Ahman Green is testing the free agent market this weekend and Packers fans don't seem worked up about the prospect of him playing for another team next season.

That's not altogether surprising.

Though he has been a durable, dependable performer for most of his time in Green Bay, Green, who needs 46 yards to break Jim Taylor's franchise rushing record of 8,207, has never quite achieved fan-favorite status.

We're not sure how to explain this phenomenon, but we have some theories:

For starters, Green has always been overshadowed by Brett Favre, the franchise icon and future Hall of Famer. He's also taken a bit of a backseat to Favre's favorite targets, such as Donald Driver. In part, that may be caused by Green's somewhat icy relationship with the local media.

Green also has as history of off-field troubles, including a number of domestic violence episodes.

Some fans, whether justified or not, consider him to be "a fumbler," even though the stats show he protects the ball about as well as most other backs with his amount of carries.

The biggest reason, though, may be that Packers fans are so football-savvy. Green came back from a career-threatening ruptured quadriceps tendon to gain 1,059 yards and score 14 touchdowns last year, but Packers fans know that at age 30 he is on the downside of a terrific career. Green is reportedly seeking $5 million per season, and most fans would rather see that money allocated elsewhere.

Green, who is expected to visit Denver and Houston, said on his Web site -- www.ahman30.com -- that his preference is to remain in Green Bay

"We were unable to come to an agreement with the Packers prior to the start of free agency and now it is time to play a game I haven't played since I was in high school and visiting colleges," he wrote. "I'm going to take my time and find the best fit -- a team that is going to win, a team that I can help and a team that has the right feel for me. Compensation is also a part of my decision.

"When I say take my time I'm not going to rush into a decision. It could be that I make one visit and just feel it. I have been through the recruiting process before and I know when it feels right. It happened for me when I visited Nebraska. I loved it there and it felt right for me.

"I want to thank all of my fans, all the Packers fans especially, who are wondering what I am going to do next. Like I said, if all things were equal I would stay in Green Bay. At this time, I'm exploring my options."

The Packers are exploring their options, too. Although they seem interested in retaining Green's services, the idea of a bidding war seems unlikely. General manager Ted Thompson would let Green walk away before he would overpay.

Hoops hype: The ESPN "College GameDay" crew will broadcast live from the Bradley Center Saturday morning beginning at 9 a.m. The students and fans who attend the show will have time to watch the Badgers play their home finale against Michigan State on ESPN and then take a nap before returning for the Golden Eagles' 8 p.m. game against Pittsburgh, which will be broadcast on ESPN as well.

Both games should be competitive, entertaining and emotional. The Badgers, who lost to MSU and Ohio State last week, will say goodbye to standout forward Alando Tucker and fellow seniors Kammron Taylor and Jason Chappell. (Wouldn't it be great if Tucker ends his Big Ten career with an alley-oop dunk against the Spartans?)

The Golden Eagles, who also need a victory to help their post-season position, will bid farewell to seniors Mike Kinsella and Jamil Lott and welcome back members of the 1977 NCAA Championship team, all of whom are expected to attend the game.

Rumor mill: Keep an eye on Louisville's performance in the coming weeks. There are rumblings around local basketball circles that standout Jerry Smith, the former Wauwatosa East star, may consider transferring closer to home. Could he end up at Wisconsin? Stay tuned.

In the swing: We wonder if Butch Wynegar spit coffee on his sports section this morning in Florida. He had to be tempted after seeing the Brewers' box score. Wynegar, who was fired as the Brewers' hitting coach after four seasons, is now working as the hitting coach for manager Dave Miley and the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees, the top affiliate of the Bronx Bombers.

In their first three exhibition games under Wynegar's replacement, Jim Skaalen, the Brewers scored 41 runs, pounded out 51 hits and saw three players collect seven RBI in a game (Ryan Braun, J.D. Closser and Hernan Iribarren).

Wynegar was a hard-working, decent coach who probably took too much heat for the players' lack of success.

Seinfeld reference: Shortly after the Brewers drafted Braun in the first round (fifth overall) in 2005, press box wags began referring to him as "Lloyd Braun," a reference to a character from such memorable episodes as "The Gum" and "Serenity Now." Braun will make a name for himself soon, though. Team officials expect some growing pains of defense, but Braun's bat is just about ready for prime time.

First pitch: This shouldn't be a surprise, but the fact that Ben Sheets is starting the Brewers' exhibition game today puts him on pace to start the season opener against Los Angeles on April 2 at Miller Park. Barring a setback, Sheets will make six spring starts. One or more could come in a "B" game, though, if the team decides it needs to look at different pitchers later in camp.

Unwelcome guests: The study may not have been scientific, but it was revealing. During a trip this week to Las Vegas, I asked more than two dozen people in the service industry -- cab drivers, bartenders, waitresses, chefs and local residents -- what they thought about the recent NBA All-Star Game.

The responses were universal.

"It was a nightmare. I hope they never come back," a cab driver said.

"It was a mess," said a bartender. "There were way too many thugs and not enough cops. Everybody thought it would be great. We all thought we'd make a lot of money. But, nobody made anything. They didn't tip at all. In fact, a lot of waitresses had people just walk out on checks. They treated everybody rudely. It was terrible."

Officials from the city of Las Vegas and the NBA have tried to downplay reports of widespread violence (beyond the celebrated Pacman Jones incident), and put out the word that a good time was had ball all. The people who work in Vegas didn't seem to enjoy the party.

"If they ever come back, I'm calling in sick," a male cab driver said.

Get your kicks: The first 1,500 fans to enter the U.S. Cellular Arena for the Wave's game against Hamilton on Sunday afternoon will receive a "bobble-leg" doll featuring my radio colleague, Steve "The Homer" True. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.