Joemailman
09-28-2006, 10:34 PM
Gimpy Pickett might miss tough test
By Pete Dougherty
pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com
Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett's unassuming but effective play has made him General Manager Ted Thompson's best offseason free-agent signing for the Green Bay Packers.
That makes Pickett's "doubtful" status for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles' top-ranked offense a concern for the Packers, who are 11-point underdogs.
Pickett is doubtful (at least a 75 percent chance he won't play) because of an ankle injury sustained Sunday at Detroit. Pickett has put up decent numbers through three games  he's second among the defensive linemen with 13 tackles and has no sacks  but that doesn't tell the whole story.
He has been worth the $5.5 million in bonuses and salaries the Packers paid to lure him from the St. Louis Rams this past offseason because of his ability to hold the point of attack, chase plays down the line of scrimmage and get some inside pressure on the passing pocket.
"He's been the best overall player consistently against both the run and pass," coach Mike McCarthy said.
Defensive tackle Kenderick Allen is out on Sunday because of a sprained foot, so the Packers probably will be down two defensive tackles, though the loss of Pickett is far more consequential.
The injuries come at their position of greatest depth. Though Pickett is their best defensive tackle and Allen arguably their second-best run-stopper behind Pickett, they have Colin Cole to play as an inside anchor against the run. They also have Cullen Jenkins, their best inside rusher, and Corey Williams, who is coming off his best game in two-plus seasons and is a player the Packers have been looking to break out for about a year.
Williams (6-foot-3, 313 pounds) will replace Pickett in the starting lineup. He's coming off a performance against Detroit in which he had three tackles and two sacks, including a crucial fourth-quarter sack on a fourth-and-2 play. The coaches voted him the team's defensive player of the game.
The fifth-round pick from 2004 didn't have a noteworthy training camp, but the Packers have considered him one of their most promising defensive linemen.
"I have to keep doing it week after week," Williams said. "It can't be a one-game standout, and then the next couple games you don't hear about me, and the next game I kind of break out. You've got to be consistent with it."
If neither Allen nor Pickett play, the Packers probably will activate rookie defensive tackle Johnny Jolly for the first time.
Pickett's injury jeopardizes his availability against the best offensive team the Packers will have faced. The 2-1 Eagles lead the NFL in yards and are third in points. They've played Houston, the New York Giants and San Francisco.
Their offense revolves around quarterback Donovan McNabb and all-purpose halfback Brian Westbrook.
McNabb, who is at full health after playing an abbreviated season last year with a sports hernia, has the NFL's third-highest passer rating (105.3 points). He presents major problems because he's a competent pocket passer who is mobile and more dangerous when he escapes the rush and improvises.
McNabb is in his seventh season with the Eagles, and at 29 is in the prime of his career. He can be sacked  five times in three games  but at the risk of him breaking the pocket to convert a first down on a scramble or throw.
"You still want to sack him," Jenkins said, "that's the No. 1 thing. But you want to be in controlled fashion. You don't want everyone out there just running around like crazy."
Westbrook is an all-purpose threat somewhat akin to New Orleans' Reggie Bush. His great quickness isn't in Bush's class, but he's an excellent receiver, and the Eagles regularly split him out as a receiver to get him in space against linebackers in the passing game (15 receptions, 10.9-yard average).
Though the Eagles are a pass-oriented team  they have 118 pass attempts plus sacks, and 67 rushes (plus 11 by McNabb)  Westbrook is averaging 5.8 yards a carry, so the onus on the Packers' defensive line is to at least occupy blockers and close rushing lanes for the linebackers to make tackles, plus get adequate pressure on McNabb in the passing game.
Last week against San Francisco, Westbrook had a 71-yard touchdown run and gained 117 yards on eight carries. Even without the long run, he averaged 6.6 yards a rush.
"I think Brian Westbrook is special," McCarthy said. "He's a guy that can score from anywhere on the field. He'll be a primary target for our defense this week. He can do it all. You look at the run he had against San Francisco, just the way they finished it, they do a good job of getting him the football and getting him in space."
Story Chat
Looks like the Cole Train may roll again. Actually, DT is one position where the pack has enough depth to absorb some injuries. Pickett would be tough to replace though.
