Improving GB's run "D" begins with Pickett, Hawk

[woodbuck27]

Improving Green Bay's run "D" begins with Pickett, Hawk

By Connor J. Byrne

August 11, 2006

In their highly disappointing 4-12 campaign last season, the Green Bay Packers ' run defense was absolutely atrocious. It finished 27th overall, which was one of the chief reasons why the Pack finished dead last in the worst division in the NFL, the NFC North.

This season Green Bay is out to change all that. Its general manager, Ted Thompson, aimed at improving the front seven in the offseason, and he did so exponentially. Specifically, the addition of a veteran and a rookie should make the Packers' defense against ground attacks far better.

On the defensive line, the acquisition of Ryan Pickett in free agency should be a major benefit for new coordinator Bob Sanders. The former 29th overall pick spent his first five seasons with the St. Louis Rams , where he was a dependable, space-eating defensive tackle.

Pickett experienced the best season of his career in 2005, racking up career-highs in tackles (47) and sacks (two). The 310-pounder is both athletic and large, and should be a great fit to replace 33-year-old Grady Jackson, who had that role in Green Bay last year. Truthfully, Jackson simply has nothing left, which is why no organization has signed him since his Packer career ended a few months back.

Outside of Pickett, the addition of rookie outside linebacker A.J. Hawk should go a long way in curing the woes of the Packers' defense against the run. While with the Ohio State Buckeyes, the 6-foot-1, 247-pounder was a star of the highest magnitude between 2002-2005, becoming the defensive captain and the unit's best player.

In last April's draft the Green Bay brain trust, led by Thompson and new head coach Mike McCarthy, simply couldn't pass up Hawk with the fifth overall selection. His character, leadership and playmaking skills are far too solid, and he's still just 22 years of age.

On Saturday, these two new pickups will lead the Green Bay Packers ' defense into quite a test in the team's first exhibition game, as the Pack take on the San Diego Chargers . Of course, the Californians boast arguably the League's best back, LaDainian Tomlinson. He won't get many carries, but his backups, Michael Turner and Darren Sproles, are both above-average players, too.

Undoubtedly, the Green Bay fans will be watching closely as their beloved franchise tries to turn over a new leaf against opposing ground attacks. It all begins tomorrow.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

[Joemailman]

I differ a bit with the claim that the Packers run defense was atrocious last year. Yes, they were 27th in run defense. However, because they were almost always behind by halftime, they faced more rushing attempts than most teams. The Packers gave up 4.0 yds per attempt, which was about average.

One thing that may have contributed to the poor numbers was the fact that much of the time, in passing situations, the Packers went to the dime defense instead of the nickel. This was due to the fact that with Diggs usually injured, Barnett was the only LB they had who excelled in pass coverage. As a result, the Packers were very vulnerable to running plays with only 1 linebacker in the game. With the addition of Hawk, the Packers should be in the nickel more, which should make it harder for teams to run in these situations.

I do agree that the addition of Pickett and Hawk should make the Packers tougher against the run in all situations. Teams may be less anxiouis to run at KGB this year knowing they will also have to get past Hawk instead of a guy like Robert Thomas. The addition of Charles Woodson also shouldn't be overlooked. The Packers may be able to use one of the safeties in run support more this year since they have (we hope) 2 cornerbacks who won't require safety help.