How will the Packers fill in for Harris and Kampman?

The Green Bay Packers will spend this short week trying to figure out how to overcome the losses of cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman to season ending knee injuries.  With the Lions coming off a huge win over the Browns, the Packers are facing a team with more confidence.  Tramon Williams will take Harris’ place and the Packers will now have to juggle their nickel and dime packages.  Jarrett Bush moved into the nickel spot on Sunday after Harris went down.  Brandon Underwood moved up into the dime formation.  If I were playing the Packers I would spread out the defense as much as possible to test the young defensive backs.  Trevor Ford is the only DB on the practice squad.  He transferred to Troy after some time at Florida State.  The Packers depth in the secondary is thin and I would anticipate Ted Thompson trying to find another corner.  I would closely watch the matchups and consider picking up available slot receviers that face the Pack.  I’m very concerned the defense will become vanilla to guard against the replacements getting fully exposed.      

The depth in the linebacking corps gives the team more options to replace the 265 pound Kampman. Brad Jones is 6’ 3” weighs 232 pounds and made some plays against the Cowboys.  Brady Poppinga could also see time on the outside.  Poppinga is a terrific special teams player and is a little heavier than Jones at 247 pounds.  Jeremy Thompson is the biggest option at 6’4” 270 pounds to play on the outside.  Thompson has the ideal size for the position whether or not he displays the necessary play making skills is another story.  With Chillar back I’d like to see more of the 5 linebacker formations to help offset the losses.    

Kampman finishes the season with 3.5 sacks with pending free agency.  We may have seen Aaron Kampman’s last game in a Green Bay uniform.  He improved as a linebacker, but belongs as a 4-3 defensive end.  I clearly see he wasn’t a fit for this system despite my admiration for his play at defensive end.  How this offseason plays out is the farthest thing from my mind in week 12.  I just don’t see him coming back to the Packers.  Even if he played out the season the Packers may have let him walk anyways, now the young guys get an opportunity to audition for the spot.

Tags: Aaron Kampman, Al Harris, Packers