Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, has been recently named as a candidate to fill the Miami Dolphins' head coaching position. Today he has more important matters in which to address ... he son, Michael, was reported missing.

An update to this story as reported in the national press. This update comes from the New York Daily News:

The body of a male victim was recovered from the icy waters of the Fox River in Wisconsin Monday and is believed to be that of Michael Philbin, the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator, Joe Philbin.

Oshkosh police issued a statement Monday that said a positive identification of the victim had been made, but that the identity would not be released until Tuesday, so family members and next of kin could be notified. The statement added that no foul play was suspected and the investigation of the matter was ongoing. WTMJ Radio and several Wisconsin media outlets reported that the body recovered was that of Michael Philbin, citing sources.

This was published earlier today when the news broke:

Joe Philbin, the Green Bay Packers’ offensive coordinator, was in the middle of preparing a game plan for the NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Giants.

Clearly, his plans are on hold …

His son, Michael, has gone missing.

According to an Associated Press report released in the last hour, police in Oshkosh have mounted a search for the young man.

Here is the report that was published earlier today from the AP:

Police in Oshkosh say 21-year-old Michael T. Philbin of Ripon was last heard from around 2 a.m. Sunday. He had been visiting friends in Oshkosh that evening. He was reported missing on Sunday evening.

A police spokesman did not immediately return a message left Monday seeking additional comment.

A Brown County judge sentenced Michael Philbin to six months in jail in 2009 after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls and two counts of battery.

His disappearance comes as the Packers prepare to face the New York Giants in an NFC playoff game Sunday in Green Bay.

Michael Philbin, the son of Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, has been reported missing.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy briefly addressed the matter with reporters Monday, saying, “the Philbin family is obviously going through a tough time right now. As we always have, we’re a family-first philosophy with the organization. We’ll hold out hope this comes to a positive conclusion.” McCarthy said Joe Philbin was in Oshkosh Monday.

Packers General Manager Ted Thompson released this statement this afternoon:

“The Packers organization is aware of the missing person report regarding Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Philbin family during this difficult time. We ask anyone with information about Michael to contact the Oshkosh Police Department.”

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Philbin family and hope there is a resolution to this in short order.

Keep in mind that this is just the road construction report, for winter weather driving conditions.

In the meantime, here’s the information from the DOT:

Packer travel advisory

December 29, 2011

Road construction update in northeast Wisconsin

(Green Bay) The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on New Year’s Day 2012, Sunday, January 1 for the Green Bay Packers/Detroit Lions football game that the road construction season continues on most major roads in northeast Wisconsin. While most projects will stop and two lanes of traffic will be open, drivers might still encounter road conditions in the work zones that could cause backups.

WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations.

Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packers fans will be traveling and the road conditions they should anticipate:

US 41

Brown County — Drivers will encounter 11-foot travel lanes and reduced shoulders in multiple locations along a 10-mile segment of highway. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph from just south of Lombardi Avenue to WIS 29.

Winnebago County — Certain segments of 16 miles of highway, from WIS 26 to Breezewood Lane, have restricted shoulders and 11-foot travel lanes, especially in the vicinity of the US 45 interchange area.

For more information, contact:
Communications Manager Kim Rudat, WisDOT NE Region
(920) 492-5743, Kim.Rudat@dot.wi.gov

Communications Manager Kris Schuller, WisDOT-US 41 Project
(920) 492-4109, Kris.Schuller@dot.wi.gov

For the weather, it’s best to take a look at the current weather conditions in the state by clicking on this link.

The question has been posted across the Internet: Should Erik Walden play for the Green Bay Packers Sunday?

My answer: Absolutely.

The Packers’ outside linebacker who sat in jail last weekend after being arrested for suspicion of domestic abuse was released Monday without being charged … And until he’s charged, he has to be presumed innocent.

If he’s charged between now and Sunday, that’s a different situation.

However, until then, he’s still slated as the Packers’ starting outside linebacker and should be allowed to play. Let the system run its course and if he’s innocent … No harm done. If he’s guilty, then you let the courts do its job.

But right now, Packers’ head Coach Mike McCarthy should do what’s right and play the man.

Walden led the team in tackles in their last game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day and given that it’s probable that both inside linebackers, Desmond Bishop and AJ Hawk, may not see the field, then it’s even more important that the experienced Walden should play.

At this point, even Brown County police and the district attorney can’t figure out if Walden committed a crime. If he did, they will charge him. If he didn’t, then he should be allowed to move on with his life.

In the meantime, the answer is yes, Erik Walden should play Sunday against the New York Giants.

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Heading to Lambeau Field for tonight’s Monday Night Football showdown between the Packers and Vikings?

Well, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation wants you to get there on time and without too much trouble.

And to make sure that happens, the DOT has issued a press release that outlines the road conditins and construction along the rotes leading to Lambeau.

Read on, drive safely, drink responsibly and have a great time.

Packer Travel Advisory
Road construction update in Northeast Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Northeast Region is reminding motorists heading to Lambeau Field on Monday, November 14 for the Green Bay Packers/Minnesota Vikings football game that the road construction season continues on most major roads in Northeast Wisconsin. While most projects will stop and two lanes of traffic will be open, drivers might still encounter road conditions in the work zones that could cause backups.

WisDOT also wants to alert motorists, especially those coming from the west, to expect heavy congestion along the US 41 corridor in Brown County due to peak traffic coinciding with game-time traffic in the work zone area.

WisDOT strongly recommends motorists allow themselves additional time to reach their destinations.

Here is a list of the major roads in northeast Wisconsin most Packers fans will be traveling and the road conditions they should anticipate:

US 41

Brown County – drivers will encounter 11-foot travel lanes and reduced shoulders in multiple locations along a 10-mile segment of highway. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph from Scheuring Road to Velp Avenue.

Winnebago County – a majority of 16 miles of highway, from WIS 26 to Breezewood Lane, has restricted shoulders and 11-foot travel lanes. Any minor incident could lead to long travel delays because of the width restrictions on northbound and southbound lanes.

WIS 29

Brown County – motorists traveling on WIS 29 will have to drive on 11-foot traffic lanes with reduced shoulders on five miles of highway between County FF to just east of US 41. These restrictions affect both eastbound and westbound traffic lanes.