Kampman will play OLB

[Captain Erv]

Kampman will play outside linebacker
By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel
Feb. 3, 2009 2:24 p.m.

Green Bay -- Mike McCarthy's new coaching staff had their first meeting just this morning, but it has already been determined that Aaron Kampman will play outside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme being implemented by coordinator Dom Capers.

"When we line up the first base defense, yes, Aaron will be an outside linebacker," McCarthy said today, just a few moments after the 11 new additions to the staff were made available to the media for the first time.

It's not a surprise that the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Kampman will be moved from the left defensive end position where he has been a fixture since 2004. But it's one of the key positions in Capers' scheme. McCarthy doesn't think Kampman will have any trouble making the transition, and won't need much tutoring from new outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, who played the position under Capers in Pittsburgh and Carolina.

"Aaron Kampman knows how to rush the passer and the first responsibility for the outside linebacker position in the base personnel is to rush the passer," McCarthy said. "I think you'll see Kevin's impact more with the other players than you would possibly see with the older players. But Aaron Kampman is going to be an excellent fit for what we're going to try to do as we move forward with this new scheme."

McCarthy said Kampman already does some of the things that will be asked more of him in the new defense.

"If you break it down, have you ever seen Aaron Kampman drop into coverage on a fire zone (blitz)? Yes he has. How many times will he be asked to do that? It depends," McCarthy said. "It's not about lining up in the 3-4, you have to line up in the 3-4 front. That's not what going to the 3-4 means. Now there's different types of 3-4 defenses in the league, there's the traditional 3-4 and that's played differently than some of the other teams. You can get to the over front, you can get to the under front, you can get to all those different types of fronts in the 3-4 defense. We're going to utilize our players."

McCarthy did admit the players will be "learning a new language" when it comes to getting the scheme down pat.

As far as all the changes, McCarthy said it has certainly altered things in the organization and the players are giving positive feedback.

"Change creates excitement," McCarthy said. "I think the Green Bay Packers organization will never lack for energy, it's such a great place to work from a culture standpoint, the passion of all the people that work here. But there's definitely a ton of energy on the third floor right now. Today's exciting, we're finally all back, everybody's here. Our staff is complete and you can just tell from the response of the players, the people close to the football team, that everyone's excited about our new direction.

"Change is part of our business, it come in different forms. But we're excited about the new direction we're going with our defense."

There was one addition to the staff we laid out on Monday -- former Saints, Jets, Redskins and Giants kick returner Chad Morton was added as the coaching administrator, which opened up when Scott McCurley was promoted to defensive quality control.

We'll be back with more throughout the afternoon.

[ReasonablySober]

Nothing new. When Capers came aboard I quickly assumed Kampman would be a DE but that was put to rest almost immediately.

[CorporateBucks]

I guess this could be added here, but they have interviews with most of the new coaches over at packers.com

[CorporateBucks]

This may seem like a dumb question but I was curious what people thought. If Kampman was in the draft this year having the abilities of the player he is today, would he be a guy that would be considered a guy we would take with the #9 pick to play the OLB. I realize he's what 29 years old, but lets just say if he was coming fresh out of college. Just curious what people thought by looking at it from another perspective.

[ReasonablySober]

This may seem like a dumb question but I was curious what people thought. If Kampman was in the draft this year having the abilities of the player he is today, would he be a guy that would be considered a guy we would take with the #9 pick to play the OLB. I realize he's what 29 years old, but lets just say if he was coming fresh out of college. Just curious what people thought by looking at it from another perspective.

Well, take a look at the kid who went #2 last season to the Rams and what NFL.com said about him.

Chris Long

Compares To: AARON KAMPMAN-Green Bay...Like Kampman, Long is not the fastest, nor is he the strongest defensive end you will find. He lacks the blazing speed you look for in an edge rusher and will struggle to shed blocks at times, but like the Packers standout, he has great field savvy, vision and determination. He knows when he needs to avoid blockers rather than try to overpower them, as he really doesn't have that blow-up strength (good, not great) to dominate, anyway. What he does is take good angles in pursuit and display excellent lateral range working down the line. In a scheme that will let him press the outside shoulder of an offensive tackle, he will have good success. With his pad level and in-line instincts, he could also earn quality minutes as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 alignment, but is more ideally suited to play defensive end in a 3-4 formation.

[Neptune_Balla21]

Kampman is such a beast of a competitor, he'll be great wherever we place him. Idk how big a fan I am of the 3-4, hopefully it works in our favor next season.

[xTitan]

I am intrigued to too se what Jason Hunter (if resigned) and Jeremy Thompson can do at the rush LB spot, both are big, Hunter is outright fast and I believe Thompson tested out at last years combine as very very quick....both carry about 270 lbs.....There is some interesting potential on this team .

[aaprigs311]

Kampman is the last guy we need to worry about. No doubt in my mind he'll make a successful transition. I can't wait for this offseason to begin. I'm school girl giddy.

[eagle13]

I am intrigued to too se what Jason Hunter (if resigned) and Jeremy Thompson can do at the rush LB spot, both are big, Hunter is outright fast and I believe Thompson tested out at last years combine as very very quick....both carry about 270 lbs.....There is some interesting potential on this team .

I totally agree on Hunter. He was never going to excel in 4-3 but now he looks intriguing.
Not sure about Jeremy in 3-4. Felt he had solid potential as 4-3 end. Now as OLB? I hope so.
I have never been thrilled w/ Popp but he also could prosper in 3-4 as a former DE in college.

Question? Are both OLBs in 3-4 designed to be similar in assignments and size? Or does other OLB need to be quicker and cover more?

We have alot of prospects to compete for big OLB - Kamp Hunt Popp Thomp

Hawk & Barnet seem small as ILB to regularily take on Gs? Bishop should be OK.

Does Chillar fit anywhere being smaller?


Kamp Barn Hawk Hunt
Thom Bish Chill Popp

Seems like Barnett & Chillar are out of place?

[SteveScheffler]

im loving this. kampman seems to do really well when he engages with a ot after getting a couple steps to build up steam. i bet he takes his bull rush to the next level at this position.