First Round Pick 2019, Rashan Gary

[Joemailman]

Fackrell got 10.5 in this scheme and people here are saying he's a JAG. If someone genuinely has talent and there is enough talent around him, he should get close to double digit sacks or more.
That said, I'd be happy if Gary gets 5+ and stays healthy.

Typically Pettine's defenses do not produce a guy with double-digit sacks. He likes to bring pressure from lots of different guys. Last year the Packers had 44 sacks from 16 different guys. That is not an anomaly. We'll probably see something like that again. What likely will be different is that Smith Smith and Gary will produce more consistent pressure than we saw from Clay and Fackrell.

[cheesner]

Typically Pettine's defenses do not produce a guy with double-digit sacks. He likes to bring pressure from lots of different guys. Last year the Packers had 44 sacks from 16 different guys. That is not an anomaly. We'll probably see something like that again. What likely will be different is that Smith Smith and Gary will produce more consistent pressure than we saw from Clay and Fackrell.

Fracks success is a combination of skill, luck, coaching, and lack of blocking focus. I'm not sure what % can be attributed to each. I think he did play much better last season, but not 10.5 sacks good. I hope it is a sign of things to come, but I dont know if we go 2 big dollar FAs and the top draft pick at OLB if the Packers think Fackrells production last season was the new standard going forward.

[Fritz]

It's curious to me that the Packers had the highest draft pick they've had in years and years- the number 12 overall - and so many of you seem to be giving Gary a pass before he ever sets foot on a field for a game. You're all saying it's okay if he gets only about five sacks, that it's a function of Pettine's defense - yet when Fackrell got 10.5 last year, somehow that was a fluke.

They drafted this guy because he supposedly has this huge upside. He's so fast! He's so big!

Well, I think he will play down to your low expectations. So you won't be disappointed.

[MadScientist]

It's curious to me that the Packers had the highest draft pick they've had in years and years- the number 12 overall - and so many of you seem to be giving Gary a pass before he ever sets foot on a field for a game. You're all saying it's okay if he gets only about five sacks, that it's a function of Pettine's defense - yet when Fackrell got 10.5 last year, somehow that was a fluke.

They drafted this guy because he supposedly has this huge upside. He's so fast! He's so big!

Well, I think he will play down to your low expectations. So you won't be disappointed.

I wasn't a huge fan of the pick, especially with that shoulder. So if he stays on the field, gets 5 sacks and is in the mix, that's a lot better of a first season than I'm expecting (0-1 sacks, 5 pressures and IR after 4 games for shoulder surgery.

I'm not as dismissive about Fackrell as others, but I will admit that a number of his sacks were coverage sacks. Still he did tackle the QB after a while, unlike the others on the team.

[Bretsky]

It's curious to me that the Packers had the highest draft pick they've had in years and years- the number 12 overall - and so many of you seem to be giving Gary a pass before he ever sets foot on a field for a game. You're all saying it's okay if he gets only about five sacks, that it's a function of Pettine's defense - yet when Fackrell got 10.5 last year, somehow that was a fluke.

They drafted this guy because he supposedly has this huge upside. He's so fast! He's so big!

Well, I think he will play down to your low expectations. So you won't be disappointed.

A guy nearly all of us wanted to avoid

Then Green Bay picks him and everybody watches his best highlights and they talk themselves into loving the pick.

And now we're watering down his expectations for our "edge" we picked at 12

[Joemailman]

It's curious to me that the Packers had the highest draft pick they've had in years and years- the number 12 overall - and so many of you seem to be giving Gary a pass before he ever sets foot on a field for a game. You're all saying it's okay if he gets only about five sacks, that it's a function of Pettine's defense - yet when Fackrell got 10.5 last year, somehow that was a fluke.

They drafted this guy because he supposedly has this huge upside. He's so fast! He's so big!

Well, I think he will play down to your low expectations. So you won't be disappointed.

Guilty as charged. I'm like that. I don't give up on a guy before he sets foot on a field for a game. Kool-aid drinker that I am.

