Pack93z
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16 years ago
Decent read.

http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/36358964.html 


Defensive rush starts, stops with end
Kampman only source of pressure

By Rob Reischel of the Journal Sentinel

Posted: Dec. 17, 2008

Green Bay - It was roughly 2 p.m. on Dec. 11.

Aaron Kampman had just finished practice, and Green Bay's standout left defensive end was off to a meeting. [img_r]http://i.packers.com/pg/kampman_aaron_2006/photo1.jpg[/img_r]

"Man, I'm tired," Kampman said. "We're having a hard time getting the boys to sleep through the night. I'm pretty beat."

Kampman, the father of three boys, all 4 years old or younger, has the benefit of being able to turn many childcare duties over to his wife, Linde.

Inside Packer headquarters, though, he's not as fortunate. There, he's been forced to carry the entire load.

The ineptitude of Green Bay's defensive line has been a major reason the Packers have taken a major nosedive this season. But without Kampman, things would be downright hopeless.

Through 14 games, Kampman has 9 1/2 sacks. The rest of the defensive line has combined for just 5 1/2 sacks.

Kampman has accounted for 41.3% of Green Bay's total of 23 sacks. That's the highest percentage by one player since 1989, when Tim Harris accounted for 57.4% of the team's sacks.

Considering Kampman is virtually the Lone Ranger when it comes to applying pressure these days, it could certainly be argued this has been the finest of his seven seasons in Green Bay.

"It's hard to compare what a guy does every year because so much is different," defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said. "But since I've been involved with him, he's had four very good years.

"This has been another very good year; I'd say a Pro Bowl year again. I'm just appreciative of his work ethic. He works hard every day."

The demise of Green Bay's defensive line this season has been the most shocking element in the 5-9 season. Corey Williams, a rare tackle that gets consistent inside push, was traded. Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila was waived after struggling to recover from knee surgery. Cullen Jenkins (pectoral) was lost for the season in Week 4.

Their replacements - players like Johnny Jolly, Colin Cole, Justin Harrell, Mike Montgomery and Jeremy Thompson - have failed to get much pressure on quarterbacks. In fact, Jenkins (2 1/2) still ranks second among defensive linemen in sacks despite missing the last 10 games.

The burden has fallen on Kampman. He's seen more double teams than any time in his career, but is a consistent presence in opposing backfields.

"There have been some good things about my year, but there's things I'd like to do over, like any year," Kampman said. "It's hard to really guesstimate the attention you'll get, but I anticipate that and think about that in the off-season.

"With the success I've been fortunate enough to have, there will come attention. It's still trying to find a way to succeed and hit the things you want to hit - that being the quarterback."

Kampman has done plenty of that.

He had four sacks in the first three weeks, when Jenkins was healthy and providing help. Kampman has also had two-sack games against Carolina and Seattle and had 1 1/2 sacks at Minnesota.

Kampman ranks sixth in the NFC in sacks and is tied for 11th in the NFL. And he's moved into fourth place in team history with 50 1/2 career sacks.

"He's done everything we could have asked," Sanders said.

Actually, that's been the case since Kampman arrived as a fifth-round pick in 2002. And since signing a four-year, $21 million deal in March 2006, Kampman has played at an elite level.

Since 2006, Kampman's 37 sacks rank third in the NFL behind Dallas' DeMarcus Ware (44 1/2) and Minnesota's Jared Allen (37 1/2). He set a record for tackles (113) by Packer defensive linemen in 2006 and is on track to lead in tackles for a fourth straight year.

The 29-year-old Kampman reshaped his body years ago and keeps himself in tremendous shape. He's also avoided major injury, and believes he can play at this level for years to come.

"I've talked to (former New York Giants end) Michael Strahan, and he was a guy who felt great at 35," Kampman said. "So, the reality is, so much of it is mentality and taking care of yourself, and I try to do an outstanding job with that.

"I feel really young for this being my seventh year. Fortunately, I've been very blessed to not have any significant injuries. So all things considered, I'm actually looking forward to going forward and seeing what I can do."

Kampman's contract expires at the end of 2009, and he said talks between agent Neil Cornrich and the Packers haven't seriously begun. If he continues to shine, and the Packers don't lock him up, he's likely to command a king's ransom 15 months from now, when he hits the free-agent market.

"All that business stuff, I went through that for two years where I was restricted (2005) and then unrestricted (2006)," Kampman said. "And I learned a lot of lessons, like, don't let it get in your mind.

