NFC Notes: Michael Pratt, Velus Jones, Bears, Lions, Packers

Bears

Regarding the NFL’s new kickoff rules, Bears ST coordinator Richard Hightower believes WR Velus Jones will excel in the new structure. 

“You can only think about a guy like Velus Jones,” Hightower said, via Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports. “A guy like that with his type of skill set, with the speed and the power that he has, and he’s coming full speed ahead at you, it’s like a damn freight train running at you.”

Hightower reiterated his confidence in Jones’ ability to possibly change games on kickoff returns. 

“He’s gonna get an opportunity to touch the ball three or four more times a game,” said Hightower. “We all know he’s a very dynamic player with the ball in his hands. But this new rule, because of the landing zone, because of the league incentivizing returns, it’s only going to have a really good effect for not only our whole return team but for a guy like that to really change the game.”

Lions

• Jeremy Fowler of ESPN says the Packers at No. 25 overall were among the teams that had Alabama CB Terrion Arnold on their board and Green Bay was believed to have had him rated highly. The Lions, of course, were able to trade up from No. 29 overall to No. 24 to get Arnold.
• Fowler says the Lions coveted Arnold’s man-coverage traits and all-around game.
• Neil Stratton reports the Lions are hiring former Titans’ area scout Tom Roth and former Raiders director of pro personnel Dwayne Joseph to positions on their staff. Their exact titles have not yet been announced. 
• Lions QB Jared Goff mentioned a no-trade clause was more important than getting the most money possible. (Kyle Meinke)
• Goff on signing the extension: “This city just means so much to me and will hold a special place in my heart forever. …I want to win for them. I want to win for these fans.” (Colton Pouncy)

Packers

Packers seventh-round QB Michael Pratt is looking forward to putting his head down and getting to work, making a contribution any way he can.

“Just controlling what I can control,” Pratt said, via Packers Wire. “Just controlling my attitude and my effort. Getting better every day but also elevating all the people around me. You know whatever my role is here, fulfilling it to the best of my ability and just taking it day by day.”

Pratt added that he and QB Sean Clifford, who the team spent a fifth-round pick on last year, have a great relationship.

“I believe it actually started at the Manning Passing Academy a couple of years ago,” Pratt explained. “And then we’ve got like a group chat, just other quarterbacks and other people that Sean and I have stayed in touch.”

Pratt added that elevating the play of those around him and being a great teammate are some of the intangibles that comes with being a good quarterback at the professional level.

“At this level, I think the intangibles,” Pratt said. “Everybody at this level has the talent. I don’t think anybody would be here if they didn’t have the talent to be at this level. It really comes down to leadership, how you get the guys around you to elevate, getting the locker room to buy in, being a leader – all those kind of things because, essentially, you can’t do everything by yourself. At lower levels – in high school and sometimes in college – you can make stuff happen by yourself. At this level, it’s about what you do, what you get the guys around you to do.”

• Pratt on his mindset joining a roster with QB Jordan Love: “Just controlling what I can control. Just controlling my attitude and my effort. Getting better every day but also elevating all the people around me. You know whatever my role is here, fulfilling it to the best of my ability and just taking it day by day.” (Paul Bretl)