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Green Bay Gets a Pass Rusher

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.