[Bette]

With defensive coordinator Dom Capers joining the Green Bay Packers, coach Mike McCarthy says that the team will be making the potentially radical change from a 4-3 alignment to the 3-4.
“It gives you the ability to utilize your personnel, the flexibility,” McCarthy said, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal. “[It] doesn’t mean we won’t line up in a four-man front. We’ll move in and out of both four-man and three-man fronts.”


ProFootballTalk.com - PACKERS TO MOVE TO A 3-4

[gripitnripit713]

Well, our secondary performed miracles during the '07 season, and I feel if we weren't so injured last year we would have kept some of the games from getting away from us in the 4th quarter in '08. Maybe taking an extra man off the line could be a good thing.

[Notorious C.L.E.]

Dom Capers is a very good defensive coordinator. He has studied under some of the best defensive minds of our era and helped shape Dick LeBeau before leaving Pittsburgh. I think his defenses tend to play at a higher level than their talent might suggest.

As far as the Packers are concerned, I do not expect an immediate switch to the 3-4. In fact, I would not be surprised if we still see more 4-3 looks than 3-4 looks in their hybrid scheme next season because their personnel is really better suited for the former. But, if Ted Thompson is willing to bring in pieces that fit the 3-4 down the line, most notably a nose tackle and WILL, then I have no doubt that Capers will be running one of the most consistently good defenses in the NFL up on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field.

[Full Cougar]

I heard about this. I think they need to improve that defensive line now, I think they will get a good DE or NG in the draft.

[bears9]

I dont think this is a good idea, the Packers linebackers arent pass rushers, you need pass rushing linebackers to make this defense work, this spells dooms for the Packers next year

[Bette]

And so for the current defensive ends — Cullen Jenkins and Aaron Kampman — the question will be whether they become one of the “3″, or one of the “4″.
Since Kampman weighs considerably less then Jenkins, Kampman is more likely to become a linebacker.
Typically, defensive ends in a 3-4 set become anonymous, since the primary job is to tie up offensive linemen so that the linebackers can get to the ball. But for Richard Seymour of the Patriots, few traditional defensive ends have become stars in a 3-4 front.
As to players who are in a two-point stance for traditional rushing downs and a three-point starting position on passing downs, the possibility of praise and Pro Bowls and big money awaits.
The other thing that the Packers will need right away is a big, fat nose tackle who can clog the middle of the line. Whether one of their current 4-3 tackles can make the same kind of transition that Shaun Rogers and Kris Jenkins successfully accomplished for the Browns and Jets, respectively, in 2008 remains to be seen.
From the standpoint of the Packers’ competition, a 3-4 alignment could give the other NFC North teams fits since they all use, and are accustomed to seeing, 4-3 formations. That said, the Packers will also have to develop a solid scout team defense or their offense will soon have trouble preparing to face their 4-3 foes.


ProFootballTalk.com - PACKERS TO MOVE TO A 3-4


This is the rest of the story and seems to be their plan to make this work.

Think any of their tackles can make the transition?

[Full Cougar]

Originally Posted by bears9

I dont think this is a good idea, the Packers linebackers arent pass rushers, you need pass rushing linebackers to make this defense work, this spells dooms for the Packers next year

I agree. Except I think they need a better line too. They have a great secondary though.

[bears9]

The Packers line is good, they can draft an end and be fine, Jolly is a beast in the middle, Kampman is a freak of nature and if they can draft like Aaron Mayben from Penn State they will have a better chance

[Full Cougar]

Michael Johnson and B.J. Raji are good defensive lineman that Green Bay could get from the draft.

[bears9]

But Aaron Mayben is pretty damn good, is a DE at Penn State and they could get him at 9, then he could be a combo guy like Merriman or DeMarcus Ware

[Jorth3]

I'm not sure if I am liking this. The 3-4 is going to be a lot different. We moved our best linement to LB, which I honestly don't know if I like. Honestly, we just need new LB's. No team is going to afraid of having 3 starting LB's. Even when Nick Barnett comes back, he isn't that great. I want to draft Rey Mauglauga from USC and put him at LB. I will take Kampman their I guess, and either man up Hawk, so he will stop being a little girl and actually play some defense. Or put Nick Barnett their.

We need to do something. Cullen Jenkins is great, but Kampman is our best Linemen and we r moving him. Doesn't seem very smart to me. But since Packers basically went and got the whole Carolina's Defensive staff, maybe it could bring in Julius Peppers, which I would love. But then I kind of realized, the reason Peppers want's out, is because he isn't happy with their defense.

[Full Cougar]

I don't think the Packers have a good enough defensive line to do it. With a 3-4 I believe you need to have a good front three or the pressure will be nonexistent on non-blitz plays. Maybe they can get some players in the draft that will help them along with this.