Ben from Cripple Creek, CO
In regards to the sack comparison through first two years, how does the number of snaps compare between Rashan Gary and Lukas Van Ness in their first two years?
Gary played 700 defensive snaps in the 2019-20 seasons. LVN played 793 in 2023-24.
Nathan from Williamstown, MA
I imagine the people who are disappointed with Van Ness’s productivity so far are also disappointed with Gary’s, so saying their careers are on a similar trajectory doesn’t make them feel better. For both of those players, how much of their perceived struggles could be due to scheme fit and injury luck? And conversely, if they can both stay healthy in their second season under Hafley, how much more could they accomplish?
I don’t necessarily like to project, because nobody really knows. These are some facts I know. First, on Gary, he was on his way to a double-digit sack season (six sacks in eight games) when he blew out his knee in Detroit in ’22. He came back in ’23 with hot and cold stretches, like a streaky hitter in baseball. A pair of three-sack games, but only nine sacks on the year. And then Gary made notable strides as a run defender in ’24, which were reflected in the team’s overall run D numbers but have been overlooked. Did that focus in the first year in a new scheme hinder his pass rush any? Time will tell. With Van Ness, he transitioned to a stand-up rusher as a rookie and came on strong toward the end of the year. But then he couldn’t build on that with the scheme change last season, and the switch back to his more traditional style of play was hindered in the offseason/training camp by the broken thumb. What encourages me statistically about LVN is his seven TFLs (not including sacks) in his first two seasons as a part-time player. He’s shown he knows how to get into the backfield. Health will matter with both players, obviously. Second year in Hafley’s system should, too. The biggest wildcard is the impact of a new position coach. Nothing’s guaranteed, but I see reasons for optimism.
The main problem with the pass interference experiment was dealing with the calls that weren’t made. With improving technology, maybe there will be a booth check on all the calls that were made and coaches’ challenges will be reserved for infractions not called. What do you think?
I think the main problem with the PI experiment was the guy running the replay center in New York. It was not a shock to me he lasted only one more season in the role after that.
Paul from Cottage Grove, WI
I haven’t done any research on this but do you think it is better for a team to make it to the playoffs with a tough division or an easy one?
If you’re asking whether I’d want my team battle-tested or not, generally I would. But not at the expense of being healthy and playing well during the stretch run. That would always be my priority. Winning a weak division year after year never seemed to matter much one way or another with the Patriots.
Lots of moving parts to the roster, schedule, salary cap, etc. It seems to me that the most important part of the Packer success in 2025 will be the reality of who Jordan Love becomes. Is he the elite QB in the last half of the 2023 season? Or is he an up-and-down QB of 2024? Appreciate your thoughts.
There’s a kernel of truth to that, but I think it’s important to remember he wasn’t the only one who elevated his game in the second half of 2023. That young offensive cast around him did so as well, and it produced a collective rise to another level. The QB shoulders most of the burden. Always does. But the players around him playing better make it more symbiotic than simple.