The Green Bay Packers took a chance on edge rusher Rashan Gary, without a doubt. He’s a boom or bust player with ultimate potential, but a few question marks.
Don’t tell that to defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, though, because the only question on his mind seems to be about just how good Gary can be for the Packers in 2019 and beyond.
“I think he’s the total package,” Pettine said of Gary via Packers.com. “He doesn’t have to play every snap. He can give you more quality than quantity.”
Hidden in that quote is a big clue regarding how Green Bay plans to use Gary in 2019, and Packers fans should temper their overall expectations of his rookie season as result. There’s a prevalent thought in Packer nation that Gary needs to be a sure-bet Hall of Famer in Year 1 or taking him No. 12 overall will look like a bust on general manager Brian Gutekunst’s behalf. What many haven’t realized, though, is that the Packers are thinking long-term with Gary, and part of that long-term mindset includes a bit of patience and a bit of development.
He’s not going to play all the time, but when he does play, Green Bay is expecting him to make a big splash.
Gary, who checks in at 6-foot-5 and 277 pounds, played exclusively as a defensive lineman for the Michigan Wolverines. He was tasked with playing over the tight end as a five-technique and much of what he did for Michigan’s defense was taking up space and occupying blockers. In fact, here’s what Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown had to say back in March when discussing Gary’s perceived lack of production in college:
“I kind of disagree with it, it’s what you’re asked to do within the scheme,” he said. “He’s a 280 pound defensive end that runs around like a 260-pounder. In our defense it all starts with knocking the tight end back. Who better in the country to knock the tight end back than him? Obviously we did a lot of inside movement and edge stuff. We asked him to be a complete football player and not just rush the passer, and he did it great and was a great teammate.”
Gary is big, powerful, fast, and explosive. Notwithstanding the fact that he’s by all accounts a quality person, that’s exactly why the Packers drafted him and that’s why Pettine is obviously very high on what he brings to the table for Green Bay.
There’s an old adage in coaching: “You can’t teach speed, and you can’t teach size.”
Everything else related to being an outside linebacker – playing in space, playing coverage, reading the quarterback, setting an edge while developing a variety of moves as a pass-rusher – can all be taught to Gary by Pettine and outside linebacker coach Kirk Olivadotti. What neither coach can teach, no matter how good they are, is being a 6-foot-5, nearly 280-pounder with the athleticism and speed seen in much smaller players. Gary has a chance to be the “total package” for Green Bay because most players his size don’t come with his kind of skill.
Yes, it’s going to take some time for him to develop and yes, he’s going to go through growing pains as a young player. But which Green Bay star hasn’t?
Aaron Rodgers threw 13 interceptions his first complete season a starter. In 2018 he threw only two. Davante Adams was known more for his drops than he was for touchdown catches his first few seasons in Green Bay. Last season? He caught 13 and notched well over 1,000 yards.
Good things take time, and Gary is undoubtedly a good thing for the Packers.
“I’m just excited, I know what I need to do, and I can’t wait to do it,” he said when discussing his role on this year’s team – which will likely be as a pass-rush specialist Pettine can move all over the field.
The Packers are excited too, that much is clear, and the wait should be worth the while for Green Bay. Gary is a special talent. He just needs some time to figure that out himself.
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