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Pickett another good fit for Green Bay


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After Hawk.

 

By Dylan B. Tomlinson

PackersNews.com

 

For some free agents, the Green Bay Packers can be a tough sell.

 

Many players take one look at the NFL’s smallest market and decide to look elsewhere.

 

But as soon as Ryan Pickett had a chance to see Green Bay, he saw it as home.

 

“As soon as my wife, Jennifer, got here, she just fell in love with it,” Pickett said. “She loved the fact that it was a small town. She liked that our kids will be in good schools. She liked the people here. That’s what was most important to me, that my wife was happy.”

 

The last five seasons with the St. Louis Rams weren’t always happy for Pickett and his family. Despite putting up good statistics, Pickett was labeled a bit of a disappointment after being selected in the first round of the 2001 draft. Last season, Pickett led the St. Louis defensive linemen with 65 tackles, including 12 for a loss, but said he never felt wanted in St. Louis.

 

“I really feel like I wasn’t treated right,” Pickett said. “It’s always frustrating when people are saying things about you and bad things about the defense. It hurts when your family hears negative things about you, especially when it’s not true.”

 

The Rams, however, did everything they could to keep him in St. Louis.

 

“They tried to match what Green Bay was offering me,” Pickett said. “But it was time for me to move on. It’s a fresh start here, and that’s a good thing.”

 

By giving Pickett a four-year, $14 million contract with $5 million in bonuses, the Packers paid a hefty price to lure Pickett to Green Bay. The Packers had done pretty well the last 2½ seasons with Grady Jackson at defensive tackle, but General Manager Ted Thompson couldn’t resist making what he believes is an upgrade with Pickett, who is seven years younger than Jackson and doesn’t have the weight or injury problems that plagued Jackson the last two seasons.

 

“He’s big enough to provide the anchor in the middle that every defense needs,” Packers defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said.

 

“We really wanted a player who we thought would be a force in the middle against the run. It’s the main reason we pursued him.”

 

Pickett had only six sacks during his five seasons with the Rams, but said he believes he can be an effective pass rusher.

 

“I think a lot of people didn’t see that because I didn’t do that in St. Louis because of the role that they gave me,” Pickett said. “I’m going to prove it here that I can rush the passer, and I think Coach Sanders is going to give me a chance to do that here, and I’m really happy about having the opportunity to finally do that.”

 

Sanders said he thinks Pickett will surprise people with his pass-rushing abilities.

 

“We definitely think he’s capable of really pushing the pass,” Sanders said. “We see him as a playmaker, and that’s against both the run and the pass.”

 

Sanders said after meeting with Pickett during his visit to Green Bay, he had no worries about how he would fit in.

 

“He just has a phenomenal personality and a work ethic to match,” Sanders said. “It was easy to see that he would work really well with this group.”

 

Pickett said he feels at home with his new team.

 

“It’s been incredible,” Pickett said. “There’s such a great group of guys here and it’s a very positive atmosphere. I didn’t have any of that in St. Louis and it’s why I’m truly appreciative of the chance I’m being given here.”

 

Dylan B. Tomlinson covers the Packers for The Post-Crescent of Appleton. E-mail him at dtomlins@postcrescent.com

 

http://greenbaypressgazette.packersnews.co..._26116449.shtml

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