Rookie Rashan Gary has been a standout during individual and team pass-rushing drills early on at training camp, but Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur has been specifically impressed with the effort level of the team’s first-round pick.
The Packers want to see execution and energy from snap to whistle, and that’s exactly what Gary has shown.
“It is early, so we’ll see once we get to the game action, but he’s done a lot of nice things,” LaFleur said after Sunday’s practice. “The one thing I’ve really liked that he’s shown is the effort he plays with. The way we define that is if you see a change of speed, a burst, then to max speed and then to the finish. He’s had some good clips to show to the team.”
Some knocked Gary’s motor during the pre-draft process. GM Brian Gutekunst and the Packers dismissed those criticisms without hesitation, and early camp practices suggest the Packers got the evaluation right.
LaFleur highlighted Gary’s pursuit of run plays as early evidence of his non-stop effort level.
“For example, if we’re running the ball, and the ball gets down the field, to see him continue, after he sets the edge, to continue to pursue from behind and finish with the rip attempt,” LaFleur said.
Gary is also standing out in other ways. He’s been dominant at times in one-on-one passing-rushing drills, and he had at least one noteworthy pass rush during Sunday’s practice.
On one passing play during a team period, Gary stunted inside and had a free run at the quarterback. He showed impressive speed and closing ability for a 277-pounder.
“That was a great play,” LaFleur said. “There was a stunt up front where he came screaming free through the A-gap. I don’t think any of these quarterbacks are going to like that.”
The Packers are only four practices into training camp, but Gary is showing flashes of being the real deal. He reported to camp in terrific shape, cutting his body fat to 10 percent, and he’s demonstrating the combination of effort and playmaking ability all teams expect from a first-round pick.
