MM: Packers will run 3-4

[aaprigs311]

I will post the transcript when it becomes available, but here's a recap of MM's presser off the top of my head...

-Packers will run the 3-4 scheme next season and MM likes his personnel. He insisted Kampman and Jenkins are both excited for the transition. He also said Pickett can play NT. (No way)

-Winston Moss will remain the LB coach/Asst. head coach.

-Firings were based on moving in a new direction and not in regards to running the new scheme.

-MM said they will not change their offseason approach.

That's all I can list off the top of my head. It was a pretty short PC. Thoughts ?

[Captain Erv]

McCarthy on Capers, new 3-4 defense
By Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel
Jan. 19, 2009 1:06 p.m.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy is speaking now at his press conference in Lambeau Field.

Here are the highlights from McCarthy:

It was difficult to let DC Bob Sanders and the other coaches go, on a personal note. I just didn't feel we were headed in the right direction, based on the last three years.

Capers is an excellent fit. He brings credibility, lots of experience. Will move forward this week on filling out the rest of the staff. Not in a hurry to lock up Capers before the NY Giants could woo him. The Packers have a lot to offer Capers, too.

The Packers are looking now at a 3-4 defense with Capers, a system McCarthy prefers. It's an excellent run defense. Ends Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins will probably be excited about this change. The 3-4 creates matchup problems from the start for opponents game-planning for the Packers.

Green Bay's current linebackers could fit in to this scheme very well. Ryan Pickett is a pure nose tackle (to anchor the 3-4). Most of the pieces are here.

Winston Moss was a part of the Packers search process and is a big part of the future with the Packers staff; he will remain with Green Bay in his typical position as assistant head coach/linebackers coach. (It doesn't look like he's headed elsewhere, in other words.)

The promotion of Shawn Slocum over other candidates as special teams coordinator was due to the fact that he is an excellent coach. He also had the support in the building from colleagues and players.

The firing of strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson was about making progress. I did not see growth and improvement. The environment was not ideal. At the end of the day, are we moving forward? Is there growth? It was not headed in the right direction.

Mark Lovat is one of five candidates to replace Gullickson. Will take as long as it takes to fill out staff; will not rush the interview process.

Doesn't feel like this is almost starting a new system from scratch. A change was needed to bring home the next world championship. I will do everything in my power to bring home the next champsionship, even if it means making these tough decisions.

These were the decisions of McCarthy; not GM Ted Thompson.

(This blog will be updated (I hope by 2 p.m.) once I can transcribe direct quotes from McCarthy.)

[aaprigs311]

I'm comfortable with Kampman and Jenkins at DE. Optimally Kampman should gain a little weight, but he could succeed in any defensive scheme. No way Pickett can play NT. He's on the decline and it showed last season. I would hope we target one of the Ravens fa linebackers this offseason. Ray Ray, Bart Scott, and 'T-Sizzle' will be available. No way they retain all three. Not sure if Barnett/Hawk will prosper in the 3-4. I would assume Barnett stays inside, but can Hawk play olb in this new scheme? Harris/Woodson will probably be fine although we will be playing a lot more zone. Collins will prosper. Wouldn't mind bringing in another vet safety who excells in coverage although Bigby is a good blitzer. This will obviously be a work in progress, but I'm pretty excited for a change and to see how this all comes together. Regardless of what MM says I think the new scheme will make us more active this offseason in free agency. We need to add some vital pieces. How do you guys think this affects the draft? I'm more in favor of Everette Brown now than ever. Finding the NT of the future also becomes more important. Anyone you got in mind DB? Did Mt. Cody declare or was he a senior? I don't know much about any DTs in this draft.

[Ill-yasova]

If Orakpo is not available, I really like George Selvie. Reminds me alot of DeMarcus Ware. I believe he might be returning to USF though. I like Everitt Brown also. LB's will be a huge need for this draft.

[MikeIsGood]

We need better linebackers on the outside. Period.

[ReasonablySober]

Whoa.

Didn't see this one coming. Can't say I'm not excited, though.

Everette Brown just went right to the top of the wish list. I wasn't a huge Terrance Cody fan but he's exactly what this team could have used.

I'm very curious who they plan to play on the outside. My guess is Barnett and Hawk are there on the inside, and as it stands now, Poppinga and maybe Hunter on the outside. We're going to desperately need another OLB or two.

Or maybe they plan to make Hawk the rush OLB? Use Bishop on the inside with Barnett? I guess that's not the worst idea, either.

[Kerb Hohl]

So what are we looking at here?

DE- Kampmann +20 lbs
DT - Pickett
DE - Jenkins
OLB - Draft/FA
ILB - Barnett
ILB - Hawk
OLB - Draft/FA

I'm not sure where Hunter/Bishop fit in, but somewhere. Poppinga might be able to take spot duty on the OLB role.

I'm fine with our safeties, if healthy. I really like Bigby's hitting abilities and Collins' speed in this scheme.

I think Harris gets dealt for a pick or an OLB that fits our scheme. He isn't a zone guy, which we will be seeing more of.

[Lippo]

If Orakpo is not available, I really like George Selvie. Reminds me alot of DeMarcus Ware. I believe he might be returning to USF though. I like Everitt Brown also. LB's will be a huge need for this draft.

Agreed, I loved Selvie, if he could have been had w/ an early 2nd, or even a trade down in the first. USF is lucky he came back, hell be top 10 in next years draft. Johnson,Brown, and Orapko(sp?) are a bit over valued, and would prefer a OT with the 9th and get Stintim in the 3rd.

