If the competitive team periods during Tuesday’s joint practice in Green Bay were any indication, Packers edge rusher Za’Darius Smith is well on his way to becoming not only the most important player on Mike Pettine’s defense, but one of the best free-agent additions of the NFL’s offseason.
DeShaun Watson and the Houston Texans probably want nothing more to do with the Packers’ new No. 55.
Smith, who signed a $66 million deal to join the Packers this offseason, dominated team periods of third-down passing and two-minute offense.
On one early play, Smith and rookie Rashan Gary each collapsed the pocket with bull-rushes from the outside and forced a hurried, inaccurate throw from Watson. Later, he lined up inside, stunted outside and likely would have obliterated Watson on a dead sprint in a real game situation.
Arguably his best rush came on the final play of the two-minute drill. And this time, he actually hit Watson – accidentaly. Smith blew past rookie offensive lineman Tytus Howard on an inside rush and then was pushed into Watson by Howard, causing an unintentional collison (and sack) that ended the two-minute period.
There was no fight after the hit. The Texans clearly saw Howard push Smith right into the quarterback. Watson had no problem with the incident when asked after the practice.
The Packers’ new edge rusher is shaping up to have a monster season. Smith is such a big, physical and slippery rusher. And he’s also perfect for Pettine, who is going to put him at every spot along the defensive line in passing situations.
Last season, the Packers had to manufacture much of their pressure on the quarterback. That’s changing fast. Now, Pettine has a legitimate difference-maker in Smith, who unleashed his wrath on the Texans during a dominant half-hour of work on Tuesday.
