Packers Need More From Their Pass Rush & Smith Bros.
Green Bay Packers cannot seem to rush the passer. After being very successful at it last season, Green Bay is failing at it. Green Bay specifically paid Za’Darius Smith, Preston Smith, and drafted Rashan Gary in the first round to make a pass rush happened. Last year it worked especially with the Smith Bros. They were both dominant and played like Pro Bowlers. Hell, Za’Darius played like a Defensive Player of the Year candidate. BUt this year, it is not happening for the Packers. The stats would show that it is less about Mike Pettine and more about the guys on the field.
#Packers had 304 total pressures last year, per @PFF. They're on pace for 169 this season. Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith have only 20 combined in five games. Defense has lost its identity to start 2020
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) October 19, 2020
Preston Smith:
51 coverage snaps through 5 weeks in 2019
51 coverage snaps through 5 weeks in 202024 pressures through 5 weeks in 2019
7 pressures through 5 weeks in 2020— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) October 20, 2020
What could be going on here? Did the Packers’ pass rush regress to the mean? Or is it something else? It is possible that both Za’Darius and Preston played over their skis last season. That they were so good last year that it set an unrealistic expectation about them both. My friend Coach once told me to not get too high of grades early on in college. Why? It sets an unrealistic expectation from your parents that this is the standard. The same could be applied here. We all thought this is the Packers’ pass rush when in reality, Green Bay got two career years.
Another possibility is that both these players needed a preseason and they’re still warming up on the year. It’s been five weeks, so, this is more like Game 1 for these guys. If the pass rush comes alive in the next four weeks, it is fair to say that’s the reason. The other part could be the lack of energy in the crowds is translating on the field, but that’s no excuse. Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, Chicago have all figured out how to bring their own juice. Green Bay needs to learn that too. ‘
Next week is a get-right spot for this pass rush. Houston is 30th in DVOA when it comes to pass blocking. This could be an excellent opportunity to have the Smith bros reign supreme.
Charlie.