[aaprigs311]

Why is Everette Brown over valued ?

[El Duderino]

Another NT has to be brought in, hopefully a young guy via the draft.

What happens to Harrell even if he can manage to stay healthy, he's not big enough to play NT and likely not skilled enough to play DE?

Can Cole hold up as a backup NT?

We look to have no backup DE's for a 3-4 unless Montgomery can gain weight

[MikeIsGood]

Everette Brown just went right to the top of the wish list. I wasn't a huge Terrance Cody fan but he's exactly what this team could have used.

Agreed. Though, if I'm allowed to toke on the pipe and dream for a moment...

Miraculously sign Terrell Suggs. Draft Mau in the first. Draft Ron Brace in the second or third, depending upon his stock at the end of it all. You're looking at...

Suggs || Maualuga || Barnett || Hawk

.......Jenkins || Brace || Kampman

[ReasonablySober]

I wonder about Jeremy Thompson.

At first glance you would say he fits better on the inside than the out. He's strong and was a noted run defender. But athletically he was in good company at the NFL Combine. His ranks in various drills for defensive linemen:

40 yard dash - 8th
Vertical - 7th
Broad - 8th
3 Cone - 3rd
20 yard shuttle - 5th

Either way, he's going to have to change his body a bit to play somewhere. At 265 lbs he's too small to play end. He's also a little big for OLB. I'd see if he could get down to 255 and try him at OLB.

[ReasonablySober]

Another NT has to be brought in, hopefully a young guy via the draft.

What happens to Harrell even if he can manage to stay healthy, he's not big enough to play NT and likely not skilled enough to play DE?

Can Cole hold up as a backup NT?

We look to have no backup DE's for a 3-4 unless Montgomery can gain weight

Harrell said he wasn't accustomed to playing with so much weight his rookie year. I think, if he could get back down to 305, his combine weight, he could play DE. All he would have to do is eat up blockers.

[ReasonablySober]

Everette Brown just went right to the top of the wish list. I wasn't a huge Terrance Cody fan but he's exactly what this team could have used.

Agreed. Though, if I'm allowed to toke on the pipe and dream for a moment...

Miraculously sign Terrell Suggs. Draft Mau in the first. Draft Ron Brace in the second or third, depending upon his stock at the end of it all. You're looking at...

Suggs || Maualuga || Barnett || Hawk

.......Jenkins || Brace || Kampman

[El Duderino]

Everette Brown just went right to the top of the wish list. I wasn't a huge Terrance Cody fan but he's exactly what this team could have used.

Agreed. Though, if I'm allowed to toke on the pipe and dream for a moment...

Miraculously sign Terrell Suggs. Draft Mau in the first. Draft Ron Brace in the second or third, depending upon his stock at the end of it all. You're looking at...

Suggs || Maualuga || Barnett || Hawk

.......Jenkins || Brace || Kampman

I'm just guessing, but i see the Ravens keeping Suggs and letting Bart Scott walk

One thing about Kampman is he's in the last year of his deal i believe, so if he doesn't work out that well or hates being a DE in a 3-4, we aren't tied into him long term at big money.

It' interesting that MM said Jenkins was excited because a few weeks ago he said that he wasn't looking forward to a possible switch to a 3-4

[MikeIsGood]

:droop:

I know, right?

Dude, I agree. I don't see Suggs leaving Baltimore.

[aaprigs311]

I have a gut feeling Bart Scott will be our #1 free agent target. I'm really worried about finding a NT though. Maybe Capers can find a diamond in the rough. We can't rely on Pickett.

[Lippo]

Why is Everette Brown over valued ?

I think a OLB can be had later in the draft. When have the Steelers or Ravens taken a OLB early. Or are the cowboys,browns,jets the blueprint for the way to run a franchise. The great thing about a 3-4 is you dont have to invest $ and high picks to fill it. Tweeners and unathletic DE's do just fine. The draft is filled with 6-4 250-265lbs guys that run 4.6's, use your high picks on positions that you cant get for a bargain later.

[El Duderino]

Another NT has to be brought in, hopefully a young guy via the draft.

What happens to Harrell even if he can manage to stay healthy, he's not big enough to play NT and likely not skilled enough to play DE?

Can Cole hold up as a backup NT?

We look to have no backup DE's for a 3-4 unless Montgomery can gain weight

Harrell said he wasn't accustomed to playing with so much weight his rookie year. I think, if he could get back down to 305, his combine weight, he could play DE. All he would have to do is eat up blockers

I could see him eating up some snaps there in a backup role, but even though the LB's are the primary pass rushers in a 3-4, you still want your ends to have some ability to create pressure. That said, as a non-starter, i guess i could see Harrell playing some snaps at end, especially on run downs.

This surely will make for an interesting offseason and draft

[ReasonablySober]

I'm just guessing, but i see the Ravens keeping Suggs and letting Bart Scott walk

One thing about Kampman is he's in the last year of his deal i believe, so if he doesn't work out that well or hates being a DE in a 3-4, we aren't tied into him long term at big money.

It' interesting that MM said Jenkins was excited because a few weeks ago he said that he wasn't looking forward to a possible switch to a 3-4

I don't know how any pass-rushing DE could be excited to move to a 3-4. Maybe they are. I don't know. I doubt it.

The Ravens are about 27 mil under the cap but Suggs, Scott and Lewis are all free agents. To franchise Suggs again would cost the Ravens about $11 mil. Not sure they're going to be able to do that. If I were them I'd keep Scott.