Packers Daily Links: New Indoor Practice Facility Being Considered

Over the weekend, an article by Tony Walter and Richard Ryman of the Green Bay Press-Gazette dug deeper into the idea of the proposed Titletown sports and entertainment district. “The area around Lambeau Field could be home to a new indoor football practice facility as well as a baseball stadium,” according to the report. The idea of a new baseball stadium has been discussed for months now, but this is the first mention of a new indoor facility. Packers vice president and general counsel Jason Wied was interviewed for the article.

Reaction to news regarding the Titletown development district comes from Michael Hunt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, who wonders if and when the Packers will seek taxpayer money to help fund these new projects. “Apparently, no one’s raised the ‘T” word, but some of the locals are beginning to raise their deflector shields,” writes Hunt. “Again, that’s their thing to work out up there.” Who, exactly, is raising their “deflector shields” other than Hunt, himself, is unknown. I’m not saying there’s not people skeptical of the project up in Green Bay, but if Hunt is going to make the claim, maybe somebody should be interviewed about that.

Utah return specialist and wide receiver Antoine “Shaky” Smithson was recently interviewed about his meeting with the Green Bay Packers by Bill Huber of Packer Report. “I’m just humbled by it and grateful for the opportunity,” Smithson is quoted as saying. “It’s just a dream come true. I’m just honored to be on the phone with a guy from Green Bay. I talked to (Packers director of college scouting John) Dorsey recently, and like I told him, just the hard work that I saw your program go through and how you accomplished your goal at the end of the year with the Super Bowl, it’s just a testament to what I’ve gone through in my life. It’s an honor to be in this situation.” News of Smithson’s visit is getting a lot of attention because of the Packers’ need for a return man.

Announcement of the two finalists in the Madden 12 cover vote will be broadcasted live on ESPN.com’s NFC North blog today at 11 a.m. Central time. “As we noted last week, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was trailing Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis in one bracket,” writes Kevin Seifert. “In the other bracket, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick were fighting it out.” With both Rodgers and Peterson being involved, it should get a lot of attention in the Great Lakes area.

The current linebacker situation of the Packers is analyzed by Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel prior to the draft. “As much as it has been speculated that this is a position Thompson will address, the truth is he’s probably not going to use a high pick on an outside linebacker,” writes Silverstein. “It’s more likely he’ll consider it in the middle rounds and then add a number of free agents when they are eligible to be signed.” I’m not exactly sure why Silverstein thinks the Packers will add a number of free agents at the linebacker. Any observer knows the Packers don’t dig very deep into free agency. Certainly it’s possible that the Packers go that route, but I don’t see it as a likely scenario.

The NFL lockout is lamented by Melinda Banks of Lombardi Ave. “When are we going to see our team make the dutiful trip to Washington DC to meet with the President?” asks Banks. “When are we going to get to see the diamond encrusted, gaudy, but rightfully earned Super Bowl ring, and where is the Twitter-controversy-fed Super Bowl Team photo?” Unfortunately, the answer is “Not until the lockout is over.”

Whether Danny Watkins of Baylor should be the Packers’ first-round draft choice is pondered by Michael Rodney of Packer Update. “He isn’t overly big (6-3, 310), strong (29 reps) or athletic (5.36), writes Rodney. “Of course, that doesn’t mean he can’t be a really good pro. It just means he probably shouldn’t be chosen in the first round.” Personally, I disagree. Measurables aren’t the biggest factor for me. Watkins’ play on the field is what matters, and he’s proven himself worthy there. I’m also not convinced that Watkins can’t be a tackle in the pros. While I agree that guard is a more likely landing spot, I’m not ruling out tackle yet, especially right tackle.

Interviews with former Packers’ draft choices on the day they were selected are collected by Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel.

A comprehensive list of Packers on Twitter are listed at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

The top 10 surprises in the Draft by the Packers are posted by Mike Vandermause of the Press-Gazette.

How Ben Roethlisberger is coping with the loss to the Packers in the Super Bowl is highlighted in an article at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

A Bleacher Report writer thinks losing to the Packers in the playoffs will affect the way the Atlanta Falcons draft.

The Packer Ranter shares their “Best Hits.”