So everyone's saying how Kampman is looking far worse in the 3-4 than the 4-3. Stats tend to agree. Sure, that's all peachy.

But really, what makes it so different?

Let's first ignore the fact that Kampman now has to drop back into coverage and only focus on the blitzing.

What then is the difference between having your hands on the ground or with your hands up in the air? What exactly makes it so that he's so much better with his hand on the ground?

Is it leverage to push an opponent? Can't you therefore, just as you're about to hit the offensive lineman, get low before you engage?

Is it reaction time? OLBs can stand up at the line of scrimmage, they don't always have to be a few yards behind.

Is it opponent positioning? If you're charging at the line at the snap count, sure they'll know you're coming, but then as a 4-3 DE they always knew you were coming. So what's the difference, you could still engage a blocker in the same amount of time.


So, I ask, what really is the difference in blitzing as an OLB from the 3-4 instead of as a DE from the 4-3?

Honest question.

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Kampman made some comment about the explosiveness coming from different muscles in your body when you're in a two point stance vs. a three point stance.

I don't really think there is a huge difference. I attribute it more to a small sample size in the 3-4 and less opportunities for Kampman as he drops back part of the time as well.

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2 point stance, you're center of gravity is higher.
3 point stance you have more leverage at the point to contact.

Wait for someone smarter than me to answer like porky or pack93z ... I don't know DL stuff.

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This is my theory, so I might be totally wrong, but I'll throw it out there, anyway.

I think it might have something to do with the way he plays. He used to maul the tackle in the 4-3. He's not one of those KGB-like guys who runs and spins around tackles, he's one of those guys that finishes you off if you hold the ball a bit too long by just continuing to work on that tackle and eventually 'sliding' off of him, getting to the unsuspecting QB.

Now, the QB sees him coming. He sees that Kampman is matched up with a running back and obviously wants to get rid of the ball. Just look at it. The one time that Kampman got a sack, it was mainly on Bulger holding the ball too long and Kampman just getting his hand in.

Just anticipation from the QB when he sees Kampman coming. Maybe not a totally valid theory, but still.

I tried to find some stuff on the internet, but it usually talks about size and tweeners. Not about the different skillsets they need to have.

I think that that's a pretty damn good analysis, already.

Like Z2C said, though, we're all waiting for Pack93 or Porky to tackle this one, I think. Lol.

How many times has Aaron been dropped back into coverage? Why aren't they blitzing his ass off like DeMarcus Ware out in Dallas?

I say give him the option to put his hand down if he wants. I dont get why a player has to be in a 2 point stance in a 3-4. If Kampman thinks it would help him, then why not help the guy?

He falls back into coverage a third of the passing plays.

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Really? He's just been that bad? I'm gonna key on Kampman on D more this week. I haven't really been paying much attention to him specifically.

Engineeer and and posters on this website,

There is article featured on this very topic, today Saturday 17,2009 and it's on Sport pages of the Green Bay Press-Gazete and their Packer website packersnews.com

Visit this address on packersnews.com

http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20091016/PKR07/91016159/1058/PKR01 

The Article is entiltled "Play calls hold back Kampman" by Pete Dougherty- Press Gazette sports reporter

Analysis: What to make of Kampman's drop in sack production.

Pete Dougherty is the Green Bay Press-Gazette's Packer beat reporter

There is some differences between the two. The biggest may be his limit in opportunities first off. Playing in a 3-4 is alot different than playing as a down lineman where your almost sole responsibility is to go balls out and get to the QB or get penetration and hit the running back behind the LOS. ALOT more thinking goes into playing the OLB in the 3-4.

It does give Kampy an advantage leverage wise as well. The 3 Point stance allows him to fire off quicker with a forward low center of gravity. When he is standing up blitzing his core is open and allows OL to get into him easier as well.

He is also almost always schemed against as well in the 3-4 because that is just the X-O's of football. He would be schemed against at DE as well but in that position it's pretty cut and dry. The OT will take you on with some possible TE or RB chip help. In the 3-4 you are usually identified as a Blitzer as opposed to the DLineman who everyone knows is getting after the QB anyways, not technically "blitzing".


Basically you took an effort type player and have put him at a disadvantage because you took away his opportunity to dominate on effort alone. Furthermore when you do want him to use that "effort" to get after the QB he is no longer in the right form to dominate as he could from a 3 point, low center of gravity DE.


It's super hard to explain because while the differences seem subtle they are really huge

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