Pickett at DE / Pickett gone after a year

[Partial]

What evidence do you have that he likely won't start 16 games? He's been a virtual tank for us. He's missed 2 games the past 7 years.

[HarveyWallbangers]

What evidence do you have that he likely won't start 16 games? He's been a virtual tank for us. He's missed 2 games the past 7 years.

I still think you're missing the boat on this. Our DL was at its best when we rotated. Pickett isn't an every down player. Raji can play a bit more, but I still don't want him playing 100% of the snaps. Those big guys wear down. I'm cool with keeping Pickett. We'll play some 4 man fronts, so both guys will end up playing 50% or more of the snaps. Plus, this gives us great protection for Pickett if his injuries continue or his play drops off. You need the big guy in the middle in the 3-4 and banking on one guy to stay healthy and fresh isn't the right way to go.

[Joemailman]

I agree with Harv. These huge guys can't play every down. New England just used a high 2nd round pick to take Ron Brace even though they have arguably the best NT in the game in Wilfork. And Wilfork I believe is younger than Pickett.

Fewer snaps early in games will make Pickett and Raji stronger in the 4th quarter than Pickett often was last year.

[Patler]

What evidence do you have that he likely won't start 16 games? He's been a virtual tank for us. He's missed 2 games the past 7 years.

I still think you're missing the boat on this. Our DL was at its best when we rotated. Pickett isn't an every down player. Raji can play a bit more, but I still don't want him playing 100% of the snaps. Those big guys wear down. I'm cool with keeping Pickett. We'll play some 4 man fronts, so both guys will end up playing 50% or more of the snaps. Plus, this gives us great protection for Pickett if his injuries continue or his play drops off. You need the big guy in the middle in the 3-4 and banking on one guy to stay healthy and fresh isn't the right way to go.

I agree 100%. I would be more than happy to have two starting quality nose tackles. How better to use up blockers throughout the entire game than by having two quality players rotating with each other all game long at NT? By rotating when a three-man front is used and sometimes playing side-by-side in three or four-man fronts each will contribute in a big way without becoming so worn down during the course of a game as to lose effectiveness at the ends of games.

Having both Pickett and Raji (if he pans out) would not be a waste at all. Both will be on the field enough to justify their salaries.

[Gunakor]

What evidence do you have that he likely won't start 16 games? He's been a virtual tank for us. He's missed 2 games the past 7 years.

I still think you're missing the boat on this. Our DL was at its best when we rotated. Pickett isn't an every down player. Raji can play a bit more, but I still don't want him playing 100% of the snaps. Those big guys wear down. I'm cool with keeping Pickett. We'll play some 4 man fronts, so both guys will end up playing 50% or more of the snaps. Plus, this gives us great protection for Pickett if his injuries continue or his play drops off. You need the big guy in the middle in the 3-4 and banking on one guy to stay healthy and fresh isn't the right way to go.

I agree 100%. I would be more than happy to have two starting quality nose tackles. How better to use up blockers throughout the entire game than by having two quality players rotating with each other all game long at NT? By rotating when a three-man front is used and sometimes playing side-by-side in three or four-man fronts each will contribute in a big way without becoming so worn down during the course of a game as to lose effectiveness at the ends of games.

Having both Pickett and Raji (if he pans out) would not be a waste at all. Both will be on the field enough to justify their salaries.

I think you are all missing the point. I am every bit as concerned with how much money our backup NT is making as I am that we have a servicable backup NT. I think we can find a servicable backup NT for half of what Pickett is making.

As was mentioned earlier, Pickett stands to make around 5 million per year in FA when his contract expires. If Pickett is just a rotational player, is he worth that much money? Why pay Pickett like a starter if he's not starting? Or is everyone so certain that Pickett will remain a starter?

If Raji wins the starting job, offer Pickett a healthy backup's salary. Something like 2.5 million per, maybe with incentives on top of it in case Raji misses a large chunk of time and Pickett is asked to play full time. If he accepts, great to have him still. If he feels he can still be a regular starter for someone and make a starters salary, let him go get that money from someone else. Draft or sign a new backup NT next offseason at an appropriate salary for the job he's asked to do.

[rbaloha1]

The scheme requires three run stuffers. This is especially important due to Peterson and Forte.

Pickett possesses the feet to move laterally and strength to play de. This season dictates his future.

[Fritz]

What evidence do you have that he likely won't start 16 games? He's been a virtual tank for us. He's missed 2 games the past 7 years.

