Aaron Kampman did nothing Thursday to quell speculation that he’s not overly thrilled about his role in the Green Bay Packers’ new defense.

The former defensive end who is converting to outside linebacker in the new 3-4 defense continued his media boycott. The eight-year veteran has not granted any interviews since coach Mike McCarthy revamped his defense by hiring Dom Capers as defensive coordinator in January to replace the fired Bob Sanders.

A team spokesman said Kampman originally planned to address reporters after Thursday’s organized team activity practice — the first session open to the media — but Kampman changed his mind and never appeared in the locker room. Kampman also declined to speak to reporters at the team’s Fan Fest in March.

For the first seven years of his NFL career, Kampman played defensive end in a 4-3 scheme and accumulated 50½ sacks while starting 95 of the 103 games he appeared in. Along the way, the former fifth-round draft pick signed a four-year, $21 million contract extension and made a pair of Pro Bowls (2006 and 2007).

Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel posted several tweets from minicamp yesterday, ominous tweets for Packer fans like:

Ted Thompson is talking with fans and signing autographs. That might be more awkward than kampman in pass coverage

and:

Aaron Kampman refused to talk again about his switch to OLB. Packers even urged him to talk. There’s a problem there. Big time.

But I’m sure this will all be worked out by the start of the season.  Wrong.  The Packers are going to have to do something with Aaron Kampman, and that something is trade him.  Sorry the whole 3-4 thing is already turning out to be a disaster.  Should be fun watching AD run through the Green Bay defense like they were bop bags.

There’s one particular member of the Vikings family for whom this game has even greater meaning – Brad Childress.  He’s in his third season, and there have been whispers – okay, shouts – that this could be his last.  If he wants to save his job, he needs to get to the playoffs this year.  And if he wants to put together any kind of a decent legacy as a Vikings coach (i.e. not spend the rest of his life being compared to Les Steckel) he needs to beat the Packers at least once.  Perhaps Brad doesn’t appreciate the kind of agony Purple fans feel when the Packers get the best of them – and there’s been nothing but agony since Childress took over.  Five straight losses.  Six would be just about unforgivable.  Thankfully, Childress’s much-maligned offense has finally begun showing signs of somewhat kicking ass.  They hung 41 on the Bears, then looked darn good against Houston.  Green Bay’s defense is pedestrian, at least statistically – they’re 20th overall, 5th against the pass but 28th against the run.  Fire up Adrian Peterson.  But don’t forget to protect Gus Frerotte.  Aaron Kampman is known for terrorizing the Vikings, and will likely be extra motivated for this game given that he’s been held sackless the last two.

Speaking of big-time pass-rushers…the Vikings’ Jared Allen is having a sensational year after the big trade and signing, but that season is in danger of being derailed after Allen sprained his shoulder against Houston.  There’s been no official announcement, but it’s likely that Jared will not play today.  This should make life slightly easier for Aaron Rodgers who is having a Pro Bowl-type season.  The Packers were already probably inclined to come out flinging it, given their lack of a reliable running game, but if Jared’s on the bench, they will almost certainly try to air it out.  This will put added pressure on a Vikings pass defense that was left somewhat in tatters by the less-than-fearsome Matt Schaub/Sage Rosenfels combo last weekend (yes I realize their gameplan was to clamp down on Andre Johnson and let every other receiver on the Texans run wide open underneath).  And while we’re on the subject of pass defense…it would be really nice to see Darren Sharper finally make a play.  Actually, it might be even nicer to see a preview of next year’s safety duo, Tyrell Johnson and Madieu Williams.  Sharper may be savvy, but that doesn’t count for much when you run like Tony Siragusa after an afternoon at Old Country Buffet.  Sorry, but I think Sharper’s done.  I could show some optimism and call for a last-hurrah type game against his old team I suppose – but unfortunately I’ve been watching him play all year.

As for my prediction…I am officially out of the game picking business.  I’m wrong too often.  My only prediction is that I will have had enough of Joe Buck by the middle of the second quarter and will enjoy the remainder of the contest with the sound muted.  Go Vikes.

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