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DT Ryan "Big Grease" Pickett (Super Bowl Champion)

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Buckskin86

Buckskin86

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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."
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http://www.sptimes.com/2004/09/03/Sports/Choice_is_clear_for_b.shtml
 
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
[email protected]


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
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Ryan Pickett Could Anchor Young Defensive Line

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

Ryan Pickett
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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."
 
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Pickett, Packers prove a good fit

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 [email protected]
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At long last, Pickett gets on the field

Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett takes part in drills on Thursday at Clarke Hinkle Field. H. Marc Larson/Press-Gazette

By Dylan B. Tomlinson
PackersNews.com

Donald Driver walked into the Green Bay Packers’ locker room on Thursday, saw about 20 members of the media surrounding defensive tackle Ryan Pickett at his locker, and erupted with laughter.

Driver jokingly wagged his finger disapprovingly at Pickett, then cackled all the way to his own locker.

Pickett, who missed nine of the Packers’ 14 days of organized team activities since May 31, took it all in stride. He refused to be specific about what he’d been doing since practices began, but said he was relieved to be back in Green Bay.

“I’ve been missing these last couple weeks, been going through a little personal matter,” Pickett said. “The coaching staff has been so supportive in helping me deal with it.”

Pickett may not have wanted to divulge his whereabouts, but he showed a great deal of remorse for missing the optional workouts.

“I feel like I let my team down by not being here. I had issues I had to deal with,” Pickett said. “I just wish I could have been here with them, to go through what they’ve been going through. It hurt me that I couldn’t be here.”

The Packers lured Pickett away from the St. Louis Rams with a four-year, $14 million contract that included $5 million in bonuses. While Pickett attended both of the Packers offseason minicamps, he said he was not sending the right message by missing the June workouts.

“I take it on myself. I want to be a leader,” Pickett said. “A leader doesn’t miss this many days, so I’m kind of hard on myself. But at the same time, I had stuff I had to deal with.”

While Pickett didn’t work with the first team as he did during the minicamps, defensive coordinator Bob Sanders said it’s probably only a matter of days before he’s starting at defensive tackle.

“We’re glad to have him back, but as one would expect, he was a little rusty out there,” Sanders said. “We’re not worried about him. He has a great work ethic and will be fine.

Despite missing the time, Pickett got a lot of work and said he felt good.

“I got in there. As a matter of fact, Coach threw me in there for extra reps to check my wind and I think I held up pretty good,” Pickett said. “I felt pretty good. I felt like I haven’t missed a step.”

Pickett said the coaches want him to play at 325 pounds. He admitted that he’s “about 10 pounds” heavier than that now, but said there’s plenty of time before the start of training camp to lose that weight.

“That’s realistic,” he said. “That shouldn’t be a problem at all.”

If there was any ill will about Pickett missing so much time, he didn’t see it from his teammates or the coaching staff.

“They were welcoming me back, and I thank God for that because they could have been kind of mad,” Pickett said. “But all the players welcomed me back with smiles, hugs. The coaches were really supportive. It felt pretty good.”

Pickett said he was most happy to be back so he could be around his new teammates, whom he hasn’t had a chance to see since the second minicamp ended in mid-May.

“I think it’s more important to show your teammates that you’re a guy they can rely on. Especially being new like I am,” Pickett said. “A lot of these guys don’t know me. You want to let them know that you’re going to be there throughout the year, thick and thin.”

Defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins said the goal is to have all of the players here, but said there’s no reason to be mad at the guys who are not here.

“There’s nothing to be mad about. These are optional workouts,” Jenkins said. “If guys aren’t here, you move on and practice like you normally would. We’re happy Ryan is here. He’s a great player and we’re glad he’s back.”Until Thursday, Pickett was one of three veterans who hadn’t shown up for the June workouts. Cornerbacks Al Harris and Charles Woodson also have skipped the practices.

Packers coach Mike McCarthy has said he doesn’t expect to see Harris until training camp, but hopes Woodson will make it in before the sessions end Wednesday.
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Green Bay Packers' Ryan Pickett, right, (79) and Jerome Nichols (67) run defensive drills during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field on Tuesday, June 20, 2006. Photo by Evan Siegle/PackersNews.com

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Packers free agent defensive tackles Ryan Pickett and Jerome Nichols participate in drills during organized team activities at Clarke Hinkle Field Thursday. June 15, 2006. Photo by H. Marc Larson/PackersNews.com
 
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Pickett misses practice after car accident
July 29, 2006
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) --

Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett missed practice Saturday afternoon after sustaining what Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy described as "minor injuries" in a car accident near Lambeau Field.
McCarthy said the crash happened around noon as Pickett was pulling out of a parking lot near the Lambeau Field Pro Shop.
http://us.bc.yahoo.com/b?P=hnh9btht...8209.8856973.9643191.8411986/D=LREC/B=3755137
Pickett was not injured seriously enough to go to the hospital, McCarthy said, instead reporting to the team's doctors for treatment.
"I think everything's going to be OK," McCarthy said.
McCarthy said he was not sure when Pickett would be able to return to practice. Pickett was not present in the team's locker room after practice on Saturday.
"I think he was just pulling out of the parking lot," McCarthy said. "So hopefully it's just minor injuries."
The Packers signed Pickett, as a free agent from the St. Louis Rams in the offseason. He is projected to be the team's starting right defensive tackle.
 
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