I still think you're missing the boat on this. Our DL was at its best when we rotated. Pickett isn't an every down player. Raji can play a bit more, but I still don't want him playing 100% of the snaps. Those big guys wear down. I'm cool with keeping Pickett. We'll play some 4 man fronts, so both guys will end up playing 50% or more of the snaps. Plus, this gives us great protection for Pickett if his injuries continue or his play drops off. You need the big guy in the middle in the 3-4 and banking on one guy to stay healthy and fresh isn't the right way to go.

I agree 100%. I would be more than happy to have two starting quality nose tackles. How better to use up blockers throughout the entire game than by having two quality players rotating with each other all game long at NT? By rotating when a three-man front is used and sometimes playing side-by-side in three or four-man fronts each will contribute in a big way without becoming so worn down during the course of a game as to lose effectiveness at the ends of games.

Having both Pickett and Raji (if he pans out) would not be a waste at all. Both will be on the field enough to justify their salaries.

I think you are all missing the point. I am every bit as concerned with how much money our backup NT is making as I am that we have a servicable backup NT. I think we can find a servicable backup NT for half of what Pickett is making.

As was mentioned earlier, Pickett stands to make around 5 million per year in FA when his contract expires. If Pickett is just a rotational player, is he worth that much money? Why pay Pickett like a starter if he's not starting? Or is everyone so certain that Pickett will remain a starter?

If Raji wins the starting job, offer Pickett a healthy backup's salary. Something like 2.5 million per, maybe with incentives on top of it in case Raji misses a large chunk of time and Pickett is asked to play full time. If he accepts, great to have him still. If he feels he can still be a regular starter for someone and make a starters salary, let him go get that money from someone else. Draft or sign a new backup NT next offseason at an appropriate salary for the job he's asked to do.

Gun - I 'd rather have Pickett thatn "serviceable" and I believe you could justify both salaries at that position. Mebbe take some cabbage out of Brian Brohm's pocket.

[Gunakor]

I think you are all missing the point. I am every bit as concerned with how much money our backup NT is making as I am that we have a servicable backup NT. I think we can find a servicable backup NT for half of what Pickett is making.

As was mentioned earlier, Pickett stands to make around 5 million per year in FA when his contract expires. If Pickett is just a rotational player, is he worth that much money? Why pay Pickett like a starter if he's not starting? Or is everyone so certain that Pickett will remain a starter?

If Raji wins the starting job, offer Pickett a healthy backup's salary. Something like 2.5 million per, maybe with incentives on top of it in case Raji misses a large chunk of time and Pickett is asked to play full time. If he accepts, great to have him still. If he feels he can still be a regular starter for someone and make a starters salary, let him go get that money from someone else. Draft or sign a new backup NT next offseason at an appropriate salary for the job he's asked to do.

Gun - I 'd rather have Pickett thatn "serviceable" and I believe you could justify both salaries at that position. Mebbe take some cabbage out of Brian Brohm's pocket.

The only way to justify paying him 5 million per season is to start him somewhere. If he's the backup NT, not a starting NT or DE, then he's only seeing 5-10 snaps per game. It's a nice insurance policy to keep him, I absolutely agree, but that's 5 million per season we don't have to use on a guy who might see the field more often. I couldn't possibly justify paying someone that much money just to spell my starters. Again, if Pickett would sign with us for half of that, deal done. But 5 million... I couldn't justify that if he wasn't a starter.

Besides, complaining about serviceable backups not being good enough is a bit selfish. I don't expect world busters as backups. Serviceable works just fine for me. Think about Pickett for a minute too - if he feels he could be a starting DT for another team, why would he sign with us to be a backup in the first place? I personally don't see him as a starter after this year, at least here in Green Bay. I don't think he's going to want to resign with us anyway.

[CaliforniaCheez]

Big guys need to rotate in and out.

Selecting Raji actually helps keep Pickett fresh and less likely to get injured.
The D-line should be less fatigued.

The rotation will slowly have Raji playing more and Pickett less over time.
Pickett will be signed to a new contract. NT's are hard to find.

He will have the length of Pickett's new contract to find another great NT.

[Fritz]

I think you are all missing the point. I am every bit as concerned with how much money our backup NT is making as I am that we have a servicable backup NT. I think we can find a servicable backup NT for half of what Pickett is making.

As was mentioned earlier, Pickett stands to make around 5 million per year in FA when his contract expires. If Pickett is just a rotational player, is he worth that much money? Why pay Pickett like a starter if he's not starting? Or is everyone so certain that Pickett will remain a starter?

