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."