Cheesehead
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- Mar 19, 2019
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"I could see more. I know what I can bring to the table. I know the player that I am and can be."
To his credit, Gary recorded 19 QB pressures in just 244 defensive snaps last season, a productive ratio. Now it's a matter of what he might do with an increased workload, and outside linebackers coach Mike Smith has been bullish about those possibilities all summer.
Smith sees the game slowing down for Gary, who is still young, just 22 years old. He believes Gary has improved considerably at reading the offensive lineman assigned to block him, and understanding what moves are available to him based on how his opponent is attacking or reacting.
"He's opening it up and he's just trusting who he is," Smith said.
So how many sacks and pressures will that translate into?
"I don't know," Gary said. "I'm just going to let y'all know that I'm going to have fun, and I'm going to be in the backfield."
Valdes-Scantling's plans are to be more than just the big-play threat who posted nine receptions of 40-plus yards through his first 1½ NFL seasons. His speed remains a huge asset, but during training camp he made a lot of plays on shorter, possession routes such as outs and crossers.
As his game has rounded out, he's received praise from both quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Head Coach Matt LaFleur for consistency and reliability. Rodgers has been impressed with his practice habits, while LaFleur commented on his "strong, aggressive, confident hands" as well as an improved ability to beat press coverage at the line of scrimmage.
While Valdes-Scantling has insisted he suffered no crisis of confidence when he became a non-factor on offense the second half of last season, it was evident that his success in camp generated momentum that built upon itself. His progress is paramount following an offseason in which the Packers drafted no new receivers and saw their main free-agent signing at the position, Devin Funchess, opt out due to pandemic-related concerns.