If Raji wins the starting job, offer Pickett a healthy backup's salary. Something like 2.5 million per, maybe with incentives on top of it in case Raji misses a large chunk of time and Pickett is asked to play full time. If he accepts, great to have him still. If he feels he can still be a regular starter for someone and make a starters salary, let him go get that money from someone else. Draft or sign a new backup NT next offseason at an appropriate salary for the job he's asked to do.

Gun - I 'd rather have Pickett thatn "serviceable" and I believe you could justify both salaries at that position. Mebbe take some cabbage out of Brian Brohm's pocket.

The only way to justify paying him 5 million per season is to start him somewhere. If he's the backup NT, not a starting NT or DE, then he's only seeing 5-10 snaps per game. It's a nice insurance policy to keep him, I absolutely agree, but that's 5 million per season we don't have to use on a guy who might see the field more often. I couldn't possibly justify paying someone that much money just to spell my starters. Again, if Pickett would sign with us for half of that, deal done. But 5 million... I couldn't justify that if he wasn't a starter.

Besides, complaining about serviceable backups not being good enough is a bit selfish. I don't expect world busters as backups. Serviceable works just fine for me. Think about Pickett for a minute too - if he feels he could be a starting DT for another team, why would he sign with us to be a backup in the first place? I personally don't see him as a starter after this year, at least here in Green Bay. I don't think he's going to want to resign with us anyway.

First, I am selfish.

Secondly, I think the way injuries work in this league that if you paid Pickett the 5 mil, my guess is that you'd get your snaps worth out of him. Someone along the line will be hurt (Why are you saying "Justin Harrell"?) and if Pickett can indeed play end (though I wonder) then he'd earn the money he'd be getting.

Let me have my fantasies, Gunakor. I want Pickett and Raji for the next five years.

[SnakeLH2006]

Pickett is 30 and a FA. Snake stated it early and often but both MM and TT said they want to move him to DE for BJ (the paraphrased quotes were, "We wanna talk to Ryan after his vacation about playing DE.)....aka...BJ is the talent, future beast at NG...you may be gone in a year and old, and declined last year, so fuck ya, move to DE.

LOL, that sounded harsh, but Pickett would be fine DE in a 3-4. Keep BJ in the middle. No doubt he starts..would be stupid to see him at DE just to keep Pickett happy for one year...plus he can play 3 downs at NG (BJ) so why not. Pickett solves one DE position too.

[Cheesehead Craig]

If he's the backup NT, not a starting NT or DE, then he's only seeing 5-10 snaps per game.

You think a backup NT only plays 5-10 snaps per game? Seriously?

[3irty1]

Even as a number 9 pick I doubt they'll expect Raji to take on the workload Ryan Pickett has held for the last few years. I expect a total platoon between Pickett and Raji. Its a physically demanding position it will help them both as Raji develops and Pickett ages. If Pickett can also play DE in certain situations then great--it's a way to put the most talent on the field.

[Gunakor]

If he's the backup NT, not a starting NT or DE, then he's only seeing 5-10 snaps per game.

You think a backup NT only plays 5-10 snaps per game? Seriously?

Yeah, I do. I expect Raji in on first and second down every time. Every last time, if he's healthy. How many opportunities do you think that leaves for his backup? Pickett would be in with Raji in nickel as the 2 interior down linemen, but he'd come back off in dime since he's not much of a pass rusher. So I don't expect him to be in for every 3rd down even.

IF he can play DE - and that's a HUGE if - he might see the field enough to warrant the money he's making. But if he can't, he won't see the field very much at all. Barring injury, of course.

[Cheesehead Craig]

If he's the backup NT, not a starting NT or DE, then he's only seeing 5-10 snaps per game.

You think a backup NT only plays 5-10 snaps per game? Seriously?

Yeah, I do. I expect Raji in on first and second down every time. Every last time, if he's healthy. How many opportunities do you think that leaves for his backup? Pickett would be in with Raji in nickel as the 2 interior down linemen, but he'd come back off in dime since he's not much of a pass rusher. So I don't expect him to be in for every 3rd down even.

IF he can play DE - and that's a HUGE if - he might see the field enough to warrant the money he's making. But if he can't, he won't see the field very much at all. Barring injury, of course.

DTs and NTs need to be rotated in to keep them fresh. Backups play about 35-40% of the snaps or so and that equates to about 22-25 plays per game. You can't just make blanket statements about when Raji and Pickett will be in as it never works out that way. To think that Pickett will only see the field for 5-10 snaps is a ridiculous statement.