Packers Daily Links: Following Speech, Starr Collapses But Is Fine

Packers legend Bart Starr collapsed after a speech in Madison on Tuesday but is reportedly doing fine. That and more in today's Daily Links...

Packers legend Bart Starr collapsed after giving a speech in Madison on Tuesday at the Governor's Conference on Economic Development, put on by the Wisconsin Economic Development Association and hosted by the Monona Terrace Convention Center. "Mr. Starr was evaluated by paramedics and it was determined he didn't have to be taken to a hospital," Fran Puleo, public relations manager at the convention center, is quoted as saying by Madison.com. "He went out to his limousine and off to the airport." From all indications, Starr is fine, which is good news for Packer Nation.

With news that James Starks could be lost for the season due to an injury, speculation turns to what the Packers do next at the running back position. "If Starks is done for the year, it leaves (Alex) Green, (John) Kuhn, Johnny White and practice-squad call-up DuJuan Harris, a first-year player from Troy, on the roster," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. "Harris played in five games last season as a rookie with Jacksonville, rushing nine times for 42 yards." Word is the Packers are signing Ryan Grant, but what impact will he have? The guess here is he plays a bigger role with each passing week and by the end of the regular season, could be sharing carries with Green.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers used his weekly radio show on the ESPN radio affiliate in Milwaukee on Tuesday to throw support behind his former coach at Cal, Jeff Tedford, for the open job at the University of Wisconsin now that Bret Bielema has left for Arkansas. "When Bielema’s departure hit social media and news outlets, Rodgers took the opportunity to champion his old coach at California-Berkeley, Jeff Tedford," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. "Cal fired Tedford last month." Unlike some of the big names being considered for the Wisconsin job like Paul Chryst and Darrell Bevell, Tedford does not have ties to the UW, however.

Aaron Rodgers talked about several other topics on his radio show, including praise for the Chiefs in the wake of the Jovan Belcher murder-suicide, his performance against the Vikings and complaints about the BCS.

Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum addressed the potential of newly signed receiver and return specialist Jeremy Ross taking some of the return duties and burden off of Randall Cobb. “We’ll make those decisions as we go through the week from a game management standpoint,” Slocum told ESPNMilwaukee.com. “I think he’s good. He’s a natural catcher of the ball. He’s strong, he’s got excellent speed and I think he’s got good vision.” The Packers would probably prefer to use Ross in situations that aren't critical to the outcome of the game. For instance, if the Packers are leading by three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, then Ross will get his opportunity.

Scouting reports on the Detroit Lions come from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Green Bay Press-Gazette and Packer Report.

The possibility of clinching a first-round bye in the playoffs is discussed at Packer Report and the Press-Gazette.

Articles in this week's Packer Plus including items on the offensive line, finishing the season strong, not panicking, former Packer Jim Temp, an excerpt from the new Mike McCarthy biography and a preview of the Lions game.

Mason Crosby's rebound is the subject of a blog post at the Press-Gazette.

Packers legend Jerry Kramer talks to Deadspin about the end of his playing career.

Charles Woodson's role upon return to the Packers is speculated about at Acme Packing Company.

Mike McCarthy answers fan questions in his weekly Tuesday With McCarthy post at the team's official website.

The Packers move up to seventh place in the AP's weekly Pro32 poll.

Cheesehead TV's own Zach Kruse writes about the methods in which the Packers win in his weekly column at JSOnline.

Video: A.J. Hawk paid a visit to a local grade school in Green Bay. From Fox 11...

Brian Carriveau is the author of "It's Just a Game: Big League Drama in Small Town America," a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and an editor at Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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