Green Bay Gets a Pass Rusher

by Mitchell_M on Jan 26, 2009 3:36 PM CST in News Comment 7 comments

Too bad it's as a coach rather than a player. Kevin Greene, former Carolina panther and 3-4 OLB extraordinaire, has signed with the Packers to serve as outside linebackers coach. And he didn't need a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation to get the job!

A little background for those of you who are not familiar with Green Bay's new addition. Kevin Greene played college ball at Auburn as a walk-on, but managed to win the Zeke Smith award for Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. He was drafted in the fifth round by the then-Los Angeles Rams in 1985 and played outside linebacker in the NFL for 15 years (retiring in 1999). In 1993, Greene left the Rams to play for the Steelers for two seasons, and in 1995 he joined the newly formed Carolina Panthers (under their first head coach, Dom Capers).

Greene certainly has the credentials as a player. He was in the top-10 in sacks across the league, including two seasons where he led the category. He was named a member of the NFL's 1990's All-Decade Team and he once hit Brett Favre so hard that Favre spit up blood. Most importantly, however, is that Kevin Greene has extensive knowledge of how to play the pass rushing OLB in a 3-4. Shoot, you could argue that he was one of the first hybrid DE/LB players that thrive in a 3-4 system.

Needless to say, I love this move. I absolutely love it. I love it so much, I would serenade it to sleep every night and make it breakfast in the morning. With freshly squeezed orange juice and a foot massage. The 3-4 might not work in Green Bay, but after signing Dom Capers and now Kevin Greene, they are setting themselves up for success.

Poll

Are the recent coaching additions (Capers, Trgovac, Greene, et al) steps in the right direction?

Yes

121 votes

No

5 votes

126 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Is Moss staying?

I’ve heard chatter about him taking a higher position elsewhere, but not for some time now. Anyone know about this?

And with the promotion of a quality guy like Joe Whitt Jr to defensive backs coach, I’d say so far the changes made have been positive ones, so I voted yes.

by PackaCracka on Jan 26, 2009 5:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Moss on the inside, Greene on the outside

I’ve never heard of this before, but Kevin Greene will coach the outside linebackers and Winston Moss will coach the inside linebackers. I’ve only heard of one linebackers’ coach at a time. I don’t see any reason why it would hurt, and it’s probably necessary as all the players transition into the new scheme.

Seems like quite a fall for Moss. He goes from the last defensive coach standing, to head coaching job interviews, to coaching the middle linebackers.

by Brandon on Jan 26, 2009 10:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Does anybody know

why Winston Moss was such a hot coaching candidate besides the rooney rule?

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Jan 27, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Before there was Woodley and Harrison in Pittsburgh,

before Gildon and Porter, there was Greene and Lloyd. Those guys were awesome. One of the best pass -rushers ever. Maybe the best 3-4 outside ‘backer in history. If anybody knows how to play outside in a 3-4, it’s Kevin Greene.

Also lets not forget that Kevin Greene and Reggie White worked together in WCW for some matches.

by jobe on Jan 26, 2009 5:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

haha WCW

While reading this on the front page all I thought about was him wrestling!

But jokes aside this is a great move. Especially since the switch to the 3-4 is inevitable. Not just having a coach to stay do this or that but a player coach that was one of the best at it telling you what to do will be a big help!

by bizzle4 on Jan 26, 2009 6:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Packers and the 3-4

They are really committing to it, which is exactly the way I wanted it. No pussy-footing. A complete overhaul. TT and MM are not going to sell the team short in terms of coaching next year. Let’s see how the players respond.

"stay (green and) gold"

by Green and Bold on Jan 26, 2009 9:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Good hire

My first thought was that superstars usually make bad coaches.

But I like that he interned for 6 summers under some great coaches.

Plus, he’s not going to be drawing up the game plan on Sundays. He’s basically going to take 4 or 5 guys under his wing and teach them a position that he dominated. I think he’ll love Kampman and his non-stop motor.

by grant76 on Jan 27, 2009 8:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs