package as Green Bay plays, i'ts possible to get Williams, Clay Matthews, Perry, Mike Daniels, and Kenny Clark on the field at the same time. Cornerback is a big need but can wait until the second round.
Speaking of the draft, today’s Monday Morning Quarterback column from Peter King is packed with tons of great stuff on the combine and the draft:
The Bears reportedly will allow Alshon Jeffery to reach the open market: