B.J. Raji Thread

Post #1 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:16 pm

I think we need a separate thread for our #1. Good pick.

trwi7 · Post #2 » by **trwi7** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:18 pm

Could this be a first round pick by Ted Thompson that is almost universally accepted by Packers fans?

Post #3 » by **ReasonablySober** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:19 pm

Redbeardwirc0830 · Post #4 » by **Redbeardwirc0830** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:20 pm

i think is by far the best situation for us...solid defensive pick that should anchor our D-Line for years to come

Post #5 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:20 pm

So far yes. I like the pick. Wasn't a reach like Harrell, no injury history like Harrell, and addresses a big need. I like it. Get some OL help in round 2 and we're set.

MadCityBucky · Post #6 » by **MadCityBucky** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:20 pm

No, check the Js Online comments (lots of idiots on there) that wanted Crabtree.

I'm fine with this pick, though I secretly was hoping for Crabtree.

Post #7 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:21 pm

It's almost scary when all of the talking heads also like the pick.

mnstinks · Post #8 » by **mnstinks** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:22 pm

So, there were a couple NFL Network guys saying he wouldn't be good in the 34, Capers and Trgovac must think he will.

Post #9 » by **Jollay** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:23 pm

I don't see how you don't like the pick. We've got good receivers and we play in Northern Wisconsin and couldn't stop the run last year.

Yeah, I pick Raji.

mnstinks · Post #10 » by **mnstinks** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:23 pm

Analysis

Positives: Flashes rare burst off the snap for a man his size and can penetrate into the backfield and disrupt the play without necessarily making the tackle. Good strength and mass at the point of attack to create a pile. Good short-area lateral quickness. Experienced. Missed the 2007 season due to academics, but leaves BC with 38 career starts. Locates the ball quickly and works to make the play. At his best lining up at the nose, though he flashes the initial burst off the snap to be effective as the under-tackle in the 4-3 alignment. Strong enough to pull down ballcarriers with just his arms. Arguably the single-most dominant player during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

Negatives: Marginal height for the position. Only adequate to shed blocks due to his short arms and lack of sustained quickness. Rare quickness in confined space, but lacks the speed to sustain and struggles to make an impact outside of the guard box. Flashes the burst off the snap for the three-technique (under tackle in the 4-3 alignment), but is only a marginal pass rusher. Relies on his initial burst off the snap and an occasional spin move to pressure. Reliable tackler, but lacks the balance and lateral quickness to break down and make the tackle in space. Most effective when operating as part of a rotation. Maturity is a concern. Has struggled with his weight, playing in 2006 at more than 350 pounds. Was suspended for the first half of the Clemson game in 2006 for throwing a punch at a Central Michigan player. Missed the entire 2007 season due to academics.

Compares To: SHAUN ROGERS, Cleveland -- Rogers is about three inches bigger than Raji, but both have the awesome ability to change the tide of a game on the field and frustrate coaches by their lack of work ethic away from it. Raji had a good senior campaign, but it was not earth-shattering. You have to look at the whole picture here. Is your team going to get a player motivated and hungry to prove his doubters wrong, or a player his former coaching staff had to constantly monitor. That's a lot of money to gamble on someone that can either dominate for you or get a general manager fired.

Injury Report

2007: Suffered a shoulder contusion during the first day of spring drills (4/01) and missed more than half of camp.

2008: Held out of spring drills after undergoing shoulder surgery (4/08).

Rockmaninoff · Post #11 » by **Rockmaninoff** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:23 pm

We'll see what happens. Hopefully, Capers can work with this guy. Would have rather traded down if the option was available.

Post #12 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:23 pm

If the morons on the JS comments don't like the pick I like it even more.

Badgerlander · Post #13 » by **Badgerlander** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:23 pm

Pretty safe pick just like Hawk. I'm ok with it, hope he is solid.

Rockmaninoff · Post #14 » by **Rockmaninoff** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:24 pm

MickeyDavis wrote:If the morons on the JS comments don't like the pick I like it even more.

Umm, it's called SportsBubbler, isn't it? JSOnline forums are no more.

blueedwards · Post #15 » by **blueedwards** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:24 pm

TT probably felt threatened when Barnett said the D needed to be stocked.

Post #16 » by **MickeyDavis** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:25 pm

Rockmaninoff wrote:
MickeyDavis wrote:If the morons on the JS comments don't like the pick I like it even more.

Umm, it's called SportsBubbler, isn't it? JSOnline forums are no more.

No that's separate. When they post a blog on the JS site they allow comments. That's what we're talking about, it's not SportsBubbler.

trwi7 · Post #17 » by **trwi7** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:26 pm

Rockmaninoff wrote:
MickeyDavis wrote:If the morons on the JS comments don't like the pick I like it even more.

Umm, it's called SportsBubbler, isn't it? JSOnline forums are no more.

jsonline blog. You can comment in that.

Flames24Rulz · Post #18 » by **Flames24Rulz** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:26 pm

I like it. Now let's get a hybrid end/LB in the second round and I'll be very pleased with today.

MikeIsGood · Post #19 » by **MikeIsGood** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:26 pm

This was a solid pick. Hopefully he can anchor the line for us for the next decade.

rilamann · Post #20 » by **rilamann** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:31 pm

I would have been tempted to take Crabtree just because the addition of him would have made our group of WRs so good other teams would have probably complained to the league haha.

But Raji was the smart pick and in the end the right pick in my opinion.

You could have a great group of WRs (and we already do) but if you want to win in frigid Green Bay and win when it realy counts (December & January) you do it with a solid defense and solid running game.