They recently entertained former Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Duke Preston, an unrestricted free agent.

The hulking Preston, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 325-plus pounds, has 20 starts to his credit in his four-year NFL career with the Bills. He filled in for an injured Melvin Fowler at center the final 11 games of the 2008 season.

Preston, a fourth-round draft choice in 2005, also has experience playing guard and right tackle. He would give the Packers a fallback in the interior if they were to move incumbent left guard Daryn Colledge outside to possibly replace right tackle Mark Tauscher, who hasn't been re-signed as an unrestricted free agent.

The Bills and the Oakland Raiders also have interest in Preston.

--In the wake of a 6-10 season, the Packers still carry marketing clout in the league's eyes. Hence, they were slotted for a nationally televised, prime-time game at Lambeau Field to open next season - Sunday night, Sept. 13, against the NFC North rival Chicago Bears.

Green Bay has a marquee season opener for the second straight year. It beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-19 at Lambeau in one of two Monday night games on Sept. 8 last season, which marked the starting debut of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The Packers also will be playing on Thanksgiving Day for the second time in three years, drawing a familiar holiday rematch at the rival Detroit Lions on Nov. 26.

The complete season schedule is expected to be released by the league in early April.

--Head coach Mike McCarthy had to leave the NFL owners meetings in Dana Point, Calif., a day early.

McCarthy, who wasn't in attendance for the NFC coaches breakfast March 25, reportedly had a personal matter to tend to, which wasn't considered to be serious.

--The Packers didn't earn any compensatory picks for the April 25-26 draft, thus leaving them with nine selections.

The addition of linebacker Brandon Chillar and the loss of defensive back Frank Walker in free agency last year was a wash, so no compensatory choices went to Green Bay for the first time since 2005.

The Packers have four picks in the first three rounds of the draft, including the overall spots of nine (first round), 41 (second), 73 (third) and 83 (third). Their draft slots in the final four rounds are 109 (fourth), 145 (fifth), 182 (sixth), 187 (sixth) and 218 (seventh).

QUOTE TO NOTE: "A big national game, that's a great way to start the season. We're at home, against the (Chicago) Bears. I'm sure our players and fans will be excited." -- Head coach Mike McCarthy to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on the Packers' 2009 Sunday night season opener at Lambeau Field on Sept. 13.