Packers Morning Buzz: Could Davante Adams shift to slot receiver?

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 Pete Dougherty addressing questions in his live chat Thursday about how the Packers will replace Randall Cobb as their slot receiver, and whether star wideout Davante Adams could be moved there.

Pete responds:

I'm sure he'll play there some so that it's harder for defenses to know where he's going to line up on any given play. But he's really good on the outside, he's excellent at using his body to create space and separation along the sideline, and at going up and getting balls. So he's still going to get the majority of his snaps on the outside.

Pete also was asked whether a slot receiver necessarily has to be small and quick like Cobb (5-10, 192 pounds), or whether taller players such as Geronimo Allison (6-3, 202) could excel there.

Pete's response:

I don't think I said a slot has to be small and quick, but if you look around the league they definitely tend to be smaller, quicker guys. There's a reason for that. They line up closer to the middle of the field, so they have a two-way go -- there's enough room to cut left or right, and smaller, quicker guys are tougher to cover. When Rodgers was asked about slot receivers after Cobb got hurt last year, he even said you'd prefer a quicker guy in there but that, for instance, Allison could do it. And he was asked that during the season, well before LaFleur was coach, so I don't think he was taking the outside zone run into account. Of course slot receivers don't have to be small and quick, and there's something to be said for having a bigger target over the middle with a larger catch radius. But there are more slot receivers like T. Hill and Edelman and Cobb and Beasley then there are like Fitzgerald or Landry. Maybe, as you suggest, that's changing, or will change, in the coming years. As for the jet sweep, are you saying small and quick guys aren't good at running the jet sweep? I'd say that's something they excel at because they're quick.

Be sure to check out Pete's entire chat, which gets into topics such as the Packers' salary-cap limitations and much more:

Ryan Wood relates the story of new Packers offensive lineman Billy Turner and his dad Maurice, who are set to become only the third father-son combination in the franchises' 101-season history, according to Pro Football Hall of Fame:

How will the departures of Cobb and Clay Matthews affect the Packers? Tom Silverstein and Jim Owczarski break it down in their podcast:

Matthews was introduced to L.A. media Thursday and called joining the Rams "a perfect fit."

"As soon as my chance to return to Green Bay was kind of past me, I knew I wanted to come to the Rams," Matthews told reporters at his introductory news conference. "I put it on my agent and I put it on these guys here to try and get something done. Fortunately, the feeling was mutual and they were receptive to the idea. Talked with [linebackers coach] Joe Barry, as well as [Rams coach] Sean [McVay] to see how I fit within the defense and it seemed like a perfect fit."

Matthews expects his position "to be fluid," although McVay indicated he'd primarily be a pass rusher.

"I know I have the ability to produce like I've done before," Matthews said. "Not to make excuses, but there was some change last year in the Packers organization, and unfortunately it didn't work out for me. But as far as moving forward, I know I'm a difference-maker. I know I can change games. I look forward to proving that, and showing everybody here that what you saw these past 10 years is what you'll get for these next two."

You can read more of what Matthews had to say here:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network discusses what Matthews can bring to the Rams:

As for Cobb, it's officially a done deal in Big D:

In Cobb, the Cowboys could be getting a Cole Beasley clone:

Todd Archer of ESPN has Cobb contract details:

Former Packers guard T.J. Lang is set to retire after two injury-plagued seasons in Detroit:

Packers right tackle Bryan Bulaga tells Michael Cohen of The Athletic he has been given no indication that he won't be back for the 2019 season:

The Packers outbid the Jets for Za'Darius Smith's services and reportedly outbid the Colts for Preston Smith (Indianapolis wound up signing Justin Houston):

ESPN's Rob Demovsky writes about Za'Darius Smith's late start in taking up football:

Here's what Bashaud Breeland got for leaving the Packers:

If the Packers want to draft another edge rusher or fortify their defensive line, this could be an ideal year to do so:

And finally: A look back at Clay Matthews as a pop-culture icon:

Contact Stu Courtney at (920) 431-8377 or scourtney@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @stucourt