A Lot of People Were Wrong About Rashan Gary

Edge rusher Rashan Gary has had a promising start to his career after a lot of people questioned his selection in 2019. 

Not everyone, but a lot of people were not happy about Rashan Gary’s selection in 2019. However, whatever your preconceived notions were about the Gary pick, he has shown that the Green Bay Packers made the right call.

Gary finished with 9.5 sacks at the University of Michigan. Those numbers are not glamorous in comparison to other pass rushers who were borderline top 10 picks.

There was a lot of speculation thrown around as to why Gary didn’t have the college career to match his potential. His work ethic came into question, and it was unclear how committed he was to football in general. A large portion of the fanbase consumed this information and had a negative perception of Gary before he took the field.

After two encouraging seasons, it is safe to say that perception has changed.

Gary has yet to put up huge sack numbers as a pro. He has 7.0 career sacks, and five of those came in 2020. We are still waiting for Gary’s breakout season, but rest assured, it is coming.

At the moment, Gary is not one of Green Bay’s starting edge rushers. His numbers would undoubtedly be higher if he saw a portion of Preston Smith's snaps. As a rookie, Gary played only 24 percent of the snaps of defense. Last year, that percentage increased to 44. Meanwhile, Smith was on the field for nearly 80 percent of the defensive snaps.

More playing time does not necessarily lead to an inflow in productivity, but in Gary’s case, it very well could. According to PFF, Gary had a higher pressure percentage than any other player after week 10 of last season. 3X Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald was second. Gary may not be on the level of dominance as Donald, however, it is a valid thought process that more opportunity could lead to potentially, great production.

In a short time, Gary has gone from a possible bust to one of the Packers’ most recognized young players. And it didn’t arise from a lazy mindset.

Check out Gary’s Twitter page, and you will see him post workout videos during the offseason. These videos have shown us Gary’s incredible work ethic and his journey towards becoming a better player.

On Wednesday, Gary posted another workout video to his Twitter. Entering his third NFL season, he appears to be in tremendous shape and ready to take the next step in his development. Gary has already shown he can be an effective player, but Green Bay has yet to give him a more substantial role on defense. Perhaps that is on tap for the former 12th overall pick. 

Meanwhile, it is nice to know that the future of the Packers pass rush is in good hands. As it turns out, most of the original opinions on Gary were flat-out wrong or misinformed. The future is actually very bright for this young player.

 

 

 

 

Brandon Carwile is a Packers writer who also enjoys watching and breaking down film. Follow him on Twitter @PackerScribe.

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13 points
 

Comments (80)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
splitpea1's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:21 pm

I would certainly hope it's on tap for him to assume a more substantial role; not only was he the 12th overall pick, but his recent play, like you said, suggests he has earned it.

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jannes bjornson's picture

July 16, 2021 at 06:59 pm

He should be the starter and let the rest fill the designated pass rusher run whiffer role.

3 points
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TheVOR's picture

July 16, 2021 at 07:24 pm

Until he's ripping of heads and *ing-down necks, and getting 16 sack seasons, I don't want to hear about being wrong about Gary? This franchise, had they traded back 4-5 slots, still selected Savage, kept the 31st, and picked up an additional 2, or a 3rd that they trade 2 3's for an additional 2, would have transformed the franchise.

Gary has not transformed the franchise. talk to me when he has a 16 sack season. "Effecting the QB" is a BS line for teams that want to find an upside in a player who's always tenths of a second from sacking the QB.

Get me a 16 sack season, and lets revisit this.

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fastmoving's picture

July 17, 2021 at 04:15 am

No one will get you anything, but at least you are used to be wrong about anything and not just in football.
Other than that, even if he had a 124 sack season, you would find a crazy BS "argument" why the 124 sacks hurt the Packers. Nobody cant argue with orange.....
Maybe you should have tried any kind of sports by yourself in your life. Now its to late....

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HawkPacker's picture

July 17, 2021 at 12:18 pm

Sorry fast but I agree with TheVOR.

Gary has done some good things but I really don't think he has been outstanding at all. I believe all of us can see some potential that he could be great and if that is the case then he was an absolute steal at #12. However, as mentioned, he was an early pick and we should expect that pick to play well for the packers and early as well. This will be his third year with the Pack and it is time for his 'arrival'.

