Packers Discuss Kampman, 3-4 Plans

The Green Bay Packers' transition to a 3-4 defense is not likely to be complete in 2009. There are some personnel shifts that have to take place, and the change is an adjustment for most of the players who will return.

Sure, the Packers will play a base 3-4, but that won't be the only thing they do defensively. Head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Ted Thompson discussed the team's plans over the weekend at the NFL combine, this time offering more depth and detail than they have in the past.

McCarthy says there is one clear goal with the switch, and it involves the Packers' play on early downs.

Eight of the nine teams using the 3-4 in 2008 ranked among the top half of the NFL in run defense.

"The thing about the 3-4 is, it's better against the run," he said. "There's three bubbles to run at in the 4-3. In the 3-4, you've got five guys on the line of scrimmage and only two bubbles. The whole goal is to get to third and long and into 'sub' quicker, where we're much more athletic.

"I thought the old scheme was outstanding against third down. I thought our issues were more on first and second down."

The coach also points out that the Packers will not use the 3-4 as much as some people think. There will be some games where it looks like the nickel is Green Bay's base defense. Other times, the Packers will line up with four defensive linemen and three linebackers.

Thompson says new outside linebacker Aaron Kampman will not be exclusive to that position.

"I think it's going to be a good move for him. He's a little more talented player than a lot of people think. I had a long talk with him last week and he is really looking forward to it. At the same time, you have to remember that in the NFL you play in your base package less than 50 percent of the time, so 55 to 60 percent of the time you are going to be in sub-packages where he is going to have his hand on the ground anyway."

Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Packers Blog has a post up quoting someone who "knows Kampman very well". That source says Kampman is fine with this change and is "actually fairly excited" about it.

The paper also reports the Packers will push hard to re-sign defensive tackle Colin Cole before he becomes a free agent Friday. Cole had the best year of his career in 2008, and while he may end up being a backup to starter Ryan Pickett in the 3-4, the Packers are motivated to sign him because the crop of available big men isn't as good as past years.