Happy Wednesday, everyone. It's a really beautiful sunny day both where I am and in Wisconsin, so I encourage you to take your lunch break somewhere that has outdoor dining, then sit on the patio for a couple hours before strolling back into work around 2:30. You deserve it. Here's your daily Green Bay Packers news and links.

Surviving life after the NFL | ESPN NFC West Blog

A really fantastic guest column by former Packers linebacker George Koonce. He struggled with what to do with his life after retiring from football, but has just finished his doctoral dissertation. He talks about a suicide attempt and his wife's passing, it's pretty heavy stuff.

WR Nelson gave mind a rest from football in offseason | Green Bay Press-Gazette

Hopefully he chose different means than Nick Fairley.

Tailgate tour: La Crosse | Packers.com

Video chronicling the first day of the Packers tailgate tour.

There's no shortcuts in McCarthy's minicamps | JSOnline

TOUGHNESS. GRIT. HARD WORK. PLAYING THE GAME THE RIGHT WAY.

It's Sam Shields' turn to improve from within | All Green Bay Packers

And if he doesn't improve, there are some guys waiting to take his job.

More from around SB Nation after the jump

Don Banks thinks Chad Henne will win Jaguars QB job | Big Cat Country

It would be incredible if they didn't even give Blaine Gabbert one year.

Lions reportedly bring in German receiver for tryout | Pride of Detroit

6'5", 220 lbs, 4.48 40-yard dash. You never know man.

Terrelle Pryor is not planning to be the backup | Silver And Black Pride

So he's planning to play wide receiver? Or baseball?

Adam Schefter thinks it will be an upset if Ryan Tannehill doesn't start at some point in 2012 | The Phinsider

Yes, as in, the Dolphins will need to pull off enough upset wins to be in playoff contention in Week 17.