NFL

Packers' Vince Biegel, Saints' Ryan Ramczyk reflect on rookie NFL seasons

Stevens Point Journal

Stevens Point native Ryan Ramczyk started every game for the New Orleans Saints and was named to the all-Rookie team by the Professional Football Writers of America.

CENTRAL WISCONSIN — Ryan Ramczyk remembers scouting reports that identified an ultra-athletic linebacker playing at a rival high school 15 miles down the road. His name was Vince Biegel.

No one had to tell Biegel, the Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln defensive standout at the time, about the mammoth Stevens Point Area Senior High offensive lineman. Biegel could see how talented Ramczyk was on the film he studied in preparation for the battle of the Ol' River Jug.

"I remember prepping for a fast, physical kid going into that week of the (Ol' River Jug) game," Ramczyk said. "We knew (Biegel) was someone we had to take care of."

Little did either of them know at the time their football paths would cross again in college. This time, Biegel and Ramczyk would be on the same side at the University of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Rapids native Vince Biegel received limited playing time in the last nine games of his rookie season and finished with 16 tackles for the Green Bay Packers.

The intense battles the central Wisconsin football prodigies engaged in continued on a daily basis on the practice field as Badgers teammates during the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

Ramczyk and Biegel were tight-lipped about who got the upper hand in those one-on-one confrontations. Out of mutual respect, with a hint of clouded memory banks, neither would claim bragging rights.

"You really jogged my memory. I'm not sure who won," Biegel said in a phone interview before heading out on his Bora Bora honeymoon with wife Sarah (Panzenhagen). "I knew Ryan was always a good player. When he came to Wisconsin, I knew he was going to be a good player for us and be an (NFL) first-round guy."

Football continues to connect the 6-foot-6, 315-pound road-grading lineman from Stevens Point and the athletic freak of nature linebacker who called Wisconsin Rapids home.

Both were chosen in the 2017 NFL Draft: Ramczyk with the last pick of the first round by the New Orleans Saints, Biegel to his favorite childhood team, the Green Bay Packers, with the first pick of the fourth round.

Their journey has taken them from central Wisconsin to the University of Wisconsin to the NFL. But similarities in their career paths ended with their rookie seasons.

Ramczyk flourished with the Saints and started all 18 games. Biegel had his pro debut delayed until Week 9 as he recovered from a broken foot suffered in his second practice with the Packers. He saw limited action.

Waiting on the NFL

Biegel and Ramczyk forced NFL scouts to take notice after highly productive careers with the Badgers.

A four-year contributor at Wisconsin, the 6-4, 235-pound Biegel consistently showed he could be a disruptive force coming off the edge as a rush linebacker.

He was a constant menace in the backfield and left Big Ten Conference quarterbacks looking over their shoulders. Biegel finished his college career with 28½ tackles for loss and 15 sacks, numbers he hoped would make him no worse than a Day 2 NFL draft pick in either the second or third round.

The wait turned out to be a little longer.

"My foot kind of brought me down the draft," said Biegel, who missed two games during his senior season at Wisconsin with a broken foot.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed I didn't get drafted the first or second day. When I did get the call from the Packers, it was a really special moment."

Meanwhile, Ramczyk demonstrated he was a special player in his lone season as a starter with the Badgers.

He played two seasons at UW-Stevens Point before transferring to the Division I program. He redshirted in 2015 per NCAA rules. Once eligible, Ramczyk entrenched himself as the starting left tackle and earned All-Big Ten and All-American first-team honors.

Ryan Ramczyk was selected as the No. 32 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft

Ramczyk was invited to attend the NFL Draft in Philadelphia, where he was joined by his parents, Randy and Lori Ramczyk. He had to wait until the final pick of the first round, but the wait was worth it.

"I wasn't sure what to expect," Ramczyk said of his time waiting in the Green Room. "You see the (NFL Draft) on TV, but to be there and be in that moment is just unreal.

