Rookie Predictions

[swede]

Raji needs a lot of coaching before he can really be counted on to be a complete NT. He plays his man more than his gap, and that usually results in having a problem of being off balance when he's double-teamed. This is basically the same problem with every college DT ever that gets drafted. It usually takes a year of coaching to get this corrected, but it's something that most guys learn.

Pickett's going to get the most of the snaps at NT this year, but Capers is definitely going to find something to do with Raji.

Interesting you should say this. When you watch his youtube highlights you can see Raji pushing, busting up his man, and getting upfield to pressure the quarterback; throws were hurried and running backs were forced to go places they didn't want to go. His disruptions blew up plays but it was usually someone else that made the tackle or got the sack.

His dominance of the opposing man is impressive, but one wonders if he can learn how to use his power more intelligently.

(My favorite highlight was the one where he bull-rushed the offensive lineman way up the field and right back into the running back for a big loss.)

[Maxie the Taxi]

This may be going a bit out on a limb, but I predict Andy Brodell will be an All Pro in 2009.

[Partial]

Ngata and Wilfolk prove my point also, here are their numbers:

It's somewhat useless judging a 3-4 NT on his stats. He's not going to get many sacks. He may not even get a lot of tackles. If he's really good, teams are going to double him every play. That still opens things up for the LBs. Honestly, I can't remember how well Ngata and Wilfork did their rookie years, but I think both at least contributed quite a bit.

Ngata lined up at end his rookie year, and even did a lot last year as well.

[Partial]

Interesting you should say this. When you watch his youtube highlights you can see Raji pushing, busting up his man, and getting upfield to pressure the quarterback; throws were hurried and running backs were forced to go places they didn't want to go. His disruptions blew up plays but it was usually someone else that made the tackle or got the sack.

This is an observation I've made as well. He was typically single teamed and he would just blow up the guard. I trust BTT did a proper evaluation of him, and therefore I am confident he will at least become a solid starter, but his college highlights don't give a good representation of how he will be used for the Packers.

If he can penetrate and beat two blockers inside the way he beat one in college, then he'll be an extremely good player. That remains to be seen.

It should be noted that he's extremely short by star NT standards. He's compared to Wilfolk a lot, but I've rarely heard Wilfolk mentioned in the same breath as the elite NTs like Jenkins, Williams, Ngata, etc.

[RashanGary]

I'm a little with Partial here, but I disagree that Raji doesn't have the talent to be an elite NT. He's going to need to refine his technique and understand his role before he can really anchor down as NT on base downs.


I think we have a better chance getting that type of play out of Pickett this year. Pickett isn't ideal, but he's good enough if he's rested. That's where Raji comes in. Raji can play all of the nickle snaps so Pickett can get rest. Raji can play some base, some end and maybe some 4-3 DT if they employ it.

I see Pickett as the NT in year one with Raji as the impact pass rusher on the bench. I don't like the idea of putting Raji as a base NT until he's a little older. Some of his talents are too unique. You can find a guy, like Pickett, that's fat and can anchor. I say keep Pickett around so we don't wear Raji out. Raji is unique right now. I don't think offenses are going to have an answer for his pass rush inside.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Ngata lined up at end his rookie year, and even did a lot last year as well.

Kelly Gregg. I could see Raji doing the same. I could see Green Bay putting Raji and Pickett on the field together--like Baltimore did with Ngata and Gregg. That's why I'm not all that concerned about their playing time.

[Gunakor]

Ngata and Wilfolk prove my point also, here are their numbers:

It's somewhat useless judging a 3-4 NT on his stats. He's not going to get many sacks. He may not even get a lot of tackles. If he's really good, teams are going to double him every play. That still opens things up for the LBs. Honestly, I can't remember how well Ngata and Wilfork did their rookie years, but I think both at least contributed quite a bit.

Ngata lined up at end his rookie year, and even did a lot last year as well.

I was under the impression that Ngata was still an end in Baltimore. Shows how closely I follow the Ravens. Is he playing the nose primarily now?

[cheesner]

Interesting you should say this. When you watch his youtube highlights you can see Raji pushing, busting up his man, and getting upfield to pressure the quarterback; throws were hurried and running backs were forced to go places they didn't want to go. His disruptions blew up plays but it was usually someone else that made the tackle or got the sack.

