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Green Bay - The Green Bay Packers handed out two huge multi-year contracts to defensive linemen in the off-season a year ago. When the Packers picked up tackle Grady Jackson off waivers from the New Orleans Saints, their fortunes took a turn for the better.

And as the team sat at 3-4 going into the bye before getting back to even with the victory at Minnesota in their eighth game, it was obvious that the defense - and particularly the defensive line - was a leading reason for the disappointment.

But on Nov. 4, the Packers claimed Jackson on waivers, and it didn't take long for their defensive numbers to take a turn for the better.

"Grady was a great addition midway through the season, whenever we picked him up," said Bob Slowik, the Packers' new defensive coordinator. "I think that's when we started playing much better defense and he was a real factor in it."

The Packers recognized Jackson's value and signed him to a two-year contract extension on Dec. 27.

http://www.jsonline.com/packer/news/feb04/206716.asp