I read plenty of comments here complaining about late first round picks the past few years that the Pack made such as Jordan Love and many mention that they should have gotten a wide receiver or ILB that could be immediate help. Why would anyone think a late first round pick should be immediate help but the pick at #12 is great but we should be patient and that it takes a few years to get up to speed.

I really think all of us want Gary to be a stud like an Aaron Donald. That would be worth the wait and I think that is what TheVor means in his post. Just MHO of course.

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Gman1976's picture

July 17, 2021 at 12:41 pm

I could never figure out why our former Defensive Coordinator kept playing Smith over Gary when it was pretty obvious that Gary had become the better player last year. Gary was not only getting better pressure on the QB, but he was also better against the run on the edge.

3 points
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Coldworld's picture

July 17, 2021 at 12:59 pm

There are a lot of instances where I found myself wondering why Pettine allocated snaps to certain players. This is not the one I find most surprising as Pettine was less focused on rush than prevention without really changing his scheme. That was a massive frustration. But at least he is gone.

1 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 18, 2021 at 02:52 am

Gary greatly improved but I don't know that he was better than Zadarius.

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Coldworld's picture

July 18, 2021 at 05:24 pm

Fair point, but Z is at his peak presumably. I hope Gary isn’t. He was better than P last year. Would be great if it was a real battle between all 3 this year.

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Coldworld's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:22 pm

I feel like we’ve had this discussion before

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mnbadger's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:35 pm

This time of year, we've discussed most topics nearly to death. TC needs to start soon so we all have some fresh material. GPG!

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ricky's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:25 pm

As always, sometimes patience is needed. Davante Adams is another shining example. But sometimes patience doesn't pay off, as with Josh Jackson and Oren Burks. Both of those guys came in with high expectations, but have been disappointing. It happens. You just have to learn to move on from your mistakes, and hopefully learn from them.

11 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:27 pm

I admit I was not a supporter of this selection and agree that Gary looks to be on an upward path, however, believing that his numbers/percentages will continue based on more snaps is ignorant. The more snaps he gets the more likely his numbers/percentages decrease.

Like in baseball, the hitter looks great after the first 100 at-bats getting 40 hits, as a part-time player, then he is given a full-time spot in the batting order and suddenly the increase of play-time has him getting 20 hits in his next 100 at-bats and then he's going 3- 25 regularly and is now performing a 12-100. More isn't always better and that is something Gary will need to prove less he remains a good part-time player acquired at a full-time draft selection. Here's to hoping he remains/becomes that constant .400 hitter as an OLB.

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10ve 💚's picture

July 16, 2021 at 02:01 pm

Looks like you did go to some math classes, but not others.

Yes, his percentages will most probably decrease. But his numbers will most probably increase.

9 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

July 16, 2021 at 02:16 pm

Yes, his numbers should increase, but that doesn't mean those numbers hold a value. Perry increased his sack total by 3 against Washington in a game that GB was and did win handily without his sacks, which were obtained in the readily known matter as 'garbage time', which was useless but made him appear great to many and rewarded with an extension that was foolish going forward and erased what many denied of his performance prior. Gary's totals of sacks and hurries will increase, but will they be of value or garbage time, and against what level of OL. Perry has his best against the worse and disappeared against the better. A problem we have seen still with our OLB's on this team.

-4 points
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fastmoving's picture

July 17, 2021 at 04:24 am

garbage time........are the the only words that make sense in your post.......your are an absolut garbage timer, thats for sure
Gary had his best games against the tops.....

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porupack's picture

July 16, 2021 at 03:05 pm

Analogies are weak speculations. Maybe it isn't like baseball. Maybe its like NFL running backs where more reps help settle in and feel the game. Maybe not. Anyone kind find an analogy to say whatever they feel.

4 points
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TarynsEyes's picture

July 16, 2021 at 03:27 pm

The smaller the number used to bolster a player is deceitful to the fans and the player, though the player will surely allow such to enhance his contract. Gary needs much more before a legitimate value can be placed.

Analogies are just comparisons, which is something done by everyone here when they compare a player to another, and sometimes easier to get the point across.

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jannes bjornson's picture

July 16, 2021 at 07:01 pm

A pass rusher needs extended reps to set up his game plan and counter moves. Elementary dear Watson.

