Packers camp report: Packers hope defensive hero comes in Cape
By Clark Judge | CBSSports.com Senior Writer Follow ClarkGREEN BAY, Wis. -- That object in the rear-view mirror of the Minnesota Vikings is bigger than it appears, and it is the Green Bay Packers. Just my opinion, folks, but it is the Packers -- not the Bears -- that are the biggest threats to the NFC North champs, and I'll tell you why: Dom Capers.
While the second-place Bears went out to find a passing machine, the third-place Packers reeled in one of the league's best and most trusted defensive minds and immediately put him on a mission to turn around the league's 26th-ranked rush defense.
Good move. If you reside on the same block as Minnesota and you want to make it to the top, you better figure out how to stop Adrian Peterson. Green Bay hasn't done that yet, with the star back running for 100 or more yards in three of his four games against the Packers, including a season-high 192 in 2008, and averaging 6.4 yards a carry.
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The Bears figure they can beat the Vikings by outscoring them with a new quarterback. Maybe. But I like the Packers' formula better: Identify your weakest link on defense and solve it.
Green Bay can score with the Vikings. Heck, a year ago the Packers outscored them by 40 points. But they were 6-10, losing seven games by a total of 21 points, and the defense takes the blame.
There were injuries galore, but all NFL teams suffer injuries; the Packers defense just didn't make enough plays with the people it had. So coach Mike McCarthy decided it was time for a shakeup, and instead of changing his players he changed his defense -- moving from the 4-3 to the 3-4, with Capers hired to run it.
"It's an important move because that's what the head coach believes in," McCarthy said. "I feel like we're a multiple scheme on offense, with the ability to challenge you conceptually week in and week out, and I wanted the same thing on defense.
"The [previous] scheme was a very good scheme in particular situations, but I think this scheme gives us a little more flexibility to handle our personnel better because we had some injuries last year, and we didn't overcome them.
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"That's nobody's fault. It's part of the business. But when you have that multiple-scheme concept built into your thinking with the way you train, it gives you more flexibility."
The change has a direct impact on guys like defensive ends Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins. Kampman will move to outside linebacker and learn a new position, much as the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka did two years ago. But the Giants kept their defensive scheme intact; the Packers did not, changing to something that hasn't been seen here since 1993.
"It's a bold leadership move by our front office and coaching staff," Kampman said. "I think Mike [McCarthy] has always wanted us to be a team -- particularly in the colder months -- where you can't come in here and run the ball on us. And last year that slipped. So, obviously, just by alignment, a 3-4 takes away some of the things that an offense can do ... if it's done properly."
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| Sleeper ... Brandon Jackson: Ryan Grant's problems last year were related to missing offseason workouts and hurting his hamstring in camp, issues that aren't there in 2009. But in the event that Grant struggles out of the gate, Jackson will be there to relieve him of his workload. In fact, Jackson was more impressive in his second season despite getting fewer rush yards (248) than as a rookie (267), but did it on 30 fewer carries. Don't be surprised to see Jackson work as at least a third-down back as the Packers capitalize on his pass-catching ability. He's not only a great insurance policy for Grant, but he'll also help accumulate points and have room to grow in the Packers' powerful offense. Breakout ... Jordy Nelson: Nelson has quality hands and decent speed, enough to make him a reliable target to move the chains. In fact, 18 of his 33 catches last year resulted in first downs for the Packers, so he's got a role carved out already. It will only get bigger -- Nelson is more comfortable in the Green Bay offense and could start stealing receptions away from Donald Driver, another possession-type for the Packers. Nelson should be a useful late-round draft choice in leagues where receptions count. Bust ... Donald Driver: Driver is one of the most vanilla picks in Fantasy, and there's reason to believe he'll have his first sub-1,000-yard season in 2009. Heck, he almost had it in 2008 before a bang-bang December saw him rack up 314 yards in his final four games, including 111 in the season finale vs. the Lions. He's a polished possession receiver, one who will be 34 when the season starts. And while he's had five straight 1,000-yard campaigns, he's never faced the kind of competition for catches like he'll find this season. With the Packers poised to run more and other receivers progressing, Driver shouldn't be expected to be a 1,000-yard candidate any longer. -- Dave Richard Current Draft Averages QB: Aaron Rodgers (26th overall) RB: Ryan Grant (30th) WR: Greg Jennings (23rd) TE: None |
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That, of course, is the key. Capers doesn't just wave a wand, and -- presto! -- the Packers bottle up Peterson. He and his staff have been working with players on the new defense since mid-March, though -- depending on the down and distance -- they will morph back into a 4-3 from time to time.
