Railbird photo of the day:

Photo credit: Mark Hoffman // Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Monty of Total Packers wonders why the linebackers are playing so poorly. He gives statistical evidence comparing the Packers linebackers to others in the league, "Take a look at the Packers tackling statistics. You would expect Hawk or Barnett to lead the team in tackles, but Chillar holds that honor with 26 tackles. The Packers leading tackler ranks tied for 47th in the league, and the guy isn’t even a starter.

"Hawk is next with 23 (67th), followed by Barnett with 22 (75th).

"Compare those stats with the linebackers from teams who also run the 3-4, and you’ll begin to see the problem more clearly. San Diego’s Stephen Cooper is third in the league with 39 tackles. Cleveland’s D’Well Jackson also has 39. San Francisco’s Patrick Willis is seventh with 37 tackles. Baltimore’s Ray Lewis is eighth with 35. The Jets David Harris is 15th with 33. Cleveland’s Eric Barton is 17th with 31. Denver’s inside linebackers, D.J. Williams and Andra Davis, have 31 and 30, respectively."

Ever since Tim Tebow suffered a concussion two weeks ago, the topic of concussions has come up quite a bit lately in the world of football. Lori Nickel of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel got quite a story from Donald Driver: "Most of the times that I had my bell rung I was still able to focus, not the first play, but after that," said the Green Bay Packers wide receiver. "I had a couple where Brett (Favre) would say, 'You OK?' And I'm like, 'Nope!' As long as he would tell me where to line up at, I'd be OK." Some of the Packers that have suffered concussions sometime in their career include Driver, Aaron Kampman, Quinn Johnson, Korey Hall and Brady Poppinga.

Mike Vandermause of the Green Bay Press-Gazette writes a column lamenting the Packers' talk but not following through with it. "Coach Mike McCarthy has steadfastly said he’s committed to running the football," writes Vandermause. "Yet there always seems to be an excuse why it doesn’t happen." Themes start to emerge from Mike McCarthy's press conferences. Things like "pad level" and "fixing it in practice," and things don't seem to improve.

Tony Walter of the Green Bay Press-Gazette has some information on Packers CEO Mark Murphy. One part I found interesting is that he doesn't always answer his own phone like his predecessor Bob Harlan, but... "Murphy has been visible in the community, making more than 100 speeches to community groups since he joined the Packers and building relationships with area politicians." I've gained a little respect for Murphy after hearing that little statistic of over 100 speeches.

The Packer Ranter relays a story about his cousin working at the Sears portrait studio. "The other day the head photographer, Jo-Jo, told my cousin to go home over lunch and clean himself up because there was a VIP coming that afternoon for a PPS (private photo shoot)," according to the article. "My cousin obliged, swapping the jean shorts and cutoff shirt for some Wranglers and a polo. Just as Jo-Jo foretold, right at three o’clock a badass Kia Sportage pulls up and out pops Packers GM Ted Thompson and his family." Click here to read the rest of the story.

Mark Strotman of Bleacher Report thinks the Packers need help along the offensive line and previews that position in the upcoming NFL Draft in April. "Realistic options include Trent Williams from Oklahoma, who has the versatility to play both tackle positions if he can improve on his pass blocking," writes Williams. "His run blocking is superb, which gives him the ability to play right tackle, the position he played up until this season." Another option he provides is Iowa tackle Brian Bulaga who's appears to be another good prospect.

The Packers have had to open a warehouse for their Pro Shop. "Internet sales have grown to 33 percent of Pro Shop business in just a few years and probably soon will be 40 percent to 50 percent, said Kate Hogan, director of retail operations," reports Richard Ryman of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.

Aaron Kampman spent his bye week taking in a game from his high school alma mater, which, of course, is where his former high school coach was slain.

A couple authors we link to, Al Bracco and Joe Arrigo, are writing for a website officially endorsed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Railbird endorsed video: Enjoy "Operation of Flight" by The Heavy Pets...