SB Nation writer bags on Rashan Gary

Gary has all the tools to be a star. But he only knows how to speed rush. He gets that inside arm underneath and just keeps trying to beat he tackle to the outside. Until he learns some other moves, I’m not sold on him either. 

I will say I was surprised Gary never learned any pass rush moves. He will speed rush the end almost all the time or bull rush his man. Taco, by his last year here really showed a lot of different moves to sack QBs. Hurst learned to be lethal with his hands. 

Don't a lot of people have questions about Rashan Gary? Or do Michigan fans think its a lock Rashan Gary is going to be a havoc causing beast in the pros? I don't think this guy is off base to make this article.

I think Rashan Gary belongs at DT where is run stopping would better serve a team. His DE game never panned out like the #1 DE, and #1 overall player, coming out of high school should have. We all watched him for 3 years. Is any Michigan fan raving about him? Being drafted in the 1st round would make expectations he will be like Jadeveon Clowney, or JJ Watt. Do any Michigan fans, even the biggest Rashan Gary fans, think he's going to be that in the pros? 

I agree with the writer of the article, and also with PFF, that he should not be drafted in the 1st round. But will be drafted in the 1st round? I think very likely yes.

I agree with everything this dude said. Have you watched Gary play football? It’s cool that he can run fast though

I totally agree with the writer. Gary was unblockable some plays and a non factor on a lot more. Or he was injured for long stretches at a time. If I have a top 5 draft pick I wouldn't take the chance that talent will finally equal production when it didn't in 3 years in Ann Arbor.

Gary was an athletic freak coming out of high school and it didnt translate to dominance, not sure why being an uber athlete will be the difference att the NFL level where the technique and athleticism around him will only be better.

Wow, with fans like these who needs to ever play a road game? 

I guess some of you simply forget the 10 tackles and 2 sacks in The Game 2017? 

Further, a careful look at the clips from the article renders the criticisms absurd. On the first pass rush clip versus Penn State, it seems as if his assignment was to protect the backside and keep McSorley from scrambling to his left. Gary had absolutely no defenders outside of him, and the defense's goal may have been to keep PSU out of field goal range (end of the half, 5 yards from target). Watch how Gary passively pass rushed and then sprinted back towards the open area of the defensive line BEFORE the pass was thrown. 

Within the context of that play and the game, it appears very likely that Gary was not supposed to "flash" and "generate pressure" on that play. As the lone defender on the backside, his job seems to be defending that side of the field against a qb run/scramble, and the running back who leaks out. It's really rather ludicrous to criticize Gary for a lack of sack production when we already know that the defensive scheme of Don Brown is geared towards getting pressure from the blitz. His defensive lineman are supposed to take on multiple blockers and open gaps for the linebackers to blitz. That's why the linebackers at Michigan have such gaudy sack and tfl stats. Bush and Hudson were able to make a lot of plays because Rashan Gary's presence on the d-line.

On the next pass rush clip (ND), the qb barely got to the 3rd step on his dropback before he had to immediately step up and throw the ball. Keep in mind that teams often utilize the quick passing game because of Don Brown's reputation to bring pressure. Michigan rushed 3 players, THREE, and still the qb had to get rid of the ball quickly because of Gary's pressure directly in his line of sight. Is a sack really expected on short drop and quick route, and from a DE rushing from a wide 9 formation? 

On the next clip (Rutgers) Gary definitely gets credit for a qb hit. On a play designed for the qb to get rid of the ball quickly, Gary still gets pressure on him and knocks him down, helping to cause an errant pass on a short 5-7 yard route. 

On the last pass rush clip (ND), the writer gives Gary credit for hurrying the qb on a long developing route, while still not getting a sack. However, on the earlier ND clip he criticized Gary for hurrying the qb on a shorter drop, while not getting the sack. In case no one knows this, it is much more difficult to hurry a qb on a short drop than on a long drop. So, the writer's criticisms simply don't follow football logic.

Next, I'd say that each clip in the article pertaining to Gary as a run defending edge is proof of his being exceptional, if not elite, against the run as an edge. And, that's still valuable! Why? Because he never has to come off of the field. You don't need to sub-package for him on running downs. He's a pass rushing edge who is also a strength in defending the run. 

Lastly, does anyone wonder why Chase Winovich had 3 sacks in the 5 games that Gary played in before going out with injury, then had ZERO sacks for the next month when Gary sat out with injury? When opposing offenses began to focus on Chase (as the only proven pass rusher on the roster when Gary was out), Josh Uche was able to gobble up a few sacks (3 in the games that Gary missed). 

I understand that "fans" wanted to see more splash plays from Rashan Gary. I get it. Sacks are sexy. But, the defensive scheme was designed for the UNIT to be successful by filtering the sack and tackle action to the linebackers. Michigan's scheme gives quite a bit of run responsibility to its defensive ends. That's why, year after year, Don Brown's defenses are top 5 in the nation. And, Gary has been a big part of that the past 2 years.

I submit that Rashan Gary will have an easier time rushing the quarterback, and compile better sack production in the NFL because he will be allowed to simply rush the passer on passing downs. He won't have to take on as many double teams, he won't have to occupy blockers for blitzers, and he won't have to protect the backside. Most NFL defenses adhere to "play the run on your way to the quarterback", whereas Don Brown's first instinct is to stop the running game. 

For you overly critical "fans"... CONTEXT!