Cory's Corner: The Progression Of Rashan Gary

The 12th overall pick in 2019 has taken a big jump in his second year. 

I have to say it. I was completely wrong about Rashan Gary. 

I knew that he was athletic at Michigan, but I wasn't sure how he would translate that to the NFL.

Last year in his rookie season, Gary was largely overmatched, which was why he only played 22 percent of the defensive snaps — 256 of the 1,155 total. 

What a difference a year makes. 

Gary is 12th on the defense in total number of defensive snaps by playing in 361 of 828 (44 percent) snaps this season. According to ProFootballReference.com, Gary is 48th in the NFL with eight quarterback hurries, which is two more than Saints five-time Pro Bowler Cameron Jordan. 

"It's great when you see a guy that put the work in the offseason, especially in an offseason where you were essentially on your own," said Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine in November. "He didn't have the spring structure with us and all the learning stuff was virtual, but the workout stuff, he just came in in such good shape."

That last sentence is pretty telling. Remember all the noise about his attitude and work ethic? During a pandemic, the cream certainly rises to the top. A player's motivation must always be pointed in the right direction and even without a true offseason, Gary still turned heads. He knew what he had to do and he clearly got it done. 

Watching Gary is so much fun because he is such a disrupter. Everyone likes to point to his sacks to prove why Gary is over his head. However, a deeper look reveals that he has only blitzed 17 percent of the time and has five sacks. That's a very strong ratio. Conversely, Preston Smith has blitzed 34 percent of the time and has only three sacks. That's why Gary should be poaching Smith's snaps — Gary is just putting up better numbers and he brings a vibrant juice when he's in the game. 

"He's a guy that's improving, that's going to keep on improving," said Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark. "I'm just excited about his development."

And Gary's developement is why the Packers defense is starting to get some teeth. He is closing off the edge and collapsing the pocket, making opposing quarterbacks feel very uncomfortable. Does he need a couple more moves? Sure. Early on, it was evident that Gary only used the bull rush at Michigan, but in the NFL, you cannot just win with a fastball all the time. He needs to mix it up. 

Gary's energy is exactly what this defense needs with just three regular season games left. Teams will have to be aware of where Gary is because he can implode offensive game plans in a hurry. 

And to think that Gary is still a sophomore in this league. 

 

 

 

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__________________________

Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn

__________________________

11 points
 

Comments (37)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
mnbadger's picture

December 15, 2020 at 06:29 am

Gary has proven me wrong. He still has a way to go before we crown him the next Minister of D, but if he continues to hone his craft, tune his body and play with high effort the sky is the limit. Keep it up RG. GPG

14 points
15
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Johnblood27's picture

December 15, 2020 at 07:14 am

Gary's development has come along nicely. The next question is at what point is the defensive game plan impeding his development?

Gary needs to play to improve more. He needs to begin seeing the field more than other players that do not show his production and potential. We all know who these guys are who need to be cheering him on instead of taking up space.

The defensive game planning needs to change relative to the personnel and talents that have become apparent for the 2020 season. So far this is not happening. Every season is different and the scheme needs to adjust and the game planning needs to be flexible to allow the players playing the best to do what they do best to serve the goals of the team.

Bust out of those wagon ruts and let the Pet-shop boys eat!

0 points
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Guam's picture

December 15, 2020 at 07:48 am

I was very concerned with the choice of Gary coming out of college because of his lack of productivity at Michigan despite being the #1 player coming from high school. I thought his bust factor could be very high. Despite those feelings, I also knew Gary would need at least a year to make the conversion from down defensive lineman to stand up OLB. I am delighted that Gary is proving my concerns invalid with a strong second season.

I would like to see Gary get more playing time as this season progresses - he has earned it. I would also not be surprised if Preston Smith is let go in a cost cutting move and Gary becomes a starter next year. He is playing well enough he should be the starter now. GPG!

