With Evan Dietrich-Smith scheduled to become a restricted free agent in March, his agent has reportedly met with the Packers at the NFL Combine to talk about the parameters of a potential deal. "Brian Parker, the agent for Dietrich-Smith, met with the Packers at the Pro Bowl in Honolulu and then again with contract negotiator Russ Ball in Indianapolis," writes Tyler Dunne of JSOnline. If I were the Packers, I wouldn't be talking long-term deal with Dietrich-Smith this early in the game. I'd make him play under his one-year tender to see if he earns his keep and truly is a starting-caliber center in the NFL.

An article at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel by reporter Bob McGinn suggests the Packers may be taking a look at Bryan Bulaga at left tackle, but the comments provided from head coach Mike McCarthy don't really indicate that the wheels are being set in motion. "We're not doing anything like that right now," McCarthy is quoted as saying. "We've got to look at the draft and see what happens." McCarthy also mentioned how they needed to see how Bulaga recovers from the broken capsule in his left hip first. This is a move the Packers should have made a year ago. It's a difficult transition when you consider the other players it would impact as well, but they should have just bit the bullet back then. Because they waited, it's made that much more difficult now.

The Packers' "toughness" is also questioned in an article by Bob McGinn, although Mike McCarthy very strongly disagrees. "To me, we're a physical, tough football team," McCarthy is quoted as saying. "I totally disagree. I don't know how you can put the tape on and say the Green Bay Packers aren't physical." It's perhaps not that the Packers aren't tough in the traditional sense of the word, but I'm not sure they're either as strong or athletic as other playoff teams. They tend to lose one-on-one battles at all sorts of different positions due to physical limitations.

The Packers' ticket prices are examined in a column by Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette, and the general consensus is that the market determines they're still priced fairly.

Two articles by Wes Hodkiewicz at the Press-Gazette take look at players with character issues at the NFL Combine and then another one on the influence of Packers tight end D.J. Williams on Arkansas tight end Chris Gragg.

Oregon State wide receiver Markus Wheaton is perceived as a fit for the Packers offense by Tyler Dunne at JSOnline.

A look at potential free agents joining the Packers takes place at Fox Sports Wisconsin.

The impact of Tom Brady's newly signed contract extension on Aaron Rodgers is examined in a blog post by Andrew Garda of Bleacher Report.

Items on the Packers' playmakers, safety Morgan Burnett and a report card on defensive coordinator Dom Capers all appear at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

The offseason checkup series continues at Fox Sports Wisconsin on linebacker Clay Matthews and safety Jerron McMillian.

The read-option won't change the Packers' draft strategy, according to Justin Felder of Fox 11.

Jermichael Finley's future is discussed is a video at JSOnline.

The impact of Jerel Worthy's knee injury is discussed in a blog post at Acme Packing Company.

Kicking the tires on Cullen Jenkins is a move proposed at PackersTalk.com.

The viability of the Packers getting involved in free agency is debated at Lombardi Ave.

Video: Larry McCarren discusses the NFL Combine at NBC 26 in Green Bay...