Former Packers executive and National Football Post founder Andrew Brandt gives his unique perspective as a ex-employee of the organization on how Mike McCarthy was hired as head coach of the Green Bay Packers. "Our two finalists were Mike McCarthy, then the 49ers offensive coordinator, and Sean Payton, then the Cowboys’ quarterback coach," writes Brandt. "Mike had the advantage of being a Packer before when he was part of Ray Rhodes’ staff in 1999, and many of us, including Ted Thompson, knew him from that time. He presented himself as a no-nonsense guy from Pittsburgh, true to his roots and not overwhelmed by the magnitude of the position." Brandt gives the same treatment to Aaron Rodgers as well, documenting his coming to Green Bay.

In typical Total Packers fashion which comes off as being crass for the sake of being crass and calling Mike McCarthy a "fat, ugly bastard," Monty McMahon points out McCarthy's calling out of a makeup artist for his displeasure of how he appeared in America's Game. "He’s pissed off because his makeup looked bad in the NFL Films production America’s Game, which tells the story of last season’s Packers," writes McMahon. "McCarthy said he looks like an idiot."

The challenges of repeating as Super Bowl champion are pointed out by Bob Fox for Packer Chatters. "As the Green Bay Packers embark on the beginning of the 2011 NFL season and a chance to repeat as Super Bowl champs, one has to look at their competition and also at history," writes Fox. "Recent history tells us the Packers face long odds. Not so much the recent history of the Packers, but rather that of the NFC conference. For instance, the NFC has sent 10 different teams to the Super bowl the past ten years."

Tonight's game is previewed at Packer Fans United. "The teams are very similar in style, with wide open offenses," according to the blog post. "But I give the edge to the Packers defense, especially since defensive coordinator Dom Capers has kept his 'D' totally under wraps in the preseason. Expect lots of twists and turns tonight. Reading between the lines of some player comments, they may bring pressure from the outside in the form of blitzes and try to collapse the pocket up the middle. After all, as one player noted, QB Drew Brees is only 6 feet tall. Now, that little genetic issue hasn't prevented him from having quite a career. But if anyone can scheme to disrupt a particular quarterback, it's Capers."

A detailed breakdown of the Packers-Saints game from every conceivable angle comes from the NFL Playbook staff at NFL.com.

In video form, the game is previewed by Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel in an interview with CineSport.

Keys to tonight's game, things to watch for, and lists appear at AllGreenBayPackers.com, Packers Gab, NFL Blog Blitz, PackersHQ, Bleacher Report, Rock 'N' Roll Cecil Club, West Coast Offensive and Ken's Packer Blog.

Old Navy is unveiling a new line of Packers clothing.

TwentyFour wine will be sold in Milwaukee's Third Ward tonight and in Brookfield, Wis.

The work of Green Bay Press-Gazette photojournalist Evan Siegle is highlighted at Lombardi Ave.

A Wall Street Journal writer picks the Packers, as noted by JSOnline.

Some retro pictures appear at The Wearing of the Green (and Gold) here, here and here.

Videos are posted at Packerville, U.S.A.

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

Second-hand news sources are not included in the Blog Roundup unless they also include meaningful commentary.