[mraynrand]

Guilty as charged. I'm like that. I don't give up on a guy before he sets foot on a field for a game. Kool-aid drinker that I am.

lol

[Zool]

Typically Pettine's defenses do not produce a guy with double-digit sacks. He likes to bring pressure from lots of different guys. Last year the Packers had 44 sacks from 16 different guys. That is not an anomaly. We'll probably see something like that again. What likely will be different is that Smith Smith and Gary will produce more consistent pressure than we saw from Clay and Fackrell.

I decided to check. In 8 years as a DC or HC, his teams have produced a double digit sack guy 3 times. One of those years there were 3 double digit guys. His teams seem to always be at 40 sacks or above for the season too.

[George Cumby]

I decided to check. In 8 years as a DC or HC, his teams have produced a double digit sack guy 3 times. One of those years there were 3 double digit guys. His teams seem to always be at 40 sacks or above for the season too.

In your research did you find the average number of sacks per team/year? That context would be helpful.

[Zool]

In your research did you find the average number of sacks per team/year? That context would be helpful.

NFL or Pettine specific teams?

[George Cumby]

NFL or Pettine specific teams?

NFL

[run pMc]

I wasn't a huge fan of the pick, especially with that shoulder. So if he stays on the field, gets 5 sacks and is in the mix, that's a lot better of a first season than I'm expecting (0-1 sacks, 5 pressures and IR after 4 games for shoulder surgery.

I'm not as dismissive about Fackrell as others, but I will admit that a number of his sacks were coverage sacks. Still he did tackle the QB after a while, unlike the others on the team.

Count me in the group that is NOT a big fan of picking Gary. The lack of production, the shoulder, etc.
It's possible Pettine can develop him and use him like HOU uses Clowney, but Clowney had the production....so I'm not expecting a lot from him, certainly not in his rookie year. I hope I'm wrong.

As for Fackrell, he's 27 going on 28, and had crazy stats last year -- something like 10.5 sacks on 12 pressures -- which is way out of whack for a pass rusher. I don't think he's going to develop/improve much given his age, and I'd expect his sack : pressure ratio to revert to the mean. At least a few of his sacks fell into the dumb luck category...I'm curious, does anyone think Fackrell will get more than 5-6 sacks this year? I don't see how, not with the Smiths (and possibly Gary) playing likely ahead of him in the rotation.

To be clear, I'm not a Fackrell hater. I thought he was an ok pick at the time. I haven't seen much from him to indicate his ceiling is anything more than an average starter at best, which is actually saying something considering it's the NFL and these guys are animals. Is he better than Erik Walden or Frank Zombo?

I think Fackrell's play was a fluke last year based on his two prior years of play, and with Gary there may be room to grow.
Plus, it's a little savage to hate on the rookie. Let's see if he'll pan out first...but I'm not holding my breath.

[RashanGary]

Fackrell is a fairly athletic dude. I wouldn’t mind signing him to a 3 year deal. He brings a little something different. He’s a matchup challenge for plodding tackles. 6’5” 33.5” arms, 35” vert. Bendy. He’s got some talent at getting a corner and at least half the games of the season he’ll give the plodders fits on 3rd down.

If he signs a 3 year deal now it would be ages 28, 29 and 30 for him. Use him as a situation piece for his best years, then move on.

[wist43]

Fackrell is a fairly athletic dude. I wouldn’t mind signing him to a 3 year deal. He brings a little something different. He’s a matchup challenge for plodding tackles. 6’5” 33.5” arms, 35” vert. Bendy. He’s got some talent at getting a corner and at least half the games of the season he’ll give the plodders fits on 3rd down.

If he signs a 3 year deal now it would be ages 28, 29 and 30 for him. Use him as a situation piece for his best years, then move on.

Justin, Fackrell is the embodiment of "plodding"...

If he had any speed or twitch to him at all, I'd agree with you. Fackrell is the guy you're looking to move on from, not extend.

[RashanGary]

Justin, Fackrell is the embodiment of "plodding"...

If he had any speed or twitch to him at all, I'd agree with you. Fackrell is the guy you're looking to move on from, not extend.

Short guys always look faster. Their little legs are moving like forest gump. Tall guys appear slow. But fackrell has had matchups where he wins. He’s a nice piece in about half of the games