- Has played in 162 of a possible 176 regular-season games during his 11-year career, missing just nine contests due to injury.
- Had another productive season in 2011, starting all 14 games in which he played and leading the defensive line with 54 tackles (24 solo) on the season.
- Key component of Packers’ No. 1-ranked rushing defense in 2009 (franchise-record 83.3 yards allowed per game), the first time in team history that Green Bay led the league in that category.
- A first-round draft choice (29th overall) in 2001 who turned pro after his junior year at Ohio State, and became a starter in his second season in St. Louis.
- Came to Green Bay off a career year in 2005, when he led all NFL defensive linemen with 115 tackles, 10 more than former Packers linemate and runner-up Aaron Kampman.
- An All-American at Zephyrhills (Fla.) High School who did not stay close to home like older brother Booker, who played at Miami (Fla.).
Pro Highlights:
- Begins his 12th NFL season and seventh in Green Bay as a primary run-stuffer and unsung veteran leader on the defensive line.
- Has unselfishly rotated between both nose tackle and left defensive end since the Packers’ implementation of the 3-4 alignment in 2009.
- Played more predominantly over the center in 2011, starting all 14 games in which he appeared, leading the defensive line with 54 tackles (24 solo) and adding two passes defensed.
- Started the first 13 games of the season before suffering a concussion in the Week 14 matchup vs. Oakland (Dec. 11) that forced him to miss the next two games. Returned for the regular-season finale and playoff contest.
- Played in 14 games with 12 starts in 2010, finishing with 53 tackles (27 solo), a sack, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed.
- Missed two games in the middle of the season because of an ankle injury, but returned to play the final seven games and all four postseason contests. Worked primarily at LDE in 2010 with B.J. Raji moving into the starting role at NT.
- Was a key part of the Packers’ No. 1-ranked rushing defense in ’09 (team-record 83.3 yards allowed per game), the first time in franchise annals that Green Bay led the league in run defense. Part of a defense that held opponents to under 90 net rushing yards a league-high 12 times on the season, also a franchise record.
- Was designated as the team’s franchise player on Feb. 24, 2010, but agreed to a contract extension with the Packers on March 12, 2010.
- Though many of his contributions don’t always show up on the stat sheet, does have 390 tackles (197 solo) in 87 regular-season games in Green Bay over six seasons, posting five or more tackles 42 times (46 including playoffs). Now has 798 tackles (392 solo) with 9½ sacks and 33 passes defensed for his career.
- Battled through hamstring and triceps injuries to start every game in ’08 and has played in 162 of a possible 176 regular-season games during his career, missing just nine contests due to injury.
- Prior to Week 16 of 2007, had not missed a game since midway through his rookie season, and had not missed a start since Week 4 of 2003.
- Took over DT Grady Jackson’s old starting job after signing as an unrestricted free agent on March 17, 2006, coming over from St. Louis, where he spent his first five seasons and was a first-round draft choice (29th overall) in 2001, turning pro after his junior year at Ohio State
- Came to Green Bay off his best statistical season in 2005 in which he led all of the league’s defensive linemen with 115 tackles, 10 more than runner-up Aaron Kampman. Having appeared in eight playoff games with the Packers, has the experience of playing in 14 postseason contests, including Super Bowl XXXVI while a rookie with St. Louis and Super Bowl XLV in 2010 with Green Bay.
2011 SEASON: Started all 14 games in which he appeared, leading the defensive line with 54 tackles (24 solo), his highest total since the team transitioned to the 3-4 alignment prior to the 2009 season…Also added two passes defensed…Opened the first 13 games of the season at what was listed as LDE, but played various techniques and was predominantly lined up over the center as one of two defensive linemen in the team’s nickel defense…Suffered a concussion vs. Oakland in Week 14 and was sidelined for the next two games…Returned to open the season finale and Divisional playoff game…Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 8): Had a productive day, leading the defensive line with six tackles (two solo) and was part of the swarm at the goal line that stopped RB Mark Ingram’s progress and sealed the win as time expired. On the play, shot underneath RT Zach Strief, clearing a lane for LB Clay Matthews and S Morgan Burnett to apply the hit to Ingram…At Chicago (Sept. 25): Started and finished with one tackle, but made significant, if not statistically glamorous contributions occupying blockers up front as the run defense yielded just 13 yards on 12 carries (1.1 avg.), the fourth-lowest single-game total in franchise history. Lone tackle went for a loss when he lined up over the nose and shed C Roberto Garza, moving laterally down the line of scrimmage to drop RB Matt Forté for a 2-yard loss…At Atlanta (Oct. 9): Posted five tackles (one solo) and was an integral part in helping to limit the effectiveness of standout RB Michael Turner, who finished with 56 yards on his 16 carries (3.5 avg.), including just 20 rushing yards in the second half…At Detroit (Nov. 24): Made four tackles (one solo) and also recorded a pass defensed when he was on the front end of one of the game’s most impactful turnover plays in the second quarter. On the play, lined up at LDE, first engaging a block, but then sliding laterally into a zone coverage where he read QB Matthew Stafford and got his hand on a thrown ball, deflecting it high into the air for Matthews to intercept it. The Green Bay offense would score the game’s first points two plays later…Vs. Oakland (Dec. 11): Finished with four tackles (three solo), but suffered a concussion during the game and did not return...Vs. Detroit (Jan. 1): Returned to the field after missing the previous two games and tallied three tackles (one solo)…Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Led the defensive line with seven tackles (three solo, one for loss) and also added a pressure.
