As OTAs begin in Green Bay on Monday, Ray Rivard of LombardiAve.com joins Railbird Central to talk about his website and some Packers football. Topics range from running back James Starks, kicker Mason Crosby and position battles to watch this offseason.

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Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

The Packers announced on Monday a couple events at the end of July that will coincide with the start of training camp on Green Bay.

Although the team has yet to release its training camp practice schedule, several media outlets have announced that the first practice will take place on Friday July 26.

That same evening, the Packers will hold a 1K Kids Run at 6 p.m., presented by WPS Health Insurance, which includes a lap around Lambeau Field. Registration for the Kids Run is $10 and all participants will receive a Packers 1K Run t-shirt, a logoed bag and a participant medal.

Following the 1K Kids Run will be the annual Movie Night at Lambeau Field starting at 7:30 p.m. Disney’s Wreck it Ralph will be shown on the TundraVision. The event is free and open to the public, and concessions will be available throughout the movie.

Then on Saturday July 27 will be the fourth annual 5K Run at Lambeau Field at 6:30 p.m.

Details are provided by the Packers:

The computer-timed run is highlighted by a neighborhood route that ultimately takes participants into Lambeau Field and around the famed gridiron. The event has a special finish line – the Packers’ ‘G’ painted on turf located in the parking lot.

Bellin Health will be contributing its race expertise to the event through logistical and medical support. The organization’s 10K race, the Bellin Run, is among the nation’s most popular races. This year’s Bellin Run will mark the 37th running of the 10K race.

All participants will receive a Packers 5K Run T-shirt, a logoed bag, and a bib number and timing chip. In addition, photos will be taken on the course and will be available at no cost on the Packers 5K Run website.

Packers-themed awards will be presented to the top three finishers in each age group. An awards ceremony will take place following the conclusion of the race.

Registration, which is $25 for adults and $15 for children (12 and younger), will be available online beginning Monday, May 20, at www.packers.com/5k. Mail-in registration is also an option, with forms available online and in person at Lambeau Field. Runners can also register at the Bellin Run Expo on Friday, June 7, at Astor Park in Green Bay. Early registration is encouraged. After July 14, registration fees will increase to $30 and $20, respectively.

The Packers are partnering with local charities to raise money with the event. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross, Volunteer Center of Green Bay and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

WIXX 101 is serving as the radio partner for the event.

#PACKERSmicroblog

Fans were encouraged to submit a picture to the website, then a panel selected the top five photos, and fans picked the winner. According to packerseverywhere.com, over 8000 photos were submitted and 16,000 votes cast.

The fans have spoken, and the winner is Emily Sperduto of Oxford, N.J.  Her face will appear on over 80,000 tickets for the December 22nd home game against the Steelers. The family also won airfare, lodging and game day tickets for the game.

Her father, Tom, entered her in the contest and called the opportunity for Emily to be on a ticket a dream come true.

“I get emotional thinking about the memories that will come from this trip….I feel like we will be part of the team by having her face represent the Packers on that ticket. It’s a pretty awesome feeling.”

For more on Emily and her family read the official release.

#PACKERSmicroblog

Linebacker Desmond Bishop is featured in an article by Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel. “Bishop, 28, admits he’ll probably stay cautious through organized team activities and minicamp this spring,” writes Dunne. “But he also says he’ll be ’110%’ ready for training camp.” Another interesting thing Bishop says is that it’s his goal to be the defensive MVP for the 2013 season. That’s a pretty lofty goal for a guy coming off a torn hamstring last season, but there’s nothing wrong with dreaming big. I have my hesitations that Bishop will be the same player he once was, but I’m not ruling it out either. In any case, the feature on Bishop is fantastic and gets into a lot of his life history, growing up around gangs and drugs.

More on Desmond Bishop appears at the JSOnline blog.

