The NFL Owners are meeting in New Orleans this week but for all the rule change proposals and business items, the overwhelming agenda item remains the lockout, now in it's second week.   The owners say they're ready to get back to the table anytime but that will have to wait until at least April.  The players hope to get a federal judge to declare the lockout illegal under anti-trust laws when their case head to Minneapolis US District Court on April 6.  President Mark Murphy, General Manager Ted Thompson and head coach Mike McCarthy are attending this week.  McCarthy indicated upon his arrival he's considereing significant changes to his training camp schedule this summer.  While he didn't offer details, he's apparently considering more instruction and less practice time.   The past couple of years he's operated on a 2-1-2 practice format with Wednesday's off.  The practice structure changes might be a moot point if the lockout drags on through the summer.

Public Relations director Jeff Blumb has resigned after 22 years with the team.  A former assistant with Miami, Blumb first worked under Lee Remmel until his retirement and ran the PR department since.  Blumb says the grind of the job has become too much and he wants to explore other opportunities.  Aaron Popkey, who handles corporate communications, will run the department on an interim basis.  The Packers will look to fill the position even though they're under a hiring moratorium during the lockout.  That applies only to new positions.  Jeff has been helpful to me during the course of his career and I wish him well.