NFC Notes: Packers, Panthers, Rams

Packers

Here’s what Packers QB Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday when asked whether he thinks they should sign WR Dez Bryant. 

“Well, we like young receivers, so I’m assuming that’s the way they’re going to keep going,” Rodgers said, via ESPN.com. “I don’t know why you’d cut Jordy and bring in Dez, but he’s a talented player. He’s going to end up somewhere. If he ends up here, we’ll obviously welcome him with open arms and get him up to speed as quick as possible.”

• Regarding TE Jimmy Graham, Rodgers said he’s already impressed: “The guy is pretty damn talented. He’s got some different elements we haven’t had around here in a while with his ability to read coverages very quickly. He catches everything with his hands. We’re pretty excited about him.” (Ryan Wood)
• Packers G Lane Taylor said he underwent ankle surgery after the season and likely won’t work at all during OTAs. However, he expects to be ready for training camp. (Rob Demovsky)
• Bob McGinn reports that Packers GM Brian Gutekunst was set to hire Ravens national scout Milt Hendrickson as assistant GM but Ozzie Newsome denied the request. McGinn adds that Hendrickson could still join the Packers a year from now.

Panthers

New Panthers OC Norv Turner mentioned that they’re going to try to expand on the kinds of things that make QB Cam Newton one of the biggest mismatches to defend in the NFL this year.

“To me, Cam is one of the three or four — if not THE hardest — guys to defend in the league,” Turner said, via David Newton of ESPN. “Coaches spend extra time when they play against Cam Newton because he can beat you in so many different ways.

“Our intention is to expand on those things that he can do well and things he may not have been exposed to yet.”

The Panthers will try to take advantage of Newton more as a runner, given that the threat of him taking off helps to open things up in the passing game.

“They’re all unique,” Turner said of the quarterbacks he’s coached. “[But] I really believe defensive coaches look at Cam as tough a guy to defend as there is. I personally believe he can be the toughest guy to defend.

“Defensive coordinators don’t like quarterbacks that can scramble. And then you have the zone-read you have to prepare for and his ability to throw the ball anywhere on the field. We’ve just got to build on those things.”

Rams

Rams WR Josh Reynolds said Monday that he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum that he suffered on special teams in the fourth quarter of the Wild Card loss.

“That’s a blessing and a curse at the same time,” Reynolds said, via the Ventura County Star. “You don’t have your full offseason. But then you have more time to get focused and get to work.”

• Rams sixth-round RB John Kelly has pleaded guilty and received judicial diversion in his misdemeanor marijuana case. (Gary Klein)