As noted at ESPN.com’s NFC North blog, Kevin Seifert picks up on a local television interview that the Packers are expected to be the Vikings’ first opponent in their new stadium in 2016. “In 2003, the NFL scheduled the Minnesota Vikings as the Green Bay Packers’ first opponent in the renovated Lambeau Field,” notes Seifert. “So naturally, the Vikings are expecting the league to return the favor 13 years later.” Seifert quotes Vikings vice president Lester Bagley as the source. From a fan standpoint, nothing would be more perfect than the Packers winning the Super Bowl and getting to host the Kickoff game the following season to foil the Vikings’ plans.

Former Packer Charles Woodson is starting to gain some interest on the free agent market, and he spoke to the Detroit Free Press about the possibility of playing for the division rival Lions this past weekend. “Here’s the thing about the Lions: The Lions have players. They just haven’t been able to put it together,” Woodson is quoted as saying. “Would I be open to playing (for them)? No question. But the dollars have to make sense, too.” Woodson is reportedly going to visit the Oakland Raiders on Tuesday, so there may be competition for his services.

More on Charles Woodson and his charity fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Mich. comes from MLive.com.

The Packers are currently $13 million below the salary cap, according to Bill Huber of Packer Report. “During the offseason, the combined total of the top 51 players must be below the $123 million cap,” writes Huber. “With just a little more work to be done, the Packers have plenty of space for contract extensions.” Players like Sam Shields, B.J. Raji, Morgan Burnett and James Jones figure high to be on the list of the next contract extensions.

More on the salary cap comes from Packer Report.

A couple features appearing at ESPNMilwaukee.com over the weekend include pieces on Nate Palmer, Kevin Dorsey and Bart Starr.

Items on rookie running backs Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin, Jarrett Bush and Santana Dotson come from the Press-Gazette.

Speaking of Lacy and Franklin, Acme Packing Company caught some footage of the two running backs at the NFL’s Rookie Premiere this past weekend.

Other items at Acme Packing Company include blog posts on Graham Harrell, M.D. Jennings and the front office.

Lombardi Ave. also has a piece on Graham Harrell as well as others on James Starks, Mason Crosby and Angelo Pease.

A closer look at Aaron Rodgers’ 51 sacks last season appears at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Offensive lineman Andrew Datko is featured in an article at Packer Report.

Safety Jerron McMillian is the topic of a post at the Packer Ranter.

Video: Wide receiver James Jones held his first ever youth football camp in Green Bay over the weekend. Coverage comes from Fox 11…

Monday also represents the start of Phase Three in Green Bay, as recognized by the NFL’s College Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which means players can practice together as a team for the first time instead of just Individual Positional Workouts (IPWs).

According to the NFL, “Teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or ‘OTAs’. No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permissible.”

Even though team work is allowed for the first time, head coach Mike McCarthy alluded during the the NFL Draft that the Packers would spend more time on fundamentals and drill work during OTAs as compared to the past.

For a more detailed explanation of Phase Three and what will be taking place Monday in Green Bay, here’s a passage from the NFL’s CBA:

No one-on-one offense vs. defense drills are permitted (i.e., no offensive linemen vs. defensive linemen pass rush or pass protection drills, no wide receivers vs. defensive backs bump-and-run drills, and no one-on-one special teams drills involving both offense and defense are permitted). Special teams drills (e.g., kicking team vs. return team) are permitted, provided no live contact occurs. Team offense vs. team defense drills are permitted, provided no live contact occurs. Clubs may require players to wear helmets; no shells are permitted during Phase Three of the Club’s offseason workout program or any minicamp.

While the practices open to the public will be held at Clark Hinkle Field on Tuesday, Monday’s session is likely to be held behind closed doors inside the Don Hutson Center.

In any case, this is a good time to look at how the roster stacks up heading into Organized Team Activities, which begin on Monday in Green Bay.

Brief commentary after each position will focus more on the players on the roster bubble as compared to those who are more sure bets to make the team.

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers

B.J. Coleman

Commentary: There’s still a lot for Coleman to prove, but as it stands now, he’s predicted to overtake Graham Harrell as the team’s primary backup to Rodgers this season. It’s hard to see the Packers keeping a third quarterback on the 53-man roster, but if Coleman wins the backup job, Matt Brown stands a good chance of becoming the de facto No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad.

