Packers Daily: Packers expect big jump from Lukas Van Ness
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst says that the team is expecting a big jump from the 13th overall pick in the 2023 draft.
By PackerAaron
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Comments (9)
dblbogey
February 25, 2025 at 07:22 pm
I see no reason to expect a big jump from Van Ness. He's strong, plays 100%, but I've seen enough in 2 years not to expect anything beyond what he's shown.
bjkdad44
February 25, 2025 at 09:03 pm
Can’t the coaches TEACH LVN other moves??… I have no faith in the present coaches!!
jannesbjornson
February 26, 2025 at 08:46 am
No blood from turnip....
Leatherhead
February 26, 2025 at 09:20 am
Well, my own son graduated from college and was commissioned in the Air Force. He wasn't immediately deployed, he wasn't immediately assigned to JSOC. He had to grow and learn for a few years before he was ready.
Van Ness has been a solid player for us. I know it's fashionable to put down our players for not being "good enough" , but the reality is, that if we cut him today every single team in the league would want him on their roster.
I can name a long list of players who were better in their third year. A long list.
PhantomII
February 25, 2025 at 08:33 pm
As high as Gary and Van Ness were drafted.....They should both be getting 10-14 sacks like the 2x Smiths used to.
I expect mid level play unless we do something crazy like hit on 2 stud DL with a big pass rush in them.
bjkdad44
February 25, 2025 at 09:04 pm
Agree 100%
Leatherhead
February 26, 2025 at 09:21 am
How many teams have two players with 10+ sacks?
Nevermind, I'll just look it up.
17 players had 10 or more sacks. Baltimore, Minnesota, Houston and Denver each had two players with 10 or more sacks. Minnesota was the only one in the NFC, one out of sixteen. Minnesota, Houston, and Denver did not win a playoff game.
IMO, you have kind of unrealistic expectations. I'm going to use Kyle Van Noy, who had 12.5 sacks for Baltimore this year at age 33. It was the first season of his career with 10+ sacks. The previous season he had 9. The other 8 seasons of his 10 year career has never been more than six. In his rookie year, he had 0. After 5 seasons, he had 5 career sacks.
So Van Noy....who performed this year the way you think Gary and VanNess should.....didn't really get going early. Would you be willing to bet me a six pack of Pabst that I could find many other examples of guys that didn't really turn it on their first year or two? I'm pretty sure I can, and I'm thinking of examples right now.
Packers0808
February 26, 2025 at 08:11 am
Didn't we hear that same song and dance last year about Van Ness?
PackEyedOptimist
February 26, 2025 at 10:53 am
Keep in mind, “rushing four” doesn’t necessarily mean four LINEMEN. Hafley dropped a lineman and rushed a linebacker or DB multiple times last year.
That’s why my favorite first round pick for us is LB Jihaad Campbell.
He’s great in coverage AND is great rushing. With him and Cooper (and Walker) you could “rush four” but really confuse the offensive line with really good rushers.