8 points
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mrj007's picture

July 16, 2021 at 06:49 pm

I agree - I think alot of people just expect miss given his draft position. Same thing with AJ Hawk. If Gary or Hawk made team as rookie free agents- totally different narrative on them

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mnbadger's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:33 pm

GPG!

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Bure9620's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:41 pm

Not to say I told you all so......but I did.....

One of the reasons I stopped posting mock drafts is because of the intense criticism they received. I had Rashan Gary on my mock board for the Packers. I used Justis Mosqueda's and others historic draft history of the Packers and their draft tendencies as they relate to measurables. There was no question in my mind Gary was high on Gute's board, hence, I had the Packers taking Gary in several mock drafts which were all but mocked by many on here, also some of the writers and folks like Ross Uglem all but said I had essentially no idea what I was talking about....Gary was a gamble of a pick with lots of upside....The type of player the Packers target in the draft....So.....to those of you and you know whom you are......I told you so...

3 points
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JohnnyLogan's picture

July 16, 2021 at 01:03 pm

More than a little premature with your gloating. He’s shown signs and then did nothing in the championship game. He sometimes looks like a terror than disappears for an entire half. I’d love you to be right but seven sacks in two years isn’t earth shattering and the fact he couldn’t pass P.Smith on the depth chart while Smith was having a poor year shows the team wasn’t entirely satisfied with him.

He’s fast but I feel still doesn’t have the overpowering strength that the great rushers possess. We’ll see.

-5 points
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Coldworld's picture

July 16, 2021 at 02:43 pm

Gary is as strong as an ox. You lost me altogether once you wrote that.

3 points
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JohnnyLogan's picture

July 16, 2021 at 04:38 pm

Ok

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LeotisHarris's picture

July 16, 2021 at 08:58 pm

Speak with your doctor if you suffer from premature gloating. No need to suffer in this day and age. #fightthestigma

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Stroh's picture

July 17, 2021 at 08:18 am

OK thats as uninformed as you could possibly be! Gary is very strong. He is outstanding holding his ground vs the run. He has the complete package of size, strenght and speed, which explains why he was considered a possible top 10 pick!

3 points
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10ve 💚's picture

July 16, 2021 at 02:02 pm

Sic it to them! :)

0 points
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porupack's picture

July 16, 2021 at 04:41 pm

The real reason they're called mock drafts is, as you mentioned....to mock each other. Glad you've taken it well, Bure... Look forward to your next one, stay bold, and be prepared!

2 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 16, 2021 at 04:42 pm

Congrats on successfully predicting the player who the Packers would select. However, that's not the same thing as correctly predicting the best player they could have taken at pick 12. Who did you want GB to pick?

My choice, Brian Burns, has been better overall to date. My other choices in order (after a trade down) were Dexter Lawrence (better) and Jeffrey Simmons (maybe the best possible choice).

Gary is picking up steam and gaining ground on my choices, though, and might end up surpassing all of them. That's TBD. Gary was a boom or bust choice. I hope he continues to blossom in 2021 and 2022 while he is still on his rookie deal. I remember in one of the later snap count articles writing that Gary was blooming right before our very eyes - it was impossible not to notice.

Since we're gloating, this is one of the few times when I'd be happy with any of my top three choices for a high draft pick. I suppose it helps to be picking twelfth. I had Thornhill over Savage. I preferred Erik McCoy over Jenkins (both would have been fine picks). OTOH, I chose Sternberger over McLaurin, and I still remember being happy when GB drafted Carl Bradford, though that's a fourth rounder so it wasn't a high pick.

0 points
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porupack's picture

July 17, 2021 at 07:03 am

Now this is high quality honesty! revealing all the cards, not just the one lucky hand. Comparing realistic options. Even the best GMs with all the evaluations hit and miss. Too often posters dwell in fantasy land hindsight most of the time assuming just any ole player could have been had if the GM just was committed to the SB, and fuel the GM criticisms. Hahahah. I like that narrative too before I turn out the lights and go to sleep. Sometimes the narratives suggest reason for skepticism....as I remember Carl Bradford pick; "oh, but he plays like his hair is on fire".

