Packers Need More from Kenny Clark and Rashan Gary This Season
By GilMartin
If you were to ask most people before the season started who was most likely to lead the Packers in sacks, the names of Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark would have been part of the conversation. Gary led the team in sacks last season and was one more year removed from his season-ending knee injury suffered back in November of 2022. Clark made the Pro Bowl last season for the third time in his career and had a career-high 7.5 sacks. But, after four games, neither player is living up to expectations and both need to improve their pass rush and pick up their overall games.
Gary had a sack in the season opener against the Eagles in Brazil. But since then, he’s struggled to get pressure on the quarterback. After having 22 quarterback hits a year ago according to pro-football-reference.com, this year he has just two through four games.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gary’s pass rush grade is below average. While the former Michigan star was never known as a great run defender, his grade against the run is currently significantly higher than his pass rush grade.
The Packers did adjust their pass rush in the first two games to contain dangerous running quarterbacks. But even taking that into consideration, Gary just doesn’t seem to be playing at his usual level, especially on the pass rush. He’s presently on pace for just four sacks on the season which is less than half of the number he had last season.
Gary was expected to benefit from Jeff Hafley coming in and installing a four-man front. He had played on the defensive line at Michigan and had experience starting plays with his hand on the ground. Instead, Gary seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle.
The coaches are defending Gary and think he will get back on track. “We’ve got to develop a plan around him, continue to have different options and matchups and things like that to make sure we’re utilizing his talents each week,” said defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich. “But there’s chips and what we call thumps on tight ends and running backs and slider protections and things like that to 52 quite a bit. There is some frustration there, but that’s our standard. He’s got to understand that we have to continue to grow to be able to meet those expectations that we’re asking him to do.”
Clark is coming off a strong season a year ago. The new four-man front was supposed to be able to free him up to make more plays. The defense was considered more aggressive and relied on having linemen penetrate at the line of scrimmage. That is something that Clark excelled at throughout his career.
But through four games, Clark has been almost invisible on the field. He has made just 10 total tackles despite being on the field for 71 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. A year ago, Clark recorded 16 quarterback hits. This season, he has yet to register even one. The UCLA alum has also yet to record a tackle for loss. In 2023, he recorded 16 or practically one per game.
The coaching staff has been defending Clark who is returning to Los Angeles where he played his college football on Sunday. “I love Kenny,” Hafley said. “I think he's helping us in the run game a lot, and I think we can do more things to help him get more production in the pass game.”
On Thursday, Hafley added, “I think Kenny [Clark] has done a good job. I think he’s one of the best interior D-linemen in the NFL and as this thing shakes out, everybody’s going to continue to see that.”
The Packers defense is still adjusting to Hafley’s system after three years under Joe Barry. But if the defense is to step up and help this team contend for a Super Bowl, they will need better performances from both Gary and Clark to get there.
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You can follow Gil Martin on Twitter @GilPackers
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Comments (10)
Since'75
October 05, 2024 at 10:27 am
I listened to Nags radio show with Billy S. almost 2 weeks ago.
They started mocking fans who comment on a players performance against the money they make.
Apparently fans shouldn't involve themselves with what the player makes because, they're stupid?
I don't know.
What i do know, is that is b s.
An intelligent fan with logical reasoning has every right to talk about a players salary, and what they get compensated, and what is expected for that compensation.
I've harped on Smith's and Gay's compensation for awhile. Now it seems like others are catching up.
Yes, both Smith and Gary have their moments here and there, at which time i give credit.
But they aren't getting payed to make a play every 3 or 4 games (here and there).
With Gary, there are certain 'expectations' that come along with being the 12th pick, and a top 5 paid edge rusher.
I understand i'm just a dumb fan that should keep my mouth shut and just Carry the G, but sorry, i do my own thinking.
I watch some games thinking, where has Smith and Gary been, did they play?
I get on Gary the most because he's paid to produce. Again....there are expectations, when you are paid generational wealth.
Sorry....but that's reality, that is where i live.
