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Here are quotes on his switch. Also, Kampman says that the stories about him being upset were made up. He didn't talk because he thought it was unfair to the other 10 guys making the same switch. It's possible he's being less than truthful, but it does seem that his reservations about the switch are in the past, if nothing else.
Capers and outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene said this week that Kampman has been near perfect on his coverage assignments so far in camp, which is a notable feat for a guy who almost never was asked to drop into coverage, especially not against receivers, during his first seven NFL seasons.
That’s not to say teams won’t go after Kampman when he’s in coverage. During a blitz/red zone period in Friday’s practice, Kampman dropped to cover receiver Jordy Nelson in the flat. Kampman stayed with him until Nelson turned his route up the field. Playing zone, Kampman let Nelson go, but no one picked him up and he had an easy touchdown catch from Rodgers.
That’s not to say teams won’t go after Kampman when he’s in coverage. During a blitz/red zone period in Friday’s practice, Kampman dropped to cover receiver Jordy Nelson in the flat. Kampman stayed with him until Nelson turned his route up the field. Playing zone, Kampman let Nelson go, but no one picked him up and he had an easy touchdown catch from Rodgers.
“There are some defenses that they’re called to do that, but there’s always help in coverage, that’s the thing,” Greene said. “If you assume proper leverage position where your hip is, you’re fine. I don’t believe we have a defense where we just match up an outside backer (on a receiver) and just say, ‘you’re locked up.’ But we do have defenses that match them up and say, ‘this is where your help is and you have to carry them on this type of leverage, stay here and cause this kind of throw.’”
What Kampman appears comfortable with is rushing the passer and stopping the run — his main duties in the old scheme. In a team run period during Tuesday night’s practice — the most physical session of camp — Kampman was in the offensive backfield play after a play. On one play, he easily got around tight end Tory Humphrey to stuff DeShawn Wynn for a loss. Two plays later, he dumped Ryan Grant in the backfield.
“He gives you a big, physical presence out there,” Capers said. “He’s a good matchup on tight ends, and he’s played down there on the tackle some. I think he’s going to give us a big, physical presence there, and that should help our run defense.”
“He gives you a big, physical presence out there,” Capers said. “He’s a good matchup on tight ends, and he’s played down there on the tackle some. I think he’s going to give us a big, physical presence there, and that should help our run defense.”
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