GREEN BAY, Wis. — In 1994, the last time that the Green Bay Packers made a structural change on defense, they signed free agents Sean Jones and Steve McMichael specifically to fit the needs of their new coordinator, Fritz Shurmur.

The move to the 4-3, following 14 straight seasons in the 3-4, would pay off handsomely with trips to the Super Bowl after the 1996 and ’97 seasons.
Having been in the 4-3 for the last 15 years, the Packers are returning to the 3-4 with a new coordinator in Dom Capers but without any specialized defensive linemen.
The only newcomer expected to have immediate impact is B.J. Raji, but some scouts projected him as an even better fit as an “under” tackle in a 4-3. Besides, Raji will start out playing more end than nose tackle even though he almost never worked outside at Boston College.
Raji won’t be the only player asked to push past his comfort zone.
Cullen Jenkins, who proved himself at tackle and end in a 4-3, is now an end in the base 3-4.
Johnny Jolly and Justin Harrell, tackles in a 4-3 throughout their careers, are now ends.
Mike Montgomery, a 4-3 end, now is a 3-4 end.
And Ryan Pickett, who spent five seasons in St. Louis and the last three in Green Bay as a 4-3 tackle, finds himself on the nose in a 3-4.
In 1994, the Packers’ 4-3 resulted in their highest-rated run defense in 22 years, but the pass rush was disappointing. They finished 9-7 for the third year in a row.
What does Capers expect in 2009?
“We’ve got a few guys with certainly enough size and athletic ability,” said Capers. “But, boy, the defensive line is probably the hardest place to evaluate without pads. The game is played on how well they can play blocks, hold the point of attack and take care of their gap responsibilities. We’ve got some guys with a chance at that.”
Mike Trgovac, the defensive line coach who held the same job in Green Bay 10 years ago, says he has been given sufficient personnel and doesn’t expect a debilitating break-in period.
“I’m hoping not and will work my (expletive) off so there isn’t,” said Trgovac. “There’s nothing set yet, so we’re going to have great competition. That’s always healthy for a defense.”
Unlike New England and Miami, Capers said the linemen in his 3-4 will be responsible for one gap, not two. A proponent of multiple defenses, Capers also will prepare a 4-3 “under” front.
“We won’t be in the 3-4 all the time,” Trgovac said. “It’s up to Dom. A lot will depend on what other people give us. But this defense will be predicated on fundamentals and technique.”
What this group does have is incredible bulk. The top five players average 327 pounds.
Other than Harrell, however, there isn’t much height at end. The ends in Pittsburgh’s 3-4, Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel, are the prototypes at 6 feet 5 inches. Jenkins and Jolly are 6-3, and Raji stands 6-1›.
Neither Capers not Trgovac is concerned about Raji because his arm length (32 inches) is above average and he has displayed proper leverage. Depending on Pickett’s durability, Raji also will play some at nose in the 3-4 and, probably in tandem with Jenkins, be a fixture inside on passing downs.
“For a guy 340,” said Capers, referring to Raji, “he’s got good feet and quickness.”
Before he was shifted from tackle to end in Week 13 of 2006, Jenkins had a problem holding up against double teams. At his weight (308), Jenkins was solid against the run as a 4-3 end, but as a 3-4 end he’ll be back amid the heavy stuff. To succeed, he will need to be committed mentally.
“He’s plenty big enough to do it,” Trgovac said. “I’ve seen guys who are built like him have no problem.”
Jenkins was off to the best start of his career last year when he blew out a pectoral muscle Sept. 28. He also tried to correct a chronic ankle problem with surgery Feb. 11 and hasn’t been on the field in 10 months.
“We have not had a chance to work with Cullen, but I really liked what I saw (on tape) of his athletic ability,” Capers said. “Of course, he was outside rushing off the end.”
Jolly (671) and Pickett (584) ranked second and third on the unit last season behind Aaron Kampman (996) in snaps played. Jolly and Pickett also have contracts due to expire after the season and could be inspired playing for their financial futures.
Too often in 2008, Jolly would compromise the run defense by straying from his gap. He also made excessive use of a spin move as a rusher and went nowhere. His roster berth will be in jeopardy if the new staff can’t get him playing more disciplined.
“That will be my goal,” Trgovac said. “He’s fluid in his movements for a man his size. He can flip his hips easy. We want those big guys to not be really wild but to push the pocket while those two outside linebackers are causing havoc off the edge.”
Pickett will turn 30 in October and, after years of fighting his weight and combination blocks, could start to slip. The staff is hopeful that Pickett will buy into the idea of the 3-4 and become a stout sacrificial stuffer.
“I don’t make a lot of judgments on guys in underwear,” Trgovac said. “He’s a bright guy. We’ll see.”
As a rookie, Harrell did have moments where he was a tower of power at the point. If he can toughen up and is willing to pay the physical toll, he still might make something of his career. His pass rush will remain non-existent unless he starts getting off the ball.
Bringing back Montgomery on a two-year deal containing a $475,000 roster bonus made sense. He is coming off what clearly rated as his best season, and his length and desire might allow him to overcome average size and bad knees.
“I really like this kid,” said Trgovac. “He can get underneath guys. There’s a lot of flexibility where you can play him.”
The Packers also are high on a pair of rookie ends, Jarius Wynn and Ronald Talley. Their body types are excellent fits for the 3-4.
“Two very good young prospects,” Trgovac said. “Both of them do a nice job staying square and keeping guys off them.”
Nose tackle Anthony Toribio, a December add-on from the Dolphins, pleasantly surprised in the offseason. He added about 15 pounds, showed decent quickness and could challenge because it’s a one-gap system.