2010: Appeared in 14 games with 12 starts at LDE, making the transition to end after working at NT in ’09…Registered 53 tackles (27 solo), a sack, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery…Started all four postseason contests and led the defensive line with 14 tackles (five solo) in the playoffs…At Philadelphia (Sept. 12): Posted four tackles (two solo), seeing significant action as one of only three healthy defensive linemen for the bulk of the game…At Chicago (Sept. 27): Recorded four tackles (one solo), a QB hit and a pass defensed. Helped limit the Bears to just 77 yards rushing, with 37 of those yards coming on three scrambles by QB Jay Cutler…Vs. Detroit (Oct. 3): Registered four tackles (three solo) and a fumble recovery, falling on RB Jahvid Best’s fumble forced by DE Mike Neal in the second quarter. The turnover led to a TE Jermichael Finley TD catch three plays later. The fumble recovery was his first since his first season in Green Bay (at Chicago, Dec. 31, 2006)…At Washington (Oct. 10): Started, but sustained a sprained ankle on the Redskins’ second play from scrimmage. Did not return, and was inactive the following week vs. Miami (Oct. 17)…Vs. Minnesota (Oct. 24): Returned to the starting lineup, but aggravated the injury seven plays into the game and did not return. Sidelined once more the next week at the N.Y. Jets (Oct. 31) and re-aggravated the ankle again vs. Dallas (Nov. 7)…At Minnesota (Nov. 21): After bye week, returned to the field and had a pair of tackles (one solo)… At Detroit (Dec. 12): Recorded a season-high 10 tackles (seven solo), his highest total since posting a career-high 12 at Seattle (11/27/06). Forced QB Drew Stanton out of bounds for a 2-yard sack late in the first half…Vs. N.Y. Giants (Dec. 26): Registered five tackles (one solo) as the defense limited the Giants to just 90 yards on 21 carries, one of only three times on the season that New York didn’t rush for 100 yards…At Chicago (NFC Championship, Jan. 23): Recorded five tackles (two solo) as the unit limited the Bears to just 83 yards rushing and a 7.7 conversion rate (1-of-13) on third down…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Finished with four tackles (two solo) while also having a hand in one of the game’s biggest plays with the Steelers trailing 21-17 but in Green Bay territory. On the first play of the fourth quarter, slipped inside of pulling C Doug Legursky and dove into RB Rashard Mendenhall’s left hip. Matthews converged on the right side, jarring the ball loose, and the fumble was recovered by LB Desmond Bishop. The Packers would score a TD eight plays later to extend their lead to 28-17.
2009: Played in 13 games with nine starts at NT; only non-starts came when team opened up in nickel…Also played in team’s playoff contest…Part of top-ranked rushing defense in the NFL (a franchise-best 83.3 yards per game), the first time in franchise history that the team was No. 1 against the run…Posted 47 tackles (25 solo) and a pass defensed…Inactive for three games late in the season due to a hamstring injury…At St. Louis (Sept. 27): Led the line with six tackles (two solo), including a stop of RB Steven Jackson for a 2-yard loss on first-quarter run…At Minnesota (Oct. 5): Didn’t start as team opened in nickel, but led the defensive line with season-high seven tackles (six solo). Helped limit Pro Bowl RB Adrian Peterson to just 55 yards on 25 carries (2.2 avg.)…Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 1): Led the line with seven tackles (five solo) to match his career high. Along with LB A.J. Hawk, stopped Peterson for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-1 from Green Bay’s 7 midway through the second quarter…Vs. Baltimore (Dec. 7): Posted four tackles (two solo) and a QB hit, but sustained a hamstring injury with under nine minutes remaining in the game and did not return. Injury would go on to sideline him for three of final four regular-season games…At Arizona (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 10): Didn’t start as team opened in nickel, but registered two tackles (one solo).
