hoffdaddy 1 Posted March 15, 2006 Packers win recruiting battle for DT PickettBy John Clayton ESPN.com In perhaps the most competitive negotiation Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers beat out the Bills and the Rams for Rams defensive tackle Ryan Pickett. Ryan Pickett Nose Tackle St. Louis Rams Profile 2005 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Ast Solo FF Sack Int 65 47 18 0 2 0 Terms of the agreement weren't available. Pickett was visiting the Bills but had stayed in touch with the Rams, hoping to get an offer that would bring him back. The Packers talked Pickett into his first visit over the weekend and there was some thought he might not have totally liked his visit. Those thoughts were proved wrong when the Packers stepped up and gave him a deal. Pickett will replace Grady Jackson as the run-stopping defensive tackle in the team's 4-3 scheme. Pickett's signing along with the addition of safety Marquand Manuel and re-signings of halfback Ahman Green and defensive end Aaron Kampman are being used as recruiting tools to help prevent Brett Favre from retiring. Favre is watching the Packers' free-agent acquisitions to see what kind of team they will have. If he likes what he sees, he is expected to postpone thoughts of retiring for another year. John Clayton is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2369817 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Suspicious 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Thumbs Up! Linebacker at pick five and maybe a free agent backer and this defense has the look of a young and improving defense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shovelheadt 71 Posted March 15, 2006 Thumbs Up! Linebacker at pick five and maybe a free agent backer and this defense has the look of a young and improving defense. I wouldn't mind seeing AJ Hawk go to a team I don't hate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoffdaddy 1 Posted March 15, 2006 I wouldn't mind seeing AJ Hawk go to a team I don't hate. Long live AJ Hawk in Titeltown! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stalker711 0 Posted March 15, 2006 I like the pick, but think they need to put an offer on the table for Grady Jackson too. He is a strong run stuffer, and they certainly need that. Rotating with Pickett will keep them fresher and more impactful. They absolutely need a OLB who can tackle. Peter Sirmon is asking to be released by TEN. That might be the ticket. AJ Hawk is going to be a very good LB, but they still need a rush end more right now. If Super Mario is still there at #5, I think if Thompson is not stupid, he takes him. Too much ability to pass on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arsenal 3 Posted March 15, 2006 Nice Will be interesting to see how much they paid for him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Anonymous 24 Posted March 15, 2006 This...is...good news. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hoffdaddy 1 Posted March 15, 2006 AJ Hawk is going to be a very good LB, but they still need a rush end more right now. If Super Mario is still there at #5, I think if Thompson is not stupid, he takes him. Too much ability to pass on. Agreed. I just don't think Williams is on the board at five based on the events of the last few days. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kitrick Taylor 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Hope this works out for the Packers. Signing fat guys always makes me nervous. They have a tendency to only play when contracts are on the line. Let's hope Pickett isn't one of those guys. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stalker711 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Agreed. I just don't think Williams is on the board at five based on the events of the last few days. Wonder if Manny Lawson is still there in the 2nd? Teams are very much divided on him, and he could fall. That would be a great consolation prize if they miss on Mario. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Suspicious 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Hope this works out for the Packers. Signing fat guys always makes me nervous. They have a tendency to only play when contracts are on the line. Let's hope Pickett isn't one of those guys. I just think it seems like it takes a while for interior d-linemen to come up to NFL speed. It seems like Pickett has been trending up for the past 2 years. I'm hoping it continues. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Timinator 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Well, I'll be... The Packers show signs of life outside of keeping their own or signing a Thompson pet safety. I like Jackson, but he wants to much money for the return. Now, at an Ahman Green-type price... And I'd love to see GB get Mario at 1.5 and LB Carpenter at 2.5. Of course, 15% of their cap would then be at DE--maybe not too smart. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagger 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Despite the Pickett signing, I am still praying the Packers take Ngata with their 1st rounder. Pickett and Ngata at DT would be the core of that D. I hate the thought of the Packers taking a linebacker with a top ten pick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Anonymous 24 Posted March 15, 2006 Despite the Pickett signing, I am still praying the Packers take Ngata with their 1st rounder. Pickett and Ngata at DT would be the core of that D. I hate the thought of the Packers taking a linebacker with a top ten pick. I've heard that Ngata is soft and plays too high. Two things you can get away with in college but not in the pros. What's your take on those reports, Dagger? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dagger 0 Posted March 15, 2006 I've heard that Ngata is soft and plays too high. Two things you can get away with in college but not in the pros. What's your take on those reports, Dagger? I saw 3 Oregon games last season and I don't know where that comes from. Ngata is a rock, he has an unbelievable blend of size and speed that you don't see at defensive tackle. SO many people are pigeon holing him as a staright run stuffer/nose tackle, but this guy can collapse a pocket. My only concern with him is he has had some injuries in the past couple of years. Other than that, this guy is NFL ready. You team this guy next to Pickett and no team will be able to run the ball up the middle. Barnett will be free to make tackle after tackle untouched. And because teams will be in 3rd and longs, it takes pressure off the secondary, and allows you to blitz/bring in situational pass rushers. Ngata is the logical choice here, although I doubt TT will go that way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Anonymous 24 Posted March 15, 2006 I haven't seen Ngata play and I'm no scout. I'm definitely open to the possibilty that the negatives I've heard against him are off base. Personally, of any of the position