Taking a look at the 2011 NFL schedule released yesterday, the Green Bay Packers play four games in primetime. They include the season-opening Thursday night game against the New Orleans Saints, an Oct. 9 Sunday night game against Atlanta, a Monday night game against division foe Minnesota on Nov. 14 and on Christmas day against the Bears. "With four prime-time games, only the New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers, with five apiece, have more prime-time games on their schedule than the Packers," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNWisconsin. "The Packers also have give games slated for the late Sunday afternoon time slot at 3:15 p.m. Central time, so some of those games figure to be nationally telecast as well." The Packers play in five nationally televised games overall when including the Thanksgiving day match-up with Detroit.

A road-heavy start to the season is noted by Kareem Copeland of the Green Bay Press-Gazette. "Two of the first three games are played on the road and three of the first five," writes Copeland. "The Packers have 10 days off after the season opener before traveling to Carolina. That includes the stretch of three of four games on the road at Carolina (Sept. 18), Chicago (Sept. 25) and Atlanta (Oct. 9)." While the Packers have 10 days off after the season opening game, it should be noted that the Packers and Saints will also have the shortest rest period between the end of the preseason and the beginning of the regular season as well.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Packers play at home a lot at the end of the schedule. "Not only do the Packers close the season with back-to-back home games against Chicago and Detroit but they play potentially five cold-weather games in a row to end the season," writes Bill Huber of Packer Report. Three of the final four games of the year are played in Green Bay.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel specifically points out the "Gold Package" for Milwaukee season ticket holders. "Milwaukee ticket holders in the 'Gold' package were awarded the Denver and Tampa Bay games, not exactly the best of the bunch in terms of rivalries or matchups with recent playoff contenders," according to the article. "Denver was dysfunctional last year at 4-12 with the turmoil under coach Josh McDaniels but is now under the leadership of John Fox. Tampa Bay was 10-6 with up-and-coming quarterback Josh Freeman." Milwaukee season ticket holders also receive the second of two home preseason games, this year against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Reaction to the schedule from head coach Mike McCarthy was included at the Packers' official website. One thing McCarthy pointed out was the three-game stretch against Minnesota, Tampa Bay and Detroit. “The thing I look at is the three (games) in 11 days,” said McCarthy. That will definitely be an important part of the season.

The Packers' strength of schedule is middle-of-the-road, according to Acme Packing Company. "Fortunately for Green Bay, though, the NFL has granted the Packers a kind card of opponents," writes Ryan Cook. "The Packers regular season schedule is ranked as the 13th toughest, while the disappointing Carolina Panthers sit at the top."

In a lengthy feature at the Journal Sentinel, Lori Nickel dives into the personality characteristics of football players in lieu of the upcoming draft. "NFL coaches, players, personnel people and psychologists do see distinguishing traits among the offensive and defensive positions on a football team," writes Nickel. "They help decode for Thompson who will make the best teammate, who will be there when the going gets rough, who will lead and who will fight." It's difficult to sum up the entire article in one paragraph. I suggest checking it out.

A supplement to Lori Nickel's article is included on the JSOnline Packers blog, which includes an interesting quote from Green Bay director of college scouting John Dorsey and a personality test the team has. “We have seven or eight fields, and they vary from: dedication, self confidence, focus, social maturity, effective commitments. That goes under the head of coachability. Effective commitments is the personal degree of interest in playing the game of football. Does he see himself as a football player above all else? We have another test that reveals the level of dedication, the level of confidence in one’s self, the ability to focus, meaning how long can he narrow his focus and concentration skills.”

In a ranking of the best cornerbacks in the NFL at ESPN.com, NFC North blogger Kevin Seifert rationalized his decision to put Tramon Williams ahead of Charles Woodson. "It wasn't a slight on Woodson or Collins, but rather a belief that Williams had developed into an elite-level cover man who was probably a year or so away from national recognition of what we in the NFC North saw all season," writes Seifert. "So when it came down to vote, I felt I had to stay true to that belief -- Williams ahead of Woodson -- while also accounting for some of the other top cornerbacks around the NFL." In the end, Woodson ranked third in the NFL, Williams seventh.

The special teams of the Packers are scrutinized prior to the Draft by Tom Silverstein of the Journal Sentinel. "Thompson has to address the return position or risk it being an Achilles’ heel during the defense of the Super Bowl championship," writes Silverstein. "But given his history, he’s not going to take a guy who he thinks can only return kicks or punts. That’s why he hasn’t ever gone for any short speedsters. As for kicker, he has to take someone late or sign a free agent just to protect himself in case Crosby leaves."

Aaron Rodgers is included on the list of celebrities attending the posh Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Eve gala.

The Packers are included three times on this list of 10 must-see games in the NFL by Joe Fortenbaugh of the National Football Post.