2008: Started all 16 games for the fourth time in the last five seasons, opening up every game at LDT…Was third on the defensive line with 81 tackles (38 solo), the sixth time in his career he posted 80-plus stops...Tied for lead on the line with five passes defensed...Posted 1½ sacks, his most in a single season as a Packer…Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): Returned to the starting lineup after missing entire preseason with hamstring injury suffered just prior to the start of training camp...Vs. Atlanta (Oct. 5): Led defensive line with seven tackles (four solo), including a stop of Turner for a 3-yard loss in the first quarter…At Seattle (Oct. 12): Registered three tackles (one solo), but left game midway through third quarter with triceps injury and did not return…Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Started after being limited all week in practice with triceps injury, which required a harness for protection during game. Registered three tackles (one solo) and batted down a QB Peyton Manning pass on third down in the second quarter to force a Colts punt…At Tennessee (Nov. 2): Finished second on the defensive line with seven tackles (five solo), registered his first sack of the season when he brought down QB Kerry Collins for a 4-yard loss early in the third quarter, and batted down a Collins pass intended for TE Bo Scaife in overtime...Vs. Houston (Dec. 7): Tied for lead on defensive line with a season-high nine tackles (two solo)…At Chicago (Dec. 22): Shared a sack of QB Kyle Orton in the third quarter with DE Michael Montgomery for a 4-yard loss on third down. Tied for lead on the defensive line with seven tackles (five solo).
2007: Started 14 games, plus both playoff contests, recording 63 tackles (38 solo), with one sack and one pass defensed…Inactive for final two regular-season games with a groin injury, snapping a string of 74 consecutive starts (77 including playoffs) dating back to early 2003 and 101 straight games played (107 including playoffs) dating back to midway through his rookie season…Didn’t even miss the preseason opener, having arrived in Pittsburgh (Aug. 11) the morning of the game following the birth of his son, Ryan Jr. …At Minnesota (Sept. 30): Made his first sack of the season and first as a Packer, felling QB Kelly Holcomb for a 6-yard loss in fourth quarter; made a season-high seven total tackles (six solo)…At Denver (Oct. 29): With time running out, stopped Cutler for no gain at the Green Bay 4-yard line on a QB draw. Denver was forced to kick a FG that tied the score 13-13 and led to an OT period; QB Brett Favre connected with WR Greg Jennings on the first play for an 82-yard score and the victory…At St. Louis (Dec. 16): Made six tackles (one solo) but missed a good part of the second half after suffering a groin injury and then missed the next two games…Vs. Seattle (NFC Divisional, Jan. 12): Returned to the starting lineup for the postseason and made six tackles (four solo), including stop of RB Shaun Alexander for a 1-yard loss in third quarter.
2006: An unrestricted free agent signed from St. Louis, started all 16 games in his first year with the Packers and was often called by the most consistent defensive lineman by the team’s coaches…Collected 92 tackles (45 solo), one fumble recovery and a career-best seven passes defensed…Was held to fewer than five tackles just four times all season and had six or more on eight occasions…At Philadelphia (Oct. 2): Played in spite of an ankle injury suffered the week prior at Detroit…At Seattle (Nov. 27): Tied a regular-season career high with 12 tackles (six solo), including three for loss. Also helped to end the Seahawks’ first possession by tipping a pass that was intercepted by CB Charles Woodson, setting up a Packers TD…Vs. N.Y. Jets (Dec. 3): Combined with LB Nick Barnett to stop RB Cedric Houston for minus-1 yard; on the next play, nearly intercepted a pass, his sixth pass breakup of the year…At Chicago (Dec. 31): Recovered a QB Rex Grossman fumble, his first career fumble recovery.
2005: Assembled the finest season statistically in his NFL career in his final year in St. Louis…Started all 16 games for a second straight season and posted a career-high 115 tackles (61 solo), which led all NFL defensive linemen…Also tied his career high with two sacks…At Arizona (Sept. 18): Teamed with DE Leonard Little to share a fourth-quarter sack of QB Kurt Warner…Vs. New Orleans (Oct. 23): Led team in tackles with 11 (five solo)…Vs. Jacksonville (Oct. 30): Led team in tackles for second straight week with nine (six solo) and shared a sack of QB Byron Leftwich with LB Chris Claiborne…At Houston (Nov. 27): Got a sack of his own, dropping QB David Carr on a key third down to force the Texans to settle for a FG in the Rams’ eventual 33-27 win…Vs. Washington (Dec. 4): Tied his career high with 12 tackles (six solo).
