Thanks, Al. I always appreciate these articles.

It's not as bad as we think? I beg to differ. He's had ONE sack in his past 12 games. The plays highlighted here show nothing more than he's getting pressure and getting close (although not in #3), but that's about it. Yes, a hold should have been called in #2.

I would hope the coaching staff is breaking down Gary's film and finding the differences between his play during the past 12 games and say, the previous 30 where he was performing quite well from a pass rush standpoint.

I swear fixing this defense is like playing a game of Whac-A-Mole. First you fix the LB corps and then a problem springs up with your first round pick. Then you rebuild the safety room successfully and that's tamped down. But then you find you have a problem with your pass rush despite investing heavily in it over the past few years.

Hafley can only do so much with creative blitzing. In this case I think it's largely up to the individual player to get better and improve his repertoire.

Thanks, Coach Jersey Al! Good breakdowns.

With Gary, I have learned to patient.

I did not like the draft selection. By year 2, I did. I was wrong.

A great career seemed to be blossoming, then he had the ACL in Nov 2022.

I expected he'd be out for a year, maybe longer. I was amazed he was ready to play by game one in 2023 and then played in all 17 games with 9 sacks.

As Al shows with his 3 plays, the talent is still there. So is the effort. So after 5 games, I should rely on patience again. He's earned it.

Last half of last year teams were double teaming and chipping him quite often. I wonder if going back to the hand in the dirt has him still trying to figure it out on the pass rush. I'm no football genius, but maybe coaches should try standing him up on obvious passing downs.

You’re right about one thing Al, most of us are wondering WTH happened to the pass rush.
It’s not just Gary—where are these other dudes?
Frankly, I believe it’s going to improve—we have the talent and Cooper is going to become more and more relevant.
Go Packers!!!

On these three plays Gary might be a tick short, but instead watch Preston Smith. Slooowww. His time may be past. Show me some LVN with Gary together, let's see what they are doing. Gary and Enegbare together? Gary and Cox? Mabry? Preston has always been solid, but not making mistakes doesn't mean he's contributing in a more meaningful and impactful way.

One thing is evident... More Cooper.

Good to see some good pass rushing reps from Gary. It seems like every time he gets a good rush the QB releases the ball extremely quickly. So bad luck has played a part in Gary's unimpressive start. I haven't given up on him yet.

On that first play Al, Rashan Gary gets directed inside by the Tackel and Karl Brooks get directed outside by the guard - effectively blocking each other's lane to the QB........ and with Walker playing spy, the A gap is as big as an A+B gap (giving Stafford complete unobstructed view of the crossing routes).

FYI - Clark got double teamed by the C + RG and Smith was easily accounted for by the LT.

Summary: Stafford was respected too much as a running QB and Quay Walker should have blitzed more often. This play is a completely different story vs the Cardinals.