As I said, the move has immediate repercussions for someone like Jenkins, a true 4-3 defensive end who slides closer to the center of the line. Jenkins was in the midst of a strong season last year when he tore his pectoral muscle and required surgery. Now he returns to a new defense, a new coordinator and a new position, with each day an education.
"The good thing about him is that he's bought into the new system," linebacker A.J. Hawk said. "A lot of those guys, if they're playing D-end in the 4-3, they don't want to move [to the 3-4] because you're not getting the sacks. But [Jenkins] has bought in. He can't wait to get in."
Stay tuned for the verdict. In the meantime, what I like about what Green Bay is doing is that it identified what separates it from the best team in the division and tried to address it by hiring Capers and changing its defense. Sure, the Packers added new people like draft picks B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews, and they should help, but there is no bigger offseason move than the hiring of Capers.
He was successful in Pittsburgh where, in three years, no team allowed fewer touchdowns. He was successful in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars jumped from 25th in defense to fourth the next season, allowing a franchise-low 217 points. He was successful in Miami, where the Dolphins jumped from 18th to fourth in total defense and defensive end Jason Taylor was named Defensive Player of the Year.
Oh, yeah, he also took Carolina to the NFC Championship Game in its second year as a franchise.
I think you get the picture. The guy's résumé speaks for itself. Now, his timing is right, too. The Packers don't just need someone like Dom Capers; they need him now.
When the San Francisco 49ers lost two straight conference championships to Dallas in 1992-93, they realized that what they were doing wasn't working, so they tore up their linebackers and added Ken Norton, Gary Plummer and rookie Lee Woodall before signing free agents like Deion Sanders, Charles Mann and Richard Dent. Result: They beat Dallas in the 1994 NFC Championship Game and won their fifth Super Bowl.
Well, if Green Bay is going to win the division it must overcome the Vikings, and you solve that by stopping Peterson and forcing Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels to step back and throw. Maybe now Green Bay can.
deedsy404: What was the most important thing that you learned during your first season as a starter in the National Football League? Aaron Rodgers, Quarterback:I think the biggest thing I learned is to stay true to myself, like I did, and to stay humble and classy. Taking the high road is always the best road. The way I handled myself, with the help of our public relations staff and close friends and family… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been on the road -- and not in Green Bay, San Diego or Chico (the three places I reside) -- and met people who came up to me and said, "I’m pulling for you just because of the way you handled yourself last year." Or, "I’m a fan who doesn’t know anything about you, but because of the way you handled yourself, I want to be a fan of yours. I thought you handled it classy and with humility." To me, that is the biggest compliment you can get. Have a question for your team? Ask it here! |
"I've always felt that, no matter what division you're in, if you can't stop the run you're going to be in for some long days," Capers said, "because people know that. That's where everything starts. All that stuff about fire zones and pressures and all that stuff ... if you can't stop the run it isn't any good. They'll just run the ball against you all day and take time off the clock.
"I've seen it for years because many of the teams I've been around have had excellent running games. That's the best defense you can have -- when your offense is out there using up all that time, and you're not on the field very long."
So the Packers are on the right track. They have the players on defense; they just needed a scheme that suits them better. In Capers, they might have found it, and let's not be shy. Considering the man's record, he makes a difference here, a big difference, and I already feel the gap with Minnesota closing.
"Is there any bigger offseason addition?" I asked McCarthy.
"I think that's fair," he said. "Dom has already made an impact with our football team."
Uh-oh.
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