Feelings about Raji

[Charles Woodson]

So i havent really studied the draft like i have in recent years but i think raji was a good pick... what about you guys? whats the overall consensus?

[Partial]

IF he can play DE, than its a good pick. Otherwise, wave buh bye to Pickett, and then you're just adding a player to lose an already good player. Don't like it if he can't play DE.

[KYPack]

IF he can play DE, than its a good pick. Otherwise, wave buh bye to Pickett, and then you're just adding a player to lose an already good player. Don't like it if he can't play DE.

He's a NT, 0 tech guy.

Get hip, P.

[Freak Out]

Lets hope he works out better than the first DT TT took.

[Lurker64]

IF he can play DE, than its a good pick. Otherwise, wave buh bye to Pickett, and then you're just adding a player to lose an already good player. Don't like it if he can't play DE.

He's a NT, 0 tech guy.

Get hip, P.

Capers is a master at weird defensive fronts (probably not on the level of Belichick or Shurmur, but just below it). I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him lined up next to Pickett or Harrell to shoot the B-gap on a somewhat regular basis.

But he's not going to be a full time end.

[Bretsky]

Homerism aside, he's a B

Solid and safe pick for our needs

[boiga]

I love this decision. Raji's got the potential to be Gilbert Brown redux. To have actual pressure up the middle on a regular basis will be a game changer.

[Partial]

IF he can play DE, than its a good pick. Otherwise, wave buh bye to Pickett, and then you're just adding a player to lose an already good player. Don't like it if he can't play DE.

He's a NT, 0 tech guy.

Get hip, P.

I get that. Don't patronize me. How often do you think this guy is going to play??

[wist43]

Sharpe posted this in the draft thread - don't know what site it is from, but I agree with these comments about Raji:

Height: 6-11/2 | Weight: 337 | 40-Time: 5.13
B.J. Raji | Boston College Eagles
Official Bio

Stars
Strengths:
Outstanding mass and bulk...Excellent strength...Stout at the point of attack...Can fill two gaps...Able to occupy multiple blockers...Tough, powerful and nasty...A beast against the run...Can really collapse the pocket...Able to penetrate and make plays in the backfield...Above average athleticism...Quick and agile...Pursues well and has a burst to close...Good instincts and awareness...Will offer schematic versatility.

----------------------------

You just can't find 6'1", 340 lbs guys with Raji's movement skills... I fully expect him to be one hell of a player.

He will also bring a lot of versatility... He can fill in if needed at DE on run downs; take on double teams at NT on run downs; and, provide penetrationa and pass rush from either DT position on passing downs.

Our defense just got better in both the short term, and the long term... love this pick.

[Guiness]

IF he can play DE, than its a good pick. Otherwise, wave buh bye to Pickett, and then you're just adding a player to lose an already good player. Don't like it if he can't play DE.

He's a NT, 0 tech guy.

Get hip, P.

I get that. Don't patronize me. How often do you think this guy is going to play??

Not many on the forum can complain - he was the guy most wanted.

As far as Pickett, he's not a young guy anymore. Aside from Casey Hampton, who IIRC plays an inordinate # of snaps, I think having a 1A and 1B option at NT, rather than a 1 and 2 is important for the 3-4 D.

[Brohm]

Great pick and he'll learn a lot from Pickett.

[Guiness]

ok, so I'm looking at the picks already made...and here are a few thoughts:

Poor Stafford. You just have to think he won't survive there. His rookie deal will be nice, and maybe he can play sax to back up Joey in his current career as a jazz pianist.

Tyson Jackson all the way up at #3? Wow, did ANYONE call that? Kudos Waldo for trumpeting him.

Jets can't be happy with the way the Favre thing played out. Lose a high second for a one year rental, and now spend a top 5 to replace him.

DHB before Crabtree...have to wonder why. The foot?

Larry English in the top half of the first. I didn't see anything that predicted that. Listed as a DE as well? That he went before Mathews and Maualuga is surprising.

Forum choice, Oher, at 23. And listed as a guard. We'll see.

[HarveyWallbangers]

DHB before Crabtree...have to wonder why. The foot?

Ummm... Senile Al.

[RashanGary]

Best Packer pick I remember. I've never been so excited about a pick. The trenches are soooo important and the NT is the center piece of every good 34 defense.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

ok, so I'm looking at the picks already made...and here are a few thoughts:

Poor Stafford. You just have to think he won't survive there. His rookie deal will be nice, and maybe he can play sax to back up Joey in his current career as a jazz pianist.

Tyson Jackson all the way up at #3? Wow, did ANYONE call that? Kudos Waldo for trumpeting him.

Jets can't be happy with the way the Favre thing played out. Lose a high second for a one year rental, and now spend a top 5 to replace him.

DHB before Crabtree...have to wonder why. The foot?

Larry English in the top half of the first. I didn't see anything that predicted that. Listed as a DE as well? That he went before Mathews and Maualuga is surprising.

Forum choice, Oher, at 23. And listed as a guard. We'll see.

Couple of things:

1. Detroit..why won't he survive? Who says he is going to start right away. More importantly, until Millen, the Lions were at least an average club.

2. Jets. They are thrilled. They got Favre for one year..to promote and get their new stadium. Got fans into the seats. Got TV time. What's not to like.

3. DHB. Crabtree isn't fast like DHB. Oakland has good weapons short..they need to extend the defense. Crabtree wasn't going to do that for them. I"m not saying DHB is worth the spot...but, the logic of what they did is sound...now they have to execute.

4. English. SD badly needs a replacement if Merriman doesn't come back. No surprise that he went ahead of Mauluga...outside rushers usually go before limited ILB.