With the sudden influx of ratings flying around both around here and other places, I am more than happy to interject with own opinion. It's all nice and good to rate Packer blogs and all, but I think it is much more fair to rate entertainment and influence. Things like post count and traffic are important, but quite frankly I rather have one great unique article than 20 posts about some re-hashed garbage.

There are many people that influence, create, write, and engage to keep the virtual world of Green Bay Packer fans entertained. Here are my top 15. I chose to exclude anyone or anything directly associated to the Packers organization.

My Top 15 Packer Personalities and Influences

1. Greg Bedard

Quite simply no one is transforming the traditional media as it relates to the Packers more than Greg Bedard. From his new video series, to his live Twitter updates and fan interaction, there is nobody on top of the game like Bedard. The sports blog he works for is ranked number one in the country, and he has mastered the art of delivering objective news with a slight opinion to cater to this new generation of reader. He has a slight advantage of course with press passes, but there are plenty of other guys with those not doing half the job of Bedard.

2. Corey Behnke

In order to make the intratubenet actually work, you must have superior knowledge behind the scenes. Being a die-hard Packer fan always helps too. Websites, television shows, computer code, and soundboards don't run themselves but rather are run by Corey Behnke. His work on Cheesehead TV and Packer Transplants is both cutting edge and unique in the field. Behnke is consistently one step ahead of everyone when it comes to technology. No one entertains you technically and visually better than Corey Behnke. Period.

3. Wally Pingel

Who you say? Who the hell is Wally Pingel? I'm still not a hundred percent sure myself, but I know as far as being a driving force in the world of the Packers virtually, Pingel is a monster. Perhaps most notably known for his much needed re-design of Packer Chatters and his Wisconsin sports blog Pocket Doppler, Wally seems to have his hands in so many things I can't even keep track anymore. He runs, hosts, sets-up, builds, and helps maintain a mountain of Packer related websites. That's not enough for number three you say? I think if you knew what happened if Wally ever decided to hit CTRL-ALT-DELETE you might change your tune.

4. Brian Carriveau

I noticed that Total Packers brought up a point about hating non-media sources bringing it with Packer news. I have to admit I have said the same thing many times myself. The honest truth in that statement in is that I hate it because I can't do it very well. That can be said for pretty much everyone except Brian Carriveau. I've seen obscure Packer tid-bits come from Carriveau that I never see anywhere else. From special teams, to 6th round supplemental draft picks and of course his Daily Links, Carriveau is a one stop shop for real Packer news. When people claim to mistake Carriveau's work for beat reporting I'm not surprised. It is beat reporting, without the pass, which no one even comes as close to doing as well as he does. Add that to the fact that he quit his job to join Cheesehead TV and freelance on the Packers Annual (which looks to be awesome), he really doesn't need a laminated anything.

5. Naygoya Packer Backer

You think your blog is bad ass? Try completely dominating an entire country with Packers news. Packer Zone does just that. Not only does he have one of the most complete and updated Packer sites, he does it all in Japan for the Japanese fans... over two million of them. If you read his bio, it's clear he perfected English just so he could bring the best Packer information to everyone on his continent. He most likely dominates everything west of the Middle East. He's current, he's relevant, and he has about a gazillion fans, in one city alone.

6. Aaron Nagler

The next two were really a toss-up to me. But I give the nod to Nagler because he doesn't have corporate assistance. What more can I say? It's Nagler. He's a one word name, and that always means good things. To me the guy is omnipresent. He can't sleep more than three to four hours a night (which isn't healthy for you are your family by the way), is always Twittering about something, and somehow manages to post story after story all while working some fancy gig on Park Avenue. Talk about the life. What else you get from Nagler is a little human spirit. He is one of the few guys willing to interject a little bit of his personal life into everything he does. I have and always will respect that.

7. Jason Wilde

To be honest I don't catch a lot of Wilde outside of Twitter. He is very fan friendly which I like, although he talks about his baby a lot, like a real lot. That said, I talk about my dog so I can't complain. However, he is ESPN Wisconsin for the most part, and if you are indeed factoring in influence, and listeners along with talent (ix³ + bx² + d = #7) he certainly has some pull. Yet, I am still waiting to see spectacular out of Wilde. He's definitely being heard and I think he is headed in the right direction, but I still want a little something extra special.