Running Back

Eddie Lacy

Johnathan Franklin

DuJuan Harris

Alex Green

Fullback John Kuhn

Commentary: The rookies, Lacy and Franklin, are locks to make the roster, and based upon his performance last year, Harris isn’t going anywhere either. It would appear as if Green and James Starks could be fighting for one roster spot between them. Perhaps whoever proves he can stay healthy will remain employed. It will be interesting to watch Angelo Pease when the pads come on, given the impression he left on Mike McCarthy in rookie orientation camp. John Kuhn’s job would appear to be safe for another year, but don’t expect him to carry the ball much any more.

Wide Receiver

Randall Cobb

Jordy Nelson

James Jones

Jarrett Boykin

Charles Johnson

Commentary: Cobb, Nelson and Jones are assured of roster spots, but beyond that, it’s up for grabs. Because of his experience last year, Boykin has the inside track on the No. 4 receiver spot. Johnson certainly looks the part from a size and speed standpoint, but he has to prove he can handle it the job mentally too. Jeremy Ross has a chance to stick if he can be reliable as a return specialist. Kevin Dorsey also has an opportunity to win the No. 5 job, but he’s going to have to leapfrog a couple competitors along the way. It wouldn’t be unheard of for the Packers to keep only four receivers if a fifth doesn’t impress, especially if they have enough options at tight end.

Tight End

Jermichael Finley

Matthew Mulligan

D.J. Williams

Ryan Taylor

Commentary: Finley’s future in Green Bay might be murky beyond 2013, but as for the season at hand, he’ll be looking to make a big-time statement. Mulligan stands a good chance to take over Tom Crabtree’s role as the designated blocking tight end. Both Williams and Taylor are entering what could be make or break seasons. As of right now, Andrew Quarless is predicted not to make it on the basis of his very serious injury suffered two years ago, but there will be plenty of opportunities to prove himself between now and September.

Offensive Line

Bryan Bulaga

Josh Sitton

Evan Dietrich-Smith

T.J. Lang

Marshall Newhouse

Don Barcaly

Derek Sherrod

David Bakhtiari

J.C. Tretter

Commentary: It’s a big jump going from the seven offensive linemen last year to the nine projected here, but the guessing is that the Packers won’t want to risk cutting some of the younger guys like Bakhtiari or Tretter and risk losing them. The open spot at right tackle might not yet be settled, but there’s no shortage of candidates. Undrafted rookie Lane Taylor will have a chance to make his presence known, but it will be tough for him to make the roster, because the Packers have more invested into their two fourth round draft choices. Greg Van Roten will have to come on like gangbusters if he’s going to beat the odds for a second consecutive year. Garth Gerhart and Patrick Lewis are good practice squad candidates as true centers.

Defensive Line

Datone Jones

B.J. Raji

Ryan Pickett

Mike Neal

C.J. Wilson

Mike Daniels

Commentary: It’s assumed Jerel Worthy will at least begin the season on the PUP list. It was going out on a limb keeping only six defensive linemen, especially when Raji, Pickett, Neal and Wilson are all free agents after 2013, but it basically came down to  who would the Packers rather keep on their roster––Josh Boyd or one of their fourth round offensive linemen? Boyd could be stashed away on the practice squad. Johnny Jolly looks like he’ll get a fair shake, but he’s going to have to really impress if the Packers are going to keep a 30 year old who’s been out of football for three years over much younger options who have a lot of good years ahead of them.

Outside Linebacker

Clay Matthews

Nick Perry

Dezman Moses

Nate Palmer

Commentary: Perry is a starter whether he’s ready or not, and Moses is the top backup to either Matthews or Perry until someone else proves otherwise. Sixth round draft choice Nate Palmer finds himself in a good position as the No. 4 outside linebacker, but he’ll be pushed by undrafted rookies Andy Mulumba and Donte Savage. It wouldn’t be surprising if Jamari Lattimore, Rob Francois or even Brad Jones go back to outside linebacker where they’ve played in the past.

