Pack93z
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15 years ago
Running with Jennings.. That is excellent.. some of the best news I have heard this week. I did a virtual backflip.. lol.

Source of Course.. 

It was a simple play, but it was exhibit A as to why Aaron Kampman cant play outside linebacker in the Green Bay Packers new 3-4 defense.

There was Kampman, a converted defensive end, trying to cover receiver Greg Jennings on a deep route the second day of training camp. Kampman was trailing Jennings close enough, so it seemed, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers lofted a pass over Kampman and into the outstretched arms of Jennings, who ran easily into the end zone.

The doubters, the ones who said this defense wasnt for Kampman, were proven correct.

Except for this:

Aaron did exactly what hes supposed to do, defensive coordinator Dom Capers said. That was our safety. On those type of vertical routes, what Aaron has to do is take away any underneath or inside throw. Aaron got a plus on that play because he did exactly what he was supposed to do.

See a photo gallery from Friday's practice.

In fact, Capers and outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene said this week that Kampman has been near perfect on his coverage assignments so far in camp, which is a notable feat for a guy who almost never was asked to drop into coverage, especially not against receivers, during his first seven NFL seasons.

Thats not to say teams wont go after Kampman when hes in coverage. During a blitz/red zone period in Fridays practice, Kampman dropped to cover receiver Jordy Nelson in the flat. Kampman stayed with him until Nelson turned his route up the field. Playing zone, Kampman let Nelson go, but no one picked him up and he had an easy touchdown catch from Rodgers.

Rodgers saw what most quarterbacks will see when they notice the 6-foot-4, 260-pound Kampman on a receiver an opportunity.

Dont overthrow it because hes probably going to be open, Rodgers said when asked what goes through his head when he sees a linebacker on a receiver. Their scheme is so multiple that they do have to drop off one of their standup linebackers on a No. 3 receiver, which could be a tight end or could be a receiver, but those guys have done a nice job. Theyve really improved. When we showed up in the spring, we had a few more big plays, but theyve been making improvement. But any time weve got Greg Jennings or Donald Driver or Jermichael Finley or Donald Lee against one of those guys, we feel like its a mismatch for us.

Greene doesnt, as long as Kampman or any other outside linebacker gets the proper help.

There are some defenses that theyre called to do that, but theres always help in coverage, thats the thing, Greene said. If you assume proper leverage position where your hip is, youre fine. I dont believe we have a defense where we just match up an outside backer (on a receiver) and just say, youre locked up. But we do have defenses that match them up and say, this is where your help is and you have to carry them on this type of leverage, stay here and cause this kind of throw.

To be sure, there are times where Kampman and the other outside linebackers will have to cover tight ends and running backs, but so much of Capers system is based on zone coverage, so its never really a true one-on-one assignment.

For his part, Kampman has taken the same stance he did all offseason in regard to his position change. After avoiding reporters for most of the offseason, he answered questions in early June but offered little insight into his feelings.

When asked point blank on Friday whether he was less than thrilled about the switch, Kampman said: It was what it was. That was a story that was kind of made.

Kampman excelled in the Packers old 4-3 scheme. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and 2007, when he combined for 27 sacks in two seasons, and last year put up respectable numbers (9 sacks) on a defense that struggled mightily, so it would be natural to think a 29-year old who was entering the final year of his contract would be resistant to change.

Thats definitely one way to take it, Kampman said. But that doesnt mean thats how I took it.

Never one to seek the spotlight, Kampman said he maintained his silence for much of the offseason because he felt it was wrong for so much of the focus to be on his transition when the rest of the returning players were going through the same thing.

It kind of took on a life of its own, Kampman said. The reality is that I kind of became the centerpiece, and there were 10 other guys on defense that also were dealing with the same thing. The biggest thing that was uncomfortable for me was that Im just one of 11.

What Kampman appears comfortable with is rushing the passer and stopping the run his main duties in the old scheme. In a team run period during Tuesday nights practice the most physical session of camp Kampman was in the offensive backfield play after a play. On one play, he easily got around tight end Tory Humphrey to stuff DeShawn Wynn for a loss. Two plays later, he dumped Ryan Grant in the backfield.

