Q&A: Packers OLB Aaron Kampman
Dennis Dillon - SportingNews.com
Sep 17, 2009
After playing defensive end for seven seasons, Aaron Kampman took on one of the biggest challenges of his NFL career this year when he was asked to switch to outside linebacker in the Packers' new 3-4 defense. Kampman talked about his position change, new coordinator Dom Capers and position coach Kevin Greene with Sporting News' Dennis Dillon.
Q: How has the transition to the 3-4 gone?
A: Someone asked me the other day, "Do you think you've got it down yet?" And I said, "I played defensive end for seven years, and I didn't think I had it down." The reality is you're never there, you never arrive. Having said that, I think our defense has adapted really well, and we're playing at a fairly high level.
Q: Why will the 3-4 be a better defense for the Packers?
A: It's not just the Packers, but anyone who decides to run the 3-4. I think there's a level of uncertainty that can be placed in the offensive players' minds based on the myriad looks that present themselves. The element of disguise, if you will. The ability to bring different packages and looks and blitz patterns presents itself in a more difficult-todiscern format for the offense.
Q: What's it like playing for Dom Capers?
A: He expects and demands a very high standard, and he's willing to give that himself in his preparation. And he's very efficient in how he runs meetings and practices. You can tell he definitely cares about the players, how things are looking and moving forward.
Q: Is it true he gave everyone a thick playbook in training camp?
A: (Laughs) Yes, that would be accurate. Let's just say I have done more studying this year than I have in a while.
Q: Have you reached a comfort level at outside linebacker?
A: I continue with every rep just to learn more and more about what it takes to be an efficient and effective outside linebacker. My goal every day is to continue to get better and better to a point where I feel I'm getting more and more at ease with the position.
Q: At outside linebacker, you're going to drop into coverage quite a bit. How often did you drop during your seven seasons at end?
A: There'd be games where I wouldn't drop at all.
Q: How has Kevin Greene, your position coach, helped you make the position switch?
A: He has helped in a lot of ways. He played left outside linebacker obviously very well for a number of years. He was a guy who as a rusher had 160 sacks, the third most in NFL history. He brings a lot of wisdom in terms of how he did it. He was a guy who understood how to get to the quarterback, so as a guy myself who tries to get back there and cause the quarterback some havoc, it's been fun to get to hear how he did different things and learn from it.
Q: Did you study tape of other players who have made the switch from end to outside linebacker?
A: I've watched guys who have learned the 3-4. You look to see what's the standard right now in the NFL for an outside linebacker. So I've looked at different teams around the league, be it Pittsburgh or Dallas or San Diego. The Patriots have elements to it, Baltimore has elements to it. Just looking at some of those teams that have been doing it and getting a feel for what some of their guys are doing.
Q: Did you talk to any players who have made the switch?
A: Not necessarily. I've gotten some good coaching all the way along. Since Kevin got to Green Bay, I've really tried to be in his back pocket quite a bit. He's probably the largest source of information.
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