By Pete Dougherty
pdougher@greenbaypressgazette.com
Defensive tackle Ryan Pickett's unassuming but effective play has made him General Manager Ted Thompson's best offseason free-agent signing for the Green Bay Packers.
That makes Pickett's "doubtful" status for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles' top-ranked offense a concern for the Packers, who are 11-point underdogs.
Pickett is doubtful (at least a 75 percent chance he won't play) because of an ankle injury sustained Sunday at Detroit. Pickett has put up decent numbers through three games  he's second among the defensive linemen with 13 tackles and has no sacks  but that doesn't tell the whole story.
He has been worth the $5.5 million in bonuses and salaries the Packers paid to lure him from the St. Louis Rams this past offseason because of his ability to hold the point of attack, chase plays down the line of scrimmage and get some inside pressure on the passing pocket.
"He's been the best overall player consistently against both the run and pass," coach Mike McCarthy said.
Defensive tackle Kenderick Allen is out on Sunday because of a sprained foot, so the Packers probably will be down two defensive tackles, though the loss of Pickett is far more consequential.
The injuries come at their position of greatest depth. Though Pickett is their best defensive tackle and Allen arguably their second-best run-stopper behind Pickett, they have Colin Cole to play as an inside anchor against the run. They also have Cullen Jenkins, their best inside rusher, and Corey Williams, who is coming off his best game in two-plus seasons and is a player the Packers have been looking to break out for about a year.
Williams (6-foot-3, 313 pounds) will replace Pickett in the starting lineup. He's coming off a performance against Detroit in which he had three tackles and two sacks, including a crucial fourth-quarter sack on a fourth-and-2 play. The coaches voted him the team's defensive player of the game.
The fifth-round pick from 2004 didn't have a noteworthy training camp, but the Packers have considered him one of their most promising defensive linemen.
"I have to keep doing it week after week," Williams said. "It can't be a one-game standout, and then the next couple games you don't hear about me, and the next game I kind of break out. You've got to be consistent with it."
If neither Allen nor Pickett play, the Packers probably will activate rookie defensive tackle Johnny Jolly for the first time.
Pickett's injury jeopardizes his availability against the best offensive team the Packers will have faced. The 2-1 Eagles lead the NFL in yards and are third in points. They've played Houston, the New York Giants and San Francisco.
Their offense revolves around quarterback Donovan McNabb and all-purpose halfback Brian Westbrook.
McNabb, who is at full health after playing an abbreviated season last year with a sports hernia, has the NFL's third-highest passer rating (105.3 points). He presents major problems because he's a competent pocket passer who is mobile and more dangerous when he escapes the rush and improvises.
McNabb is in his seventh season with the Eagles, and at 29 is in the prime of his career. He can be sacked  five times in three games  but at the risk of him breaking the pocket to convert a first down on a scramble or throw.
"You still want to sack him," Jenkins said, "that's the No. 1 thing. But you want to be in controlled fashion. You don't want everyone out there just running around like crazy."
Westbrook is an all-purpose threat somewhat akin to New Orleans' Reggie Bush. His great quickness isn't in Bush's class, but he's an excellent receiver, and the Eagles regularly split him out as a receiver to get him in space against linebackers in the passing game (15 receptions, 10.9-yard average).
Though the Eagles are a pass-oriented team  they have 118 pass attempts plus sacks, and 67 rushes (plus 11 by McNabb)  Westbrook is averaging 5.8 yards a carry, so the onus on the Packers' defensive line is to at least occupy blockers and close rushing lanes for the linebackers to make tackles, plus get adequate pressure on McNabb in the passing game.
Last week against San Francisco, Westbrook had a 71-yard touchdown run and gained 117 yards on eight carries. Even without the long run, he averaged 6.6 yards a rush.
"I think Brian Westbrook is special," McCarthy said. "He's a guy that can score from anywhere on the field. He'll be a primary target for our defense this week. He can do it all. You look at the run he had against San Francisco, just the way they finished it, they do a good job of getting him the football and getting him in space."
Story Chat
Looks like the Cole Train may roll again. Actually, DT is one position where the pack has enough depth to absorb some injuries. Pickett would be tough to replace though.