[Bruce]

Greene on whether the outside linebackers will have to do what he did as a player:

"Absolutely. I mean, the outside backers in the 3-4 have to do the exact three basic scenarios.

1.) They have to rush like big defensive ends against big offensive tackles, which are 6-6 and 330 and so forth. Obviously they get picked up by a running back every once in a while but it's a rare occasion when a running back will try to block an outside backer in the 3-4.

2.) And outside backer in the 3-4 has to play the run hard at the point of attack, and there's so many different blocking schemes that offenses are trying to get on the perimeter.

3.) And an outside backer has to be able to cover. He's got to be able to drop into curl flats, buzz flats, fire flats, all kinds of things like that. So he's got to be able to do that and I'm excited. I'm excited looking at the personnel that we have and excited to work with them. From coach Winston Moss and coach Joe Whitt, I'm told they have great work ethic, heart and a fire about them. They are my kind of guys already and I haven't even met them."

Tough for an end to convert to that?:

"Well, I think as long as you have a heart and you're fired up and you're motivated and you're willing to learn -- and everything I've heard about these fellas, they are -- I think it's a coachable deal."

[rsell]

Bruce, another excellent post! I, for one, am remaining open minded about how our existing personnel (DE's and OLB's) will transition to the 3-4. I trust that the coaching staff, and Ted Thompson, will fill in any gaps with 2009 Draft picks and a few selected FA signings. I don't claim to be so knowledgeable that I can tell, today, who will excel and who won't. I will make for an interesting offseason and pre-season, though. I'm stoked about seeing the defense being more effective in 2009! Randy

[NeuBrew]

Jeremy Thompson and Jason Hunter actually seem perfect for it. I'm surprised nobody is really talking about them.


ROLB - Kampman, Thompson
Mike - Barnett, Chillar
Buck - Hawk, Bishop, Lansanah
LOLB - Poppinga, Hunter


Expected playing weights:

Kampman 6-4 260
Thompson 6-4 255
Hunter 6-4 265
Poppinga 6-3 250

Thompson and Hunter both had struggled to keep weight on as ends. At linebacker they can play at a natural weight. Poppinga is fine. Kampman will have to work more to keep weight down, but he played last year at about 260.





I'm picking Thompson now as breakout player of the year.

[Bud]

Good topic. I watched Greene's interview on packers.com and that guy is intense. I loved the interview and if I was excited, I'm sure those players that he'll coach sure will be excited. I'm really interested in seeing how he coaches and how his players respond to his style.

He talked about some interesting concepts regarding the OLB's in this system and he had some good to say about Kampman also. I hate to get overly excited from mere interviews but I am impressed with the way MM has addressed the D issue. Can't wait to see how it all shakes out.

[thepiecemaka]

It takes alot more than just size to play outside backer in the 3-4. Hunter and Thompson have potential but potential won't make us back into a super bowl contender. I really hope TT signs a veteran who has played in the 3-4 before to come onto the team.

[ricky]

Quite simply, this is speculation time by bans and Packer aficionados. Until the draft and the beginning of "voluntary off season workouts" (which I believe will be more heavily attended than in the past), and TC, much less pre-season. it is too early to project players into any particular role, other than Kampman.

I really believe that the defensive lineup is in total flux, and that Capers, with no axe to grind or pre-determined leanings, will try to find the best possible people to fill the defensive positions. IF he is handicapped by TT and MM telling him about salary cap situations, etc., the revival of the defense will be set back. Given a free hand, I believe Capers could turn this into a truly good squad.

The question is- will he get that latitude? Stay tuned.

[Greg C.]

I think Greene may earn his keep just for his ability to get the fans fired up. And I bet he'll have the same effect on the players.

[Vinnie]

Anyone remember these videos of Greene?

http://www.dailymoti...e-intervi_sport
or
http://www.youtube.c...h?v=6WFHGvxBqXs

I hope he is a better coach than an actor...

[Terry]

It takes alot more than just size to play outside backer in the 3-4. Hunter and Thompson have potential but potential won't make us back into a super bowl contender. I really hope TT signs a veteran who has played in the 3-4 before to come onto the team.

Actually, it is exactly potential that makes anyone succeed and which will be what puts us back into Super Bowl contention. The whole reason one signs a veteran is because of the potential of what that player might bring to the team.

You're talking about unrealized potential. And I think it's important to specify that. The whole discussion is about what gives us the best potential to get to the super bowl.

Now, to be fair, if we're talking about a player or players who are not performing, I think the "unrealized" part of the phrase is implicit and everyone knows what is meant by potential. That's a different kind of context. But here, we're talking about the future of the defense, which is a complete unknown and the whole question is what choices gives us the best potential to realize a good defense.

I do agree with you about bringing in a veteran or two for the new defense. Bedard makes an excellent point about the importance of the safety in the 3-4 and the potential value that a veteran could bring to the new defense.

[RedZoneJones]

It is good to see the Pack going Greene!