Speaking of Rashan Gary, I have never been a fan of him. He's always seemed only interested in sacking the opposing quarterback. Over and over through the years, opposing runners have been able to turn the corner on Gary because he mostly only concentrates on getting to the quarterback and forgets to guard his outside corner.

I was against the amount of money that the Packers gave to him almost a year ago on a four year contract extensioon, 17 million dollars a year. I actually thought that the Packers should have traded him for a high draft pick. But the argument for keeping him was not bad: he was only 26 years old and coming off a torn ACL the year before: he could only get better, right? And he did end up with 9 quarterback sacks by the end of last season coming close to his best sack year two years before in 2021. 9.5. Expectations of him were high, obviously. Still, even so, I still thought 17 million a year for him was too high. And so far, this year, he has definitely not been worth 17 million.

I wonder if Cooper can play off the edge .

Hey when teachers get a pay raise it doesnt mean they will be better teachers. Mo money needs nothing really.

Gary got the big bucks and I cant for the life of me understand why when he has been avg at best since we got him.
Preston Smith looks old, slow and over weight to me.

Look, we have a pass rush. Its not a good pass rush but its a pass rush. Guys without power, speed or strenght to move, offensive linemen off their marks and get to the QB. I look at the Lions. Hutchinson is an island, he is the pass rush and he is being asked to do it alone since no one else is any good. Had they drafted a book end for him, they would be awesome but they opted for dbacks who arent very good right now.

You need more then one guy to be good. Youve got two who arent so thats what it is. a rush but not a good rush and the d coach with 4 rushes is kind of lost because those 4 arent very good. Neither is the ILB, so your coaching crap players is all.

Getting picks is often times a sign of a good pass rush. But not always. Doesn't really seem like it right now.

This defense right now has the vibe that it is hinging it's success on creating turnovers. That feels pretty good since they didn't create many last year. I dunno, my heart would be warmed if I seen more three and outs and forcing the other team to punt.

Gary was never really a pass rushing king pin. It wasn't in his college days and even though he has some sacks to his credit, it isn't his strong suit right now. He's pretty good against the run but not really great against the pass. Just average or a little above.

I can still remember the day he was drafted and texting back and forth with a friend and we both said, "What?" Then on the next pick when Wilkins went to Miami we agreed that should have probably been the pick. Gary was pick 12 and usually that should be an immediate impact player, but because of the Smith "brothers" he was a project. Okay, we went along with that and he did get better and better. Z Smith was later gone and Gary got into his starting role and at times showed some flash but this has taken years - for a number 12 pick. I don't dislike him but I've never been on the hype train and I certainly don't go down the road of making excuses like, he's creating such great pressure, or making it possible for others to get sacks. Maybe at times, but not usually. Many times he seems to be overplaying the edge and getting washed out of the play (more last year and before than now). Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see him succeed up to the level others seem to think he's at. He doesn't have the moves or the quickness of his launch to be much better than he is right now. He's getting handled by offensive linemen who aren't necessarily All-Pros. He should have commanded in this last game.

The other downer. Van Ness isn't much different of a project. Very very athletic, fast as hell, high RAS and no moves. Where and when was he ever a dominant pass rusher in college? He wasn't. It wasn't something Iowa did. Van Ness is going to have to learn a move or two other than a just a bull rush. Otherwise he's Gary 2.0.

Look, if this team wants to have a weapon pass rusher from the line they'll have to find one by trade or FA, or draft one. If they draft one, it better not just be the - fall in love with the stud at the Underwear Olympics who puts up the best RAS. Find a pass rusher who rushed a passer in college and got home doing it. Who came from a system that had a great pass rush and has some moves in his toolbox and knows how to use them.

Now if the coverage develops better and better (besides just McKinney) that should create some more precious seconds for getting to the QB and hopefully getting some pressures, sacks, and 3/outs. It can get better.