True, I have advocated a smaller more mobile D-Line - theoretically before you were even in the forum, which begs the question of how did you deduce that? I have also said repeatedly, we would be better off with a 3-4 NT similar to Jay Ratliff a few years ago. I'm resigned to the fact we are stuck with damn Raji at NT this year - I'm just thankful, as I said, we won't have two like him on the field at the same time.
And I NEVER liked Pickett, even when he supposedly was better. He stumbled and bumbled into a few average plays on his best days. Good riddance to him.
Originally Posted by: texaspackerbacker
Do you understand the 3-4 defense and the role of the NT in a 3-4? You clearly have no appreciation for solid NT work. Maybe you are just not watching texas, because Pickett has made a ton of great plays in his career in GB.
So, I guess you consider Mike Daniels to be a far superior DL than Ryan Pickett ever was?
Mike Daniels highest ranking amongst all DL in the NFL was #122, last year.
Ryan Pickett's worst ranking in his career was #148, last year.
Here is how Ryan Pickett ranked statistically against -all- DL in the NFL:
2003 #56 (STL)
2004 #50 (STL)
2005 #13 (STL)
2006 #11
2007 #66
2008 #38
2009 #95
2010 #86
2011 #79
2012 #24
2013 #148
So, there is no "supposedly" better play regarding Ryan Pickett. He was an incredible player for us, and he garnered those stats while playing the NT, a position that requires taking on multiple blockers, eating up space, securing lanes for the LBs to do their work, and stopping the run.
Note the change in Pickett's numbers after Dom Capers came to GB in 2009 to install our 3-4 defense. His responsibilities changed and so did his numbers. Regardless, during his time in GB he never (until his injury riddled last year here) posted anything as poor as Mike Daniels' #122 ranking in 2013, and many here, including myself, consider Daniels to currently be our best DL. Figure too, Daniels plays a position with a whole lot more range to make plays as a DE in our 3-4.
Ryan Pickett's 2012 season was remarkable considering his role, and the lack of talent that was around him.
Comments from McCarthy shortly after Capers' hiring in 2009:
Capers has run both 3-4 and 4-3 defenses and McCarthy expects him to run variations of both depending on personnel, opponents and game situations. The base scheme will be the 3-4 that Capers created in the early 1990s in Pittsburgh, and the one the Steelers will use when they play in Super Bowl XLIII in two weeks.
"It gives you the ability to utilize your personnel, the flexibility," McCarthy said of using outside linebackers in traditional positions or as defensive ends. "(It) doesn't mean we won't line up in a four-man front. We'll move in and out of both four-man and three-man fronts. It's an excellent run defense; it creates pass rush on the quarterback."
McCarthy said the defense forced opposing offenses to cut their play selection in half to deal with the combinations of defensive formations and blitz possibilities. The three defensive linemen are generally stout run defenders who anchor the front and allow the linebackers to move freely.
"From a personnel standpoint, I'm in favor of the 3-4 because it's the body type that I think will enhance the type of football we want to play here in Green Bay, particularly in November and December," McCarthy said.
http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/37856129.html
And then, who could forget this:
Pickett played a major role on the 3-4 defensive line during the Packers' postseason. He trailed only Charles Woodson as the longest-tenured NFL player on the Packers' defense. He had 2 tackles in Super Bowl XLV but, more importantly, was instrumental in one of the game's biggest plays. On the first play of the fourth quarter, the Pittsburgh Steelers were trailing the Packers 21-17, but had a second-and-two at the Packers' 33-yard-line. Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall took a handoff and was immediately met in the backfield by Pickett. Pickett had Mendelhall wrapped up, allowing Clay Matthews to force a fumble by sandwiching Mendenhall between himself and Pickett. Packers' linebacker Desmond Bishop recovered the fumble and the Packers offense would march down the field to extend their lead to 28-17. The Packers would go onto a 31-25 victory, bringing Green Bay their first championship title in fourteen years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Pickett
Maybe you were in the bathroom for that play...