2004: Started all 16 regular-season contests and two playoff games, finishing with 81 tackles (36 solo) and two sacks, and playing his best football late in the year and into the postseason…Led the team in tackles twice and led or tied for tackle lead among defensive linemen on three other occasions, all in final month of regular season and playoffs…At Carolina (Dec. 12): Led team in tackles with 11 (five solo), one shy of regular-season career high…Vs. N.Y. Jets (Jan. 2): Posted 10 tackles (five solo), including a sack of QB Chad Pennington in OT of regular-season finale…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Established postseason high of 13 tackles (seven solo), surpassing his regular-season best by one.
2003: Started 13 games at NT and finished with 74 tackles (26 solo) and one sack…At Chicago (Nov. 16): Recorded a season-high 10 tackles (two solo)…Vs. Carolina (NFC Divisional, Jan. 10): Had seven tackles (four solo), the seventh time on the season (six times in the regular season) he posted seven or more.
2002: Started 14 games at LDT and turned in breakout year with 107 stops (59 solo) to lead St. Louis’ defensive line and finish second on the team…His six tackles for loss also were second on the Rams…At Denver (Sept. 8): Made his first career start in the season opener, leading the defensive line with 10 tackles (four solo) and getting a half-sack of QB Brian Griese…At Washington (Nov. 24): Reached double figures in tackles again with 10 stops (four solo)…At Philadelphia (Dec. 1): Established regular-season career high with 12 tackles (five solo).
2001: Took a reserve role on the defensive line and played special teams…Saw action in 11 regular-season and three postseason contests, making 24 stops (10 solo) with ½ sack…At Atlanta (Dec 2): Tallied five tackles (four solo), his rookie high…At Carolina (Dec. 23): Matched rookie best with five stops (one solo)…Vs. New England (Super Bowl XXXVI, Feb. 3): Posted two assisted tackles in Super Bowl loss to Patriots…2001 Draft: Selected after his junior season by St. Louis Rams as the third of three first-round selections (29th overall). First Ohio State defensive lineman picked in the first round since Dan Wilkinson was selected first overall by Cincinnati in ’94.
COLLEGE: A three-year starter at Ohio State (1998-2000), he played both DT positions…Totaled 109 tackles (72 solo), eight sacks and 20 stops for loss in 37 career games…Majored in general studies…Junior season (2000): Played LDT and had 39 tackles (21 solo), three sacks and two forced fumbles…Sophomore season (1999): Started every game at RDT and was named All-Big Ten honorable mention with a career-high 48 tackles (34 solo) and three sacks…Freshman season (1998): Played in every game and started the final nine contests at RDT, with 22 stops (17 solo), two sacks, and five tackles for loss.
PERSONAL: Given name Ryan Lamont Pickett…Nicknamed “Big Grease”…Born in Zephyrhills, Fla. …Married to Jennifer; the couple has three daughters, Esther, 8, Abigail, 7, and Lydia, 4, and is expecting the arrival of another, Phebe, in August, and two sons, Ryan Jr., 5, and 1-year old Caleb…Older brother, Booker, played football at the University of Miami (Fla.)…High school: A consensus All-America selection and all-state player at Zephyrhills (Fla.) High School, he recorded 119 tackles and seven sacks as a senior…Named one of top 25 players in the nation by the National Recruiting Advisor…Community involvement: With his wife, partnered with Acts 1:8 Ministries to start the Tackle a Tower program in 2008, donating resources with each tackle he records to help build water towers in Ugandan villages and spread word of the Gospel to the local people...Thus far the program has helped build more than 50 water towers in Uganda, with a goal of more than 100…Also spoke to a group of troops in San Diego before their deployment to Afghanistan…Participated in the All-Pro Dad program, sharing pointers with other fathers, and the annual Families of Children with Cancer holiday party, playing games and singing songs with kids…Also served as a celebrity chef for the Big Brothers Big Sisters annual Taste of the Town event the past two years and has participated in dinners to benefit the Donald Driver Foundation…Traveled to Los Angeles during the 2011 offseason for a taping of Dancing with the Stars, supporting teammate and eventual competition champion Driver...Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing with his kids, reading the Bible, watching movies and playing golf…Residence: De Pere, Wis.
- Has played in 162 of a possible 176 regular-season games during his 11-year career, missing just nine contests due to injury.
- Had another productive season in 2011, starting all 14 games in which he played and leading the defensive line with 54 tackles (24 solo) on the season.
