Breaking: Raji Signs

[Chris Raiden]

Deal reached on Raji's contract - JSOnline (http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/sports/53167877.html)

B.J. Raji has signed his rookie deal with the Packers.

[Whit Prowdy]

Once I finish my Vick to Eagles cartwheels I'll begin my B.J. Raji cartwheels. What a terrific night.

[Chris Raiden]

So here's the interesting question: is he still the starter at NT?

[Whit Prowdy]

I expect him to split time with Ryan Pickett, and based on preseason performance and practice determine who gets the start. I'd nod towards Pickett starting because of experience (in '05 he was an excellent NT with the Rams), but expect Raji to get his fair share of playing time. Preseason and practice should tell for sure, though.

[|(evin|(olb|(ritik]

So here's the interesting question: is he still the starter at NT?

Not a snowcones chance in hell.

Raji (and all of these other unsigned rookies) likely will produce next to nothing this season thanks to his holdout. DT doesn't have the biggest learning curve in the league, but the NT position he was brought in to play won't be learned overnight. With training camp over with, so are his chances to get 1 on 1 instruction in the intracies of the defense and the position.

If he's a quick learner he might start to show something the last quarter of the year.

[Whit Prowdy]

Starter...no. Seeing significant playing time? Definitely.

[wootah]

I think he'll be an opening day starter, but at LDE, not NT. He played mostly LDE during OTA's and was in the NT rotation but more as a backup.

But more important; our depth at LDE is pathetic right now. Jolly has been injured most of camp, Harrell got injured and has been out for over a week (a roundtrip IR anyone?) and our third string LDE (Alfred Malone) looks like a bigger, fatter version of Michael Vick.

http://blogs.jsonline.com/blogs/packers/malone.jpg

I'm anxious to see the contract numbers; I wonder if TT overpayed because of the bad shape we're in at LDE.

[Chris Raiden]

Striking resemblance there.

Raji at LDE makes sense, he's quick enough to play the outside and be very effective.

[wootah]

Played a couple of snaps and seemed to get constant push: Raji Highlights (NFL.COM) (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81214432/Pre-WK-2-B-J-Raji-highlights).

The O-line of the Bills is by no means top quality, but still a promising start for BJ.

[Chris Raiden]

Played a couple of snaps and seemed to get constant push: Raji Highlights (NFL.COM) (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81214432/Pre-WK-2-B-J-Raji-highlights).

The O-line of the Bills is by no means top quality, but still a promising start for BJ.
Granted, the Bills interior line play this summer's been, ah, how to put this delicately...crap.

That said, impressive for a guy who just got into camp a week and a half ago.

[GatorsRock]

He's my pick for DROY. I think with the amount of talent around him on the defense he has as good of a shot as anyone to win it.

[Sascha]

He's my pick for DROY. I think with the amount of talent around him on the defense he has as good of a shot as anyone to win it.


For Rookie of the year, you have the right team, wrong player.

[wootah]

For Rookie of the year, you have the right team, wrong player.

Are you talking about Clay? You could be right; with the new D, he should get every opportunity to shine and get the glamorous sacks that are required. First let's see how that hammy holds up, though.

[Sascha]

Are you talking about Clay? You could be right; with the new D, he should get every opportunity to shine and get the glamorous sacks that are required. First let's see how that hammy holds up, though.


Yeah, I think Clay is going to be making lots of tackles, and that seems to be what voters like to see when voting for rookie of the years. Unless someone explodes with 7+ interceptions or 10+ sacks, it's likely to go to a LB, and I think Matthews and Cushing may be the best choices there.