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Here is why people shouldn't necessarily expect an OLB to get double-digit sacks in Pettine's defense:
https://packerswire.usatoday.com/201...-mike-pettine/
Even if Gary plays really well, it's still hard to predict how many sacks he'll get for 2 reasons. First, we don't know how often he'll line up outside versus inside. Inside could be his best opportunities for sacks. Second, we don't know which rushers opponent blocking schemes will focus on stopping.
My guess is the Packers will have somewhere between 45-50 sacks this year. They had 44 last year (8th overall). The league average last year was 40. The problem was that lack of consistent pressure resulted in the Packers defense being among the worst at opponent passer rating (27th), interceptions (30th), and TD passes given up (21st). If Gary helps the Packers have a more consistent and better pass rush, that will be manifested more in improving those negative numbers than it will in sack numbers which were already pretty good.
https://packerswire.usatoday.com/201...-mike-pettine/
The Packers new defensive coordinator places a premium on rushing the passer from the inside.
“That’s where it starts. It starts up front. People talk about the exterior pass rush, I think the interior pass rush is as important or maybe potentially more important,” Pettine said Thursday. “If you can be dominant inside, I think that has a ripple effect throughout your defense.”
The idea stems from improvements made by offenses in terms of taking away edge pass-rush. Teams can always chip an edge rusher, assign double teams or slide protection one way or another, but a strong rusher from the inside is harder to take away. Almost always, at least one interior rusher will face a single blocker.
“It’s much easier to negate an edge pass rusher than it is an inside dominant guy. You can force offenses to block them one-on-one,” Pettine said. “Offenses have gotten very good at negating edge rushers.”
Pettine’s prioritization of the inside pass-rush was born out of years of working under Rex Ryan, who consistently used top draft picks on interior disruptors. The goal for any pass-rush is always to collapse the pocket around the quarterback, creating disrupted throwing lanes and throwing platforms. While edge rushers can turn the corner and disrupt quarterbacks, the quickest way to a collapsed pocket is right up the middle.
“It’s something I learned from Rex a long time ago,” Pettine said. “You have to have guys winning inside. Even if you have great edge rushers, great speed rush, if the pocket’s not collapsed, it’s a clean pocket to step up into. It’s paramount that you have guys that can win inside.”
“That’s where it starts. It starts up front. People talk about the exterior pass rush, I think the interior pass rush is as important or maybe potentially more important,” Pettine said Thursday. “If you can be dominant inside, I think that has a ripple effect throughout your defense.”
The idea stems from improvements made by offenses in terms of taking away edge pass-rush. Teams can always chip an edge rusher, assign double teams or slide protection one way or another, but a strong rusher from the inside is harder to take away. Almost always, at least one interior rusher will face a single blocker.
“It’s much easier to negate an edge pass rusher than it is an inside dominant guy. You can force offenses to block them one-on-one,” Pettine said. “Offenses have gotten very good at negating edge rushers.”
Pettine’s prioritization of the inside pass-rush was born out of years of working under Rex Ryan, who consistently used top draft picks on interior disruptors. The goal for any pass-rush is always to collapse the pocket around the quarterback, creating disrupted throwing lanes and throwing platforms. While edge rushers can turn the corner and disrupt quarterbacks, the quickest way to a collapsed pocket is right up the middle.
“It’s something I learned from Rex a long time ago,” Pettine said. “You have to have guys winning inside. Even if you have great edge rushers, great speed rush, if the pocket’s not collapsed, it’s a clean pocket to step up into. It’s paramount that you have guys that can win inside.”
My guess is the Packers will have somewhere between 45-50 sacks this year. They had 44 last year (8th overall). The league average last year was 40. The problem was that lack of consistent pressure resulted in the Packers defense being among the worst at opponent passer rating (27th), interceptions (30th), and TD passes given up (21st). If Gary helps the Packers have a more consistent and better pass rush, that will be manifested more in improving those negative numbers than it will in sack numbers which were already pretty good.
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