3 points
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Stroh's picture

July 17, 2021 at 10:00 am

Hey TGR. Everyone knew Burns was going to be better as a rookie and/or early in his career. He was in exactly the role in college that he's playing in the NFL. Gary was not! He was used as a run stuffer at UM. In addition, I have to wonder how many sacks Burns would have had playing 25% of the snaps as a rookie like Gary did.

My choice was Simmons or possibly Sweat. Both have been productive early as well. Simmons has the chance to be a truly dominant DL. Gary wasn't on my radar much because of his size. I incorrectly considered him only as a 43 DE and didn't consider him as a 34 Edge.

I'm wondering if Gary might be getting the starting job as the RDE in the new scheme that Justin Smith played for SF under Fangio. Keke would be the next most likely for that role, but he's never shown to be tough against the run, nor a quality pass rusher. Using Gary would put him, Z Smith and P Smith all on the field at the same time. It would get the most talent on the field. And it wouldn't really be a dissimilar role for him since that's essentially what he played at UM. And he's very close in size to Justin Smith too. Smith was 6"3 285 and Gary 6"4 280. It might be the perfect fit for Gary and the Packers!

4 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 17, 2021 at 09:51 am

I liked Sweat as well, but not at 12, more like 30, and he went 26th or so. Sounds like you liked Sweat a little more than I did. Sweat has been good with 17 sacks over two seasons and I gather he is getting better. It might be one of those years when there were a lot of good choices.

I do remember exactly my first comment on Gary: "Awful pick - unless it works."

Yeah, that's mealy-mouthed but I was clear that choice number one was Burns. I didn't like that Gary didn't learn many pass rushing techniques despite three years at a big time school. I read about his off field interest, allegedly questionable work ethic and wondered whether he actually liked football - but those are things that fans can't really measure or assess not ever having met the person.

I didn't like Simmons enough to take him with pick 12 - that IMO needed a trade back but it looks like he would have been worth pick 12.

0 points
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Stroh's picture

July 17, 2021 at 10:11 am

Simmons would have been top 5 of that draft if not for the ACL and the off field incident. He was considered as good as Quinen Williams.

I did like Sweat more than others.

Gary was misused at UM. IF he had been a Badger he would have gone much higher in the draft and been on a JJ Watt career arc in his 1st 2 seasons. IIRC Watt went from 5 sacks and more than doubled it yr 2. Gary playing behind Smith's dramatically lowered his rookie and 2nd yr production. I imagine it would have for Burns as well (I has him about 20-25 overall.

3 points
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mrj007's picture

July 16, 2021 at 06:51 pm

Good call Bure! Glad Pack front office thought same.,,,

1 points
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Mike Rossmeier's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:52 pm

This is good to see, and maybe a reason to be hopeful.
But given the athleticism he was said to have, I never understood why the Bosa brothers could come in and immediately dominate, and Gary was still in training wheels.
It's hard to believe it would take him that long to learn a position played so close to the line.

4 points
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10ve 💚's picture

July 16, 2021 at 02:03 pm

True dat!

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

July 16, 2021 at 07:04 pm

Ask Pettine.

6 points
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Stroh's picture

July 17, 2021 at 08:42 am

The Bosa's have had their Dad, a former NFL DL himself teaching them the position since they were kids. The entered college w/ almost NFL ready technique. When they were drafted they were ready made players. They were also training specifically for football in general and DL specifically since childhood.

Gary is as close to the Bosa's as possible in that he has the size and athleticism (if not more). He has the best chance to become as good or possibly better than either of them as anyone!

5 points
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Hematite's picture

July 16, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Being a Michigan Wolverines fan, I saw a lot of Gary and never saw him as a first round pick.
I was astonished when the Packers took him at the12 spot.
I was certainly happy to see him up his game in the second half of last year, but I still don't have a lot of faith in him going forward.
I would love to be wrong!!!

4 points
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marpag1's picture

July 17, 2021 at 08:46 am

I hated the pick at the time. I admit it. I even said, "I'd be satisfied with player A, B, C, or D but just don't take Rashan Gary." OK, I was wrong. It happens. It's not that I thought it was impossible for Gary to excel. I loved his potential and his physical skills. It's that he didn't really show the production in college, and I thought it was too much of an unproven gamble for #12 in the draft. And truth be told we still need to see what he can do with a full year as "the man." I suspect he will continue to do well and prove me even more wrong. I'm OK with that.

