Predict their 2020 stat lines (Gary first)

[RashanGary]

Maybe I"m blind, but I haven't heard anything, good or bad, on his work ethic. But I agree he'll be better. I could care less about a new scheme; players still produce if they are players across the NFL as rookies. Everybody has a new scheme when they are rookies. he's been a total disappointment so far.

His twitter feed and the RG sports twitter feed shows his workouts and food and stuff. The dude is a weird millennial posting on social media and trying to build a brand or whatever, but he looks like a grinder. He was back in the lab grinding as soon as the season was over. Posts all sorts of things about his body being his business and how hard hes willing to grind. The kid wants it man!/

[pbmax]

I have no idea how that agility score or 3 cone compares to others, but it perhaps capture my worry about Gary pretty accurately.

He never seems close to taking a step, turn or leap and making a play on the QB or ball. He is always chasing it around long, looping curves. If that makes any sense.

He chases the QB like I drive without navigation. Looping around, circling, until I recognize something and then make the correct turn to get there.

[red]

I have no idea how that agility score or 3 cone compares to others, but it perhaps capture my worry about Gary pretty accurately.

He never seems close to taking a step, turn or leap and making a play on the QB or ball. He is always chasing it around long, looping curves. If that makes any sense.

He chases the QB like I drive without navigation. Looping around, circling, until I recognize something and then make the correct turn to get there.

then thats actually an improvement for him

in college, he would loop around a play, and then quit

if a guy got a step on him, he would pull up and start jogging

if a ball carrier was getting gang tackled, he would pull up and watch his teamates bring down the guy

so if he is actually playing hard until the whistle, then that his a huge improvement from him

[run pMc]

I have no idea how that agility score or 3 cone compares to others, but it perhaps capture my worry about Gary pretty accurately.

He never seems close to taking a step, turn or leap and making a play on the QB or ball. He is always chasing it around long, looping curves. If that makes any sense.

He chases the QB like I drive without navigation. Looping around, circling, until I recognize something and then make the correct turn to get there.

It depends on whether you're comparing him to DE's or OLB's. His 3 cone and SS are good compared to other DE's, but meh as an OLB. Being able to do the things he can do at 270+ pounds is pretty impressive, but IIRC he wasn't known for being especially bendy or able to really turn tightly around the corner on a tackle in college, which probably explains the long curves or reliance on a bull rush. He might be able to improve some of that flexibility with training, but I think he'll always have some of that stiffness in his pass rush.

[pbmax]

It depends on whether you're comparing him to DE's or OLB's. His 3 cone and SS are good compared to other DE's, but meh as an OLB. Being able to do the things he can do at 270+ pounds is pretty impressive, but IIRC he wasn't known for being especially bendy or able to really turn tightly around the corner on a tackle in college, which probably explains the long curves or reliance on a bull rush. He might be able to improve some of that flexibility with training, but I think he'll always have some of that stiffness in his pass rush.

It could be confusion because he could chose to play like one or the other. He is fast enough to get around the corner but he never plants his foot and turns. He is almost reliant on the QB or Tackle to get misaligned or take a false step.

On a bull rush, he doesn't have the second move or counter to step inside or around the Tackle and be an immediate threat.

[run pMc]

It could be confusion because he could chose to play like one or the other. He is fast enough to get around the corner but he never plants his foot and turns. He is almost reliant on the QB or Tackle to get misaligned or take a false step.

On a bull rush, he doesn't have the second move or counter to step inside or around the Tackle and be an immediate threat.

A 1.61 10 yd. split is lightning fast at his size, and there were several snaps where you could see he was first off the line.
I think being in Year 2 with pro coaching and hopefully his shoulder healing will help him. Getting more pass rush moves/counters would make a big difference too -- he's so athletic he hasn't had to develop technique, and that can take time.

[pbmax]

Getting more pass rush moves/counters would make a big difference too -- he's so athletic he hasn't had to develop technique, and that can take time.

My concern with his developing is that he hasn't had great production in any one year. So its not like it has not been addressed before. I wonder how much more improvement to expect.

[run pMc]

My concern with his developing is that he hasn't had great production in any one year. So its not like it has not been addressed before. I wonder how much more improvement to expect.

