Kampman Quietly Having A Good Camp

Not a whole lot of headlines about it, but all accounts seem to indicate that Aaron Kampman is adjusting nicely to his switch to LOLB. You've got to like (most of) this from Pelissero:

Kampman seemed to be everywhere, beginning when he got off TE Spencer Havner to stuff a reverse in the screens-and-deception period. Next, he absolutely dropped Lee during a competitive blocking drill. Later, he stuffed two plays in the team run period and had a sack in red-zone work. The only negative play was Kampman's latest shortcoming in coverage, as TE Jermichael Finley burned him down the right seam for a 26-yard gain on third down during the 2-minute drill.

That last sentence will be key as the season goes along. The worry isn't Kampman covering in the flat, as I think he has the athleticism necessary to make those types of plays. No, the worry will be when he has to turn his hips and run with the faster tight ends or, God forbid, wide receivers as he did the other day when he found himself matched up against Jennings down field on a play that resulted in a touchdown. (As it turned out, Atari Bigby blew the coverage over the top, but still, you don't want Kampman on a wide receiver - ever.)

This is an aspect of the defense that Capers just has to guard against at all times, as that one play where Kampman is mismatched could be the difference between a win and a loss...

 

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHEESEHEAD NATION WEEKLY NEWSLETTER HERE.

__________________________

0 points
 

Comments (10)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
BobbyOShea's picture

August 05, 2009 at 12:20 pm

I was at practice yesterday morning. It was in shells, but Kampman's movements are much more smooth then we have been led to believe. The only problem in coverage is that he's a long strider. Good coverage players have quick movements. He looked great coming on the rush, though.

0 points
0
0
Ron La Canne's picture

August 05, 2009 at 01:05 pm

Finley is awful close to a WR. He should have has help. Where were Bigby and Collins? Kampman has talent and dedication. I really want him to suceed. For all the PR coming on Thompson let's wait to see him the real game situations before setting too giddy. Remember last year.

0 points
0
0
Andrew in Atlanta's picture

August 05, 2009 at 01:52 pm

I want to see Kampman succeed too Ron. He's a good guy and he has given the team a lot of production over the years. I also agree with Aaron tho that Capers has to guard against Kampy covering guys down field. You have to believe teams will be trying to exploit Kampy in coverage
_____________________________
Once he gets his head right, I don't think any LB will be able to cover Finley in the open field

0 points
0
0
Pack Fan In Enemy Territory's picture

August 05, 2009 at 02:47 pm

" Once he gets his head right "

I'm not sure this statement makes sense or atleast I'm not sure you have the right to say that, considering you've probably never met him in your life, and base most of your info off of media reports & one quote from last year.

Whats that supposed to mean anyway? Is or was he recently involved in illegal actions? Is he a locker room cancer & bad teammate? Everything I've seen the young man say so far this offseason leads me to believe he has " his head right."

I actually would like you to go watch his last interview on Packers.com & tell me that is someone who DOESN'T have " his head right." There is always a chance he is paying the media lip service, but he seemed like a stand up guy to me.

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

August 05, 2009 at 03:07 pm

Or better yet, you could listen to his interview HERE AT CHTV! Sending people to Packers.com.... hurumph. ;)

0 points
0
0
Andrew in Atlanta's picture

August 05, 2009 at 04:24 pm

Take a pill Pack Fan. I am a big fan of the kid and want him to be successful. He's young and sometimes immature. That's all I meant. If he shows maturity then I can't see how MM keeps him off the field. He's too big of a weapon. Which is what I was trying to say - you can't hold it against Kampman that he couldn't cover Finley in the open field.
For Pete's sake

0 points
0
0
bomdad's picture

August 05, 2009 at 06:30 pm

Finley said on Cheesehead Nation that he is immature and needs to learn...thats getting your head on right.
-
If Kampman is in coverage, that means someone else better be ON TOP of the Qb.

0 points
0
0
Andrew in Atlanta's picture

August 05, 2009 at 07:31 pm

Yes bomdad, that's certainly a good sign. I'm just saying that 20 year olds don't automatically become mature because they get a year older. They have to work hard at it. Time will answer the question, not simply a statement Finley made to Aaron in an interview.
Look, I love this guy and I think he can be dominant if he stays humble and really works on his craft (including the maturity part). But he's young enough to still be in college. It's hard enough to learn life's lessons quickly if you are a normal early 20 something, much less a highly paid, high expectations pro athlete in their early 20s. You hear it from analysts all the time about kids needing to stay in college another year or two for maturity reasons.
If I chose the wrong words to make my point then forgive me. They are the same words I use with my children (17 and 25) when we talk about maturity

0 points
0
0
FITZCORE1252's picture

August 05, 2009 at 08:45 pm

It sounds promising! And there is not a LB on earth that can handle GJ, and it doesn't help when Bigby whiffs. As long as he gets help with the Jason Wittens of the league, I think he'll be adequate in coverage, and above average in stuffing the run and pass rush.

GBP 4 LIFE

0 points
0
0
PackerAaron's picture

August 05, 2009 at 08:56 pm

FITZCORE wins the 'Best Avatar' Award, hands down. Just excellent.

0 points
0
0