3 points
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Stroh's picture

July 17, 2021 at 08:52 am

Hey its not Gary's fault that the coaches at UM had no clue how to unleash his potential! They used him as the run stuffer who took on double teams so Winovich had single blocking all the time! If Gary was a Badger he would have been unleashed in college and been more NFL ready when he was drafted (a la JJ Watt)!

Everyone knew Gary was going to be a top 15 pick if only because of his size speed and strength combo! It was only going to be a gradual process for Gary to develop because UM sucks!

-2 points
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marpag1's picture

July 17, 2021 at 10:45 am

No question, at least in hindsight, that he was used wrong at UM. But the fact that he had off-the-chart physical skills certainly did not guarantee that he would be a great pass rusher. There are tons of workout warriors with unreal measurables who still can't get it done on the field. While Gary was at UM the tape never really showed consistent success as a pass rusher, or at least we have to say that his college pass rush PRODUCTION (as opposed to potential) did not merit a #12 pick. It was a gamble that he would develop into something that he never was at Michigan.

1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

July 17, 2021 at 12:03 pm

He was rated to go in the top 10-12 picks by Pauline and most Knowledgeable football people. Simmons had the acl and can hold the fort, but is nowhere near the pass rusher Gary will become. Most thought the Giants would bag him and have Sweat move to the Pack, or Ferrell. The idea of Christian Wilkens would work if Pettine would have been multiple. Gary is the best value at that point in time.

-1 points
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Stroh's picture

July 18, 2021 at 06:08 pm

Simmons and Gary are playing much different postions tho. Simmons is built to play in the Chris Jones/Fletcher Cox role as a interior DL, while Gary is being used at OLB/Edge Rusher. So can't really compare them just based on sack numbers. Gary has the elite athleticism and size to become Great. Simmons was considered a Top 5 of the draft DL similar to Quinnen Williams. Either would have been a great pick and I'm not unhappy they took Gary. My choice would have been Simmons.

0 points
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Stroh's picture

July 18, 2021 at 03:15 pm

True there is no guarantee Gary would become a great pass rusher. He wasn't ever going to be bust either, a disappointment maybe, because if nothing else he was always going to be great in run D. I agree is production didn't merit #12 overall on its own. However, it is equally true that his elite physical traits and athleticism WERE absolutely worthy of being #12. Elite athleticism cannot be taught, but techniques certainly can.

The issues is do you draft striclty on production or do you try to project (as with EVERY draft pick) how they can develop and the possible the ceiling based on athleticism and ability.

1 points
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jont's picture

July 17, 2021 at 01:41 pm

I forget the name but I recall that pre-draft people were saying he wasn't even the best LB at Michigan, but also that his output was deceiving-- he attracted attention because he was such a beast and the other guys took the sacks and TFL. "He needs good coaching in a pro scheme," people said. OK.

It's taken a while, too long for some fans, but he had to overtake Z and Preston to get on the field, no?

He showed what he can do down the stretch last season. I have high hopes for him.

2 points
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Stroh's picture

July 18, 2021 at 03:19 pm

Gary wasn't a LB at UM. He was a run stuffing DE. That is how they used him. Kinda hard to develop a pass rush repertoire when your not put in that role often.

Gary really excelled end of last year, so I share your high hopes! (intentional or not, good Pink Floyd reference).

2 points
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White92's picture

July 16, 2021 at 01:20 pm

If I recall correctly, most folks just thought that he would be a project and wouldn't contribute much right away. if that's the case, the consensus was correct.

2 points
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jeremyjjbrown's picture

July 16, 2021 at 01:50 pm

I'll eat crow. Feed me Rashan, Feed me!

4 points
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Turophile's picture

July 17, 2021 at 02:40 am

The player I wanted so much in that 2019 draft was DL Jeffery Simmons as we could really have done with another high quality DL to go with Clark. He is turning out to be a good one.

Back then, Gary was the 12th pick overall. Simmons went at 19 (to the Titans), going that late because he was recovering from an ACL. Green Bay's second 1st round pick (Savage) went two spots later at 21.

If the Packers had been able to broker a deal to move up a few spots from 21 and got Simmons instead of Savage, I'd say that would have been worth it, but as much as I liked Simmons (and still do), if Gary keeps getting better it would be very hard to argue with his pick. Gary WAS a risk, because he was not a finished product, but he had athleticism to die for and is starting to look like a very high quality pick.

This is not a knock on Savage, who is a darn good player in his own right, just that Simmons filled a greater need, imo.

5 points
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Coldworld's picture

July 16, 2021 at 10:27 pm

I confess to the same hope, in retrospect I can’t see Pettine backing that or using him in a way that would have yielded his impact as drafted. OLBs were the stars and focus of Pettine’s design and that may well have resulted in the Gary pick. I differ in that I really liked the Gary pick after considerable digging afterwards, but I think he is a perhaps ultimately unwitting positive result of Pettine’s influence. Perhaps now we have a new coach that will change. Perhaps Slaton is the first sign already.

1 points
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Turophile's picture

July 17, 2021 at 02:45 am

I certainly didn't hate the Gary pick at the time, but I did think it was a risk pick, because the elite production wasn't there in college. A pick at #12 overall is pretty early for a risk pick.

As always, if it turns out well, big props to the GM..............and if it doesn't he carries the can.

1 points
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Stroh's picture

July 17, 2021 at 09:00 am

I was all over Simmons in that draft as well. He fell due to the ACL and the off field altercation w/ a woman his sister was fighting. He had top 5 talent at DL! I loved Simmons, but didn't think the ultra conservative Packers Dr would give him a 1st rd grade due to the ACL and they might have taken him off their board because of the off field incident.

0 points
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The_Justicar's picture

July 18, 2021 at 06:14 am

Simmons also had the incident in high school - punching a girl. He apologized and it was only one incident but GB has historically been hesitant to draft the Joe Mixon types and Simmons had a similar off field incident so maybe was off their Baird.

0 points
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mbpacker's picture

July 16, 2021 at 04:49 pm

I hope Preston Smith comes back and has a strong season, as well as Z. But no matter the case, the Packers has to find a way to have Gary on the filed more. They need to field the best players period. I think there is room for all 3 to be out there together, wrecking havoc.

3 points
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JohnnyLogan's picture

July 16, 2021 at 04:43 pm

They wreaked no havoc in the championship game going against an immobile statue of a QB. I feel people are thinking with their hearts. Gary is not yet what one would consider a really good football player. He may be at some point, given the progress he's made, but we've only seen flashes so far. A lot of players flash. He isn't even a starter at this point. He has a lot more to prove.

2 points
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Leatherhead's picture

July 16, 2021 at 06:03 pm

Well, they did stifle Tampa’s run game, and they got enough pressure to create multiple interceptions.

Brady may be a statue, but he’s a statue with a quick release.

—————-++++—————

I have a son the same age as Gary. When he graduated from the Academy at 22 , he was drafted by the Intelligence community, who promptly sent him to the Intelligence training program at San Angelo, Texas, for a year. Then he was assigned to the HQ of the Air Combat Command, and they started preparing him for a career as a Combat Air Advisor. He’s grown substantially stronger physically but still isn’t like some of the older men in his unit.

The point is that they didn’t expect him to leave college a year early and dominate . They expected him to work hard, get better, and do his best. And Gary has done that.

5 points
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stockholder's picture

July 16, 2021 at 04:45 pm

There are a lot reasons to say Gutey should have taken someone else. And we wouldn't be wrong! I believe it's more the player wanting to prove everyone wrong. Not Guteys selections.

-9 points
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mbpacker's picture

July 16, 2021 at 04:55 pm

Sounds like your talking about #12. He uses slights, whatever, as motivation which raises his level of play. What ever Gary does to motivate and raise his game is good for me. I would venture that there are a lot of players who do all sorts of things, like proving others wrong, to stay motivated. Just win!

3 points
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stockholder's picture

July 16, 2021 at 05:02 pm

Yep.

-1 points
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jannes bjornson's picture

July 16, 2021 at 07:14 pm

It was either Gary or Montez Sweat.

0 points
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fastmoving's picture

July 17, 2021 at 04:33 am

Who is "we"? You are alone and your are the only guy here who is always wrong. Maybe it comes from your fear about everything. Bet I would fell sorry for you if I see you in real life. You dream everyday being 1 % the guy Gute or MM are, I got that.
Hope you find another guy like you soemday so you can really say "we".

