The Covid-19 pandemic has made it very easy to get lazy. Everyone has to avoid gyms and instead do at-home workouts if they desire to stay in shape during the crisis. The circumstances have made it especially difficult for NFL players as they are unable to utilize team facilities or begin offseason programs. He has every excuse to do nothing, but Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary is using quarantine to get better.
Throughout lockdown the Packers 2019 first-round draft choice has been posting and retweeting videos on his Twitter account of him doing offseason workouts. Naturally, it’s hard to read much into a 30-second clip, but Gary does appear ready for when the team is back together. Whenever that may be.
In his rookie season, Gary played sparingly considering where he was selected. After adding both edge rushers Za’Darius Smith and Preston Smith during the 2019 free agency period, Green Bay used the 12th overall selection on another possible outside linebacker in Gary.
Gary appeared in all 16 games totaling 2.0 sacks, 21 tackles, and three QB hits last year. Altogether his 244 defensive snaps accounted for 24 percent of the team’s total defensive plays. Obviously, the Packers and Gary hope for more in year two.
When the team drafted Gary, they believed they were getting a gifted athlete who could play in multiple alignments. Even after an impressive 2019 campaign on defense, there was reason to believe a running mate beside defensive tackle Kenny Clark could bolster the run defense.
Perhaps the team is hoping they have an answer in Gary after doing very little to address the defensive tackle spot this offseason. In recent drafts, Green Bay used mid-round selections on defensive tackle prospects Montravious Adams and Kingsley Keke, but neither has done enough to be considered for more than a rotational player.
Meanwhile, Gary may have the most upside to be a promising 3-tech beside Clark and make an immediate impact on next year’s defense.
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Brandon Carwile was a Cheesehead at birth. His dad grew up attending games at Lambeau and passed on the legacy. He has covered the Packers for over five years and currently works with packerstalk.com. Find him on twitter at @PackerScribe.
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4 responses to “Rashan Gary Getting Better Despite Lockdown”
Gary is a key to this year’s defense. If his play matches his talent, he could be special. Also, seems a little early to write off Keke.
Agreed and I do too…
Hopefully the NFL season is played. If so i think Gary continues to progress with a big jump in year two. The kid was switched to an entirely different position and frankly didn’t get many snaps at all. This year people will begin to understand Gutes fascination with this kid.
I wouldn’t write off Keke either. He” remind some of Cullen Jenkins before long with his pass rushing abilities.
I never understood how people automatically but into an obviously edited video for desired effect.
Keke was on the field less than Gary, his lack of production mirrors the #1 round draft choice – Mr. Gary. From the weird workout clips, Gary is Dancing With the Stars material (once he demonstrates he in fact is an NFL star).