Rookie outside linebacker Frank Zombo, in a sense, received a vote of confidence from Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. "It may only last another week, or it may be for the rest of the season – Mike McCarthy wouldn’t exactly say. But for now, at least, undrafted rookie free agent Frank Zombo is the Green Bay Packers’ starting right outside linebacker, the coach said Wednesday," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee. The rationale is that Brad Jones isn't healthy, and Zombo is "accountable and available" as McCarthy would say.

I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Nick Collins didn't apologize (at least anywhere I saw) as suggested in the headline of an article by Bill Huber of Packer Report regarding his confrontation with a Chicago Bears fan on Monday. Collins' response appears to be closer to what the headline of a Greg Bedard (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) article described as regret. "Whatever happened between him and a Chicago Bears fan on Monday night was obviously significant. Collins knows whatever was said or done to him, he should have turned the other cheek," writes Bedard. While I don't take pleasure in scrutinizing semantics, I think it is important to be accurate.

An economic impact study on the effects of the Green Bay Packers and the redeveloped Lambeau Field have on Brown County was released on Wednesday. Don Walker of the Journal Sentinel takes away this: "Mark Murphy, the team's president and CEO, said the study shows that adding as many as 10,000 seats at Lambeau Field could be a real positive for the team and the community in terms of new revenue, new development and new jobs." Now that this study has been released, it wouldn't surprise me to see the ball get rolling on an addition to Lambeau Field or the development of land near the stadium.

From Richard Ryman of the Press-Gazette: "The total impact of the NFL team and the year-round facility was $282 million last season, according to a study released Wednesday by the Green Bay/Brown County Professional Football Stadium District." Contained in the Press-Gazette article is the entire 80-plus page study.

McCarthy's declining track record in overturning replays is detailed by Jason Wilde. "Entering Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field, McCarthy is 16-for-38 (42.1 percent) on replay challenges since taking over as Packers coach in 2006, although he was more judicious – and accurate – with his challenges earlier in his tenure," writes Wilde. "McCarthy got half of his challenges (11 of 22) overturned his first three years (2 of 4 in 2006, 5 of 11 in ’07 and 4 of 7 in ’08), but he was right on just 5 of 14 last season and has now missed on both of his challenges this year."

Despite poor performances from tackles Mark Tauscher and Chad Clifton, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was complimentary of their effort. "I didn't get sacked, so I'm happy with the way they played,” Rodgers is quoted as saying by Huber. Rodgers' response isn't unexpected, but one can make the argument that the fact he wasn't sack was more of a testament of short passes and Rodgers' ability to avoid the rush.

A call to the end of the Mark Tauscher era is offered by Chris Lempesis of Ol' Bag of Donuts. "Tauscher has spent much of the 2010 season being either pushed around or, worse, flat-out spooked out by opposing pass rushers," writes Lempesis. "The Packers can no longer afford to send him out there in the hopes he can regain his old form." Although I agree that Tauscher is starting to put together a poor season, I think the call to bench him is a little premature. Such a change to either T.J. Lang or Bryan Bulaga may come in time, but I don't think Week 4 is that time.

Special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum isn't being given much wiggle room by Dan Arkush of Pro Football Weekly. "Because it was only one game, I believe Slocum should be granted a reprieve," writes Arkush. "But after what happened in Week Three, his rope has become significantly shorter. Massive improvement against Detroit this week is a must. If the Packers can't fix this problem, they aren't going anywhere in early February except their living-room couches, where they can watch the Super Bowl while licking their special-teams wounds." It's a little surprising that the indictment of Slocum came from the national media before the local media, but considering the history of special teams performance in the McCarthy era, the Slocum watch may gain steam.

Rob Reischel of Packer Report notes that the Packers have the fewest first-round draft picks as starters on their offense in the entire NFL, just one–Aaron Rodgers. "Interestingly, though, the Packers have one of football's most prolific offenses," writes Reischel.

An excerpt from Reischel's new book, 100 Things Packers Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, is included at JSOnline.

Bob McGinn previews the Lions game and says the Packers are big favorites.

Packers President Mark Murphy discussed his part in the recent NFL CBA talks in a post at JSOnline.

Finally, check out the article in the New York Times on Cheesehead TV's own Aaron Nagler. "At Blackstone, Mr. Nagler spends his days fielding calls from private equity reporters and the company’s Washington lobbyists," writes Peter Lattman. "When football season rolls around, he obsesses about all things Packers — the team’s dilemma at left tackle, for example, or a new Broadway play on Vince Lombardi, the celebrated Green Bay head coach."