Cheesehead TV is pleased to welcome back guest blogger Chris Squire. Big thanks to Chris for his insight and we hope you’ll let him know what you think in the comments section.

No 3-4 defense is created equal outside of its respective base formation but they all have the same core philosophy:  Stop the opposing teams running game, create a favorable down-and-distance, make your opponent one-dimensional and wreak havoc with your sub-packages and generate turnovers.  The Packers, like any other good defense caters to the strength of their core personnel, in this case Charles Woodson.
From his interview with Vandermause:

The most important part is the way (defensive coordinator) Dom Capers has been able to use me. Moving me around, allowing me to survey the field, survey the offense, and just go out there and make plays. It doesn’t matter what defense it is, it just depends on whether or not the coach is willing to do that, and he is.

I’m not discounting the rest of the defensive personnel, but to make a deep run into the playoffs the Packers need to find a way to keep Charles Woodson close to the line of scrimmage and create unpredictable angles in order to generate turnovers and blow-up offensive sets on favorable (defensive) down-and-distance.

That brings us full-circle back to the current DB’s on the Packer roster.  They don’t need to be great, they only need to be adequate and play within the framework of the defensive package.  IF the front end of the depth chart stays healthy and IF the gentlemen in player personnel are right about what resides on this roster at the DB position then the Packers can/will make a deep run into the playoffs.  The offense will dominate.  The defense will stop the run.  Development at the left OLB position is a bonus, but not a pre-requisite.

Woodson roving the line of scrimmage during December and January is key.  Woodson locked into nothing but coverage during this same time-frame and it’s an early out from the playoffs.