The edge in Green Bay will consist of larger bodies this year than in 2018

Vince Biegel Color Rush Jersey , which should make Mike Pettine happy." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteAcme Packing Companya Green Bay Packers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsPackersOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareThe Packers’ outside linebacker group will look a lot bigger in 2019Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY SportsOne thing that the Green Bay Packers prioritized this offseason was getting bigger up front on defense. General manager Brian Gutekunst mentioned this when discussing the team’s draft class over the weekend, and it’s clear that between the free agent acquisitions and the team’s first draft pick in 2019, he accomplished that.A quick look at the measurement differences between the three new arrivals and the two departed veterans shows this clearlyInZa’Darius Smith: 6-foot-4, 272 poundsPreston Smith: 6-foot-5, 265 poundsRashan Gary: 6-foot-5, 277 poundsOutClay Matthews: 6-foot-3, 255 poundsNick Perry: 6-foot-3, 265 poundsThe players coming in this offseason average nearly 6-foot-4 and just over 270 pounds, compared to 6-foot-3, 260 as the midpoint between Matthews and Perry. That’s a notable size difference alone, but arm length is an added factor as well. Both Preston Smith and Rashan Gary have arms at or just over 34 inches, while Perry (33) and Matthews (32-1/4) fell a fair amount short of that mark. (Za’Darius Smith falls in between the two departed veterans at 32-5/8.)These additions will also likely help the Packers’ interior pass rush. All three can pitch in on occasion with their hands on the ground in obvious passing situations, hopefully causing some havoc among opposing offensive linemen both inside and outside.Of course, the team still retains a handful of players. Kyler Fackrell (6-foot-5 https://www.thepackersfanshop.com/Antonio-Morrison-Jersey , 245), Reggie Gilbert (6-foot-3, 261), and Kendall Donnerson (6-foot-3, 249) will come back for another to in training camp at least. All of those players are either leaner — in Fackrell’s case) or shorter than the newcomers. However, the reasonable expectation is that all of these players, or at least whichever ones make the 53-man roster, will be reserves, playing only on a rotational basis or in case of injury to one of the three new arrivals.Overall, though, Mike Pettine has larger athletes to work with on the edge in his second year as the Packers’ defensive coordinator, something he will surely be pleased about. Whether aligned inside or outside, these new additions should bring a new dynamic to the defense in 2019. The Packers travel to Baltimore for their second preseason game on Thursday night. And the folks who show up at M&T Bank Stadium will get to see quarterback Aaron Rodgers play.Via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, coach Matt LaFleur told reporters on Tuesday that Rodgers and the rest of the starters will play “a quarter or so” against the Ravens.Since 2014 Quinten Rollins Jersey , Rodgers has appeared in one or two preseason games each year. In 2018, he threw four passes in a Week Two game at Pittsburgh. In 2017, he played in two preseason games, with 13 passes thrown. In 2016, he appeared in one exhibition contest, throwing nine passes.In 2015, Rodgers played in the first two preseason games, throwing a stunning 19 times in the first game and five in the second. The year before, it was 13 passes in Week Two and 20 in Week Three.Rodgers last played in three preseason games in 2013. He appeared in all four in 2012 and 2011, three in 2010, and four in 2009 and 2008.The reduction in Rodgers’ preseason reps reflects broader trends in the NFL; Rodgers has spoken out regarding the NFL’s lingering habit of four preseason games. It will be interesting to see whether and to what extent he plays in Green Bay’s third preseason game. As the Packers implement their first new offense since before Rodgers became the starter, the extra reps can’t hurt.