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Filling The Pack's Gaps

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By ANWAR S. RICHARDSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 10, 2008

TAMPA - Green Bay defensive tackle Ryan Pickett once carried doubt and uncertainty around like it was his helmet and shoulder pads.

Pickett, a former Zephyrhills High School standout, did not know what to make of his new team last year. After five outstanding years with St. Louis, including a Super Bowl appearance during the 2001 season, Pickett signed a four-year deal with Green Bay worth a reported $14 million in 2006. He was expected to improve Green Bay's struggling defense, which was 21st in the league the season before, with his superb run-stopping ability.

However, the Packers finished 8-8 and their defense was ranked 21st again, which was not the enhancement Pickett hoped for.

"We had a young team," Pickett said. "We had these young boys and last year it was more about learning, but it was rough."

The wisdom Green Bay acquired in 2006 was enough to replace Pickett's previous concerns with hope and confidence in 2007.

Green Bay finished 13-3 and will host Seattle (11-6) on Saturday in the NFC divisional playoffs. Although quarterback Brett Favre receives credit for the Packers' offensive success, Pickett silently has led their unheralded defense.

Pickett (6-foot-2, 322 pounds) started 14 games and finished with 63 tackles on the NFL's 11th-best defense. Green Bay was ranked 14th against the run, and Pickett's pressure up the middle enabled defensive end Aaron Kampman to record 12 sacks and 91 tackles.

"This year at the end of the season, I was like 'We finally got it,'" Pickett said. "It started clicking and jelling. I wasn't surprised we had a good year, but 13-3? I didn't know we would be 13-3 and on a roll like we are.

"It's rewarding to be a part of a good defense. My numbers are good, but they are nothing compared to what I had in St. Louis. At the same time, I'm on a better defense. That's the great part about being up here."

It is also the best part of Pickett's evolution into a dominant NFL player.

Pickett, a former Ohio State standout, began his career as a first-round draft pick (29th overall) by St. Louis in 2001 and was primarily a special teams player. He started 14 games in 2002 and had 107 tackles and remained in the starting lineup.

In Pickett's five seasons with St. Louis, he finished with 408 tackles while plugging the middle. Pickett had a career-high 115 tackles during his final season (2005) with the Rams, but left St. Louis carrying a personal regret.

"It was hard because I left there as a first-round pick with goals I never got. That was the hardest part," Pickett said. "I left there on a great season, but a low note. We lost. We had a bad rep reputation on defense. I didn't want to leave with our defense having a bad rep. I wanted to make some kind of positive out of the whole situation."

Pickett's presence in Green Bay has positively influenced its defensive unit.

As one of Green Bay's older defensive players (29), Pickett has been expected to lead, unlike his role in St. Louis. Pickett said he has taken more time to show teammates proper defensive techniques than ever before and does not complain because he fears becoming a bad example for younger players.

"He's not only been a very solid player since he's been here, but a solid influence in the meeting room, locker room and is very steady and doing an outstanding job," Green Bay defensive line coach Robert Nunn said. "He's made a difference ever since he's been here from a maturity standpoint and work ethic."

Pickett's leadership became evident when he injured his groin early in the second half against his former team Dec. 16 and missed the final two games of the season. After suffering the injury against the Rams, Pickett missed most of the second half as running back Steven Jackson finished with 143 yards and one touchdown. The next week, Adrian Peterson rushed for 102 yards and one touchdown in Chicago's 35-7 victory against the Packers.

Pickett said he could have played in Green Bay's final two games, but was held out for the playoff run. Now his teammates are eagerly anticipating his return.

"I think it's huge. We always teach each other," Kampman said. "We're the strong side, left side and to be able to have him in there I think helps solidify a lot of things. The other guys, it's not a knock on them at all, but Ryan does so many things for us. He's very, very responsible, always in his gap, he controls the line of scrimmage and he makes a lot of plays.

"He's not just a guy that eats up blockers. He actually sheds blocks and makes tackles, so it's been good to have him back."

Reporter Anwar S. Richardson can be reached at (813) 259-8425 or arichardson@tampatrib.com

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