-5 points
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Ferrari-Driver's picture

July 16, 2021 at 08:03 pm

The first couple of years I was disgusted with Adams and his dropping passes and thought the Packers made a mistake spending a 2nd round draft choice on him. In fact I was almost to the point of wanting him cut from the team. Now look he is arguably the best wide receiver in the game.

When they picked Gary at number 12, I almost went through the roof. I really wanted a wide receiver and felt it was a wasted pick. Now it is looking like he could become a pro bowl player down the road.

In conclusion, I decided I'm mighty glad I am not the General Manager of my favorite team.

10 points
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Roadrunner23's picture

July 16, 2021 at 08:05 pm

I love Gary as a developing prospect, I wasn't thrilled with the pick at the time but I am changing my mind:

*Gary is a tireless worker both on and off the field

*Gary is an affable character that is well spoken and easy to like

*Gary loves being in Green Bay (unlike some people)

*Gary seems to be on the verge of a huge year in 2021

I'm willing to admit that Gutey knows more about draft prospects than I do and I am officially on the Gary bandwagon!

Go Pack!!

10 points
10
0
PhantomII's picture

July 16, 2021 at 08:29 pm

The Gary pick was a lot like the Love pick. Potential, but not what we really NEEDED at the time. HOF QB and the Smiths already on the roster before the draft. Gary is turning the potential into reality and should have already been starting. Love is still a question mark. I think Gary has All Pro potential in the short term. We have a lot of good players on that side of the ball which should help out also. If stokes turns out to be another shut down CB....We will have hit pay dirt and our OLB's will be feasting on some QB's. Good times ahead on defense and offense no matter how that turns out.

7 points
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porupack's picture

July 17, 2021 at 07:06 am

All players, are just that....potential. There is no sure predictor. Long lists of 1st round busts. There is a significant weight of opinion that you draft talent and best players, not specifically on need....(thought this is almost never true as all teams shift to some best players within immediate or near term needs),

-1 points
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1
PhantomII's picture

July 17, 2021 at 03:27 pm

Default is LSU player who is awesome in College. Hard to miss that one. Take that over all else if it's confusing.

0 points
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BAMABADGER's picture

July 16, 2021 at 10:02 pm

Ain't buying it... Yet. A #12 pick and he just started showing "some potential" in his second season.

-3 points
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PhantomII's picture

July 16, 2021 at 10:19 pm

He's a man amongst boys speed and strength nobody is effectively blocking this guy. Pettine horrible decisions have slowed his rise.He was GB PFF best rusher latter part of season. Again his DC has slowed his progression and he was raw DL, not an OLB. He's doing fine. He has earned the starting spot with Z.

1 points
4
3
fastmoving's picture

July 17, 2021 at 04:35 am

Dont have to buy it, you can always buy it on the top like the blind smarties always do.....
GARY was huge last year...........

-1 points
2
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Coldworld's picture

July 17, 2021 at 01:06 pm

I’m looking forward to seeing Gary without Pettine. Pettine was a mess of contradictions last year and hardly aggressive and his player usage was headscratching at times.

1 points
1
0
KnockTheSnotOutOfYou's picture

July 17, 2021 at 07:36 am

I read everything there was to be said about Gary pre-draft and there was almost nothing that was promising. Not sure if I have ever seen more negative comments about a top tiered player coming out in the draft. The comments here at CHTV were scandalous.

Yes, I had identified a few DL players I wanted the Packers to take but as always I believe in the Packers scouting and decision making. I certainly was not upset with Gutey's selection of Gary whatsoever. What it did do was research him even further and monitor his development to see Guteys rationale behind the selection. Maybe like Aaron Rodger's sitting in the green room during draft day watching himself fall down the draft board it motivated him to become a better player. Similarly, maybe Gary reading all the negative shit about him being lazy and being an under performer motivated him? Regardless, glad we have Gary and he certainly should be starting over Preston.

Someone mentioned this above but I too desperately wanted Gutey to move back up in the latter part of round 1 to draft DL Simmons. You can never have enough talented big lineman on either side of the ball. Savage is a good player and is going to continue to improve, so I dont think you can say Gutey screwed up taking Savage over Simmons, but I certainly would have taken Simmons.