"So I'm trying not to worry about that and just get myself in a tunnel and worry about this season and this team."


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
djcubez
16 years ago
I remember looking at the Packers defensive statistics and seeing Kampman's sacks compared to everyone elses. I also saw that Jenkins had 2nd most on the team still. Honestly, that's pathetic.
DarkaneRules
16 years ago
Sad... reading this made me sad.
Circular Arguments: They are a heck of an annoyance
Greg C.
16 years ago
There have been so many times he's almost gotten to the QB, but the QB just takes a step or two to the left, or forward, knowing that nobody else will be getting any pressure.
blank
Rockmolder
16 years ago

There have been so many times he's almost gotten to the QB, but the QB just takes a step or two to the left, or forward, knowing that nobody else will be getting any pressure.

"Greg C." wrote:



Hence the corner or linebacker blitzes from the left always seem to work for us, yet, they nearly never use them. But that's something for another thread.

He's been great and I really hope that Jenkins comes back next year and start where he left off. This is another guy that Ted Thompson shouldn't let go, he's been to great for this franchise... and that for a 5th round pick.
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dfosterf (16h) : Resulting in an actual drop of net revenue of 12.5%. She is from Minnesota. Just sayin'
dfosterf (16h) : Any plans to hold Maureen Smith (CFO) accountable for a 95% drop in investment revenue?
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Mucky Tundra (16h) : @ByRyanWood Mark Murphy: “A great source of pride of mine is that we were never on Hard Knocks.”
Mucky Tundra (16h) : *years
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dfosterf (17h) : *cafeteria* I have hit my head also, so I sympathize
dfosterf (17h) : Possibly hit his head leaning into the glass protecting the food in the cafateria
dfosterf (17h) : Maybe a low flying drone
dfosterf (17h) : Did Savion Williams run into a goalpost or something?
Mucky Tundra (17h) : also, no bueno when a guy starts getting concussions right off the bat in his career
Zero2Cool (17h) : Concussion is worse. Banks probably vet off day via back booboo claim
Mucky Tundra (20h) : @AndyHermanNFL Jordy Nelson out at camp today. No word if he’s in play for one of the two open roster spots ; )
dfosterf (20h) : Is that better or worse than Banks bad back?
Zero2Cool (21h) : Savion concussion ... not good.
packerfanoutwest (24-Jul) : Aaron Rodgers’s first pass of first team period was picked off
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : tbh I didn't hear of his passing
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Cosby Show. Malcom Jamal Warner I think is real name
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : I was thinking of Ozzy and Hulk
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : Who's Theo?
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : How is Theo alliteration?
Mucky Tundra (24-Jul) : Bad week for people whose names are alliterations
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Hulk Hogan gone too.
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Oh, it's toe injury
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Hope it's not serious. that would stink
dfosterf (24-Jul) : Sounds like an ankle not a knee for Fields
dfosterf (24-Jul) : Ya Flaccp on Browns
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Maybe Tyrod Taylor instead
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : He's on Browns, right?
dfosterf (24-Jul) : They would probably go with Flacco is my guess if Fields out
dfosterf (24-Jul) : Fleece 'em again!
Zero2Cool (24-Jul) : Malik Willis might be someone Jets come after
packerfanoutwest (24-Jul) : Packers introduce 1923-inspired classic uniform, leather-look helmet
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Both LB Quay Walker and Rookie DB Micah Robinson have passed their physicals
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Happy to see site feels more snappy snappy
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : No sir. I did not.
dfosterf (23-Jul) : You didn't get free childcare when you were at work?
wpr (23-Jul) : These guys make hundreds of thousands of dollars a year. Pay for their own childcare.
dfosterf (23-Jul) : 2nd issue. Number 1 issue was no gameday childcare. 1 of 3 teams not providing it
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Suppose if locker room is main issue, we sitting pretty
wpr (23-Jul) : I thought so Mucky. In those useless player polls GB always rates high overall. Locker is a part of it.
Mucky Tundra (23-Jul) : Wasn't the locker room just updated like 6 or 7 years ago?
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : I have forum updated on different site. We'll see how this one goes before going to that
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : Elgton Jenkins has a back injury, is expect to end contract dispute
wpr (23-Jul) : It's funny the PA complained about the locker room. It wasn't that long ago it was top shelf. Things change in a hurry.
wpr (23-Jul) : The site is much more better.
Zero2Cool (23-Jul) : NFLPA report said Packers lockerroom needed upgrade. Whining bout where you change?
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