Aaron Kampman news? -- Signed with Jacksonville (1 Viewer)

[Multiple Scores]

I'm surprised his name isn't anywhere on here. I am not sure what his status with the Packers is, he has not signed any contract, is he an unrestricted FA? I have not heard of them assigning a tender.

I seen blurbs about him going to the Eagles and also heard blurbs about him going to the Bears, both 4-3 teams and would use him as a DE. Wouldn't this vault him into the top 5 or top 10 DL? I'm wondering cause there is zero discussion about him and find it odd since the chance of a guy moving from LB to DE in a 4-3 seems to be against the norm these days, gotta think this guy is a guy to target if it's likely he ends up as a DE again.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Julius Peppers has dominated much of the free agent DE conversation, with Kampman and Vanden Bosch getting less discussion. Kampman's a free agent and on the market. It's assumed that he'll choose to sign with a team that will use him at end, but I think there are tempered expectations due to his ACL injury. Should find out shortly.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Some of the locals here think the Lions are going to go after Kampman as well as Vanden Bosch.

 

[Zoomanji]

Reports I heard this morning (Peter King via Schefter FWIW)

Peppers- Chi

KVB- Det

Kampman- SEA

 

[ScottyFargo]

He's visiting Philly first up.

 

[DesmondBishop]

Julius Peppers has dominated much of the free agent DE conversation, with Kampman and Vanden Bosch getting less discussion. Kampman's a free agent and on the market. It's assumed that he'll choose to sign with a team that will use him at end, but I think there are tempered expectations due to his ACL injury. Should find out shortly.

You know I always respect your opinion Jene but I personally just do not see the fuss over a torn ACL any more. Everyone comes back and is usually as good as they were before these days, it just is not the same crippling injury as it was before. Kampman has always seemed to be a very hard working guy and I think he will bust his hump to get back on the field and will be a very good DE once again, I think some 4/3 team is going to get very lucky by adding him to their roster and probably at a bargain price. If he really is close to 100% by the start of the season I am predicting now he will be a double digit sack guy. If you need DE help, try to get him cheap as most sites still list him as a LB and hope he joins a 4/3 team to play DE again.

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Julius Peppers has dominated much of the free agent DE conversation, with Kampman and Vanden Bosch getting less discussion. Kampman's a free agent and on the market. It's assumed that he'll choose to sign with a team that will use him at end, but I think there are tempered expectations due to his ACL injury. Should find out shortly.

You know I always respect your opinion Jene but I personally just do not see the fuss over a torn ACL any more. Everyone comes back and is usually as good as they were before these days, it just is not the same crippling injury as it was before. Kampman has always seemed to be a very hard working guy and I think he will bust his hump to get back on the field and will be a very good DE once again, I think some 4/3 team is going to get very lucky by adding him to their roster and probably at a bargain price. If he really is close to 100% by the start of the season I am predicting now he will be a double digit sack guy. If you need DE help, try to get him cheap as most sites still list him as a LB and hope he joins a 4/3 team to play DE again.

Everyone does come back and are usually as good as they were before, but in many instances, it takes into their second year back before they fully regain the speed and more importantly, the explosiveness. That is important for a pass rusher and I think it could be a reason for Osi struggling last year. They are healthy enough to play right away; just not always at the high level they did prior to the injury. Kampman will only be about 10 months removed from his injury when the season starts, so I will not be surprised to see him struggle this year, especially early.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Julius Peppers has dominated much of the free agent DE conversation, with Kampman and Vanden Bosch getting less discussion. Kampman's a free agent and on the market. It's assumed that he'll choose to sign with a team that will use him at end, but I think there are tempered expectations due to his ACL injury. Should find out shortly.

You know I always respect your opinion Jene but I personally just do not see the fuss over a torn ACL any more. Everyone comes back and is usually as good as they were before these days, it just is not the same crippling injury as it was before. Kampman has always seemed to be a very hard working guy and I think he will bust his hump to get back on the field and will be a very good DE once again, I think some 4/3 team is going to get very lucky by adding him to their roster and probably at a bargain price. If he really is close to 100% by the start of the season I am predicting now he will be a double digit sack guy. If you need DE help, try to get him cheap as most sites still list him as a LB and hope he joins a 4/3 team to play DE again.