Inside Linebacker

A.J. Hawk

Desmond Bishop

Brad Jones

Terrell Manning

Jamari Lattimore

Commentary: Bishop still has a long road on his way to recovery from last year’s hamstring injury, but when healthy, he’s the team’s best inside linebacker. There’s plenty of depth at inside linebacker, at least in terms of sheer numbers. Manning has a chance to make a big jump from last year as long as his health woes are behind him. Lattimore is more of a special teams player than anything, and will be pushed by seventh round draft choice Sam Barrington for the same type of role. If special teams is going to be the deciding factor, it makes more sense that the Packers keep Jarrett Bush rather than Francois.

Cornerback

Tramon Williams

Casey Hayward

Sam Shields

Davon House

Micah Hyde

Jarrett Bush

Commentary: Fans may be down on Williams after two bad games last season, but his job is safe unless anything unforeseen happens. Hayward, Shields and House are all young, up-and-coming corners and will be fighting for snaps. It’s a good dilemma for the Packers to have. Hyde makes the cut, but he’ll find it tough to find playing time in his rookie year.

Safety

Morgan Burnett

Jerron McMillian

M.D. Jennings

Sean Richardson

Commentary: Safety is currently the thinnest position on the team, and it wouldn’t be surprising for the Packers to add a veteran presence at some point, for insurance if nothing else. McMillian is the most likely starter opposite Burnett, even if Jennings has more experience. Richardson is a good bet to make the roster if he shows his offseason cervical disc surgery isn’t a risk. Jarrett Bush has been an emergency safety in the past and a full-time switch to the position isn’t out of the question.

Special Teams

Mason Crosby

Tim Masthay

Brett Goode

Commentary: There’s nobody to provide competition to Masthay and Goode, but they don’t exactly need it either. The Packers have brought in another kicker to test Crosby for the first time since 2007 with Giorgio Tavecchio. Crosby still has the inside track on the job as long as he doesn’t tank it. After last year’s performance, however, tanking it doesn’t exactly seem beyond Crosby’s any more.

Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America,” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

According to recreational golf scores published by the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Bulaga shot a 39 in nine holes at Thornberry Creek golf club in Oneida on Monday.

For a sport that requires a fair amount of hip swivel and trunk twisting, it can only be a good sign that Bulaga was able to get out, hit the links and shoot a good score to boot. At least far better than I could hope to shoot.

#PACKERSmicroblog

First, we check in with Dubuque resident and Packers blogger Amanda Lawson, who gives us the lowdown from the recent Tailgate Tour stop in Iowa. Then we play our interview with Packers rookie running back Eddie Lacy and get into the changing face of the Packers’ running attack and whether the ground game could ever overtake the aerial assault in Green Bay.

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Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

The move would be fitting for Woodson as former Packers executive, Reggie McKenzie, is now the General Manager of the Raiders. Woodson also began his career in Oakland, playing there from 1998 to 2005.

#PACKERSmicroblog

Former Packer Paul Hornung is interviewed about his horse, Titletown Five, which is running in the second leg of Saturday’s Triple Crown series in the Preakness Stakes. “I think he’s going to run good,” Hornung is quoted as saying by reporter Rob Demovsky. “We don’t know if he’s fully ready. If he hadn’t chipped a bone in his knee early on, who knows what would’ve happened. I think he would’ve been right there (in the Derby). He’s that good. Wayne (Lukas) thinks he’s that good and if he thinks he’s that good, he knows more about it than I do, but I’ve been around this all my life.” I found it interesting to hear that Titletown Five had actually beaten Kentucky Derby winner Orb in a maiden race when they were two-year olds. Titletown Five was given 30-1 morningline odds, the longest odds in the entire Preakness field.

A story on cornerback Jarrett Bush appears at the Packers official website about when he spoke to students at the Wisconsin School of the Deaf just a few days ago on this year’s Tailgate Tour. Bush talked about his own experience of having a learning disability. “I wasn’t good at school, but I had the dedication and determination to go to the teacher and learn,” Bush is quoted as saying. “I didn’t get it right the first time, but maybe the fifth or sixth time I tried it, I got it right.” A few years ago I had an opportunity to cover a football game at the Wisconsin School of the Deaf as a journalist, and I remember it fondly as one of the more unique experiences I’ve had as a writer. And I think it’s really cool that the Packers chose to stop there while on the Tailgate Tour.