He gives you a big, physical presence out there, Capers said. Hes a good matchup on tight ends, and hes played down there on the tackle some. I think hes going to give us a big, physical presence there, and that should help our run defense.


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
jdog2
15 years ago
I like hearing this kind of stuff. It seems like the defense is coming together. Kampy is going his job after he lets his man go the DBs need to do their jobs.
blank
15 years ago
Some of the jsonline or GB Press Gazette people tweeted or blogged about him blowing coverage on that play. Annnddd this is why I try not to listen to their criticism.
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Greg C.
15 years ago
Very good article. It's a reminder that we shouldn't be too quick to criticize the OLB's if a pass is completed against them. Kampman still doesn't seem to be enthusiastic about the switch to the new scheme, but he's doing what he's asked to do, as we knew he would.
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Dulak
15 years ago
I said this then but I hope he gets his head in the game - seems like the coaches and media are coddeling him.

nice that he is doing well thou.
bozz_2006
15 years ago
what makes you think his head isn't in the game? the dude's been pure focus the entire offseason.
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Dulak
15 years ago

what makes you think his head isn't in the game? the dude's been pure focus the entire offseason.

"bozz_2006" wrote:



Well that interview he did ... what was it a month or 2 back ...

dont get me wrong I want him to do well. Its more like I expect him to do well ...
Nonstopdrivel
15 years ago
Dude, he expressed an almost absurd level of focus in that interview. He stuck to his line and stubbornly refused to be sidetracked. I'd say his head is totally in the game.
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Rockmolder
15 years ago
This is great news. It's not realistic to think that he can cover WRs. It's not even realistic to think that he can cover a (scat)-back or TE, if you ask me, but if he can, it's a huge plus. Just try to think of a few pure rushing OLBs who are good in coverage as well. There aren't a lot.

That said, I love that he can hold his own in this zone defense, even against WRs. It's more than just running with them, it's the positioning as well. It shows his smarts and work ethic once again. Can't wait to see him in action soon.

Best scenario for the 1st pre-season game for me would be at least a sack or a pressure and a pass 'defensed' or an interception while they're trying to create mismatches in his zone.
all_about_da_packers
15 years ago

This is great news. It's not realistic to think that he can cover WRs. It's not even realistic to think that he can cover a (scat)-back or TE, if you ask me, but if he can, it's a huge plus. Just try to think of a few pure rushing OLBs who are good in coverage as well. There aren't a lot.

That said, I love that he can hold his own in this zone defense, even against WRs. It's more than just running with them, it's the positioning as well. It shows his smarts and work ethic once again. Can't wait to see him in action soon.

"Rockmolder" wrote:



To be fair, I don't think Kampman will have to cover WRs in this defence ... outside of maybe a handful of times this season. The only problem I have is that usually his "help" is going to be Atari Bigby - not exactly a good cover safety in his own right. Heck this TC would seem to suggest that Nick Collins has had the fewest "communication" (assignment) errors out of the safties... and considering he's spent the least time in this defence, that is a scary thing.


Also, Zone coverage in this 3-4 is not predicated on covering a player, but rather getting in the passing lanes between the QB and said player. I think it's safe to say that with Kamp's above average mental ability to read the game he will do fine in adjusting his (zone) coverage so that he plays the passing lane(s) as opposed to the player. Don't look at Kamp's coverage on Gregg as actually trying to stay with Greg one-on-one, but look at it as Kamp working to take away all the underneath stuff.

I think the above report in the opening post is cause for cautious optimism: Kampman was probably going against Greg when he wasn't running full speed. Impressive none-the-less, but if this happens in a game we're going to be in trouble. As for the stuffs on the run play on Tuesday night's practice ... he was facing Tory Humpherey. The same person the Packers did not think enough of to even tender a qualifying offer to this summer.

I think the best thing about his performances is that he seems to be adjusting good with the mental differences in assignments in his switch to OLB.
The NFL: Where Greg Jennings Happens.
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