8 points
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4thand10's picture

December 16, 2020 at 10:54 am

I see that, but you really do need 3 outside rushers....long seasons, injuries etc

0 points
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RCPackerFan's picture

December 15, 2020 at 07:59 am

The thing we all need to do with young players is to allow them a chance to develop. If the first play of their first game, they don't make a play they are being deemed a bust. It takes some players time and we all need to remember that. Remember Aaron Rodgers his rookie year. It takes times for players to develop. Gary is no different. But we are already seeing what he is capable of. But he isn't done developing. He has taken a big step from last year to this year. He should take another step next year.

I look forward to seeing how he progresses! But right now he has really improved and is helping the defense!

6 points
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3
Razer's picture

December 15, 2020 at 07:59 am

...The next question is at what point is the defensive game plan impeding his development?...

Good question. If the Packers had a better D-line and Gary had the freedom to work above the fray, he could really be a game changer. Gutekunst needs to fix this ragtag D-line and get the defense to the next level. LaFleur needs to get rid of Pettine.

3 points
6
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Razer's picture

December 15, 2020 at 08:00 am

This was in response to JohnnyBlood27's comment. I am not very sharp this AM.

1 points
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Bure9620's picture

December 15, 2020 at 08:23 am

Honesty, I think Gary's ceiling is pretty high. You see the insane athelticism and raw potential. He was learning a new position and learning new pass rush moves last year.

Rashan Gary last year makes me think of the movie Swingers when Vince Vaughn tells Jon Favreau about his big claws and sharp fangs and how he just doesn't know how to kill the Bunny yet. Just gently batting the bunny around.

He has all of these tools and doesn't know how to use them yet

2 points
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2
EstebanPablo's picture

December 15, 2020 at 12:09 pm

Perfect movie reference. 10 points to Gryffindor.

0 points
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2
Lphill's picture

December 15, 2020 at 08:34 am

I would like to see him get more snaps , reduced again against the Lions, but I supported him from the beginning I repeatedly posted that he was the number 1 high school prospect in the country and a projected 1 st round pick.

2 points
2
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Coldworld's picture

December 15, 2020 at 09:12 am

Apparently LaFleur referenced him having picked up an injury. I guess we will see on Wednesday when the injury report comes out.

4 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

December 15, 2020 at 06:05 pm

Arm or shoulder, save him for later.

0 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 17, 2020 at 09:20 am

That has been the #1 concern I have with Gary is he seems to pick up a lot of minor injuries during games. So far reminds me on Z-Smith with all the in game injuries. Fortunately for both none of these injuries seem to be anything substantial preventing them from continuing playing. Both these players are major hustle type players and maybe when you are flying around and constantly hustling like they seem to do the chances of injury increases. Makes total sense to me!

0 points
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murf7777's picture

December 15, 2020 at 09:07 am

IMO, he was improving and developing other moves throughout the 2nd half of last year already....if where he is at is all we get then we will have an above average starter next year. He was far from a finished product coming out of college, unlike TJ Watt.

But, this pick was all about developing his extreme athleticism over time and his upside is high. I don’t think Gutey picked him to come out and be an immediate starter. His upside is multiple pro bowls and potential for an all pro.

7 points
8
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Spock's picture

December 15, 2020 at 09:53 am

"IMO, he was improving and developing other moves throughout the 2nd half of last year already....". Yeah, I made a post earlier this season that I'd read Gary was reported to have (in addition to his workouts) been studying film of Reggie White and other premier pass rushers to get more moves and in a game early this year an announcer pointed out he had used Reggie's club/hump move to get to the QB. All good signs he Wants to be great.

1 points
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SugarCain's picture

December 15, 2020 at 09:22 am

Give Gary the same amount of snaps/ plays as TJ Watt and see what he does! Gary has never played above 50% of the defensive snaps. He is more dominant than Preston Smith and should be playing as many snaps as Z. Smith. When the defense is struggling to get stops take a good look who AIN’T ON THE FIELD!

1 points
4
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Leatherhead's picture

December 15, 2020 at 10:10 am

Gary is young. He just turned 23 two weeks ago. He’s a good front 6 defender. We should add more.