The Packers official website describes the past day’s Tailgate Tour stops. They played bingo at a nursing home, helped build a playground in Monroe, Wis. and finally made a stop in the state of Iowa for the first time ever.

Mark Murphy said the stop in Dubuque was the largest crowd they’ve had on the Tailgate Tour, according to the Dubuque Telegraph Herald.

A couple items on Randall Cobb and breakout players appear at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Another blog post on Randall Cobb in addition to one on C.J. Wilson are published at Acme Packing Company.

Articles on Jake Stoneburner and Brandon Bostick come from Packer Report.

Over at Lombardi Ave., they take a look a look at the quarterback position and share a few thoughts on the Packers.

The Packers will be hosting a USA Football youth coaching school in June.

Video: With Thursday’s Tailgate Tour stop in Dubuque, a local ABC affiliate takes a look at the charity the Packers helped raise funds for…

The event is a fundraiser for Jones’ own Love Jones 4 Kids foundation and Freedom House Ministries helping homeless families with children in the Green Bay area.

Festivities start at 6:00 p.m. local time at the Green Bay Distillery right across the street from Lambeau Field and last until 9:00 p.m. The evening will include live music, live and silent auctions and giveaways.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at Jones’ foundation’s website.

Meanwhile, the Tailgate Tour makes its final stop Friday evening at Tomah Recreation Park for its tailgate party.

Tomah will welcome the players and alumni arriving at 6 p.m. and will run until 8:30 p.m. The party will feature food, giveaways, question-and-answer sessions and autographs. Tailgate party tickets cost $30 with proceeds going to benefit Tomah Area Cancer Support Inc. As of Apr. 30, tickets were still available and could be purchased at Burnstad’s, 701 E. Clifton St. in Tomah.

Like all stops on the tour, celebrities will include Packers president Mark Murphy, players Jarrett Bush, Randall Cobb and Alex Green, and Packers alumni Santana Dotson, Aaron Taylor and Frank Winters.

The Associated Press also reports that the Tailgate Tour will stop at the Wisconsin National Guard’s Challenge Academy at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin earlier in the day.

Brandon Jackson agreed to a one-year deal with the Browns.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 16, 2013

Brandon Jackson is a former running back for the Green Bay Packers who was a member of the winning team in Super Bowl XLV just over two seasons ago.

#PACKERSmicroblog

Eddie Lacy’s interview begins at approximately the 25-minute mark.

Say this for Green Bay Packers rookie Eddie Lacy, he’s brimming with optimism.

When asked Thursday if he could eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in first season in the NFL, the former Alabama running back responded, “I really think I can.”

Lacy wasn’t about to let his mouth write a check his legs can’t cash, however. He hedged by adding, “We’ll see how it all plays out.”

Before becoming the first Packers running back to run for 1,000 or more yards in a single season since Ryan Grant in 2009, the Packers would probably be ecstatic if they could first get him to gain 100 yards in a game. That hasn’t happened in a span of 43 games in Green Bay since Brandon Jackson gained 115 yards against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 10, 2010.

Even though the Packers made Lacy their second round draft choice with the 61st overall selection in April’s NFL Draft, he’ll have plenty of competition to carry the football this upcoming season.

In the fourth round of the draft, the Packers traded up to pick Johnathan Franklin of UCLA as somewhat of an insurance policy. Given the concern surrounding Lacy’s toe fusion surgery and long-term health prognosis, Franklin will be there to complement Lacy or be used as sort of a one-two punch in Green Bay.

As for how they’ll divvy up carries or whether the team uses them in the backfield at the same time, Lacy will leave that up to the coaching staff.

“I honestly have no idea,” said Lacy. “I don’t know what they’re going to do as far as me and him being at running back and if they’re going to put us in at the same time. If they do, that would be cool, but I really don’t know what they plan on doing.”

Lacy’s comments on Thursday came during an online event called a “digital card signing” via the social media platform of a Google+ Hangout. He’s in Pasadena, Cal. over the weekend for the NFL Rookie Premiere, an annual event sponsored by the NFL Players Association along with Topps and Panini. It’s an opportunity for the trading card companies to obtain photography and autographs of this year’s NFL rookie class.

