TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Pickett Savors Return To NFC Championship Game

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 21, 2008

GREEN BAY, Wis. - It took Packers DT Ryan Pickett several years to appreciate the rarity of playing in an NFC Championship Game.

Pickett, a former Zephyrhills High and Ohio State standout, advanced to the Super Bowl with St. Louis as a rookie in 2001. The Rams were defeated 20-17 by New England, but Pickett believed he would be that successful every season.

However, it took six years for Pickett to have a second opportunity to play in another NFC Championship Game. As Green Bay hosted the New York Giants for a chance to play in this year's Super Bowl, Pickett had a greater appreciation of how difficult it is to reach the title game.

"I took it for granted my first year. I didn't take in the moment," Pickett said. "I thought, 'Hey, it's going to be like this every year. It's my first year, we're here; oh yeah, it's going to be every year I'm going to be here, so it's no big deal.' But six years later I've never been back, so I'm definitely taking this time different. I'm more focused. I'm taking everything in."

Pickett, who is Green Bay's primary run-stopper, spent this week encouraging members of the youngest NFL team to enjoy their chance to play for a Super Bowl berth, along with Packers coaches.

"It's important for players and coaches alike to enjoy the process and enjoy the journey," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said. "That's been pointed out throughout this season. I made a note of it this week in the team meeting, how fortunate we are to be in this position and to enjoy practice, enjoy the things surrounding the game because ultimately that's what you'll remember, too, besides the football game."

FREEZER BURN: McCarthy had a unique approach in preparing for Sunday's frigid conditions at Lambeau Field.

McCarthy froze the footballs players used in practice this week without their knowledge. Even though the Packers practiced indoors prior to Sunday's game, McCarthy hoped the frozen leather would get his players used to catching cold footballs.

"The idea really came from what I've done in the past with rain games, putting the football in a bucket of water and just used the same theory as far as the cold affecting the football," McCarthy said. "We froze the balls, really didn't tell the players about it and just rolled them in there on Wednesday and did it throughout the week."

WEIGHT DISCRIMINATION: Green Bay agreed on an unwritten rule geared at its biggest players in Sunday's game.

The Packers decided any player who weighed over 300 pounds could not wear sleeves to stay warm. It was a rule Pickett, 6-foot-2 and 322 pounds, was reluctantly forced to comply with.

"I don't think I had a choice. They kind of just volunteered me on that one," Pickett said. "When I got here I threw on some sleeves. They're like, 'Hey, what you doing?' I'm like, 'Man, it's cold.' They're like, 'No, it's not cold to you,' so you can't wear them, so I just follow suit."
Packers WR Donald Driver decided to go sleeveless, but unlike other players, it was not to show his manliness.

"I guess you can say I've had my affairs with fumbles, and that's one thing I've said I don't ever want to do again," Driver said. "I was telling somebody, that's why I stopped wearing sleeves because I remember that Monday night against Tennessee we were losing real bad and I had a fumble that was a key play in the game. After that I stopped wearing sleeves and said I'd just rather freeze than to fumble again."

PLAYOFF BITS: McCarthy reportedly has agreed to a five-year deal worth $4 million per season, but will not sign the deal until after the season. He had one year remaining on a three-year deal he signed in January 2006. ... Driver's 90-yard TD reception in the second quarter was the longest in team postseason history. It was also the 18th consecutive game Brett Favre has thrown a postseason TD pass, extending his NFL record. ... Giants LB Kawika Mitchell became one of the few former USF football players to participate in a conference championship game. Previous players were long snapper Ryan Benjamin (won a Super Bowl with Bucs in 2002) and OL Kenyatta Jones (won a Super Bowl with the Patriots in 2001).

Anwar S. Richardson

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT