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Everyone pretty much knows the important role that Pickett plays on this defense, but his role Monday night hammers it home.
The Pickett effect
With DT Ryan Pickett on the field, Minnesota’s star RB Adrian Peterson gained 30 yards on 12 carries (2.5 average). With Pickett on the sideline, Peterson had 73 yards on seven carries (10.4 average).
It’s not surprising Peterson’s back-to-back runs of 11 and 34 yards in the first quarter came while Pickett was getting a breather. Pickett returned on the next play, and defensive coordinator Bob Sanders made the proper adjustment by pulling down S Atari Bigby into the box for the rest of Minnesota’s drive, which stalled with a field goal.
Pickett, who missed all of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury, played the fourth-most snaps among defensive linemen (35). As usual, LE Aaron Kampman (72 snaps) was the ironman. RE Cullen Jenkins played 64 snaps, including 27 inside, and DT Johnny Jolly was next with 54 snaps.
With DT Ryan Pickett on the field, Minnesota’s star RB Adrian Peterson gained 30 yards on 12 carries (2.5 average). With Pickett on the sideline, Peterson had 73 yards on seven carries (10.4 average).
It’s not surprising Peterson’s back-to-back runs of 11 and 34 yards in the first quarter came while Pickett was getting a breather. Pickett returned on the next play, and defensive coordinator Bob Sanders made the proper adjustment by pulling down S Atari Bigby into the box for the rest of Minnesota’s drive, which stalled with a field goal.
Pickett, who missed all of training camp and the preseason with a hamstring injury, played the fourth-most snaps among defensive linemen (35). As usual, LE Aaron Kampman (72 snaps) was the ironman. RE Cullen Jenkins played 64 snaps, including 27 inside, and DT Johnny Jolly was next with 54 snaps.
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