Cheese Curds: Green Bay Packers News and Links for August 20, 2014

Happy Wednesday to all you Packers fans out there! As the team has an off day on Wednesday, they wait until Thursday to take to the field to wrap up final preparations for their third preseason game. The Oakland Raiders will be in town on Friday, when the Packers' starters will get their largest amount of game action of the preseason.

Note: this article incorrectly stated that the Packers would be practicing on Wednesday. We apologize for the error.

One of the big topics around the league early this season has been the emphasis on penalties, and Aaron Rodgers is sounding off on that and a variety of other topics. We've got that and more in today's curds, so click around and come back for our practice live thread as the team takes the field at 10:15 AM Central.

Aaron Rodgers expects flags to fade when season begins | Packers.com
He also discusses Charles Woodson, whom he calls "probably the most talented guy, the most dominant player I've played with."

NFL Preview: Green Bay Packers are best NFC team in 2014 | The MMQB with Peter King
This is a fascinating preview of the Packers from Andy Benoit - fascinating because he appears to have far less confidence in the offensive line than in any other unit on the team. Still, he thinks that Green Bay will represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year.

Mike Neal is lighter, but he's ready to pressure quarterbacks | JSOnline
We all thought that Neal would be strictly an outside linebacker now that he's down close to 260 pounds, but Dom Capers has still been using him as an interior nickel/dime pass-rusher in the first two preseason games.

Insider: Thumbs up to Peppers, down to Guion | Packersnews.com
Coming out of Tuesday's practice, Julius Peppers was one of the highlights after blowing up the scout team on multiple occasions.

On demand | ESPN Wisconsin
Speaking of Rodgers, he's clearly demanding of his receivers, and though Jeff Janis has made some nice plays with the backup quarterbacks, he has yet to prove to Rodgers than he can be trusted with each and every route in the playbook.

Were these quotes said by dictators or sports coaches? - SBNation.com
Take the quiz and find out how well you know megalomania - then come back and share your score in the comments. I got 10/12 right.

Finally, we have some sad news from a great former Packer, who is hanging up the cleats officially after several years of trying to return from a serious neck injury:

I'm officially announced my retirement from the #NFL. I also would like to thank my family, (cont) http://t.co/BpOXynmJlo

— Nick Collins (@nickdapick36) August 20, 2014

Best of luck in your future endeavors, Nick, and thanks for all your hard work and success as a Packer.