Packers Morning Buzz: Jimmy Graham says goodbye to Seattle

Welcome to your Morning Buzz, rounding up news and views regarding the Green Bay Packers 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.

We’ll start with Tom Silverstein’s conversation with former Packers receiver James Jones about the departure of Jordy Nelson.

From Tom:

The tone of Jordy Nelson’s voice was familiar. Former Green Bay Packers receiver James Jones probably sounded the same way when the team chose to let him walk in free agency.

Jones talked to Nelson shortly after the Packers released the 32-year-old receiver Tuesday and he was the one who broke the news on Twitter that Nelson had signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Oakland Raiders on Thursday afternoon.

He said Nelson will feel the hurt for a while.

“You always feel you’ve got more in you, especially one more year,” Jones said in a phone interview. “You think to where you were and what you’ve done. He was having a great season and then “12” (Aaron Rodgers) got hurt.”

Nelson was released because the Packers had a chance to clear $10.25 million of salary-cap room and use it on a pair of free agents they wanted to sign, as well as extend Rodgers’ contract.

The Packers did offer a pay cut, but Jones said the deal was so bad, there was no way Nelson would take it, not with the interest there seemed to be in him from other teams. Even so, Jones said Nelson contemplated returning to the Packers.

“I’m not going to say what they offered him, but they really, really low-balled him,” Jones said. “It wasn’t even anything you would consider. Even with all that, he was still considering taking it.”

Michael Cohen wrote up Nelson’s meeting with the local media for his new team:

Michael also notes the Packers bringing back Herb Waters:

I chatted with readers late Thursday afternoon:

Elsewhere, Jimmy Graham says goodbye to the Seahawks:

Rob Demovsky notes several Packers receiving bonuses today:

At least one person thinks the Packers are the team to beat in the NFC North:

One other person thinks what the Packers are doing is risky:

New Packers quarterback DeShone Kizer seems excited to be in Green Bay:

Andy Herman notes the big-time connection between Rodgers and Nelson:

NFL Media featured Nelson highlights on its YouTube channel:

Is Graham to the Packers an underrated move?

Nate Burleson chimes in:

Graham was in the house on Thursday:

Is the Muhammad Wilkerson deal the most important? Jon Meerdink makes the case.

Chris Peterson looks at Wilkerson’s potential to help the pass rush:

Here are five cornerbacks the Packers could still look at:

They may have a new GM, but the Packers are still interested in small-school prospects:

Stephen A. Smith is not a fan:

Greg Jennings spoke with Rich Eisen about Super Bowl XLV:

Jerry Kramer sang the praises of Henry Jordan:

Cliff Christl highlights Red Cochran: