Switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense isn't merely taking out a linemen and putting in an extra LB. You need to train the existing players to play differently, and to draft and pick up players who are better at fitting the scheme. Luckily we have an excellent DC in DC (gee, wasn't he just built to be a defensive coordinator?) who shall make the transition a lot easier to bear.

So with all this talk of the Packers shifting to a 3-4 defense, how long do you think it will take the Packers to become a dominant force in this scheme? I would normally give it 3 years to get going, but McCarthy and Thompson are on the spot to produce a much improved 2009 showing. There may be a good chance the 3-4 conversion will be scrapped before it really takes flight. On the other hand, Capers and his staff may just be enough for the history books to remember 2008 as an aberration of an otherwise solid few years in Green Bay. Thoughts?

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I won't put a specific time frame on it, but I think it's not fair to expect immediate results.

The biggest thing going forward has to be getting the right personnel in here to run the scheme. That won't be a problem however, since Ted himself played in the 3-4 and our Director of Player Personnel Reggie McKenzie played under Dom Capers back in college (also the 3-4).

It'll take a year just to get the players familiar with the scheme, plays, concepts, etc. and I think in year 2 you'll see the players start to grow in the scheme.

I think it's fair to expect the Packers D to show its true colours in 3 years, after they've had a chance to get comfortable and the 3-4 scheme has been developed to suit the players on the roster. So three years would mean the 2011 season.

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It's not as hard as you're making it out to be.

It's not as easy as flipping a switch, but it's not rocket science either. We'll be ready by opening day.

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Being ready, and excelling, are two different things though.

I don't doubt the Packers will be ready when the season starts. However, becoming an elite D isn't going to happen in a matter of months.

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We'll be ready...to excel.

You know what I meant.

You know who won't be ready? The other NFC North teams.

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I know exactly what you mean. I so want September to start right now!

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I hate to be a wet blanket, but how long did it take us to "excel" in the 4-3?

The correct answer may be never...

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Which is why we are switching to the 3-4....

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As far as time length you will see it more pronounced by midseason. It will b important for the offense to put up points and alot of them./ That said I think you will see alot hybrid in the first year to use the current personnel we have

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I think the thing people need to realize is this is going to be a hybred 3-4 and Ted Thompson was quoted as saying we could have 4 down lineman as much as 50% of the time.

Capers challenge is no less than any other "D" Coordinator in devising a system that utilizes the strength of the players. He's had plenty of years experience doing just that.

It still boils down to football and tackling the guy with the ball and pressuring the QB. They talk about poor Kampman won't fit in this scheme and I just laugh. For one thing, when your moving guys around and bringing players from different spots it is much harder for the offense to know whats coming and double team or chip players off the edge.

Last year Kampman came from the same spot 98% of the time and most often had two bodies on him whereas this coming year that won't be the case. My guess is he has just as many sacks or more under Capers.

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