The nearly overhauled defensive staff, led by new coordinator Dom Capers, has spent the last couple weeks studying the players on the team and formulating a preliminary depth chart with new roles assigned to some players. Foremost among the changes is Pro Bowl defensive end Aaron Kampman to outside linebacker.

TEAM NEEDS/OFFSEASON STRATEGY

Once again, general manager Ted Thompson has a lot of money at his disposal to be a player when free agency commences Feb. 27. The Packers are $25 million under the projected 2009 salary cap of $123 million.

Whether Thompson breaks from his track record of being a frugal spender when it comes to available players from other teams remains to be seen. The team's radical switch in defensive philosophy from a 4-3 base scheme to a 3-4 should convince Thompson to try to woo a big-name free agent - Carolina defensive end Julius Peppers and the Baltimore Ravens duo of defensive end Terrell Suggs and linebacker Bart Scott are intriguing.

Further fueling the opportunity to go outside the box is the Packers won't have to spend much to retain a slim list of their own free agents. Right tackle Mark Tauscher is the most prominent free agent-to-be, but he suffered a serious knee injury late last season and will be sidelined until at least training camp, thus making him unattractive on the open market.

TOP THREE TEAM NEEDS

1. Defensive tackle: In light of the commitment made this offseason to change the base front from a 4-3 to a 3-4, the Packers will need a stout nose tackle to line up over center and occupy multiple blockers. Ryan Pickett gets the nod for now, but the new role could be too big for him.

2. Defensive end: The switch to the 3-4 means top pass rusher Aaron Kampman will be moving to outside linebacker. That leaves a void at one of the two end positions in the new scheme, and the other spot isn't foolproof with Cullen Jenkins' coming back from a torn pectoral muscle.

3. Tight end: Jermichael Finley, who came on at the end of his rookie season, probably will be cast in the starter's role for next season. Considering a drop in production from starter Donald Lee last season and little impact from Tory Humphrey, reinforcements could be warranted.

MEDICAL WATCH

--Early offseason indications are defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins (pectoral muscle), linebacker Nick Barnett (knee) and safety Atari Bigby (ankle) are progressing nicely in their rehab work after undergoing surgeries at various points last season. All are expected to be ready by the start of training camp, if not sooner.

--RT Mark Tauscher, who underwent surgery for a torn ACL in his left knee Jan. 15, has been rehabbing at the Packers' facilities. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent and may not entertain overtures from other teams since he probably won't be fully recovered in time for the outset of training camp.

--Another surgery apparently isn't imminent for oft-injured DT Justin Harrell, the team's first-round draft pick in 2007. Harrell missed most of last season after undergoing two procedures for a herniated disk in his lower back. The Packers medical staff put Harrell on a rehab program at the beginning of the offseason.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.

TRANSITION PLAYER: None.

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--DT Colin Cole has been a serviceable role player, but that was in the previous 4-3 system. The implementation of the 3-4 front could make him expendable since, at 6-foot-1 and 330 pounds, he doesn't fit well at nose tackle or moving outside.

--DE Michael Montgomery, another backup, also might not be brought back because he is undersized (6-5, 273) to be an effective end in the new scheme.

--OT Mark Tauscher has been a mainstay in the Green Bay lineup at right tackle since his rookie season in 2000, but his starting days could be over. Tauscher will need the entire offseason and perhaps training camp to recover from a late-season torn ACL and subsequent surgery, leaving him to possibly accept a one-year deal to return as a backup.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS

--S Atari Bigby will be spending most of the offseason rehabbing a surgically repaired ankle that caused him fits all of last season. When healthy, Bigby has been a tenacious and productive starter at strong safety.

--WR Shaun Bodiford missed the entire 2008 season because of a back injury and is a long shot to be back with the team loaded at receiver.

--CB Jarrett Bush has been a top special-teams player his first three years with the team, but he's struggled when called upon as a situational defensive back.

--TE Tory Humphrey stayed healthy for a full season for the first time in four years with the club and showed some flashes as a pass catcher. The late-season emergence of rookie Jermichael Finley and returning starter Donald Lee don't bode well for Humphrey's moving up the depth chart, however.

--DE Jason Hunter has done good things on special teams and for him to stick with the team, he'll probably have to make a successful switch to outside linebacker since he's undersized (6-4, 271) to stay at end.

--FB John Kuhn was an unsung player on offense in 2008 as a dependable run blocker and for grinding out some yards in short-yardage situations.

--WR Ruvell Martin is no better than the fifth wideout on the roster, but he has an upside as a big target (6-4, 220) to move the chains.

EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS

--CB Tramon Williams gained seasoning in 2008 with nine starts and produced with five interceptions to rank third on the team. Depending on the status of Al Harris, who isn't a shoo-in to be kept by the team in the new scheme, Williams could be promoted from the nickel-back role he primarily had.

PLAYERS RE-SIGNED: None.

PLAYERS ACQUIRED: None.

PLAYERS LOST: None.