It's looking more and more likely that McCarthy wants to change the packers defence from a 4-3 into a 3-4. By firing the entire defensive staff, it would allow the new defensive co-ordinator to bring in guys that know how to implement the 3-4 system straight away rather than waste time teaching the current staff about the 3-4.

Whilst some packers fans question the wisdom of making that change, i dont see the problem cos our defence cannot get any worse. We were so bad that we couldn't blitz, we couldn't stop the run and we occassionally gave up big passing plays. We were very predictable and teams knew what was coming and adjusted to that.

I've read that having a 3-4 defence is cheaper than having a 4-3 defence. If that is true then it would make good sense as it would give us the flexibility to improve other positions and even improve squad depth quality.

Also out of 32 teams, i've read only 10 of them plays the 3-4. That would give us a advantage during draft day as the demand for players that fit the 3-4 system is lower.

Another advantage, someone on here pointed this out, is that with the 3-4 you can stock up more guys who is suited to special teams. They have the size and speed that McCarthy likes in special team players. The 4-3 don't have as many of that type.

I would LOVE the packers defence to be very aggressive, in your face and implementing exotic blitzing schemes and constantly pressure the QB. I LOVE watching Pittsburgh simply because of their defence and if we could do half of what Pittsburgh do, that would be an achievement.

The biggest problem in changing to a 3-4 is the players. We will have players who are a bad fit for that system. It doesnt really matter as most of the players isn't very good and will have to be cut/traded anyway. We will use our 9 draft picks (maybe more if we trade any guys away) to bring in guys that fit the system.

If Miami could change their team around so dramatically, Green Bay can do the same for their defence. That is my optimistic view.

Getting Suggs would be a good starting point. He's only 26 and knows the system well.

Of course, to ensure the success of the system, we need a dominant NT. Pickett is a good starting point. What you may have forgotten is that we have a player on the practice squad who has the size to play in that position. His name is FRED BLEDSOE. He is 6ft 3 and weighs 329 lbs. It's possible that McCarthy was planning to make the change for a while and picked him up in anticipation of that change.

In the 3-4, the outside linebackers, i feel we may already have some players who could adapt to the system and be a success. Not necessarily as a starter but as a valued squad member. Danny Lansanah is of similar size to Harrison of Pittsburgh. Could he play that role? Jeremy Thompson has great size and athleticism to play the other side. If you compare them to other OLB from Pittsburgh and Baltimore,

Harrison- 6ft and 242 lbs
Suggs- 6ft 3 and 260 lbs
Lasanah- 6ft 1 and 248 lbs

LaMarr Woodley- 6ft 2 and 266 lbs
Jarret Johnson- 6ft 3 and 270lbs
Jeremy Thompson- 6ft 4 and 270 lbs

They are certainly the right size to play in that system.

So size-wise throughout the whole defence, i can see why McCarthy feels we can change the system as we do have the players available to us to make that change. Not necessarily the quality of course.

---

Wow, Megatron just made me a believer.

---

that was a nice sell job by megatron.

i think Suggs is a legitmate Free Agent target regardless of the scheme the new DC runs with. not crazy pricey, and our LB's apparently need more competition.

I still think that if we are dreaming about DC's that we shouldn't be basing that on scheme. But more so the new DC's ability to work with what he's got and think through his own scheme.

Sanders had an excellent scheme and knew how to do it. What he couldn't do was evolve into anything else. Why bring in a guy tied to one particular scheme and expect different results?

---

I'd prefer staying with the 4-3, but I'm intrigued by a hybrid. I think a full-time 3-4 is the end of the Thompson/McCarthy era in GB.

Injuries, poor depth, and lack of flexibility is what killed our defense last year, not lack of talent. DT went from the strongest position on the team to the weakest with the trade of Williams and the injuries to Harrell and Jenkins. Losing Jenkins was the second biggest loss we could have had (behind Kampman) and that's what happened.

Overhauling the roster (and that's definitely what will happen if we make a switch to the 3-4; we just don't have the players to use it right now) is premature. I still think this team is a few pieces away from a good run at the Super Bowl.

If Harrell manages to stay healthy I think he'll justify his position in the draft. His development, Jenkins return from injury, and somebody like Bertrand Berry to provide quality depth would turn the line into a strength rather than a weakness.

---

The latest rumors have the Ravens getting all 3 studs being resigned. Ray Lewis already said he will take less money to play in Baltimore and they will franchise one of the other 2 and then sign the other . Thats just the latest rumor so don't look for suggs to go anywhere near Green Bay. I still say why can't we line Peppers up at LB hes very fast and i think it could work.

---

I am sure Baltimore will try, but I also don't think they will be able to afford all 3. Even on discount my guess is that they would cover 20+ million in salary cap to get all three back. That might be a little tight.

I don't think Peppers has enough speed to play LB for long term. Maybe situational, but with his size the movement that is needed at LB would wear him out.

---

IMO, Peppers would have the same issue as Kampman moving to a 3-4 backer position, while they both possess raw speed, neither is fluid enough from the mid section down to play all three downs at the position, so you are making them a situational player.

Both are too talented to be a situational player, if you want to make a run at Peppers, it is in a 4-3 alignment where you can utilize his talent.

All this talk of the 3-4 here in Green Bay.. sorry folks, I have a hard time believing next fall we line up in base with a 3-4 alignment.. will we see it, probably in certain situations.. but it will be more of an evolution to the 3-4 than one offseason.

Oh BTW.. if we are going to run a 3-4.. we need a hell of alot more intensity out of the linebackers than we got this past year..

---

I still think Kampman can play the blitzing LB from the outside, maybe come on some stunts, he'll basically be playing on the line or close to it. Kampman has very good speed, I think he'd be fine as LB, infact isn't that what he played in college. Orakpo from one side, Kampman from the other.

---

I firmly believe that Kampy can adjust to whatever scheme he's thrown into. He is one of the most "adaptable" players on the team.

---

Also remember he's used to pushing guys from a stand still. In A 3-4 he's going to have some open space before he hits the blocker, and when Kampman picks up speed he's so hard to block. I would love to see what he can do on blitzes from the edge and stunt blitzes with another LB consistently from the other side. Bringing 5 man basically every down.

---