Scouts Buzz: Pack has personnel to make smooth transition to 3-4

Current defensive end Aaron Kampmann will likely become an outside linebacker in the Packers' new 3-4 defensive scheme. Icon SMI Bucky Brooks's Mailbag Have questions or feedback? E-mail Bucky Brooks. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Another big change is coming to the Green Bay Packers this offseason, but this time it has nothing to do with the team's quarterbacks.

The Packers, who have long used the 4-3 as their base defense, will be switching to the 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Dom Capers.

"I'm a big believer in the 3-4 for a number of reasons," Green Bay head coach Mike McCarthy said. "It's an excellent run defense and it creates a pass rush on the quarterback. ... From an offensive standpoint, it creates targeting problems just from your initial game-plan meeting, and it really cuts the menu of the offense probably in half of what you would normally do on a four-man front."

In hiring Capers, McCarthy picked one of the top defensive minds in the game. Capers entered the league as an assistant under Jim Mora with the New Orleans Saints and was instrumental in the development of the Steelers' "Blitz-burgh" defense from 1992 to '94. He has used some variation of the 3-4 to orchestrate four top 10 defenses during his tenure as a defensive coordinator or head coach. In fact, his defenses with the Steelers (1994) and Jaguars (1999) led the league in sacks, while also finishing in the top five in total defense and points allowed.

The key players in Capers' scheme are the linebackers, and the Packers have an attractive set in Aaron Kampman, Nick Barnett, A.J. Hawk and Brady Poppinga.

Although some will question whether Kampman can make the transition to outside linebacker in a 3-4, the two-time Pro Bowl pick shouldn't have any trouble developing into a potent outside rusher. He already has 50.5 career sacks, including 37 in the past three seasons, and is a high motor player with the skills to be an impact player off the edge. Besides, Capers successfully transformed other defensive ends into productive outside linebackers in his scheme. He used a similar tactic at Jacksonville in 1999 with Tony Brackens, who finished with 12 sacks that season.

Barnett and Hawk figure to play prominent roles as inside linebackers in the 3-4. The "Mike" linebacker in the defense plays as a "sideline-to-sideline" chaser who is often the free hitter in the defense. The "Jack" takes care of the dirty work (takes on blockers on isolations and power runs) to free up the "Mike" to chase all over the field. With Hawk and Barnett both having the athleticism and instincts to excel in the middle, the Packers could have both players spend time at "Mike" and "Jack." Either way, the scheme should result in more big plays from the hard-hitting duo.

Poppinga, on the other hand, may not achieve stardom in the Packers' new scheme, but his ability to thrive as a pass rusher will be pivotal. The 3-4 is most effective when both outside linebackers are pass rushing threats, so Poppinga must display enough rush skills to be considered a viable threat off the edge. He was a defensive end in college, so he has experience rushing the passer, and his are better than his three career sacks would indicate.

While the linebackers will garner all of the attention in the Packers' new defense, Cullen Jenkins could emerge as the biggest star. He has flashed big-time potential as a defensive tackle/end throughout his five-year career, and though his size (6-foot-2, 305 pounds) and strength make him an effective run stopper, his underrated pass rush skills (17.5 career sacks) should shine in the 3-4. Keep in mind that Capers spent last season observing former Pro Bowl pick Richard Seymour thriving in a similar role with the Patriots. Jenkins has the skills to excel in a comparable role.

How will Green Bay play in the back end? As one of the few teams to play "bump and run" extensively, the Packers may alter their approach. Capers helped create the modern "zone blitz" during his tenure at Pittsburgh and prefers to use some form of zone coverage as part of his pressure package. With a zone-heavy emphasis, the defense is geared to corners and safeties with outstanding instincts and ball skills. While Charles Woodson possesses the savvy and instincts to be effective in a zone, his counterpart (Al Harris) is one-dimensional and at his best when crowding receivers at the line. Nickel corner Tramon Williams may be a better overall fit in the Packers' starting lineup due to his promising ball skills and instincts (five interceptions in 2008). Safeties Nick Collins and Aaron Rouse combined for nine interceptions while roaming the deep middle. With the zone pressure forcing the ball to come out quickly, the tandem may continue to pick off passes at a high rate.

Much has been made of the Packers' surprising change to the 3-4, but the team has the personnel in place to make a smooth transition.