With Pick #12 GB Selects Rashan Gary DE/OLB Michigan

[GBP4EVER]

This is a conscious choice and unless they are totally incompetent as a group, this is being done with the blessing of Mike Pettine.

Preston Smith combine - 6'5"-271#
ZaDarius Smith combine - 6'4" - 274#
Rashan Gary combine - 6'4" - 277#

These are all square pegs who are not truly OLBs. Gary is the best athlete among them, but they are in most ways clones of each other. IMO, there is no way this is happening unless Pettine is telling the front office not to get those more typical OLB type bodies. This is what he wants and will tailor his defense to make best use of them.

I'm concerned, but I don't think this is about Gute being foolish.

Was there not talk that Za'Darius and Gary are near clones in their type of play?

 

[Terranimal]

Most seem to be jumping to conclusions here by hearing Gary is listed as OLB.

Agree if a true olb that's a mistake. However, what is the real definition of an Edge Rusher?

IMO it's a hybrid of the old Elephant end. Under sized DE that 9ers, Packers and other ran back in early 90s.

We have 4 real OLBers already. So can't see Gary being a true OLB after the $ we spent on the Smiths.

 

[rpiotr01]

Most seem to be jumping to conclusions here by hearing Gary is listed as OLB.

Agree if a true olb that's a mistake. However, what is the real definition of an Edge Rusher?

IMO it's a hybrid of the old Elephant end. Under sized DE that 9ers, Packers and other ran back in early 90s.

We have 4 real OLBers already. So can't see Gary being a true OLB after the $ we spent on the Smiths.

If nobody knows what the defense will look like, or which players are best suited to doing what, then this is same old crap, different coordinator. The best defenses have a degree of simplicity to them.

 

[Mark87]

Most seem to be jumping to conclusions here by hearing Gary is listed as OLB.

That's Horse poo >

He’ll start in the outside linebacker room. He’s a guy because of his size and speed and versatility, you’d hope you can move him around the front,” Packers scout Joe Hueber told reporters Thursday night. “He’s done some standup stuff already. He’s had to play multiple positions and move around. Probably needs to learn some of the (coverage) drop stuff.

That was reinforced by the HC and DC last week at rookie camp so we are assuming nothing other then what the Packers themselves are saying.

 

[FlaPack]

“Probably needs to learn some of the (coverage) drop stuff.” Probably? Oh that’s rich

 

[GBP4EVER]

Will be interesting if he's OLB because what you invested in the Smith boys you expect them to be out there 80% of the time are the going to be running a lot of sub packages were they go 1-2 DL fronts to put a extra LB on the field?

 

[eyecatcher]

Will be interesting if he's OLB because what you invested in the Smith boys you expect them to be out there 80% of the time are the going to be running a lot of sub packages were they go 1-2 DL fronts to put a extra LB on the field?

How often have the Packers had the luxury of all the starting OLBs healthy? It's good to have depth and despite that I still think he lines up inside as often or more than he lines up on the end of the line

 

[Backthepack4ever]

well on passing downs you can bet Z will move inside. He did tons of damage from rushing inside last yr. I can see them using Gary like this also. There is nothing wrong with having extra pass rushers, esp with the packers injury history. big versatile guys is what MP wants and he got it. hopefully it all works out

 

[Terranimal]

Reading back over this thread brought some thoughts/questions to mind.

First is on passing downs could we maybe see guys moved around and some kind of 4/3/Elephant version of D with pressure also coming from one or both Smiths whether inside or outside or both?

Or maybe shoot Gary inside from Burk's ILB position with Smith's outside and gasp....Martinez covering or maybe even off the field and using an extra Safety/DB?

If anything should open up for more possibilities to be creative and get the QB.

I look at what Belechik did and adjusted against the Rams after losing his Safety with the rush, which got me thinking...

 

[realitybytes]

is there really any such thing as "passing downs" any more? outside of a few obvious situations like third and very long, that is. and then there's the trend of no-huddle offenses where the defense can't switch personnel. i think the days of having one-trick pony specialists on defense are in the past.