of greatest need, (LB, DE, DT) the spot I'd prefer to be filled with a future force at that #5 pick is DT. So in that sense, I'm hoping your assessment on Ngata is spot on, because he's the only one who could fullfill that hope. Others may not, but I have full confidence that the player TT selects will be the one who has the best career in the NFL out of those he passes on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kitrick Taylor 0 Posted March 15, 2006 IMO the Packers wish list probably looks like this. (Assuming no chance at Reggie Bush) 1. Mario Williams 2. Vernon Davis 3. AJ Hawk 4. Micheal Huff Williams would be able to make KGB a much better pass rusher as a situational player only. The Packers are down to almost zero playmakers on offense. (Favre notwithstanding, and with Walker returning from ACL, his status as an elite player is certainly in doubt.) So getting a TE that runs a 4.38 should be high on the wish list. Hawk would certainly fill a need at WSLB, but there is going to be a good one sitting there for them in RD 2 as well. (Carpenter, Howard etc) Huff is probably the best cover guy out there and would team up with Collins for a great safety duo, but with the signing of Manuel, the priority is reduced some. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
swamp dog 0 Posted March 15, 2006 without knowing the money involved, this is a solid pickup for the pack. and i'd disagree about them taking naga (sp?) at pick 5--or vernon davis. if hawk if there they can't pass him up. looks like mario may go earlier now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROBOKOP 0 Posted March 16, 2006 without knowing the money involved, this is a solid pickup for the pack. and i'd disagree about them taking naga (sp?) at pick 5--or vernon davis. if hawk if there they can't pass him up. looks like mario may go earlier now. Swamp Dog is the rare Lions fan that actually makes sense some times. NO will likely get Mario Williams as hes considered best defensive player avaialble and the Aints no longer need QB. #5 is a bit high for LB, so I think the Packers are in prime position to trade away that pick and grab some more. Minny is would be all over nabbing the remaining QB with the #5 pick. With their extra second they could muster a pretty smooth trade with the Packers. I would like to see it. Packers with a mid to late first round pick and three seconds. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
uubeee 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Personally, I'd like the Packers to end up with AJ Hawk or Mario Williams. But I also wouldn't mind seeing them trade down to pick up a mid 1st rounder and maybe an extra 3rd. This seems to be a deep draft and we could really benefit from 2 or 3 starters out of this draft. Maybe getting Ngata mid 1st and ending up with Someone like Bobby Carpenter early 2nd and hopes for someone like Ashton Youboty late 2nd(with a trade up). 3 potential starters. TT gets some big prospect like he did last year in Nick Collins. And things would be great. Plus this is supposed to be a deep draft for OL, so I'd like to see TT draft a couple of OL to pick up that group a bit. What do you all think? Trying to think outside the box for argument sake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jay 0 Posted March 16, 2006 I love the signing. He's the one free agent that I most hoped the Packers would make a strong push for. I'm not sure I like Hawk at #5. Is he really better than a guy like Greenway (that could maybe be had at #10)? I wouldn't mind seeing the Packers drop a few spots if Williams isn't there and pick up some picks in a talent-laden draft. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ROBOKOP 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Before you guys talk too much about trading down, refer to the draft pick value chart. The #5 pick should garnish a mid 1st and second round pick. http://www.nfldraftblitz.com/pick_value_chart.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
listen2me 23 1,953 Posted March 16, 2006 ABout everyone saying the Saints will now draft Mario at 2......Why? They have Will smith and Charles Grant....both young and very talented... seems like they are in the boat of the packers with an overload in DEs but theirs is multiplied in that Their 2 ends are better and they dont just have a KGB with only one dimention... I dont see the saints drafting Mario....either drafting BRick at 2 or moving down to get Hawk or Huff...maybe Im wrong but it seems logical Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stalker711 0 Posted March 16, 2006 ABout everyone saying the Saints will now draft Mario at 2......Why? They have Will smith and Charles Grant....both young and very talented... seems like they are in the boat of the packers with an overload in DEs but theirs is multiplied in that Their 2 ends are better and they dont just have a KGB with only one dimention... I dont see the saints drafting Mario....either drafting BRick at 2 or moving down to get Hawk or Huff...maybe Im wrong but it seems logical That is exactly what I was thinking. Brick fills a need. Hawk and or Huff fills a need. Mario may be special, but if you don't need him and have great DE depth, why draft him? I would prefer to see them trade down than grab Mario. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sho Nuff 720 Posted March 16, 2006 I like the pick, but think they need to put an offer on the table for Grady Jackson too. He is a strong run stuffer, and they certainly need that. Rotating with Pickett will keep them fresher and more impactful. They absolutely need a OLB who can tackle. Peter Sirmon is asking to be released by TEN. That might be the ticket. AJ Hawk is going to be a very good LB, but they still need a rush end more right now. If Super Mario is still there at #5, I think if Thompson is not stupid, he takes him. Too much ability to pass on. Except that Sirmon is an MLB. I think Boiman from TN was getting some interest. Still need to sign Grady? Not at his asking price...and not with the youth at DT already on the roster (Cole, Jenkins, Williams, Washington). NGata in the first? Refer to my last post about Grady. DT with Pickett in town now is not a place of need. It was a strenght last year...and will be again this year. Cole, Jenkins, Williams, Washington and now Pickett. DT is basically set. Unless we go that way later in the draft which is fine. OK...new board...why do my posts all get put together when I reply? Instead of creating a new post in there..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Arsenal 3 Posted March 16, 2006 DT Ryan Pickett's deal with the Packers is believed to be for five years at roughly $3.75 million per season. In this market, the Packers did well to pay him less money per year than Rocky Bernard and similiar to Larry Triplett. Pickett led defensive lineman in tackles in 2005. The deal should be signed Thursday. Source: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