8. Alex Tallitsch

Although people think I'm a hot head, I'm really pretty self deprecating for the most part. I may be overly bitter and emotional, but I rarely pat myself on the back. All of these congratulations from people on the move to CHTV, and on my blog in past, honestly make me uncomfortable. But, I think it's only fair that I put myself in this slot. I started with nothing, kept learning, and built a Packers brand that is pretty well recognized. I reach a huge amount of people on Twitter, and helped plant what the platform is for Packer news today. That along with Facebook and other avenues have allowed me the opportunity to reach the ears of hundred of thousands of people. Besides that, I bring myself like nobody else does. There isn't a guy out there doing what I do.

9. David Ray

We are often quick to rank the Packer blogs, but at the same time dismiss those that visit, comment and make discussion better. For years, David Ray has been doing it better than anyone else. His screen name MidwestFan is a staple on nearly every Packer forum and website in existence. He is Packer fan at the heart and soul of Packer fan. His comments are objective, he knows his team, and I haven't met a single person who doesn't like the guy. David Ray is everywhere and anywhere that's Green Bay Packers, and more than one of us should be thanking him for that.

10. Packer Ranter

There is no doubt in my mind that the blogosphere is saturated beyond belief. This is also where quality and uniqueness start to trump traffic and page views. Robert Greenfield and Franklin Hillside take my goal of doing what no one else is doing to an entirely new level. Packer Ranter is BY FAR the most underrated Packer site out there. Although you don't get the regurgitated stories over and over again (which is awesome) what you do get is a completely one-of-a-kind piece with every post. Sorry, but if you are doing your own thing, and doing it well, you make my top ten.

11. C.D. Angeli

C.D. Angeli is one of the most knowledgeable Packer personalities around. His posts at Tundra Vision are always right on the money, and he also is one of the few bloggers that actually live in Green Bay. I don't think that C.D. realizes it, but if he did a little self promotion he could become a pretty big deal. What can I say, he's a humble guy. But, when guys at number two through four are looking to you for advice, I would say that's making a statement.

12. Al Bracco

As far as writing talent and Packers breakdown is concerned, Jersey Al can hang with the best of them. Having him at The Packers Lounge was a gift because his analysis of both the draft and the team are almost second to none. What makes Al so good, is that it's often hard to disagree with anything he says. He does his research... better than you. Plus, you can't buy a better nickname.

13. Green Bay Packer Nation

I'll admit that at first I thought these guys were a little strange. But the Augustine brothers continue to deliver content on a regular basis. Grady Augustine has also proven his knowledge on a Packer show I ran, dominating most of the competition in every argument. The Nation spits out video left and right, and are becoming well known in social networking circles. More than that though, the Augustine's are doing something I totally support which is open source content. They allow writers a platform and a community to enhance and promote their work. That is a noble, noble cause.

14. Andrew Belonger

You've probably never heard of Andrew Belonger, but  he's a wizard at computer programming and a die-hard Packer fan and Wisconsin sports guru. Many of the features you see at some of the blogs above would not have been possible without help from 'The Andyman'. His willingness to assist with technical details at little to no cost on a second's notice has been invaluable to some of the top Packer sites above. His endless promotion of everything Packers on Twitter and Facebook is relentless. Belonger is the offensive lineman of the blogosphere. You never hear his his name mentioned, but he is instrumental to the team's success.

15. Kareem Copeland

I thought long and hard before giving Kareem this spot, seeing he has done nothing yet as far as I'm concerned. But he now has the job of filling the spot at the Press-Gazette that is sorely needed after the departure of Tom Pelissero. Will he step up to the plate? Time will tell, but Copeland has an extremely unique opportunity both in being a blogger and continuing to diversify the Green Bay area. His presence on the scene could go a long way in changing the views of perspective players as well as a town that just got its first African-American police officer last year. I'll leave it at that. Kareem has all the potential influence in the world right now, and that gets him on the list.

Honorable Mention

Total Packers - I like their style and don't-care-what-you-think-about-me attitude. Sounds familiar.

Ol' Bag of Donuts - Again, one-of-a-kind.

Let the hate comments commence.