If we switch to 3-4

[The Shadow]

Grady Jackson, to alternate with Pickett, might be worth consideration.
Not requiring much more than clog the middle ala Pat Williams, for 20 snaps, might be a low cost option.

[Joemailman]

If the choice is Suggs or Peppers as to which DE/OLB to give a huge contract to, I'd take Suggs in a second (younger, better athlete, more experience in the system, more of a playmaker). Somehow, I don't see us getting either but I didn't think we'd get Woodson two years ago either.

Agreed. Suggs would be the pick.

I agree, but I don't see Suggs making it to free agency. I think getting him signed will be a higher priority for Baltimore than Ray Lewis.

[b bulldog]

I'd take Allen and Williams over Peppers

[HarveyWallbangers]

Having said Peppers is better than Suggs, I don't think you can assume Peppers would be a great 3-4 OLB. The dude is like 285 pounds.

[Deputy Nutz]

Again like stated in another thread Peppers has more to offer all the way around. I like Suggs in fact I wish the Packers would sign him along with Peppers and a shit load of free agents. The bottom line Peppers can move to a down defensive end position or to outside linebacker, even line him up over the nose. Suggs, can play outside linebacker in a 3-4.

[b bulldog]

Suggs has already proven what he can do in a 3/4, Peppers would carry some risk. Suggs would be cheaper also.

[Partial]

Having said Peppers is better than Suggs, I don't think you can assume Peppers would be a great 3-4 OLB. The dude is like 285 pounds.

I'm glad you agree that Peppers is the better all-around player. Good to know somebody with a lot of knowledge has my back on that one.

I think Pepp could play all-over. Remember what a freak he was at the combine? Also, the fact that he is determined to play OLB in a 3-4 says to me he will work very hard at it to be great. I have a hunch he is sick of double teams play after play.

Having said that, obviously I'd be thrilled with either player, but I really think what Peppers brings to the table is on an entirely different level than Suggs.

[HarveyWallbangers]

The best 3-4 defenses have been Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New England, San Diego, and Dallas.

Interesting to see the measurements for the guys starting for those teams:

NT
Haloti Ngata - 6'4" 345
Jay Ratliff - 6'4" 302
Vince Wilfork - 6'2" 325
Casey Hampton - 6'1" 325
Jamal Williams - 6'3" 348

Ryan Pickett - 6'2" 330
Colin Cole - 6'1" 330

DE
Trevor Pryce - 6'5" 290
Justin Bannan - 6'3" 310
Marcus Spears - 6'4" 315
Chris Canty - 6'7" 304
Richard Seymour - 6'6" 310
Ty Warren - 6'5" 300
Aaron Smith - 6'5" 298
Brett Keisel - 6'5" 285
Igor Olshansky - 6'6" 309
Luis Castillo - 6'3" 290

Cullen Jenkins - 6'2" 305
Johnny Jolly - 6'2" 320
Justin Harrell - 6'4" 320

OLB
Jarret Johnson - 6'3" 265
Terrell Suggs - 6'3" 260
Greg Ellis - 6'6" 262
DeMarcus Ware - 6'4" 262
Mike Vrabel - 6'4" 261
Adalius Thomas - 6'2" 270
LaMarr Woodley - 6'2" 265
James Harrison - 6'0" 242
Shaun Phillips - 6'3" 262
Shawne Merriman - 6'4" 272

Aaron Kampman - 6'4" 265
Jason Hunter - 6'4" 271
Jeremy Thompson - 6'4" 270

ILB
Ray Lewis - 6'1" 250
Bart Scott - 6'2" 240
Bradie James - 6'2" 245
Zach Thomas - 5'11" 242
Jerod Mayo - 6'1" 242
Tedy Bruschi - 6'1" 247
James Farrior - 6'2" 243
Larry Foote - 6'1" 239
Stephen Cooper - 6'1" 235
Tim Dobbins - 6'1" 246

Nick Barnett - 6'2" 236
A.J. Hawk - 6'1" 248
Brandon Chillar - 6'3" 243
Brady Poppinga - 6'3" 247
Desmond Bishop - 6'2" 238

My thoughts: I'm okay with Pickett as the starting NT. I would like to see an upgrade on Cole as the backup. I'm okay with Jenkins as a starting DE, but we need to bring in a couple of other DE candidates (via FA and/or draft). All of our LBs seem to fit the mold of an ILB in the 3-4. I'm guessing that they'll find two good ones from the group. At OLB, I could see Kampman and a surprise like Hunter or Thompson. Brady Poppinga was a DE in college, so he could probably get a bit bigger without losing too much speed.

[texaspackerbacker]

I think Kampman stays at DE even in the 3-4, and does a good job.

Chillar and Popinga are clearly OLBs.

I think Harrell ends up rotating with or backing up Pickett at NT.

[Waldo]

What is the difference between Poppinga when he got to the NFL and Kampman right now?

Aside from Kamp being bigger, taller, stronger, a better pass rusher, and a hell of a lot better football player overall.

Kamp is a prototype 3-4 SOLB size-wise.

Greg Ellis, LaMarr Woodley....

Both are very similar to Kamp.

[pbmax]

I would be stunned if Cole stayed. He continually gets pushed back esp. on double teams. I cannot envision him as a viable backup NT.

Agree on the LBs, although I think Chillar might have a shot at OLB. He isn't Harrison, but he is fast and quick and might be able to play the weak side.

[The Shadow]

Kamp : a good football player is a good football player.
You could incorporate him into any scheme.
He can stop the run, he can rush the passer.
Those guys are the linchpins of any good defense.

"I think Aaron Kampman is one of those guys that is a football player and we’ll find a way to use him and he’ll be fine," Thompson said. "You never have too many good football players. And if you design a system where a good football player can’t find into it, then it’s a bad system. So that won’t be a problem."

Thompson said he would sit down with McCarthy and Capers when he returns to Green Bay to find out what kinds of players they want — and adjust scouting reports accordingly — but added that he would always be looking for one key trait.

"Good football players, you can find a way to use them," Thompson said.

[The Shadow]

It will be extremely interesting to see if players like Thompson, Hunter, and Montgomery = even Rouse - can find a great little niche in the 3-4.

[DonHutson]

Kamp : a good football player is a good football player.
You could incorporate him into any scheme.
He can stop the run, he can rush the passer.
Those guys are the linchpins of any good defense.

"I think Aaron Kampman is one of those guys that is a football player and we’ll find a way to use him and he’ll be fine," Thompson said. "You never have too many good football players. And if you design a system where a good football player can’t find into it, then it’s a bad system. So that won’t be a problem."

Thompson said he would sit down with McCarthy and Capers when he returns to Green Bay to find out what kinds of players they want — and adjust scouting reports accordingly — but added that he would always be looking for one key trait.

"Good football players, you can find a way to use them," Thompson said.

I'm glad Ted said it so I don't have to. If Capers isn't clever enough to utilize a player like Kampman then we hired the wrong guy. Capers and Mike talked for two days about personnel, defensive philosophy, etc. I'm sure they talked about Kampman, and how they'd use him.

Kampman initially played closer to 280#. He shed weight to add some quickness. They'll determine the right balance to fit what they want him to do. And no question, he'll bust his ass to do what they want. I'm not worried about him at all.