Packers Harris and Kampman Done for the Year...No Worries

Packers fans need to relax. Simply relax.

Their team will be just fine even with the injuries to two of their leaders on defense.

I would never say losing anyone for the year is ever a good thing, especially when it looked like the defense was turning the corner, but not all is lost with the injuries. These setbacks will only allow the defense to get young again and grow even stronger.

Let's start with Kampman. Much attention has been given to his conversion to a LB this season. I had some optimism that Dom would be able to do exactly what Kevin Greene did to AK-74. That has not been the case. Kampman has struggled at both dropping in to coverage, as well as rushing the passer with his hand not in the dirt.

He's been starting this year because of his name and past performance. It has been the young OLBs that have impressed the most. This goes back to the beginning of training camp when Jeremy Thompson and Clay Matthews were drawing rave reviews. Since then Matthews has not disappointed while Thompson has faded because of injuries early in the year.

Matthews wasn't the only OLB the Packers drafted this year.

Brad Jones, a seventh round pick, has come on strong as of late. In fact, the only game he started was the most dominating performance of the defense this year, the victory two weeks ago against Dallas.

Jones might not have the experience working for him, but he fits this defense. He can cover a lot better than Kampman and has the ability to be a much better pass rusher from the OLB spot because of his athleticism. Kampman has shown he's a pass rusher that relies on his strength, not his movement in space.

Jones replacing Kampman will be a one step back in order to go two steps forward situation. Giving Jones time to shine down the stretch could also prevent GM Ted Thompson from overpaying Kampman in order to keep the out of position yet leader and fan-favorite. However, this also opens the door for Thompson to become a part of the mix again. Between the two of them, we won't miss a beat at the LB position.

Al Harris has been known as the underrated factor on defense for the Packers the last few years. He lined up against the top WR every play and challenged them with bump and run coverage every play (or at least that's what it felt like). He was a perfect fit for the Packers defense under Sanders the last few years. Then came the switch to Capers, and Harris trying to play zone coverage wasn't working out so perfect. These last few weeks have improved since Capers has allowed more man coverage in combination with this blitz packages.

This improvement shows the roof this defense had with Harris on the field, it needed to play man in order to be effective. With Williams, Capers is not as limited in his game plan. This will play a major role the next time the Packers face the Vikings. The Vikings might have the fastest set of weapons for a QB. All Favre needed was a little time and one would be open against man coverage. Fast receivers will always defeat man coverage given enough time. Yet if you force Favre to read zone coverage, that speed doesn't open the field as much as you think. Although this is only one team, it is one that accounts for half of the Green Bay's losses and one they might meet again in the playoffs.

After Kampman and Harris left the game, the Packers allowed the 49ers back in the game. The defense was not playing as well as they did early on with both of them on the field. No one can argue that it was the play out of the LB opposite Matthews or the CB opposite Woodson. Those spots handled their own. It was the middle of the defense that couldn't contain Vernon Davis. From Nick Barnett and AJ Hawk to Nick Collins and Atari Bigby, the play within the center of the defense is what let San Fran back in the game.

Jones and Williams will answer the two big question marks for this Packers defense.

The only one that they should be scared about is the follow up question: who fills in at the nickelback. Jarrett Bush is slotted to take over and fix his much-maligned start in Green Bay, but many people within the organization see a lot more potential in Brandon Underwood, a sixth round draft pick from Cincinnati.

It is very unfortunate to see two great players be gone for the year just as it was coming together for a team. In Kampman's case, it could have been his last game as a Packer as he hits free agency following this season. Nevertheless, it just might be a blessing in disguise. It took an unfortunate injury to Drew Bledsoe in order for the Patriots to become a dynasty.

This is Green Bay's opportunity to grow. Can they capitalize on it?

-Kyle Strausbaugh