Day 6: Linebackers.

On the roster: Aaron Kampman, Jeremy Thompson, Brad Jones, Brandon Chillar, Cyril Obiozor, Brady Poppinga, Clay Matthews, Danny Lansanah, Spencer Havner, A.J. Hawk, Nick Barnett, Desmond Bishop.

How many theyll keep: 8 to 10.

Best guess (*=starter): LOLB Kampman*, MILB Hawk*, WILB Barnett*, ROLB Poppinga*, Matthews, Thompson, Chillar, Bishop, Jones.

Breakdown: This is the most difficult position on the roster to handicap, in part because even the three players presumed as starters in the new 3-4 base defense have questions surrounding them. Can Kampman (6-4, 265), a two-time Pro Bowler at end, cover well enough when needed to be a regular on first and second down?

How well will Barnett (6-2, 236) be moving by training camp, roughly eight months after undergoing ACL reconstruction? And can Hawk (6-1, 248) rebound from his quietest season and be physical enough to effectively play the thumper position in the new scheme? Fifth-year veteran Poppinga (6-3, 247) will compete for time with Matthews (6-3, 245), the first-round draft pick (26th overall) out of Southern California.

Poppinga is on the books for $2.85 million in total compensation ($1.9 million base salary, $800,000 roster bonus) and gets the edge here to play on first down, but its safe to say Matthews will fit into rotation and could be a starter by seasons end, if not sooner. Thompson (6-4, 270), a fourth-round pick last year who made little impact as an end (13 tackles in nine games), is expected to back up Kampman on the left side.

Chillar (6-3, 243) could factor at multiple spots, much as he did as a strong-side, weak-side and nickel linebacker in the 4-3 last year (65 tackles). Bishop (6-2, 238) figures as a backup inside, and hes good enough on special teams (27 tackles in two seasons) that he seems to have a decent chance to stick on the roster. Jones (6-3, 232), a seventh-round draft pick, played in a scheme at Colorado that incorporated 3-4 elements and led the Buffaloes last season with 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

His fit for the scheme, presuming he can put on weight, would seem to give him an edge over Danny Lansanah (6-1, 248), who was a bit player on special teams (two tackles) after his midseason call-up last season and will try to earn a backup spot on the inside. Havner (6-3, 248), another inside guy, put in parts of three seasons on the practice squad before getting his chance late last season and seems unlikely to make the cut. Obiozor (6-4, 267) received the largest signing bonus ($6,500) of any undrafted rookie and has the size to play on the outside. Special-teams play will be the tiebreaker for the last spot or two on the 53-man roster.

I said it before and I'll say it again, I'm not one bit worried about Kampy. The guy's got the best work ethic on the team, and will learn the new role and eventually excel at it. Capers will also tweak the scheme to fit him.

Even if he looks lost the first few games, have patience. Capers knows Kampy is the best of our front 7 and will plan accordingly.

"zombieslayer" wrote:

ya even thou there are question marks in Kamps play; we have a Great DC - he said so himself he's going to make the system fit the player not the other way around.

and ya well be playing normal 4-3 most of the time anyways so wont be any change. 50-60% of the time its a 4-3 setup as told by DC (when hired).

"Dulak" wrote:

"Dulak" wrote: