http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/37831269.html
Packers officially going to the 3-4 scheme on defense.
McCarthy on Capers, new 3-4 defense
By Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel
Jan. 19, 2009 1:06 p.m.
Packers coach Mike McCarthy spoke to the media in Lambeau Field to introduce new defensive coordinator Dom Capers. His arrival will also infuse a scheme change from the old 4-3 to the 3-4 defense.
This is an the updated version of highlights from McCarthy:
It was difficult to let three-year defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and the other coaches go, on a personal note. "Really, what it came down to, I just didn't feel that we were headed in the right direction on the defensive side of the ball. It was really an evaluation of the last three years. I felt that a number of things that occurred in Year 1 showed up again in Year 3. Those were some of the factors that put me in that decision."
While he was still open to the 4-3 defense, he wanted to go after the 3-4. That led him to Capers, a coach he'd never worked with before.
Capers is an excellent fit, said McCarthy. He brings credibility, lots of experience. When he gets here -- should be this week -- he and McCarthy will move forward this week on filling out the rest of the defensive staff. McCarthy was not in a hurry to lock up Capers before the New York Giants could woo him. The Packers have a lot to offer Capers, too. "His vision of playing defense and my vision of how we're going to go forward in Green Bay, I'm going to say I think is why he is an outstanding fit for our organization."
The Packers are looking now at a 3-4 defense with Capers, a system McCarthy prefers. "Our starting point will be the 3-4. I'm a big believer in the 3-4 defense for a number of reasons. From an offensive standpoint it creates targeting problems. It gives you an ability to utilize your personnel. That doesn't mean we won't line up (ever) in a four man front. We'll move in and out of both four man and three man fronts." It's an excellent run defense, it creates pass rush on the quarterback.
Ends Aaron Kampman and Cullen Jenkins will probably be excited about this change, McCarthy said, though he didn't directly say those two fit in to this scheme ideally. He did say the 3-4 features the"body type that will enhance the type of football we want to play here in November and December." McCarthy said Kampman is an outside rusher, but that doesn't mean he's going to be at end all the time.
Green Bay's current linebackers could fit in to this scheme very well, McCarthy summarized. Ryan Pickett is a pure nose tackle (to anchor the 3-4). Most of the pieces are here.
Winston Moss was a part of the Packers search process and is a big part of the future with the Packers staff; he will remain with Green Bay in his typical position as assistant head coach/linebackers coach. (It doesn't look like he's headed elsewhere, in other words.)
The promotion of Shawn Slocum as special teams coordinator over other candidates as special teams coordinator was due to the fact that he is an excellent coach. "It kept going back to Shawn." He also had the support in the building from colleagues and players. Slocum was an assistant to retired coordinator Mike Stock.
The firing of strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson was about making progress. I did not see growth and improvement. "And I did not see that. It was not what I was looking for. But it's a big part of our program, it's a big part of our program that needs to improve. We are a young football team. Now I don;t care if we're lifting free weights or flippin' tires or whatever we're doing, we need to do a better job in there." The environment was not ideal, but McCarthy would not pin injuries on the weight room work. "At the end of the day, are we moving forward? Is there growth? ... The attendance, the work ethic? You look at all those types of things. And it was not headed in the right direction."
Mark Lovat is one of five candidates to replace Gullickson; he assisted Gullickson before. McCarthy will take as long as it takes to fill out staff; will not rush the interview process.
Doesn't feel like this is almost starting a new system from scratch. A change was needed to bring home the next world championship. "I will do everything in my power to bring home the next championship," even if it means making these tough decisions.
These were the decisions of McCarthy; not GM Ted Thompson. He and president Mark Murphy were "very supportive" of these moves.