- Key component of Packers’ No. 1-ranked rushing defense in 2009 (franchise-record 83.3 yards allowed per game), the first time in team history that Green Bay led the league in that category.
- A first-round draft choice (29th overall) in 2001 who turned pro after his junior year at Ohio State, and became a starter in his second season in St. Louis.
- Came to Green Bay off a career year in 2005, when he led all NFL defensive linemen with 115 tackles, 10 more than former Packers linemate and runner-up Aaron Kampman.
- An All-American at Zephyrhills (Fla.) High School who did not stay close to home like older brother Booker, who played at Miami (Fla.).
Pro Highlights:
- Begins his 12th NFL season and seventh in Green Bay as a primary run-stuffer and unsung veteran leader on the defensive line.
- Has unselfishly rotated between both nose tackle and left defensive end since the Packers’ implementation of the 3-4 alignment in 2009.
- Played more predominantly over the center in 2011, starting all 14 games in which he appeared, leading the defensive line with 54 tackles (24 solo) and adding two passes defensed.
- Started the first 13 games of the season before suffering a concussion in the Week 14 matchup vs. Oakland (Dec. 11) that forced him to miss the next two games. Returned for the regular-season finale and playoff contest.
- Played in 14 games with 12 starts in 2010, finishing with 53 tackles (27 solo), a sack, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed.
- Missed two games in the middle of the season because of an ankle injury, but returned to play the final seven games and all four postseason contests. Worked primarily at LDE in 2010 with B.J. Raji moving into the starting role at NT.
- Was a key part of the Packers’ No. 1-ranked rushing defense in ’09 (team-record 83.3 yards allowed per game), the first time in franchise annals that Green Bay led the league in run defense. Part of a defense that held opponents to under 90 net rushing yards a league-high 12 times on the season, also a franchise record.
- Was designated as the team’s franchise player on Feb. 24, 2010, but agreed to a contract extension with the Packers on March 12, 2010.
- Though many of his contributions don’t always show up on the stat sheet, does have 390 tackles (197 solo) in 87 regular-season games in Green Bay over six seasons, posting five or more tackles 42 times (46 including playoffs). Now has 798 tackles (392 solo) with 9½ sacks and 33 passes defensed for his career.
- Battled through hamstring and triceps injuries to start every game in ’08 and has played in 162 of a possible 176 regular-season games during his career, missing just nine contests due to injury.
- Prior to Week 16 of 2007, had not missed a game since midway through his rookie season, and had not missed a start since Week 4 of 2003.
- Took over DT Grady Jackson’s old starting job after signing as an unrestricted free agent on March 17, 2006, coming over from St. Louis, where he spent his first five seasons and was a first-round draft choice (29th overall) in 2001, turning pro after his junior year at Ohio State
- Came to Green Bay off his best statistical season in 2005 in which he led all of the league’s defensive linemen with 115 tackles, 10 more than runner-up Aaron Kampman. Having appeared in eight playoff games with the Packers, has the experience of playing in 14 postseason contests, including Super Bowl XXXVI while a rookie with St. Louis and Super Bowl XLV in 2010 with Green Bay.
2011 SEASON: Started all 14 games in which he appeared, leading the defensive line with 54 tackles (24 solo), his highest total since the team transitioned to the 3-4 alignment prior to the 2009 season…Also added two passes defensed…Opened the first 13 games of the season at what was listed as LDE, but played various techniques and was predominantly lined up over the center as one of two defensive linemen in the team’s nickel defense…Suffered a concussion vs. Oakland in Week 14 and was sidelined for the next two games…Returned to open the season finale and Divisional playoff game…Vs. New Orleans (Sept. 8): Had a productive day, leading the defensive line with six tackles (two solo) and was part of the swarm at the goal line that stopped RB Mark Ingram’s progress and sealed the win as time expired. On the play, shot underneath RT Zach Strief, clearing a lane for LB Clay Matthews and S Morgan Burnett to apply the hit to Ingram…At Chicago (Sept. 25): Started and finished with one tackle, but made significant, if not statistically glamorous contributions occupying blockers up front as the run defense yielded just 13 yards on 12 carries (1.1 avg.), the fourth-lowest single-game total in franchise history. Lone tackle went for a loss when he lined up over the nose and shed C Roberto Garza, moving laterally down the line of scrimmage to drop RB Matt Forté for a 2-yard loss…At Atlanta (Oct. 9): Posted five tackles (one solo) and was an integral part in helping to limit the effectiveness of standout RB Michael Turner, who finished with 56 yards on his 16 carries (3.5 avg.), including just 20 rushing yards in the second half…At Detroit (Nov. 24): Made four tackles (one solo) and also recorded a pass defensed when he was on the front end of one of the game’s most impactful turnover plays in the second quarter. On the play, lined up at LDE, first engaging a block, but then sliding laterally into a zone coverage where he read QB Matthew Stafford and got his hand on a thrown ball, deflecting it high into the air for Matthews to intercept it. The Green Bay offense would score the game’s first points two plays later…Vs. Oakland (Dec. 11): Finished with four tackles (three solo), but suffered a concussion during the game and did not return...Vs. Detroit (Jan. 1): Returned to the field after missing the previous two games and tallied three tackles (one solo)…Vs. N.Y. Giants (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Led the defensive line with seven tackles (three solo, one for loss) and also added a pressure.
