B.J. Raji: He's Getting Better But is He Gonna Be All-Pro?

[RashanGary]

Bretsky thinks BJ/s will be solid but da Crab will be the bomb

Raji seems to be developing into an impact lineman. He's tough as hell in the run game at DE and has shown some real talent rushing the passer (although I think he needs more chances to just go up field).

That said, Crabtree looked amazing in that 49er game. He looked like an elite, dominate receiver that can really track the ball and then has great hands to catch it. The way he goes and gets the ball is similar to all the good WR's I've seen. Jennings, Driver, Moss. . . . The good receivers I've seen a lot of all look a little different, but all do it the same. They go and get the ball. Crabtree goes and gets the ball.

I think Crabtree will always be the flashier player. Kevin Williams isn't very flashy in Minnesota, but he's every bit as valuable as Sidney Rice. I think it was a good pick for us still. Crabs possibly being a great WR and Raji possibly being a great DL. We needed DL more, so the pick made sense with both being really good players.

Watching crabs though, I agree, I think he could be great. I'd still take a BJ over Crabs though.

[mission]

Bretsky thinks BJ/s will be solid but da Crab will be the bomb

Raji seems to be developing into an impact lineman. He's tough as hell in the run game at DE and has shown some real talent rushing the passer (although I think he needs more chances to just go up field).

That said, Crabtree looked amazing in that 49er game. He looked like an elite, dominate receiver that can really track the ball and then has great hands to catch it. The way he goes and gets the ball is similar to all the good WR's I've seen. Jennings, Driver, Moss. . . . The good receivers I've seen a lot of all look a little different, but all do it the same. They go and get the ball. Crabtree goes and gets the ball.

I think Crabtree will always be the flashier player. Kevin Williams isn't very flashy in Minnesota, but he's every bit as valuable as Sidney Rice. I think it was a good pick for us still. Crabs possibly being a great WR and Raji possibly being a great DL. We needed DL more, so the pick made sense with both being really good players.

Watching crabs though, I agree, I think he could be great. I'd still take a BJ over Crabs though.

I agree with all of this post. Crab looks good but for who we are and where we are, I'm happy with the pick.

[bobblehead]

I think BJ will be an on again, off again pro bowler...sort of Harris/Driver like. Very productive, good every year, but slightly underrated. Now, if the team becomes a perennial contender he will be a perennial pro bowler...just the way it works.

I absolutely LOVE our DL (can you believe I'm saying that after last year?)

Jolly: Bats down balls, usually solid gap control, sniffs out screens

Jenkins: Just a physical stud, live body, also sniffs out screens. His problem is he is an end type pass rusher for the 4-3, not a classic pocket collapser 3-4 end. Probably the most talented (agile), but can't quite utilize it all in this system.

Picket: Absolute wall in run D, and collapses the pocket nicely.

BJ: Strong inside rush, manhandles big guys (freaky strength). With time I think he will get to be dominant against the run as well. Stamina MIGHT be a problem long term as he looks chubby, but an offseason program might change that some.

Harell: I haven't thrown in the towel yet, I still have dreams of health and solid contributions (I have dreams about a young meg ryan too....I'm just saying) JH has a body type that is nearly unseen...you could shrink him to 6' tall and he would still look normal...most big guys wouldn't. I've seen him in person and he is just a ridiculous physical specimen....only Tony Boselli comes to mind for someone that size looking like its completely natural. OK, Reggie White too.

Kampman: Still think of him as primarily an end. He collapses the pocket better than anyone in the game (my humble opinion). His run D is very good as well from the OLB position. I hope we get him to come back as I think he was finally coming on at the position....just as he got hurt. The way they started using him helped as well.

I'm excited about the future of this team. We are going to have an offseason/Draft focusing on backups and maybe an LT. This most recent draft was godly....BJ/Mathews/Lang are all going to play and play well for years to come. You can already see it, as they aren't making bone headed mistakes. Lang needs to enter next camp at a position...STARTING...and stick with it.

Ok, passing the Kool Aid to the next poster.

[Smidgeon]

Gunakor,

I just wanted to give you mad props for your side of the debate in this thread. Personally, I think Raji is going to be special, but you were eloquent in your analysis of both Raji and Harrell, and I wanted to acknowledge that.

EDIT: although I do disagree that the current rotation is an indictment on how good Raji is. I don't think you can say that since he isn't starting he isn't one of the best three lineman. Like Lurker pointed out earlier (and Waldo did a while back on his blog), Raji brings a different skill set to the table. He's an explosive pass rusher. The Packers are wise to use him there and spell the DEs and let Pickett be the NT. Raji will be more rested and more effective in the nickle that way. Situational pass rush DEs make it into the probowl on occasion. Why can't situational pass rush DTs who are effective? I'm not saying that he will be that good (I hope so), but Raji is most likely to be used as a specific situation player, and I'm way okay with that.

P.S. Also holding out hope that Harrell can finally put the injuries behind him and fulfill the talent potential he has.

[Brandon494]

Way too early to see what kinda career this kid will have but no one can deny the potenial he has shown at times. The kid is a rookie plaiyng a bum ankle learning a new defensive scheme. You rarely see NFL D-lineman make a big splash their rookie seasons. I do believe this guy is going to be a good one for us and would much rather have him then Diva WR Crabtree.

[The Leaper]

I agree that it is way too early to judge Raji. Few guys of his size enter the NFL and immediately dominate...because they get along in college so easily on physical ability alone that it is a whole new world in the NFL. He will need to refine his technique and continue to add strength.

Raji will be best measured 3-4 years from now...but so far, so good IMO. He's looked like a guy who could eventually become a consistent Pro Bowl player if he continues to apply himself off the field.

[Partial]

I haven't seen much from him to be honest but I have hope for him.