GREEN BAY – Mike Pennel was one of several feel-good stories coming out of training for the Green Bay Packers, making the team after being undrafted out of Colorado State University-Pueblo.

Now, he has found himself in the regular rotation along the defensive line as the Packers have won four straight.

Coincidentally, Pennel has also played in all four games, his first action of the season after not seeing a snap the first three weeks of the year. He made three solo tackles in the Packers' victory over the Panthers on Sunday, and has produced whenever his number has been called thus far.

He is part of a deep defensive line group, and one that seems to be finding a rhythm.

"We feel pretty good about it, the veteran leadership, even with B.J. (Raji) being out he’s still there every day," Pennel said. "And Letroy (Guion) helping out and Mike Daniels. We’re a very strong group, very tenacious."

We caught up with the 6-foot, 4-inch, 332-pounder to talk a little defense in this edition of "5 questions with ..." Enjoy

OnMilwaukee.com: Does the rotation defensive coordinator Dom Capers employed this year allow for more aggressiveness on your part?

Mike Pennel: Most definitely. We’re going to be out there fresh, so I know coach Turgo (defensive line coach Mike Trgovac) talks about it all the time, he wants us out there fresh, going 100 percent, relentless. That’s the whole mood of the defensive line this year, so the rotation will really help and everybody will be fresh out there so everybody can give 100 percent every play.

OMC: You're one of the heaviest players in this locker room, yet at 6-4, you sort of fit the bill of what Mike McCarthy called "long lever guys" on the d-line. What does that mean exactly?

MP: I mean, I would just have to say we have a couple guys over 300 pounds but our coach emphasizes pursuit and running to the ball, more athletic, just wants you to be conditioned and be able to carry the weight, I guess is what he’s looking for.

OMC: After being undrafted out of a small school, did you have any expectations for the regular season?

MP: Honestly, man, it’s surreal. Going through the whole process, making the 53, I took a breath the day I made the 53 and got right back on it, back in the film room, went hard at practice, so I feel prepared for it. Whatever capacity the coaches feel they need me – however much I play, I mean – they feel whatever I’m prepared for. So all I can do is follow my coaching, but I feel I’m ready for it.

OMC: It's interesting in that after over a decade in the league, the Packers brought in a future Hall of Fame defensive end to not play that position. So even though Julius Peppers is with the linebackers now, does he still help you out?

MP: Oh yeah. He’ll help you out with anything that you really need. If he sees something he’ll tell you. He was telling me some really fundamental things. He’s not the most vocal guy of course but when he speaks you listen. Somebody with his resume, of course you would. You watch him and everything that he does, the way he goes about being a professional. He’s been doing the same thing since his rookie year and obviously he’s been successful, so I’m just taking notes every day.

OMC: OK, kind of a light-hearted one. Players joke all the time about there not being much to do in Green Bay. Have you gotten out much?

MP: We’re still in football mode so I’ve just been keeping it from here to the hotel. I’ll watch a movie every now and again but I took the approach to it that that’s not what I was brought here for. I’m not here to have fun or anything like that – not yet. I’m trying to adjust my first year, get my feet wet. I’d rather juts focus purely on football. Maybe year two we’ll get out a little but we’re just going to focus on ball.