Sometimes one wonders whether the Packers defensive brass might consider a 4-2-5 or 3-3-5 alignment on base downs with Aaron Rouse substituting for Poppinga or a DT. It strikes me that one could make very interesting times for an O-line late in the game when you're expecting passes. Hmm, we could blitz Hawk, Barnett, Poppinga and/or Bigby. Who you gonna block? :-}

1,
Isn't that basically being in nickel the whole game? It seems like it would be too easy to run on the Pack if they did that.

LJ Smith's DVOA is missing a minus sign. Makes a big difference.

"Celek is a smart route runner with outstanding hands who really opened eyes at the 2007 East-West Shrine Game. When blocking, he makes up for his lack of natural talent with competitiveness."

C'mon FO, isn't this the type of writing that is ridiculed on these boards?

2 - especially since, from what i've observed anyway, poppinga appears to be their best run defender. and he comes off the field when they run the nickle anyway (since he's also their worst coverage lb).

Coming from a Cowboys fan, I think you missed on Jason Hatcher. He hasn't done anything in training camp to challenge Spears for the starting job. Although, to be fair, Spears has really stepped up his play since he realized his job (and thus, his future contract) was in danger.

2,5: notice the part where I wrote "It strikes me that one could make very interesting times for an O-line late in the game when you’re expecting passes." GB has already shown a 2-4-5 alignment in the preseason; it's just another wrinkle.

As a Bears fan, I sure hope you're right about Beekman. The coaching staff has been decidedly lukewarm on him so far, but they're not exactly the world's experts on O-lineman.