The preliminary depth chart for the defense that head coach Mike McCarthy unveiled for reporters at the scouting combine in Indianapolis is certainly subject to change, what with significant moves the Packers figure to make in the draft and/or free agency.
For the here and now, the front seven in the team's new-look 3-4 scheme will include Cullen Jenkins and converted tackle Johnny Jolly at the end spots, Ryan Pickett at nose tackle, Nick Barnett and A.J. Hawk as the inside linebackers and converted end Aaron Kampman at outside linebacker.
In-house candidates for the other outside 'backer position are incumbent starter Brady Poppinga, Brandon Chillar, Desmond Bishop and converted ends Jason Hunter and Jeremy Thompson.
The move of Kampman has garnered a lot of attention since McCarthy made the switch from a 4-3 system to the 3-4 by hiring Dom Capers as defensive coordinator after last season.
General manager Ted Thompson, who played linebacker in the NFL, said at the combine Feb. 20 that the position switch for Kampman isn't necessarily as big of a deal as it's been made out to be.
"I think it's going to be a good move for him," Thompson said. "He's a little more talented player than a lot of people think. I had a long talk with him (the previous week), and he is really looking forward to it.
"At the same time, you have to remember that in the NFL you play in your base package less than 50 percent of the time, so 55 to 60 percent of the time you are going to be in sub-packages where he is going to have his hand on the ground anyway."
The shifting of Hawk inside from the weak-side spot he manned his first three years in the league in the 4-3 system will essentially give him the middle linebacker responsibilities Barnett had in the old scheme. By doing so, McCarthy and Thompson feel Hawk can be more effective playing downhill and attacking the line after he had an underwhelming 2008 season that included deficiencies playing in space, especially in pass coverage.
Hawk, who hasn't lived up to his billing as the No. 5 overall pick in the 2006 draft, will be the focal point at inside linebacker the entire offseason.
McCarthy isn't expecting to have Barnett return to the field until the preseason as he recovers from surgery for a torn ACL sustained in November.
"I know Nick's personality that he'll probably want to get out there sooner than later, but I think training camp would definitely be something that is a target," McCarthy said.
