Pickett signing a meaningful one for the Packers

By Anthony Carroll | Friday, March 17, 2006 | ( 0 )

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The Green Bay Packers have been busy this offseason making moves to keep veteran quarterback Brett Favre around for one more year. If number four likes what he sees heading into the 2006 team training camp, he could likely return for his 16th season in the National Football League. And when the 29th overall selection of the 2001 draft rolled into town, the Packers front office couldn't resist. On Wednesday, the team opened up their checkbook, uncapped their pen, and stole defensive tackle Ryan Pickett from the St. Louis Rams.

The Pickett signing, however, is more than just a straightforward free agent pickup. For Green Bay, it means a more youthful line, a rejuvenated mentor on the defensive front, and another reason for Favre to prolong his career.

Although the numbers of the deal are yet to be officially announced, Pickett is expected receive $3.75 million per year with a hefty signing bonus. He will replace 33-year old tackle Grady Jackson, whose best years seem to be behind him. In three years with the Packers, Jackson tallied 125 tackles-just under 42 tackles a year. Excluding Pickett's rookie season with the Rams in which he saw limited action, he has recorded 219 tackles in four seasons-54.75 tackles per year. Last year, however, he seemed to resurrect his career, registering 65 tackles with the Rams-good for third on the team, behind only Pisa Tinoisamoa and Adam Archuleta. At 6'2", 310 pounds, Pickett is about 35 pounds lighter than Jackson at the same height. However, Pickett is just as effective in filling the gap and is seven years younger.

Pickett should help to reenergize a Packers defense that allowed 4.0 yards per carry last season. In all, the 2,010 rushing yards that the team gave up last year ranked 22nd in the NFL.

Pickett will also be a young mentor to an even younger cast of defensive tackles. At 25, second-year tackle Cullen Jenkins is expected to work alongside Pickett next season. In his short career, the undrafted brother of Kris Jenkins has 55 tackles and 7.5 sacks. Colin Cole, another 25-year old tackle, will also see a considerable amount of playing time next season. Last year with the Packers, the Iowa alumni recorded 40 tackles and two sacks. Additionally, 27-year old Kenny Peterson and 25-year old Corey Williams will also benefit from the signing of Pickett.

Green Bay also recently re-signed 26-year old defensive end, Aaron Kampman, who registered an impressive 82 tackles and seven sacks last season. Like Kampman, running back Ahman Green will also remain a Packer for the 2006 season. Since joining Green Bay in 2000, Green has registered five out of six 1,000+ yard seasons. The only year he missed the mark was last season, when he played just five games and carried the ball for just 255 yards due to a torn thigh tendon.

New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri is also planning to meet with the team on Friday. The Packers seem to be the frontrunner ahead of Dallas, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. Throw the recent addition of safety Marquand Manuel from Seattle into the mix and it all looks better for the Packers.

"All" meaning Brett Favre-and his possible return. That's really what it all comes down to in Green Bay. And as intriguing as Aaron Rogers may seem, not a soul in Green Bay wants to see Favre go out the way he did. A 4-12 finale certainly does no justice to the illustrious career that he has maintained for 15 years in the NFL.

But only time can tell whether the future Hall of Famer will return to the Green Bay Packers in 2006.

-Anthony Carroll can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com

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	About Anthony Carroll Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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