Good Idea, Bad Idea

As I was sitting at work today, trying to follow along with Tweets coming from Packers’ min camp,I felt like I was watching an episode of Animaniacs playing out before my eyes.


As I was sitting at work today, trying to follow along with Tweets coming from Packers’ min camp,I felt like I was watching an episode of Animaniacs playing out before my eyes.







For those unfamiliar with what I am referring to, periodically the show (a cartoon, so keep this in mind) would do a skit called “Good Idea, Bad Idea.”  The “Bad Idea” part always ended in disaster for one of the characters. After today’s practice, I have to think the Packers are scripting their own episode of this show.


The good idea part speaks for itself.


As Pete Dougherty tweeted today:

“ILB Brandon Chillar getting some snaps at OLB in jog-through also.”

Part of the reason Chillar was acquired was because of his pass coverage skills. One of the requirements of an outside linebacker in the 3-4 is to play in space, the dreaded three words which define covering the zones outside and behind the defensive line. If Chillar was able to cover as an inside linebacker, and coverage is a strength of his, I am all in favor of giving him a shot at outside linebacker. Any pass rush coming off the edge would be an added plus.


Then there is what can only be described as a BAD IDEA:

“The Packers have talked about using DE Cullen Jenkins as an outside rusher at OLB occasionally and have him working there some today.”

And this…

“In “Big Okie” 3-4 personnel, DE Cullen Jenkins took first snap at OLB with No. 1 defense in team drills”


After I expressed my feelings vocally while sitting at my desk, I thought about last season’s experiment: Aaron Kampman. Kampman was terribly miscast as a 3-4 outside linebacker. His 270lbs looked awkward and clumsy, and he was unable to generate any consistent pass rush from the outside. And now Capers wants to move a 305lb defensive end into a outside linebacker position? Remember that Jenkins was playing inside during passing downs as recently as 2007, moving to tackle to get KGB on the field. I just cannot fathom how this will work.


Brian Carriveau was kind enough to try and talk me off the ledge with:

“Sounds like Jenkins is playing OLB in "Big Okie", which is a defense designed to stop the run, i.e. he won't be in on 3rd & 10.”

Unfortunately, it has not worked much.


Capers may be a mad scientist with his defenses, and in him I place complete faith to do the right thing. However, the experiment of Jenkins at outside linebacker just sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. It would make the perfect end to any “Good Idea, Bad Idea”.


Luckily, its only June. Experiment as much as you want before it really counts.


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Comments (14)

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FITZCORE1252's picture

June 21, 2010 at 07:25 pm

I like it. In 'KNOWN' run situations; why not? You still have your 3 down lineman and now you just add more 'beef' on the edge. I doubt we will see much of this, but a couple plays a game would be fine by me. It would also give O-Coordinators another look to plan for.

GBP 4 LIFE

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PackersRS's picture

June 21, 2010 at 08:44 pm

I'm more of a psycho guy... You can even add Jenkins standing up.

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JohnRehor's picture

June 22, 2010 at 07:04 am

I am all for experiments to improve your defense. I just cannot see how Jenkins will be able to do what he's asked to do. Once or twice a game, fine. But Big Okie and Psycho came to be staples in the defense last year. Opposing teams could plan against these formations. That is my concern: something that looks funky on paper becoming a regular set.

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Tarynfor12's picture

June 22, 2010 at 02:42 pm

I see nothing more than a 305 lb guy given the chance to move from the (ahem) olb in a 3-4 to a De in a 4-3 for scheme change and looks for the QB. I think it's called baiting but,you may catch something thats bites back.
Nothing more than diversion and to give us "cooler talk".

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Asshalo's picture

June 22, 2010 at 06:44 pm

I don't think Jenkins responsibilities will be in line with that of a traditional 3-4 OLB when he lines up at LOLB. As Carriveau put it, it's very specific to a particular package.

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Asshalo's picture

June 22, 2010 at 06:48 pm

With that said, Capers has had pretty big linemen drop back in coverage. I saw Raji and Jenkins do this last year in certain schemes. I don't really know what it proves. Sure you may be keeping offenses on their toes, but it seems like a pretty weak distraction. A QB may be wondering who is rushing in the lineman's place (that is if he doesn't pick it up), but he still has about 2-3 seconds to find the mismatch.

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Globalpack's picture

June 23, 2010 at 02:25 pm

I think is the type of activity that mini camp is made for. It may seem like a bad idea, but this should be viewed more as internal scouting by capers to see how Jenkins moves and picks up the formation. I agree it sounds weird, but let's at least see how the package works in some preseason games before we collectively kill and bury it.

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JohnRehor's picture

June 23, 2010 at 09:39 pm

Exactly. Experimenting which as long as it does not affect anything right now I am ok with. Specific situations would be ok. its the player involved that i am questioning. Is Jenkins athletic enough to rush as a OLB? Not sure.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

June 24, 2010 at 07:57 am

"Is Jenkins athletic enough to rush as a OLB?"

What if he's not asked to? Perhaps he will just set a rock solid edge (don't think that would be a problem), allowing someone else to rush other than the OLB.

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JohnRehor's picture

June 24, 2010 at 08:13 am

Deception is key in the 3-4. Where are the rushers coming from? But if Jenkins is on the edge, my guess is that he is not rushing, and someone else is flying toward the QB and Jenkins plays against the run. Again, just a guess. But then the question is whether he could do what he is asked to do (rush the qb from the OLB position) in certian situations,which is exactly my point. My belief is no.

Luckily we have 1 1/2 months to debate this now that mini camp is over.

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FITZCORE1252's picture

June 24, 2010 at 09:18 am

Again, there is a very plausible chance that he may not be asked to "rush the passer" standing up. And if he were asked to do so, that doesn't concern me near as much as if he were asked to carry out coverage responsibilities on passing downs! Again though, I just don't see Dom putting him in a position to fail. I really don't think we will see more than a snap or two a game of this (if that).

GBP 4 LIFE

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PackersRS's picture

June 24, 2010 at 10:04 am

"Again though, I just don’t see Dom putting him in a position to fail."

Just for the record, wasn't CM3 man covering Vernon Davis when we played the 49ers? Just saying...

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FITZCORE1252's picture

June 24, 2010 at 07:50 pm

You are going to encounter mismatches at times during the season, that's a fact (hence the Clay vs. Davis matchup). With a package that may be run a couple of times a game however, my $$$ says it's only ran when the matchup appears to be favorable. If they get caught, they get caught, but no way does Dom trot Cullen out "with the intention" to to have him run with TE's, no way.

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PackersRS's picture

June 25, 2010 at 11:10 am

When Woodson was covering Davis in the first half, he was a non-factor, and so was the 49ers' offense.

In the second half, Capers didn't asign a single player to cover Davis all the time, and that's when he burned us.

But on that play, it was 3rd down. You don't put CM3 covering on 3rd down. NO FREAKING WAY.

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