Happy 1st of June...

In an interview on ESPN, current Packers and former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker A.J. Hawk came out in defense of his former college coach, Jim Tressel, who recently resigned. "I have people on my team in Green Bay that try to joke with me and act like, OK we know people at Ohio State are doing that," Hawk is quoted as saying by Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com. "The crazy thing is, in my four years there, I never saw anything like that. ... That never got inside the locker room, I would say. It was never anything I was aware of." The back story is that Tressel lied about knowing his players were violating NCAA rules such as selling football memorabilia for services such as tattoos.

Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com also touches on the story. "Hawk took issue with the Sports Illustrated report that said at least 28 players -- 22 more than the university has acknowledged -- were involved in exchanging memorabilia for services as far back as 2002, Tressel's second season at Ohio State," writes Wilde. Hawk called Tressel "the fall guy" for what his players did.

Related to the Ohio State story, the NFL has confirmed there will be a Supplemental Draft held this summer if players declare. "Citing Page 46 of the 2006 CBA, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told Packer Report: 'If a player who was not eligible for the Draft in any League Year becomes eligible after the date of the Draft, he will be eligible to be selected in a supplemental Draft, if the League elects to conduct such a Draft.'" It's been speculated that some of the suspended Ohio State players may declare for the Supplemental Draft, although none have officially done so.

Guard Josh Sitton did an interview with Pro Football Focus in which he talked about being a Pro Bowl snub this past season despite being quite deserving. "I’d rather be in the Super Bowl," said Sitton. "It really is one of those things where those things come in time. As a football player, my goal is always championships. After you win Super Bowls, those types of things come (contracts, Pro Bowls, whatever it may be). Super Bowl is my main goal. I realize that it’s tough to get into the Pro Bowl. This is a very talented league and the guys that made the Pro Bowl in front of me are all tremendous players and all very deserving. It’s hard. That was just my second year as a starter, so it doesn’t bother me, but it is one of my goals to make a Pro Bowl." Sitton handled that question with class, because it borders on laughable that he didn't get a trip to the Pro Bowl.

Details of the annual Jerry Parins Cruise for Cancer have been released and non-riders will be able to take part in the tailgate at Lambeau Field. "The tailgate party begins at 5 p.m. in Lambeau Field’s east parking lot (on July 29)," according to a release by the Packers. "Fans will enjoy live and silent auctions, food, beverages and merchandise for purchase and live music by a Wisconsin favorite, The Love Monkeys. The party is free for riders and a $5 donation for non-riders. Please visit www.packers.com often as further Cruise for Cancer tailgate party details will be updated as the date nears." Riders are encouraged to register online at CruiseforCancer.org.

Gil Brandt of NFL.com told readers in an online chat that he thinks the Packers will win the NFC North this upcoming season. Asked whether he thinks the Bears will repeat as champs, Brandt wrote, "Not only do I have the Packers winning that division, I have the Lions ranked ahead of them as well. Their biggest weakness is offensive line, and I'm not convinced that Jay Cutler is a QB that can win on a regular basis." We had a report earlier on Cheesehead TV that one of the Packers' goals this season will be to win the division seeing as they didn't last year.

Former Packers safety Matt Bowen wrote a column at the National Football Post about tight end Jermichael Finley and the upcoming 2011 season. "This isn’t a 7-9 team looking to get an impact player back into the lineup in hopes of making a playoff run," writes Bowen. "Instead, this Packers’ team is already loaded on offense with No.12 under center, plus the weapons they have at receiver and in the backfield. Getting Finley back just adds to what they already have—the best offense in the NFL. The type of player that is luxury to put into your Sunday game plan." Scary, isn't it?

Running back Ryan Grant and the rest of the Packers running game is examined from a fantasy football perspective at NFL.com. "We wouldn't be surprised to see Grant bounce back and lead the team in rushing," writes Jim Gigliotti. "But chances are, the yards and the carries are going to be spread around." His opportunities for touchdowns might be reduced too if the Packers continue to use John Kuhn as a goal-line option.

Jerry Kramer and other former Packers will be taking part in the annual Jim Larsen Boys and Girls Club of Door County fundraising golf outing. "The golf outing, the major fundraising event for the club, will be June 14 at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club in Egg Harbor," according to the Door County Advocate.

Running backs coach Jerry Fontenot is interviewed for an article at Packer Report (subscription required).

The Rock 'N' Roll Cecil Club provides a one-word quote from Packers president Mark Murphy on when the organization will sell stock certificates again: "Soon."

The Lombardi play will be at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater starting in October.

Greg Jennings ranks 18th among the top non-quarterback offensive players in the NFL, according to ESPN.com writers.

In a column at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Michael Hunt thinks the lockout has run its course.

Meanwhile, the Packer Ranter finds the bright side about the lockout.

The best Packer to wear the number 30 is examined by Mike Spofford of Packers.com.

Speaking of numbers, help The Wearing of the Green find out why Paul Hornung wore number 35 in the 1961 Pro Bowl.

The social-media friendly Tom Crabtree gets some attention at AllGreenBayPackers.com.

Packer Update asks, "Where's the love for McCarthy?"

The phenomenon of fake Facebook pages for Packers is looked into by Jayme Joers of Packers Lounge.

The shareholder's meeting is touched upon by Lauren Fernandez of Aerys Sports.

A past Packer draft is looked at in retrospect by Brandon Benson of Acme Packing Company.

Week-by-week Packers predictions are at Bleacher Report.

Vic Ketchman answers his mailbag at Packers.com.

Video: A.J. Hawk talks about Jim Tressel...

Brian Carriveau is the editor of the Maple Street Press Packers Annual. To contact Brian, email [email protected].