With Za’Darius Smith out, Packers need Rashan Gary to step up

Saints quarterback Jameis Winston eludes Packers linebacker Rashan Gary during the first half of last week's game in Jacksonville, Fla.GREEN BAY — Before uttering a single word, Mike Smith reminded himself not to swear.

But when the Green Bay Packers excitable outside linebackers coach starts talking about his prized pupil — third-year edge rusher Rashan Gary — the rules of news conference decorum tend to go out the window.

“You know how much I love Rashan — and I love all my guys — (but) he’s pretty damned good,” Smith began recently when asked about Gary, the first of the team’s two first-round picks (No. 12 overall) in 2019 after Smith begged the personnel staff for him throughout the…