DT Ryan Pickett (official thread)

[Buckskin86]

Choice is clear for best ever
NFL lineman and Zephyrhills grad Ryan Pickett has solidified his place in county history.
By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer
Published September 3, 2004

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Ryan Pickett was the most dominant, blue-chip force in a 3-point stance in Pasco County history.

It's a fact. Were there better blockers on offense? Maybe. But "Grease" he did the job for Zephyrhills. "When we needed the yardage," coach Tom Fisher said. "We definitely ran behind him." And Pickett was so dominant defensively his place among the great blockers hardly matters. There's never been a more athletic lineman in county history than Pickett, who combined massive size, deft speed and overwhelming power. And if there are still doubters out there (and no county coach disputed Pickett's selection to the Times) there's this:

"He was on TV last Monday night," Fisher said.

Pickett was born to play in the NFL. But first he had to compile one of the most storied and decorated careers in county history. Zephyrhills went 27-6 from 1995-97, when Picket was a three-year, two-way force in the trenches. His dominance was never more apparent than his senior season in 1997, as the Bulldogs went 10-2, won the first playoff game in the school's then 56 years and reached the region semifinals for the only time in history.

How Pickett helped the 1997 team is one of the most impressive feats in county athletic history. The coaching staff moved him to middle linebacker because teams always ran away from the all-state defensive tackle. The Times North Suncoast Player of the Year set a school record with 142 tackles, 26 for a loss, and had four sacks - all while running sideline-to-sideline at a trim 293 pounds.

"Opposing coaches would shake their head every time he would run one of their backs down," Fisher said. "They just couldn't believe a 300-pound middle linebacker could do what he did."

In the school's first-ever playoff win, 7-0 over Crystal River, Pickett had 17 tackles, 15 solo, four for a loss and three big hits, separating a ballcarrier from the ground.

"Every time I turned around, it was Ryan Pickett on the tackle, Ryan Pickett on the hit," teammate Nick Carroll told the Times in 1997. "He was psyched."

That season Pickett was also the Sunshine Athletic Conference player of the year, a Parade All-American, an All-USA Today selection, played in the Florida-Georgia All-Star game and, more importantly, was quoted in Sports Illustrated (maybe; he disputed the quote.) Pickett's commitment to Ohio State was big news, and the Buckeye was too good to redshirt as a freshman. He was a three-year starter at Ohio State, finishing with 109 career tackles (72 solo), 20 for a loss and eight sacks. As a sophomore he was All-Big Ten Conference honorable mention.

As a junior he came back home in 2001, played in front of his family at Raymond James Stadium's Outback Bowl, then declared early for the NFL draft. Draft experts labeled him a second-round pick. Pickett scoffed at that, and so did the St. Louis Rams, who drafted him 29th overall in the first round. He's been in all 16 games the last two seasons, and in three years and 43 total games has 128 career tackles (92 solo) and two sacks. He is one of two county players still in the NFL, and the only one with the team that drafted him. In 1999, when the Times ranked the then-greatest 99 players in county history, Pickett was the second lineman on the list at No. 5. At No. 3 was Pasco's Greg Pittman, a ferocious hitter in 1972. But three years in the NFL has clarified Pickett's stature. Now he's the best lineman of all.

Before the 2001 draft, he talked about his love of the game through each chapter of his career, and his ultimate dream of playing in the NFL.

"When I left high school, that was just another chapter of my life," Pickett said. "When I left Ohio State, that was just another chapter of my life. I loved it there just like I loved playing high school football at Zephyrhills, but it's just time to start another chapter.

"It's my dream. I've been waiting for this since I was a little boy."

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/09/03/Sp...ar_for_b.shtml

[LoKyBuckeye]

thanks to SG77 for the heads up on Pickett and the Pack.

Posted March 15, 2006

Packers close to signing Pickett

Jackson looks to be gone

By Pete Dougherty
pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com


It appears the Green Bay Packers will sign free-agent defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, according to an NFL source, which means Grady Jackson won't be returning to the team.


The Packers out-bid Buffalo and Pickett's original team, the St. Louis Rams. Terms of the contract weren't available, though St. Louis is believed to have offered him a five-year deal worth $16 million for the 6-2, 310-pound Pickett.

Pickett, 26, a former first-round draft pick who started for the Rams the last four years, will fill Jackson's role as the major run-stopper in the middle of the defensive line. Jackson is one of the Packers' free agents, and it's a given he'll sign with another team now

[osugrad21]

Link

Ryan Pickett Could Anchor Young Defensive Line

by Jeff Fedotin, Packers.com
posted 04/11/2006

Ryan Pickett
With the Green Bay Packers finishing the 2005 season ranked 23rd against the run, common perception was that they signed St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Ryan Pickett to engulf opposing running backs.

"I've been labeled as a run stuffer," Pickett said. "I'm going to surprise people with my ability to rush the passer."

With Pickett helping against both the run and the pass, he represents one of the Packers' most significant offseason additions. He could fortify a defensive line, which features both depth and youth. Colin Cole, Cullen Jenkins, Corey Williams, Donnell Washington and Kenny Peterson will vie for playing time, and each player is 25-years-old except for Peterson (27).

The 26-year-old, Pickett, signed on March 17, had 65 tackles and three sacks during the 2005 season. The former statistic was the second best total of his career while the latter tied for a career high. Pickett does not attribute his best season to any change in conditioning or technique. Instead the mental part of the game clicked for him in his fourth year in the NFL.

"Last year was a great achievement for me. I had a great season," he said. "I just got older, and the game was slowing down for me."

On the heels of that performance, the 6-2, 322-pounder and 2001 first-round pick said he is approaching the prime of his career. After prioritizing a team goal of winning the Super Bowl, Pickett has set a lofty personal objective for 2006.

"I want to make the Pro Bowl," he said.

Pickett chose his new Green Bay residence, which features a climate lacking a resemblance to Honolulu, for several reasons. He connected with the coaching staff and respected the franchise's tradition, but the devotion of Titletown's fans sealed his decision. With nearly every restaurant featuring Packers memorabilia and several of the city's streets named after Packers, the way Green Bay revolves around football reminds Pickett of his days playing in front of 102,339 zealous fans at Ohio State's Stadium.

"It's like a big college town," Pickett said.

With the Packers Pickett will play with and at times next to a former college teammate. Peterson, who entered the NFL in 2003, was part of the same 1998 recruiting class. Since joining the team, Pickett has queried his former teammate about his new surroundings.

"It's good coming here, knowing I already played with Kenny," Pickett said. "He was just telling me about the fan support here."

The Packers faithful demonstrated their enthusiasm when 62,492 fans attended last summer's scrimmage between the Packers and Buffalo Bills in July. And despite playing in the NFL's smallest market, Lambeau Field has been sold out to season ticket holders since 1960.

"What's big to me is fan support," he said. "Last year (the Packers) had a bad year, and the last game was sold out and packed and (felt) like the playoffs."

Another important reason led Pickett to sign with the Packers. His wife Jennifer fell in love with Green Bay during their initial visit.

"My wife really enjoyed it when she came," he said. "We've got to keep the boss happy."

[coastalbuck]

Link

A guote from new packer Pickett at the end of the article.

[Steve19]

Man, its going to be hard to not support the Green Bay defense on the field, eh?

[ntd]

Originally Posted by Steve19

Man, its going to be hard to not support the Green Bay defense on the field, eh?

Personally I don't have an NFC team that I root for, so I'm going to be supporting the Pack quite a bit