Alright, alright. We’re not really that enthusiastic about fat man, B.J. Raji. But there’s hope.
Last year, Raji was entering the final season of his contract. He actually — like a total moron — turned down $8 million per year during the season. If you had no more information, you’d probably figure, well, obviously this guy had a career year.
Nope. Worst season of fat man’s life! Fool managed only 19 tackles and registered no sacks for the second season in a row.
You or I could have put up that kind of production.
So after Raji heard crickets in free agency, he re-signed with the Green Bay Packers for one year and $4 million. So maybe he’ll get the memo this time around: you play your best football when you’re playing for a new contract.
Honestly, we don’t really care to speculate about that, but he didn’t get it last time, so why would he get it this time?
No, the reason there’s hope for Raji actually playing some football that you could term at least average is because he’s moving back to nose tackle. It’s his preferred position and the one he started his pro career at before playing primarily defensive end last year.
The Packers used Ryan Pickett, another non-factor, in the middle in 2013. He’s a free agent and clearly the Packers don’t want him back, so Raji’s fat ass will get a shot to line up over the center again.
“I’d say typical centers are squattier and you’re in a close proximity,” Raji said, “and if you’re able to defeat the blocker you’re in a direct line usually with the ball carrier or the quarterback or whatever. That’s a good fit for me.”
At this point, all we hear is “blah, blah, blah.” We’ll judge by the results.
The good news is Raji had his best season — 2010 — playing in the middle. He had 39 tackles and 6.5 sacks that year. He’s come nowhere close to those numbers since, but hey. This has got to be the year, right?
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I remember this guy, ah the glory years Vince Lombardi, Brett favre, bj raji
That NT gig is his absolute last chance.
Monster cheeseburger. Get your play on the field together this year Raji.
So he was productive when he played his natural position at NT, and not productive when Capers switched him to DE. Hmm, you don’t say? Maybe they can try him out at linebacker if this year doesn’t work out.
As for having a monster year, I’ll believe it when I see it.
To hear some people tell it, Jones and Hawk will be All-Pro this year behind b-job requiring quadruple teams, now that he’s back at his “natural” position.
There is no question that Raji was playing the wrong position when he played D end. Raji fits none of the size or speed requirements for a good D end in the 3-4. Raji, however did not play D end every play and still had a shitty season during a contract year even while playing some NT.
Not sure the whole Raji out of position senario gives me much faith in Raji or the coaches who did put Raji at the wrong position. There is no question that Raji is a better NT than D end. With that said I do not believe Raji is worth 4 Mil a year let alone 8 Mil a year unless the D coaches start letting some of the D line do something other than take up two gaps while standing at the line of scrimmage. Raji is a penetrating NT who needs to blow up the center of the line not be an obstacle in the middle of the line.
It does give me some positive waves that Raji stayed this year. It makes me believe that someone told Raji that the D line was going to attack more including Raji. I do not believe Raji would have stayed without some commitment to not only a change in position but a change in philosophy. But what the hell Raji may have just stayed because the Packers overpayed the most money!
BJ Raji never stopped being a monster.
Just ask the patrons at the local Country Buffet, where he is known as Rajzilla.
Laughing my ass off right now…..well played sir, well played.
How the hell could you turn down 8 mil a year in his position?!
I couldn’t turn down bj’s
I couldn’t turn down bj’s