2010: Appeared in 14 games with 12 starts at LDE, making the transition to end after working at NT in ’09…Registered 53 tackles (27 solo), a sack, a pass defensed and a fumble recovery…Started all four postseason contests and led the defensive line with 14 tackles (five solo) in the playoffs…At Philadelphia (Sept. 12): Posted four tackles (two solo), seeing significant action as one of only three healthy defensive linemen for the bulk of the game…At Chicago (Sept. 27): Recorded four tackles (one solo), a QB hit and a pass defensed. Helped limit the Bears to just 77 yards rushing, with 37 of those yards coming on three scrambles by QB Jay Cutler…Vs. Detroit (Oct. 3): Registered four tackles (three solo) and a fumble recovery, falling on RB Jahvid Best’s fumble forced by DE Mike Neal in the second quarter. The turnover led to a TE Jermichael Finley TD catch three plays later. The fumble recovery was his first since his first season in Green Bay (at Chicago, Dec. 31, 2006)…At Washington (Oct. 10): Started, but sustained a sprained ankle on the Redskins’ second play from scrimmage. Did not return, and was inactive the following week vs. Miami (Oct. 17)…Vs. Minnesota (Oct. 24): Returned to the starting lineup, but aggravated the injury seven plays into the game and did not return. Sidelined once more the next week at the N.Y. Jets (Oct. 31) and re-aggravated the ankle again vs. Dallas (Nov. 7)…At Minnesota (Nov. 21): After bye week, returned to the field and had a pair of tackles (one solo)… At Detroit (Dec. 12): Recorded a season-high 10 tackles (seven solo), his highest total since posting a career-high 12 at Seattle (11/27/06). Forced QB Drew Stanton out of bounds for a 2-yard sack late in the first half…Vs. N.Y. Giants (Dec. 26): Registered five tackles (one solo) as the defense limited the Giants to just 90 yards on 21 carries, one of only three times on the season that New York didn’t rush for 100 yards…At Chicago (NFC Championship, Jan. 23): Recorded five tackles (two solo) as the unit limited the Bears to just 83 yards rushing and a 7.7 conversion rate (1-of-13) on third down…Vs. Pittsburgh (Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6): Finished with four tackles (two solo) while also having a hand in one of the game’s biggest plays with the Steelers trailing 21-17 but in Green Bay territory. On the first play of the fourth quarter, slipped inside of pulling C Doug Legursky and dove into RB Rashard Mendenhall’s left hip. Matthews converged on the right side, jarring the ball loose, and the fumble was recovered by LB Desmond Bishop. The Packers would score a TD eight plays later to extend their lead to 28-17.
2009: Played in 13 games with nine starts at NT; only non-starts came when team opened up in nickel…Also played in team’s playoff contest…Part of top-ranked rushing defense in the NFL (a franchise-best 83.3 yards per game), the first time in franchise history that the team was No. 1 against the run…Posted 47 tackles (25 solo) and a pass defensed…Inactive for three games late in the season due to a hamstring injury…At St. Louis (Sept. 27): Led the line with six tackles (two solo), including a stop of RB Steven Jackson for a 2-yard loss on first-quarter run…At Minnesota (Oct. 5): Didn’t start as team opened in nickel, but led the defensive line with season-high seven tackles (six solo). Helped limit Pro Bowl RB Adrian Peterson to just 55 yards on 25 carries (2.2 avg.)…Vs. Minnesota (Nov. 1): Led the line with seven tackles (five solo) to match his career high. Along with LB A.J. Hawk, stopped Peterson for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-1 from Green Bay’s 7 midway through the second quarter…Vs. Baltimore (Dec. 7): Posted four tackles (two solo) and a QB hit, but sustained a hamstring injury with under nine minutes remaining in the game and did not return. Injury would go on to sideline him for three of final four regular-season games…At Arizona (NFC Wild Card, Jan. 10): Didn’t start as team opened in nickel, but registered two tackles (one solo).
