What Were The Packers Offering To Aaron Kampman?

by Brandon on Mar 9, 2010 11:28 PM CST in Green Bay Packers Free Agency Comment 6 comments

Here's what DE Aaron Kampman said on his departure from the Green Bay Packers, from Mike Vandermause at the Press-Gazette:

Kampman acknowledged that the Packers were going to make him a contract offer, but he wasn’t interested in staying in Green Bay.

"The better fit was down here," Kampman said. "The direction of that organization didn’t include me as much as it had in the past."

Usually when I hear about a better fit and a team's direction, I assume it's all about the money. I was willing to make an exception in Kampman's case because he was a poor fit for the 3-4, and he'll be better off playing end in a 4-3 defense. But after reading Andrew Brandt's column, I think it was all about the money:

Kampman’s deal is being reported as four years, $26M with $11M guaranteed, again virtually the same deal as Vanden Bosch with the Lions. This is a far cry from the one-year deal offered by the Packers before the start of free agency.

The Packers were crazy if they expected Kampman to accept a one-year contract. It's a good idea to sign a player coming off a major knee injury to a short-term deal, but it was obvious Kampman would certainly receive a multi-year deal from some team. They had a lot of free agents to resign, but this has basically become a choice of LB Brandon Chillar and his four-year contract over Kampman. Chillar is a good middle linebacker, but isn't exceptional at anything while Kampman is their best pass rusher. Unless Kampman is done, and the Packers knew better than the Jaguars, I don't like that trade at all.

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Maybe it was just both

What if everbody knew that Kampman was unhappy in GB with the direction that the team was going. What if Kampman went for all the right reasons and really did think he was a better fit down there. What if the Packers knew he was unhappy and dedided to make a sub offer to let him go where he wanted instead of making it look like they were getting rid of him. (Lord knows enough fans had a fit with the way the old QB left). I think Kampman was a class act and as sad as it was to see him go, he will enjoy himself more in that situation, plus the chances of meeting him on the field or what 1,000 to 1. Pretty much unless we both go to the SB. I also believe the Pack rewarded Kampman for all that he has done, by letting him go in peace.

by ShawnH on Mar 10, 2010 12:54 AM CST reply actions

I'm just not torn up about this

He looked out of place last year, and I don’t think it was going to be any better coming off an injury. He will be fine if used right, if healthy, and I think he will be there. It isn’t required of us to try to fit pieces that don’t fit into the system. Not even if the guy was a model Packer, which Kampman most certainly is. Everyone handled this one well. All the best to Aaron.

by STLPackFan on Mar 10, 2010 1:46 AM CST reply actions

Wait a second...

I totally disagree. Our front 7 got better after we lost Kamp. Again, I love Kamp, he was the best we had when running the 4-3. I really thought we should have tried to get a 2nd or 3rd for him last offseason knowing he would struggle a bit in the 3-4.
Also, our guys in there now are WAY BETTER fits than he was. Even if he came back, he doesn’t make our top 4 LB’s. The only choice was to move him back to DE, but that wouldn’t have worked either. At LB, he would be behind Clay, Brad Jones, Nick, and Chillar. Maybe even Bishop. I would rather have him out there than AJ, but AJ’s inside.
Ideally we would have traded Kamp, but we aren’t worse off without him. Whatever money we saved on him we should spend on either Sproles or a good DB.

by Matty486 on Mar 10, 2010 9:59 AM CST reply actions

Kampman is a special player at 4-3 DE, but he was average at best at 3-4 OLB. That’s what it means when people talk about how it’s a better fit for him down there.

And you can look at it either in terms of money or in terms of scheme and performance, and that’s ^^ still the cause of him leaving. We were offering a contract to an average OLB, whereas they were offering a contract to a pro-bowl DE.

Look, there’s no controversy on this for anyone. The Packers switched to the 3-4 last year and succeeded in changing their defensive performance from crappy to elite. Kampman didn’t do well in that switch and wants to move now that his contract’s up. Okay… we’ll miss him, because he’s a great guy, but… goodbye. End of story.

by Curly Lambeau on Mar 10, 2010 12:03 PM CST reply actions

elite?

i would say the d made a good improvement, especially in the run defense. elite defenses don’t give up 45 points in a playoff game. the packers need to add a pass rush and another safety to get the defense to the elite status. the pack is moving in the right direction but it isn’t their yet. imo.

by hermitcrab on Mar 10, 2010 1:46 PM CST reply actions

Why are we beating a Dead Horse? AK is gone... I wish him well! He wasn't a 3-4 OLB!!

Ted Thompson offered him a contract to appease the public… He knows AK isn’t a 3-4 OLB… So does Aaron! It was a shame he got hurt… and I for one loved him as a FB player but, let’s be real… He needed to go to a 4-3 team…

Anyway… Now that he’s got a new team… Lets start worrying about our team!

Go Pack!!

by Bird Dog Uni on Mar 10, 2010 6:11 PM CST reply actions