"If I didn't go in the first round, so be it. It's just an honor to be picked by anyone at any position (in the draft). To go (with the last pick of the first round), I was very grateful and thankful."

Reunion plans on hold

The NFL schedule intended to bring Ramczyk and Biegel together again on Oct. 22 when the Saints paid a visit to Lambeau Field.

But injuries would intervene on both their behalves in much different ways.

Ramczyk was the beneficiary of injury-related news. New Orleans left tackle Terron Armstead went down with a shoulder injury during offseason drills. In a blink of an eye, Ramczyk was an NFL starter.

"When I got drafted, the Saints already had two really good tackles," he said. "So I figured I might have had a role in a jumbo tight end and use the time to learn from the guys ahead of me.

"I looked at it as this is my time to shine and prove myself. This was why I was leaving Wisconsin early and going to the NFL. I wanted to play in the NFL."

He made his NFL debut Sept. 9 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Armstead eventually returned to the lineup. Then, the football gods intervened on Ramczyk's behalf once again. This time, right tackle Zach Strief suffered a knee injury in late November. Enter Ramczyk as the starter at right tackle.

"Zach and Terron were so helpful giving me tips," Ramczyk said. "It was awesome to go to an organization with guys so willing to help you out and become a better player."

Over in Green Bay, the injury bug became a constant companion for Biegel.

First, he was sidelined with a hand injury at the start of rookie camp. That only served as a prelude of things to come.

Biegel would suffer a Jones fracture in early May in the same foot he broke in college. He underwent surgery and missed all of the offseason workouts, minicamps and training camp. The Packers eventually placed him on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

"When I got hurt, that was probably one of the toughest times of my life," Biegel said. "It challenged me in all aspects of my life; emotionally, physically and spiritually.

"I was grateful for that injury because I grew a lot as a person and it tested me in a lot of things. I came out of it better in the end."

Biegel had not played a full football game since the 2017 Cotton Bowl in January.

He learned many valuable lessons while being forced into a spectator role. At the top of the list was the importance of patience. Unable to contribute on the field, Biegel mastered the playbook and lived in the film room.

When he finally stepped onto Lambeau Field against Detroit on Nov. 6, he could just play and not have to think.

"When I got back, I was super hungry," he said. "The best way to learn is to be on the field and have those reps. Unfortunately, I didn't have that luxury. The next best thing is mastering the playbook and attacking the film room."

Ready for encores

Their rookie seasons couldn't have turned out much different for Biegel and Ramczyk.

Biegel was forced to be satisfied with enjoying a small taste of NFL competition. He received limited playing time in the last nine games and finished with 16 tackles, including 11 solo. He failed to record a sack.

"I know this year is going to be a big year for me," he said. "I'm really excited to take the next step for me."

Vince Biegel was a standout pass rusher for the University of Wisconsin.

Most important from his perspective, considering what he endured his rookie season, was that he ended the season healthy. His foot came through the season without any setbacks.

Being an NFL rookie was a case of baby steps for him due to the injury. Biegel is ready for a fresh start under new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine in 2018.

"Coach Pettine texted me to introduce himself and let me know he's looking forward to getting to know me and our defense," Biegel said.

"I'm excited about the years to come for me. Getting more experience and continuing to progress as a player."

Ramczyk started every game and logged monster minutes for the Saints. He was named to the all-Rookie team by the Professional Football Writers of America.

Ryan Ramczyk was an All-American offensive lineman at the University of Wisconsin.

He experienced playoff football, although the stunning last-second loss to the Vikings in the NFC Divisional round still hurts.

"It definitely still stings a little," Ramczyk said of the 61-yard touchdown reception by Minnesota's Stefon Diggs on the final play of regulation.

"We were feeling really good until that last play. It was a shocker. I don't think I still believe it happened."

Ramczyk is eager to see what his second season in the NFL has in store. It'll be hard to top what he experienced as a rookie.

"I'm pretty happy with the way my rookie season went," he said. "I'm looking forward to the future and getting better and continuing to enjoy football."