2008: Started all 16 games for the fourth time in the last five seasons, opening up every game at LDT…Was third on the defensive line with 81 tackles (38 solo), the sixth time in his career he posted 80-plus stops...Tied for lead on the line with five passes defensed...Posted 1½ sacks, his most in a single season as a Packer…Vs. Minnesota (Sept. 8): Returned to the starting lineup after missing entire preseason with hamstring injury suffered just prior to the start of training camp...Vs. Atlanta (Oct. 5): Led defensive line with seven tackles (four solo), including a stop of Turner for a 3-yard loss in the first quarter…At Seattle (Oct. 12): Registered three tackles (one solo), but left game midway through third quarter with triceps injury and did not return…Vs. Indianapolis (Oct. 19): Started after being limited all week in practice with triceps injury, which required a harness for protection during game. Registered three tackles (one solo) and batted down a QB Peyton Manning pass on third down in the second quarter to force a Colts punt…At Tennessee (Nov. 2): Finished second on the defensive line with seven tackles (five solo), registered his first sack of the season when he brought down QB Kerry Collins for a 4-yard loss early in the third quarter, and batted down a Collins pass intended for TE Bo Scaife in overtime...Vs. Houston (Dec. 7): Tied for lead on defensive line with a season-high nine tackles (two solo)…At Chicago (Dec. 22): Shared a sack of QB Kyle Orton in the third quarter with DE Michael Montgomery for a 4-yard loss on third down. Tied for lead on the defensive line with seven tackles (five solo).
2007: Started 14 games, plus both playoff contests, recording 63 tackles (38 solo), with one sack and one pass defensed…Inactive for final two regular-season games with a groin injury, snapping a string of 74 consecutive starts (77 including playoffs) dating back to early 2003 and 101 straight games played (107 including playoffs) dating back to midway through his rookie season…Didn’t even miss the preseason opener, having arrived in Pittsburgh (Aug. 11) the morning of the game following the birth of his son, Ryan Jr. …At Minnesota (Sept. 30): Made his first sack of the season and first as a Packer, felling QB Kelly Holcomb for a 6-yard loss in fourth quarter; made a season-high seven total tackles (six solo)…At Denver (Oct. 29): With time running out, stopped Cutler for no gain at the Green Bay 4-yard line on a QB draw. Denver was forced to kick a FG that tied the score 13-13 and led to an OT period; QB Brett Favre connected with WR Greg Jennings on the first play for an 82-yard score and the victory…At St. Louis (Dec. 16): Made six tackles (one solo) but missed a good part of the second half after suffering a groin injury and then missed the next two games…Vs. Seattle (NFC Divisional, Jan. 12): Returned to the starting lineup for the postseason and made six tackles (four solo), including stop of RB Shaun Alexander for a 1-yard loss in third quarter.
2006: An unrestricted free agent signed from St. Louis, started all 16 games in his first year with the Packers and was often called by the most consistent defensive lineman by the team’s coaches…Collected 92 tackles (45 solo), one fumble recovery and a career-best seven passes defensed…Was held to fewer than five tackles just four times all season and had six or more on eight occasions…At Philadelphia (Oct. 2): Played in spite of an ankle injury suffered the week prior at Detroit…At Seattle (Nov. 27): Tied a regular-season career high with 12 tackles (six solo), including three for loss. Also helped to end the Seahawks’ first possession by tipping a pass that was intercepted by CB Charles Woodson, setting up a Packers TD…Vs. N.Y. Jets (Dec. 3): Combined with LB Nick Barnett to stop RB Cedric Houston for minus-1 yard; on the next play, nearly intercepted a pass, his sixth pass breakup of the year…At Chicago (Dec. 31): Recovered a QB Rex Grossman fumble, his first career fumble recovery.
2005: Assembled the finest season statistically in his NFL career in his final year in St. Louis…Started all 16 games for a second straight season and posted a career-high 115 tackles (61 solo), which led all NFL defensive linemen…Also tied his career high with two sacks…At Arizona (Sept. 18): Teamed with DE Leonard Little to share a fourth-quarter sack of QB Kurt Warner…Vs. New Orleans (Oct. 23): Led team in tackles with 11 (five solo)…Vs. Jacksonville (Oct. 30): Led team in tackles for second straight week with nine (six solo) and shared a sack of QB Byron Leftwich with LB Chris Claiborne…At Houston (Nov. 27): Got a sack of his own, dropping QB David Carr on a key third down to force the Texans to settle for a FG in the Rams’ eventual 33-27 win…Vs. Washington (Dec. 4): Tied his career high with 12 tackles (six solo).