Agree. The lack of production in college is not a promising predictor for his pro career. (alliteration!) I don't know if/how much the Harbaugh-genius-defense (sarcasm!) did anything to scheme single block looks, stunts, etc. to allow Gary to take advantage of weak links on a college OL. My guess is they prioritized those for Winovich and Bush at Gary's expense (i.e., used him as the double/triple team eater), but when you have a physical marvel like him, how do you not try to unleash him? Only thing I can think is they tried and it didn't work, or the coaches there stink.

All that negativity aside, there certainly are tools and natural gifts for the Pettine thinktank to work with. I'm not overly optimistic Gary will be the type of player to consistently get 7-8 sacks a season, and certainly not with the Smiths ahead of him, but I think he can provide some pressure and set an edge vs. the run... basically, be a healthy Nick Perry. He will absorb some of Fackrell's snaps this year, so he'll get more chances and that should help his numbers. Remains to be seen if they will draft a player or Greg Roberts/Randy Ramsey becomes the 4th OLB.

McGinn's comparison to Reggie Gilbert is a little unfair IMO. (Look in the Garbage can.) Reggie had a few years to transition over to OLB, and he's no rookie. If Gary is still seeing 20% of the snaps in Year 3 and netting 2-3 sacks then (sadly) it will be a more fair comp.
Ultimately I think Rashan Gary becomes the new version of A J Hawk -- an adequate player who becomes the online whipping boy for some because he was overdrafted.

Hey, it's not like he's Jamal Reynolds. https://www.pro-football-reference.c...R/ReynJa20.htm

[RashanGary]

I see all sides to this as valid.

Still hoping for the best. When i add to my guitar toolbox, it takes me a little bit to become fluid and natural and truly effective. I hope Gary ends up really perfecting a few techniques. His body gives him a huge advantage.

[Bretsky]

A 1.61 10 yd. split is lightning fast at his size, and there were several snaps where you could see he was first off the line.
I think being in Year 2 with pro coaching and hopefully his shoulder healing will help him. Getting more pass rush moves/counters would make a big difference too -- he's so athletic he hasn't had to develop technique, and that can take time.

We're going on year 6 seeing the Michigan coached tried for four years as well

[Bretsky]

I see all sides to this as valid.

Still hoping for the best. When i add to my guitar toolbox, it takes me a little bit to become fluid and natural and truly effective. I hope Gary ends up really perfecting a few techniques. His body gives him a huge advantage.

You didn't change your name to Justin Harrell until you know he was an epic failure. You were much faster to cjhange your name to Rashan Gary. Is this a sign of your real feelings as opposed to the fluffies ??

[pbmax]

You didn't change your name to Justin Harrell until you know he was an epic failure. You were much faster to cjhange your name to Rashan Gary. Is this a sign of your real feelings as opposed to the fluffies ??

Don't forget he was Nick Collins and Greg Jennings.

[Deputy Nutz]

Why do certain people on this forum want to prove the failure of young Packers? Gary was question mark of a pick considering his size. He seemed to be a prototypical 5 tech end in a 4-3 defense, and the Packers drafted him to play outside linebacker. Gary's college film was anything but spectacular. He did some good things at Michigan but overall I don't think the guy really wanted the attention and the pressure of being the #1 recruit in the country. He was physically ready to play right away, but probably could have used a redshirt year.

Optimistically I think Gary will get between 5--7 sacks, he will be predominantly a pass rusher.

[RashanGary]

The next time I change my name it's gonna be "bigbadbuttstretcher" and I'm gonna use the kgb sodomization of grossman picture as my avatar.

I'm "this fucking close" to going on a radagast "circus bafoon" rant!

You bunch of bullies

[run pMc]

The next time I change my name it's gonna be "bigbadbuttstretcher" and I'm gonna use the kgb sodomization of grossman picture as my avatar.

I'm "this fucking close" to going on a radagast "circus bafoon" rant!

You bunch of bullies

It's all good RG... appreciate your optimism. For the record, I don't think Gary will be a bust. I'm just skeptical he'll be a Pro Bowler.

The KGB avatar is a funny choice.