Lacy and Franklin were the only Packers invited to this year’s event, so in just the short amount of time since they’ve been drafted by the Packers, they’ve already begun to spend a lot of time together. The two were roommates during last weekend’s rookie orientation camp in Green Bay as well.

“We’re extremely cool,” said Lacy. “It’s like we’ve known each other for like five years already. We both have a sense of humor, we joke around and we play. Getting to meet him is not as weird as some may think because we both got drafted. He’s an extremely cool guy.”

No matter who’s carrying the football for the Packers in 2013, there’s plenty room for growth in the Green Bay ground game. Last season they ranked 20th in the NFL with 1,702 yards, an average of 3.9 yards per carry. In fact, the Packers’ leading rusher last year was Alex Green with just 464 yards.

Lacy himself ran for 1,322 yards as a junior at Alabama last season alone to go along with 17 touchdowns and a per carry average of 6.5 yards.

Even with a bigger emphasis on the rushing attack in Green Bay, however, the offense will still revolve around quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a fact not lost on Lacy.

By recently signing Rodgers to a five-year, $110 million contract extension and making him the highest-paid player in the NFL, it’s of the utmost importance for Lacy to also be able to provide pass protection for Rodgers.

“That’s pretty much the No. 1 rule there, protect the quarterback, protect Aaron,” said Lacy. “That’s with any team you go to. The quarterback is the guy that runs the whole operation and you have to protect him. But protecting Aaron is pretty much the No. 1 priority.”

Lacy said he’s No. 4 in the running back rotation as things currently stand in Green Bay, presumably behind veterans Green, James Starks and DuJuan Harris, but it shouldn’t take him long to make a climb up the depth chart.

The Packers didn’t make an second round investment into Lacy for nothing.  And it shouldn’t be long before the Packers find out if he’s capable of being the type of ball carrier that’s able to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.

Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America,” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

The Packers are well aware that you can never have too many of these guys lying around because there also never seems to be a shortage of injuries along the line.

The key to both of these prospects—and it’s a byword in the NFL these days—is versatility. Both can play several positions on the offensive line.

Both men played left tackle at their prospective colleges, but only one has the potential to do so at the pro level, and even then I’m not sold. That’s not to say either one was a bad pick though—just that they will probably serve at either right tackle or inside at guard.

So watch the video and get to know Colorado’s David Bakhtiari and Cornell’s JC Tretter.

The Cowboys are signing Anthony Hargrove, who was suspended for his alleged role in the alleged Saints bounty program. Glad to see him back — Jason La Canfora (@VJasonLaCanfora) May 16, 2013

Hargrove spent part of last pre-season with the Packers before being released. At the time Hargrove was scheduled to miss part of the 2012 season for his role in the Saints bounty program, and he did not play in any game in the 2012 season.

#PACKERSmicroblog

In honor of this year’s Tailgate Tour participants, we break down each of this year’s current players hitting the road across the Upper Midwest. Randall Cobb, Alex Green and Jarrett Bush are broken down in-depth on Railbird Central, taking a look where they stand heading into the 2013 season.

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Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

With some questions about Lacy’s durability and a lack of solid options in the backfield beyond DuJuan Harris (for who the jury is still out no matter what Aaron Nagler and I say), Franklin late in the fourth was just too good to pass up.

I went back and forth between Franklin and Stepfan Taylor all off-season, finally leaning towards Franklin because while he’s a bit more raw, his ceiling is far higher.

Franklin had an up and down UCLA career, with a big sophomore year followed by a middling junior year and capped off by a fantastic senior campaign.

He can run tough, has learned to hold onto the ball and can catch as well. He does many things well, but none really perfectly. Still, he has a lot of untapped potential to offer.

Here’s a closer look at Franklin and what he brings to the table.

A couple Packers media outlets making note of Lance Easley’s umpiring are JSOnline and Fox Sports Wisconsin.