2004: Started all 16 regular-season contests and two playoff games, finishing with 81 tackles (36 solo) and two sacks, and playing his best football late in the year and into the postseason…Led the team in tackles twice and led or tied for tackle lead among defensive linemen on three other occasions, all in final month of regular season and playoffs…At Carolina (Dec. 12): Led team in tackles with 11 (five solo), one shy of regular-season career high…Vs. N.Y. Jets (Jan. 2): Posted 10 tackles (five solo), including a sack of QB Chad Pennington in OT of regular-season finale…At Atlanta (NFC Divisional, Jan. 15): Established postseason high of 13 tackles (seven solo), surpassing his regular-season best by one.
2003: Started 13 games at NT and finished with 74 tackles (26 solo) and one sack…At Chicago (Nov. 16): Recorded a season-high 10 tackles (two solo)…Vs. Carolina (NFC Divisional, Jan. 10): Had seven tackles (four solo), the seventh time on the season (six times in the regular season) he posted seven or more.
2002: Started 14 games at LDT and turned in breakout year with 107 stops (59 solo) to lead St. Louis’ defensive line and finish second on the team…His six tackles for loss also were second on the Rams…At Denver (Sept. 8): Made his first career start in the season opener, leading the defensive line with 10 tackles (four solo) and getting a half-sack of QB Brian Griese…At Washington (Nov. 24): Reached double figures in tackles again with 10 stops (four solo)…At Philadelphia (Dec. 1): Established regular-season career high with 12 tackles (five solo).
2001: Took a reserve role on the defensive line and played special teams…Saw action in 11 regular-season and three postseason contests, making 24 stops (10 solo) with ½ sack…At Atlanta (Dec 2): Tallied five tackles (four solo), his rookie high…At Carolina (Dec. 23): Matched rookie best with five stops (one solo)…Vs. New England (Super Bowl XXXVI, Feb. 3): Posted two assisted tackles in Super Bowl loss to Patriots…2001 Draft: Selected after his junior season by St. Louis Rams as the third of three first-round selections (29th overall). First Ohio State defensive lineman picked in the first round since Dan Wilkinson was selected first overall by Cincinnati in ’94.
COLLEGE: A three-year starter at Ohio State (1998-2000), he played both DT positions…Totaled 109 tackles (72 solo), eight sacks and 20 stops for loss in 37 career games…Majored in general studies…Junior season (2000): Played LDT and had 39 tackles (21 solo), three sacks and two forced fumbles…Sophomore season (1999): Started every game at RDT and was named All-Big Ten honorable mention with a career-high 48 tackles (34 solo) and three sacks…Freshman season (1998): Played in every game and started the final nine contests at RDT, with 22 stops (17 solo), two sacks, and five tackles for loss.
PERSONAL: Given name Ryan Lamont Pickett…Nicknamed “Big Grease”…Born in Zephyrhills, Fla. …Married to Jennifer; the couple has three daughters, Esther, 8, Abigail, 7, and Lydia, 4, and is expecting the arrival of another, Phebe, in August, and two sons, Ryan Jr., 5, and 1-year old Caleb…Older brother, Booker, played football at the University of Miami (Fla.)…High school: A consensus All-America selection and all-state player at Zephyrhills (Fla.) High School, he recorded 119 tackles and seven sacks as a senior…Named one of top 25 players in the nation by the National Recruiting Advisor…Community involvement: With his wife, partnered with Acts 1:8 Ministries to start the Tackle a Tower program in 2008, donating resources with each tackle he records to help build water towers in Ugandan villages and spread word of the Gospel to the local people...Thus far the program has helped build more than 50 water towers in Uganda, with a goal of more than 100…Also spoke to a group of troops in San Diego before their deployment to Afghanistan…Participated in the All-Pro Dad program, sharing pointers with other fathers, and the annual Families of Children with Cancer holiday party, playing games and singing songs with kids…Also served as a celebrity chef for the Big Brothers Big Sisters annual Taste of the Town event the past two years and has participated in dinners to benefit the Donald Driver Foundation…Traveled to Los Angeles during the 2011 offseason for a taping of Dancing with the Stars, supporting teammate and eventual competition champion Driver...Hobbies/interests: Enjoys playing with his kids, reading the Bible, watching movies and playing golf…Residence: De Pere, Wis.