9 points
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0
Tundraboy's picture

December 15, 2020 at 04:33 pm

Short and to the point.

1 points
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PatrickGB's picture

December 15, 2020 at 10:52 am

When he was picked I thought that he was another “Tweener”. Too small for DE and too big for OLB. Historically, that has not always worked out well for teams. But I see now that his RAS score was the deciding factor to move him full time to OLB. The complaint about him at #12 seems to center on the possibility that someone better could have been chosen or that he could have been picked up lower in the order. I get that. But sometimes you just have to go and get the guy you want and let the chips fall where they may.

3 points
4
1
stockholder's picture

December 15, 2020 at 11:06 am

I'm happy for Gary and his improvement. But the pick still doesn't make sense. Seems I just have to let it go now! But I still do not agree with BG,( per what he is drafting. ) But thats not what matters most here. Gary isn't the Bust he could have become. He's beat the odds so far. And when you look at what we tried to do with Nick Perry , Datone Jones, Etc. . He's become a good match for this Defense. I guess thats BGs position. Finding what you need takes Time. Looking Back though. Time has flown since our last super-Bowl win.

-2 points
1
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Stroh's picture

December 15, 2020 at 10:17 pm

Let it go and get a clue.

0 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 17, 2020 at 09:32 am

You know Stockholder if one continues to do the same thing repeatedly one shouldn't expect the outcome to change. The Packers drafts under TT was always up and down and why there was only one SB win. Consistently hitting drafts good for a 2-3 year period never truly happened. Ted always seemed to struggle taking risks with players high in the top 3 rounds. Risks being a player has high athletic ability but is coming off an injury, or the player has a lot of upside but he is young. Draft the guy now and get him at a bargain and he will develop over the next few years.

Gutey is taking a high risk high reward approach in his drafting in my opinion. Spending extra draft capital to move up to snag a player. Drafting Gary who is very young but has so much potential and having him switch positions. Drafting Love when he did and having him sit several years and develop at the games most important position. Throughout Gutey's style of drafting the Packers continue to be very successful.

We need to recognize there are different ways to accomplish the way the Packers go about their business. I like the fact that Gutey isn't going to continue to draft like say Ted Thompson did. TT was never highly successful drafting in my opinion. He got very lucky to have Rodgers fall into his lap. TT did absolutely nothing to make a move to snag Rodgers. I think the fact he did nothing when Rodgers was sitting there a few spots ahead of the draft selection is very telling about TT's drafting ability. Remove Rodgers falling into TT's lap and TT was far from being a good draft gruru.

I'm liking everything Gutey and LF are doing with this team. Yes, I would love to see a massive RT and DL. I'd like to see another inside LB and a quality WR. Let's throw in a game changing returner. The Packers will get there but we need to remember just how bad off TT and MM put the team in terms of talent upon Gutey's hiring.

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

December 15, 2020 at 11:15 am

Sorry, not converted.

0 points
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ricky's picture

December 15, 2020 at 11:57 am

How many times have heard the drumbeat of doubters calling out a player for being a "bust" after one or two seasons? D. Adams was a "bust" because he had a poor second year; MVS was a "bust" because he has had problems catching passes; Gary was a "bust" because he didn't play much year one; we all heard the rumblings that Savage was regressing, until he suddenly got better. Not all players catch on immediately; different players get better at different rates. Sometimes you have to be patient and wait for that light to go on- but hopefully, you also see flickers and flashes before the player blooms.

6 points
7
1
jannes bjornson's picture

December 15, 2020 at 06:47 pm

Adams was playing with a bad wheel, but he still showed up and played the game. He didn't hide on the bench.

-1 points
0
1
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 17, 2020 at 09:36 am

Look how Jaire A. and Savage have been developing. Gary is no different in year 2. We are seeing him develop into a stud player right before our eyes. Jackson is the unfortunate selection. At present I just do not see him being a valuable player for the Packers and may very well not be with the team next year.