Gary was touted has being the best high school prospect in the Nation.
Then in college, the excuse was he was more of a supporting player.
What is the excuse now?
Well, i've heard, he has a a lot of pressures.
Well, so do a lot of players, but they aren't averaging 24 mill/year.
I can remember watching playoff games where Gary had absolutely no impact whatsoever.
As far as Smith and the money Gute/Ball keep giving him, i just don't get that either.
Smith has made about 57 million as a Packer.
Gary has made about 64 million as a Packer.
That's a total of 111 million.
For that, i expect consistent play makers.
Critical thinking tells us, that isn't happening
bjkdad44
October 05, 2024 at 03:08 pm
I agree 100%
LLCHESTY
October 05, 2024 at 04:53 pm
Apparently you didn't listen very well because they were making the point that if a player has a bad game and the FIRST thing a fan thinks of is how much they make them they should find something else to do with their time.
SinceLombardi
October 06, 2024 at 02:40 pm
And while we are talking about defense, I would take Rasul Douglas over Alexander in a heartbeat. I have been watching Buffalo a few times this year.. I don’t even think it’s close. Douglass actually makes tackles on running backs, and gets up and keeps playing.
Major Snafu
October 06, 2024 at 07:53 pm
Being a big M fan you are correct. Gary was highly touted as the next coming. He wasn't.
First I almost prayed Gutt would not draft him.
Pre draft he was rated a second or early third rounder. The knock on him and why I think he failed in college and now, he lacked upper body strength. He had issues dealing with the top o linemen with superior strength. In college I noticed a pattern he would have an injury when they played a top opponent like osu. He got his sacks against the Rutgers of the world..
Gutt took him because he thought Gary could be used in multiple positions wearasbad tj watt, he is just a pass rusher.
Gman1976
October 05, 2024 at 11:25 am
When I read such reports of Clark & Gary not performing up to their pay scale, my first reaction was to wonder if they are injured. Sure enough, recently it's been reported that Clark has been suffering from a lingering toe injury. I haven't heard anything about any injuries to Gary; but what I have often found that such athletes don't advertise that they are hurting. I suspect that their play has been affected by injuries and/or by a new system. Time will tell. Hopefully, they will be there ol' selves soon & get the stats we are used to seeing. If they don't, the Packers may not make the playoffs and the Packers may lose a lot of money for poor play.
SinceLombardi
October 06, 2024 at 07:57 pm
Rashan Gary hasn’t done much since he signed his big contract. I’m not at all saying he’s not trying or whatever.. but it’s a results oriented league. He’s giving them next to nothing game after game.
nagawicka
October 05, 2024 at 12:11 pm
Nah. This is standard NFL line play. You don't always get your way. Opposing OLinemen are large and angry and motivated by very large paychecks. Their fans are told 'we paid him $big$, so he'll dominate other veryvery large men'. It's a promise NO NFL franchise can keep. Yet Green Bay Packers fans SOMEHOW believe that dominant superbowl level line play is some sort of birthright, right outta the gate game1, like a Christmas present of 'everthin they ever wantid, Mama!' Newsflash. The NFL doesn't work like that. Your expectations mean zero on the field and in relation to what's likely or possible. Also, DLine performance already proved the complaints (after 1 game!) dead wrong and dumbasarock: they did it last year; they've got the pieces; and the players will work into form over the course of a few more games, same it's always been in the NFL; while Hafley's defense works out a few kinks.
You go looking for trouble that's not there, you'll find drama all right. Drama never helped a defensive tackle do the heavy lifting they're already hauling ass on.
Oppy
October 05, 2024 at 01:00 pm
Literally nobody who knows a thing about football or the Packers would have been predicting Kenny Clark was going to be leading the Packers in sacks.
What world do you live in?
Coldworld
October 05, 2024 at 07:04 pm
Is it just the players or how the scheme works or how adjusted they are to it? Certainly we need more. Not only from those two either. I expect more aggression from Hafley. I expect more intelligent play from the DL.