With training camp just days away, it's a good time to start looking at the makeup of the Packers' roster. And who better to take a look at the team's safeties than a former Packers safety?
Matt Bowen played for the Packers in 2001 and 2002 and now writes for the National Football Post. He was nice enough to take his time to answer some questions about the current state of the Packers' safeties.
Railbird Central: What will be the biggest change for the Packers' safeties in the switch to the 3-4 defense?
Matt Bowen: The biggest challenge for any defensive player in a new system
is learning the new terminology and the techniques required for the new
coach. Once those are mastered, which is what the off-season is for,
they can move onto camp. From there, the Packers safeties will have to
learn where their new run fits are playing with a 3-4 front and the
coverage schemes that now account for an extra linebacker.
RC: Mike McCarthy has said the safeties have been learning positions on the
field as right and left instead of weak and strong. Is that just for
learning purposes, or will they continue to play that way into the
season?
MB: Most teams play with right and left safeties in
today's game for disguise purposes. Think of it this way: when an
offense uses pre-snap movement, the safeties don't have to run across
the formation which they would have to if you have a designated free
and strong safety. This way, the Packers can hold their disguise and
play sides of the field. The Packers safeties can all
play man coverage, and they can all support the run, which makes game
planning and defensive calls easier for Capers.
RC: Nick Collins was one of the few Packers not to attend portions of the
team's OTA workouts. How will missing practice affect his learning of a
new defensive system?
MB: I think Collins will be behind in the mental aspect of the game. He
didn't get the reps in the spring, and now he will have to make up for
it on the fly in practice, because NFL teams don't have time to wait
around for a guy to learn the system.
RC: How much of a leader and play caller will Collins have to be in the 3-4 system as opposed to a 4-3?
MB: There isn't much of difference as you might
think for the secondary based on the front on terms of what the safety
does with his coverage checks. He will have to be on the same page with
the linebackers, but that isn't that much of a change.
RC: One of the Packers' few free agent moves was obtaining safety Anthony
Smith from Pittsburgh. Can he have an impact on the Packers this season?
MB: Smith could have an impact because he was
brought in after Capers was hired. He had to have a hand in bringing
him to Green Bay and because of this he will at least get a look. But,
if he doesn't start, he still gives the Pack some depth at the
position, and you need 3 safeties to win in this league.
RC: Aaron Rouse has teased the Packers his first couple seasons with big
interceptions mixed with spotty play. Will he be able to reach his
potential?
MB: Big play guys are what they are--they take
chances, make some plays, but, in return, give up their fair share of
them as well. But, I doubt that Capers is going to play someone who is a
liability. One thing Capers brings is accountability for your actions
on the field, which didn't seem noticeable last season in Green Bay.
Thanks Matt!