We agree, actually. My "tempered expectations" comment was meant to suggest some of the things that Tony fleshed out further. Kampman will be 31 during the 2010 season and his ACL injury was in November. Though a veteran and having a game that relies on his technique and motor more than first step and edge rush ability, he'll be going to a new team and isn't likely to be available until training camp at the earliest. I think he can overcome all of those issues and be productive, but it may not be until the second half of 2010 that he hits his stride. I think it's reasonable to suggest that his injury kept the Packers from any interest in tagging him and I think he'd have garnered nearly as much interest as Julius Peppers had there been no injury and no tag.I wouldn't feel comfortable projecting him to double digit sacks this season until we see how he looks in camp, but wouldn't entirely dismiss the possibility either. Even with the above concerns, it would be difficult to keep him out of my top 20 rankings today at DE.

 

[Weiner Dog]

Kampman flew into Jacksonville on Friday night.

If signed, he's expected to start opposite Harvey.

 

[ScottyFargo]

What's Jacksonville's situation? Are they transitioning to 3-4 as well?

 

[cr8f]

He signed in Jacksonville

 

[Zoomanji]

What's Jacksonville's situation? Are they transitioning to 3-4 as well?

They were, now they are not. Link was either in a different thread or I heard an interview with Del Rio on Sirius, can't remember

 

[Weiner Dog]

Ladies and gents, here's your poor-man's Jared Allen.

If you've ever watched both Allen and Kampman on the field, you would see that their games are very similar. Unlike many undersized speed rushers (think Freeney, Mathis, etc) whose initial step sets-up their move to the QB, both Allen and Kampman engage their man and use both strength, speed and especially leverage to recognize the play and make their move. Allen and Kampman are rarely out of position on running plays and can excel against both huge/slow and small/quick O-lineman.

Very nice signing by the Jags.

 

[cr8f]

Ladies and gents, here's your poor-man's Jared Allen. If you've ever watched both Allen and Kampman on the field, you would see that their games are very similar. Unlike many undersized speed rushers (think Freeney, Mathis, etc) whose initial step sets-up their move to the QB, both Allen and Kampman engage their man and use both strength, speed and especially leverage to recognize the play and make their move. Allen and Kampman are rarely out of position on running plays and can excel against both huge/slow and small/quick O-lineman.Very nice signing by the Jags.

Well said he'll be a good example for young guys in the locker room as well. He's a team guy and works hard on and off the field. We'll miss him in Green Bay but he doesn't fit at OLB.He tried and was getting better in coverage but he's really a better 4-3 DE.

 

[JaxBill]

Jags today re-signed Reggie Hayward. His injury last year was the main reason for the flirtation with the 3-4. If Kampman is healthy, they can play Kampman at RDE, Hayward at LDE and rotate Derrick Harvey through.

Although Harvey has not put up great sack numbers, he has at least been solid against the run.

To me the odd man out is Derrick Groves. He can't hold the point of attack as a 4-3 DE and looked better last year as a 3-4 OLB. I think a draft day trade for a mid-round pick is in order.

 

[BearsFan]

Jags today re-signed Reggie Hayward. His injury last year was the main reason for the flirtation with the 3-4. If Kampman is healthy, they can play Kampman at RDE, Hayward at LDE and rotate Derrick Harvey through. Although Harvey has not put up great sack numbers, he has at least been solid against the run.To me the odd man out is Derrick Groves. He can't hold the point of attack as a 4-3 DE and looked better last year as a 3-4 OLB. I think a draft day trade for a mid-round pick is in order.

Why do you think Hayward would start at LDE ahead of Harvey?

 

[JaxBill]

Jags today re-signed Reggie Hayward. His injury last year was the main reason for the flirtation with the 3-4. If Kampman is healthy, they can play Kampman at RDE, Hayward at LDE and rotate Derrick Harvey through. Although Harvey has not put up great sack numbers, he has at least been solid against the run.To me the odd man out is Derrick Groves. He can't hold the point of attack as a 4-3 DE and looked better last year as a 3-4 OLB. I think a draft day trade for a mid-round pick is in order.

Why do you think Hayward would start at LDE ahead of Harvey?

To me, it's kind of a coin-flip. Hayward was the starter there before he was injured. They both have the right body type to play that side. Harvey might get the nod as the former first round pick but JDR is living on borrowed time and going to go with whoever is more effective.