This is an observation I've made as well. He was typically single teamed and he would just blow up the guard. I trust BTT did a proper evaluation of him, and therefore I am confident he will at least become a solid starter, but his college highlights don't give a good representation of how he will be used for the Packers.

If he can penetrate and beat two blockers inside the way he beat one in college, then he'll be an extremely good player. That remains to be seen.

It should be noted that he's extremely short by star NT standards. He's compared to Wilfolk a lot, but I've rarely heard Wilfolk mentioned in the same breath as the elite NTs like Jenkins, Williams, Ngata, etc.

Not to forget, BJ dominated the practice at the Senior Bowl. I know the competition at the NFL is a higher standard, but against the best at the college level - he not only was better, he simply dominated the offensive lineman.

[packers04]

Maxie, i agree with you i think Andy Brodell looks like a beast, ive cheked out his highlights on you tube..


btw, to answer someone's question, (i forget who it was as im writing this)
i chat with a few of the packers players including jarrett bush, breno g., brennan carvalho, and now Jamon M. all nice guys.

[Partial]

Interesting you should say this. When you watch his youtube highlights you can see Raji pushing, busting up his man, and getting upfield to pressure the quarterback; throws were hurried and running backs were forced to go places they didn't want to go. His disruptions blew up plays but it was usually someone else that made the tackle or got the sack.

This is an observation I've made as well. He was typically single teamed and he would just blow up the guard. I trust BTT did a proper evaluation of him, and therefore I am confident he will at least become a solid starter, but his college highlights don't give a good representation of how he will be used for the Packers.

If he can penetrate and beat two blockers inside the way he beat one in college, then he'll be an extremely good player. That remains to be seen.

It should be noted that he's extremely short by star NT standards. He's compared to Wilfolk a lot, but I've rarely heard Wilfolk mentioned in the same breath as the elite NTs like Jenkins, Williams, Ngata, etc.

Not to forget, BJ dominated the practice at the Senior Bowl. I know the competition at the NFL is a higher standard, but against the best at the college level - he not only was better, he simply dominated the offensive lineman.

Until the actual game, where he looked okay at best.

[HarveyWallbangers]

It should be noted that he's extremely short by star NT standards. He's compared to Wilfolk a lot, but I've rarely heard Wilfolk mentioned in the same breath as the elite NTs like Jenkins, Williams, Ngata, etc.

1) Wilfork is a stud.
2) Several good NTs that are his size. Wilfork is 6'2", Kelly Gregg is 6'0", Casey Hampton is 6'1". To say he is "extremely short" is a big stretch.

[rbaloha1]

No such thing as too short for a nt. Bet those heights are also exaggerated by a few inches.

[SnakeLH2006]

Snake: All-pro in year 2? It's my understanding that he never dominated in a weak Big East let alone become dominant in the NFL!!

Are you talking about Raji? 1) Boston College plays in the ACC--not the Big East, 2) That's just Bedard trying to look smart. Dude was first-team All-ACC. I think most would say he was pretty dominant.

Boston College was also the #7 ranked rushing defense in the nation, allowing 91.2 yards per game and 2.81 yards per attempt.

Snake was chomping to get back to Partial, but you guys beat me to it....Besides it's just lil' Partial firing off nonsense in his mom's basement as usual.

Anyway, Partial. Let's see those links/blogs/SOOOO many websites where you read/saw BJ getting pushed back at the line of scrimmage. Snake is no draft guru, but picked this draft pretty damn well, but saw the footage of him dominating the OTHER high college picks at practice and looks at results/stats/measurables before firing off a baseless opinion, but, alas, Snake is opininated to say the least, but lest we see those links you say you've seen (and your logic is already ruined, alas, BC and BJ play in the ACC). But bring it young grasshopper. Snake is curious.

[Partial]

Read the JSO blog. Plenty of data is in there. They link to another page too I'd imagine.

No time to google.

[SnakeLH2006]

Read the JSO blog. Plenty of data is in there. They link to another page too I'd imagine.

No time to google.

Snake don't read JSO blogs anymore since Joe Arrigo murdered Bedard and took over his posts/blogs half a year ago. That's the whole point, if you are basing baseless argumentation that BJ wasn't a beast in college on JSO blogs...you are a fool. Show some links or it's not true. But that's about what Snake thought, Partial.