0 points
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fastmoving's picture

December 15, 2020 at 02:53 pm

Gary has still a lot of upside and was a good pick at 12. no question about that.
And Gutes Drafts are way better that some here want to make us believe. And they look better every week...just like Gary.
For the number of plays he is in his stats are huge

2 points
4
2
TXCHEESE's picture

December 15, 2020 at 04:15 pm

Just speculating, but I believe Gary was drafted to develop and then replace one of the Smith bros, or at least give GB some options, should they look to free up some cap space and cash. The trick will be to keep someone in the pipeline for development. Between him, Martin and Barnes, there is some really good young talent in the LB corps.

3 points
3
0
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

December 16, 2020 at 02:17 am

This is all true, IMO. However, the NFL is a hard cap world and GB specifically has a window of unknown length but probably 4 years or less.

Gary doesn't do the things GB asks Preston to do, specifically dropping into coverage. Gary is awful in coverage. Had the Packers selected Brian Burns, Preston would not be playing because Burns can drop into coverage and is playing better than Smith (and Gary for that matter). The Packers would be a noticeably better team at present with Burns.

I am not a fan of using hindsight when looking at drafts. However, when a specific player is the overwhelming expectation (Watt a few years ago over King and Burns over Gary), it is less far fetched to compare the two.

-1 points
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1
HighPlainsDrifter's picture

December 16, 2020 at 06:06 am

Obviously, King and Watt play totally different positions. There is no way to compare their respective contributions. It really is way, way past time for folks to get over their unrequited love for Watt. It is approaching the point of embarrassment (not directed at you personally Tgr).

The team situations for Gary and Burns are also totally different. The Panthers defense was decimated when Burns joined the team. He had instant access to playing time, and would have played regardless of the stats he has accumulated. In contrast, Gary entered a situation with two newly signed free agents in front of him.

0 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 17, 2020 at 09:40 am

Burns was the player I had wanted in that draft. However, Gary I believe was younger than Burns (not 100% sure), and Gary has been asked to change position. Subsequently, I think their 3rd year is a better indication for comparison.

0 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

December 15, 2020 at 05:36 pm

Over matched or underutilized?

-1 points
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1
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

December 16, 2020 at 02:20 am

Gary has the same skillset as Zadarius. He can't do some of the things GB asks Preston to do. I personally favor giving Z the snaps over Gary.

I don't think it is a matter of simply playing Gary instead of Preston Smith. The only solution I see if getting all three on the field together more often.

-1 points
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1
Thegreatreynoldo's picture

December 16, 2020 at 04:01 am

Gary reminds me of Nick Perry. Big, fast, strong, sets a good edge, good tackler and can bull rush. Gary is bigger and noticeably faster in a straight-line, anyway. Now it is time to see what other skills Gary can develop.

0 points
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TXCHEESE's picture

December 16, 2020 at 10:18 am

The overwhelming difference between Gary and Perry is the desire. Perry relied on his talent. Gary came in to his second season in peak physical condition according to many sources, and according to the Smiths, he is a quick study. That, and he hasn't missed 75% of the games. Hindsight is always 20/20, and I can understand comparisons to others in the same draft, but I believe Gary still has a high ceiling. He is still growing in to that frame at his age.

0 points
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Befuddled's picture

December 16, 2020 at 01:05 pm

Hopefully that's where the similarities between him and Nick Perry begin and end. Otherwise his next skill would be playing with alternating clubs on each hand.

1 points
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KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

December 17, 2020 at 09:45 am

Agree with everything you say, however there is something else that factors in that one cannot measure. It is called 'heart and it is motivation' to be the best you can be. From a fans perspective, I never saw the same type of heart and motivation in Perry that we are seeing in Gary so far. In fact, when watching Gary play his style of hustle reminds me of Matthews. The other difference between Perry and Gary relates to injury. It is way too early to be able to know how injury free Gary may be in the coming years.

0 points
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