A timeline: Charles Woodson visits the Broncos on Wednesday but leaves without a contract. Lombardi Ave. asks if Woodson could still return to the Packers. Packers president Mark Murphy puts the kibosh on that idea. “I really don’t think so,” Murphy said on the Tailgate Tour. “We have a lot of confidence in our young safeties.” Murphy isn’t the one making personnel decisions for the Packers, so you can never say never, but it doesn’t appear as if the chances of Woodson returning to Green Bay are good.

Illinois State wide receivers coach Dan Shula, the grandson of former NFL coach Don Shula, was interviewed by Tyler Dunne of JSOnline about newly signed wideout Tyrone Walker. “I knew that as soon as he got that tryout with Green Bay, he was going to make it,” Shula is quoted as saying. “I just knew that somebody needed to see him in person to give him a chance to do something. He’d show what he brings to the table.” Walker faces long odds to make the Packers roster, especially because he’s not particularly tall or fast, but other longshots have made it in the past. He wouldn’t be the first.

Linebacker A.J. Hawk joined Dave Dameshek’s podcast at NFL.com on Wednesday. The blog post promotes: “Shek and Rank welcome Green Bay Packers linebacker A.J. Hawk back to the show to yap about rookie Datone Jones’ comments (re: Colin Kaepernick), Green Bay’s tough 2013 schedule, the summer movie he’s most looking forward to seeing and having Clay Matthews pay for everything.”

Wednesday’s schedule on the Tailgate Tour included a stop at Waupun High School, the Wisconsin School of the Deaf (photos) before the evening tailgate party in Beloit.

The Tailgate Tour will stop at the Wisconsin National Guard’s Challenge Academy on Friday.

Randall Cobb continues to gain attention while on the Tailgate Tour with articles appearing at the Press-Gazette and Fox Sports Wisconsin.

Paul Hornung’s horse, Titletown Five, is the biggest longshot in the Preakness this Saturday with 30-1 morningline odds.

The dedication of Bart Starr Drive in Green Bay is covered by the team’s official website and Fox 11.

The Packers‘ tackling improvements are covered in a blog post at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Articles on the rookie running backs and the offensive line appear at Packer Report.

Lombardi Ave. has a couple blog posts on Brett Favre, the pistol formation, the new Vikings stadium and what other teams could learn from the Packers.

Acme Packing Company makes note of Jarrett Bush’s desire to start.

Video: The CBS affiliate in Rockford, Ill. covers the Tailgate Tour stop in Beloit…

Brian Carriveau is the author of “It’s Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America,” and editor of Cheesehead TV’s “Pro Football Draft Preview.” To contact Brian, email carriveau@uwalumni.com.

The Rookie Premiere is an annual event held in Pasadena, Cal. for licensed card companies, Topps and Panini, to obtain photography and autographs of this year’s rookie class.

This year, Packers rookies Eddie Lacy and Johnathan Franklin have been invited to attend, and according to a report at ProFootballTalk.com, they are contractually obligated to attend.

Lacy will take part in a “digital card signing” on Thursday afternoon from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT via Google+ hangout.

According to the NFLPA, “Several lucky fans will be given a one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet one of these rookies in a Google+ Hangout for a live digital autograph session. Winners will be able to ask a few questions and will receive a digital copy of the rookie card to keep after the Hangout.”

Fans can apply to take part in the digital signing Hangout at this website, and those who just choose to watch can do so here.

This evening, the Tailgate Tour’s final stop for the evening will take place at the Grand River Center in Dubuque for an event to benefit Camp Albrecht Acres.

The tailgate party will welcome the players and alumni arriving at 6 p.m. and will run until 8:30 p.m.. which will feature food, giveaways, question-and-answer sessions and autographs. The event is sold out.

Like all stops on the tour, celebrities will include Packers president Mark Murphy, players Jarrett Bush, Randall Cobb and Alex Green, and Packers alumni Santana Dotson, Aaron Taylor and Frank Winters.

Last December, people from the show held auditions for Packer fans at The Stadium Bar & Grille. The show is being produced by Jason Carbone, who has worked previously on “The Real World” and “The Bachelor.”

For more on the project, check out the Green Bay Press Gazette.

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