3 points
3
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 17, 2021 at 09:30 am

Simmons was picked 19th. GB had pick 30 and moved up to 21 to take Savage. I suppose Gute could have added another pick to get to 18? Yeah, I liked Simmons because I viewed him as a top 5 to 10 pick if healthy.

1 points
1
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stockholder's picture

July 17, 2021 at 10:01 am

Burns , Simmons, Lawrence, Sweat. These 4 all have done well. The guy to replace Daniels was Lawrence. But he tested positive for pot. Simmons was recovering. Burns really was a 4-3. Wilkins was my choice to replace Lowrey and has been injured. Regardless Gute avoided the DL. Taking KeKE (LATER) and expecting Lowrey to be great. Was THE Mistake . Making Gary switch positions has paid off. So it is what it is.

1 points
3
2
Stroh's picture

July 18, 2021 at 03:23 pm

Simmons would have been a far better choice to replace Daniels. Simmons is far superior to Daniels or Lawrence/Wilkins!

0 points
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Stroh's picture

July 17, 2021 at 11:13 am

For all we know Gutey tried to move up to get Simmons. But couldn't pry the pick from Tenn. Hell if I was Tenn I wouldn't have given that pick up for anything less than a franchise QB with Simmons sitting there. In addition Gutey had to give up 2 4ths? to move up from 30 to get to 21. It would have required another pick or a higher pick to get that extra couple spots. Its easy to say, but harder to do.

Like I said, nothing short of a franchise QB would have made me trade that pick and not take Simmons!

0 points
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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

July 18, 2021 at 05:36 am

Very possibly. We both liked Simmons' talent. As perhaps overly conscious of the salary cap, I figured Simmons would miss all or most of the 2019 season, and being a defensive lineman, be just okay in his first year actually playing (his sophomore NFL season) as DL tend to do, especially those coming off an injury. Two years was enough for me to downgrade his draft stock to needing to trade back before I'd have selected him. He came back more quickly than expected and played better for a rookie than I expected, and then he made the second year jump to near elite status in 2020.

As long as we're doing true confessions, I would have stayed at 30. It just happened to be one of those years where there were a lot of guys I liked still on the board in the first, second and third rounds when GB picked. At 30, I liked Kaleb McGary (guard as a rookie and then as a replacement for Bulaga - saves money as well), maybe Risner, but probably Thornhill (a reach in hindsight I suppose since he went late 2nd), or Deebo Samuels. I am not sure whether I would have taken Greedy Williams at 44 or Erik McCoy. Greedy was meh as a rookie (hamstring injury caused to miss the first 4 games and nerve damage in his shoulder in TC for 2020 caused him to miss all of 2020 after never missing a game at LSU. Great athlete, but Greedy had red flags as to work ethic and willingness to tackle. I argued with BDU on APC between McLaurin and Sternberger, and chose the latter. I'd have had two fourths, but no one after the top five in the fourth interested me. I'd have been fine using a 4th on Keke - loved that pick - and I liked Mack Wilson but in the 5th. I remember liking Van Grinkel though half of my comments on him were about his name and I was concerned that he was too light to play for GB.

I probably would have taken Burns, Thornhill, Erik McCoy, Sternberger, Keke, Wilson (apparently a terrible pick) and maybe Van Grinkel (not bad so far). I don't remember liking anybody taken in the 6th and 7th rounds even after looking at PFR's draft selections.

0 points
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Qoojo's picture

July 17, 2021 at 10:11 am

That's kind of what I find so funny about the draft. How excited people get and the pageantry of nothing. Every single pick is a dice roll that takes years to determine to what the final value is. Yet armchair GMs know day 0, and the talking heads give immediate draft grades.

Bob Loblaw: "Packers rolled 7 D20 dice, and I give them a C- day of dice roll grade. I liked the 2 deep green die the most."

-2 points
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2
PhantomII's picture

July 17, 2021 at 10:27 am

I don't know about you but to me, it's pretty obvious the top 20 or so players drafted, which ones are day 1 starters. Injuries do come into play, but generally.....no rocket science needed to make those decisions. I wanted Gute to move up for Jefferson at 20....we get Love and a wrench in the wheels that are turning.....Not too hard to figure out. If you need a top WR, you go get him. I even called pick #20. Unbelievable.

-2 points
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