The Packers coaching staff came up with a creative solution to their perceived lack of depth at outside linebacker. Defensive end Cullen Jenkins took snaps standing up at Monday's minicamp.

All 305 pounds of him.

We can't think of any 3-4 defense end that has made such a conversion, but Jenkins welcomes the added responsibilities.

"You never know what you're actually going to carry into the season, but we're experimenting with different things. I feel pretty fast this year, and it's pretty cool to be [playing standing] up, actually," Jenkins told Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette.

Jenkins' primary role will surely remain on the defensive line where he's one of the more underrated players in football. But the Packers like his versatility enough to have him rush the passer and drop back in coverage Monday.

The need for OLB help in Green Bay has been overstated in the media -- Brad Jones makes a fine option -- but Jenkins provides an interesting alternative as coordinator Dom Capers looks to expand his defense in 2010.

Last season, Green Bay Packers defensive end Cullen Jenkins was one of a couple of players who complained that coordinator Dom Capers wasnt using the teams playmakers enough.

Today, during the first day of the Packers mandatory minicamp, Jenkins was in a significant playmaking position. Jenkins took several snaps at left outside linebacker, a big change for a player who played his entire NFL career with his hand on the ground as defensive lineman.

I always feel like I can pass rush; its just a matter of what they ask me to do on particular plays, Jenkins said. Ive been working on my pass rush to improve it. Me and Trgo (defensive line coach Mike Trgovac) have been talking about positives and negatives from last year.

Jenkins still played his share of snaps as a defensive end in the base 3-4 defense, but in several drills today in which Capers employed his nickel package, Jenkins was at LOLB. And it wasnt exclusively rushing the quarterback. He dropped into coverage on several plays, and the 6-foot-2, 305-pounder said he felt comfortable doing so.

He said he hopes to shed a few more pounds and play this season at between 295 and 300 pounds. Other than a handful of snaps standing up last season, he hasnt played off the line of scrimmage since his freshman year at Central Michigan.

Theyve been moving me around a lot and having me try different things just in case, said Jenkins, who was second on the team with 4.5 sacks last season. You never know what youre actually going to carry into the season, but were experimenting with different things. I feel pretty fast this year, and its pretty cool to be (playing standing) up, actually.