Raji to RDE?

[Fritz]

So here's a question for those of you better versed in the type of 3 - 4 the Packers play than I am:

Would it be feasible, if someone like Dontari Poe drops to #28, for the Packers to choose him, let him play the nose, and move Raji over to the right side?

I don't know enough to know if Poe is the "right" kind of player for the nose tackle position as the Packers want it played. I don't know enough to know if Raji's skills translate into the RDE position.

And if Poe isn't the right kind of nose tackle, or if he's gone, is there a nose tackle good enough to choose at #28 that would allow for this scenario?

And is this scenario even a good idea?

[Deputy Nutz]

Poe is the right kind of body type to play nose tackle, but Raji is a better nose tackle than he is a 5 tech. As far as pass rushing goes, Raji is a better at the nose position than he is lining up over a tackle. Packers really have two nose tackles already in Pickett and Raji, they need a defensive end that can rush the passer, or am olb that will get pressure on the edge, which will upen up Raji in the middle.

[Guiness]

Didn't Raji played RDE his rookie year and Pickett played nose?

[sharpe1027]

Didn't Raji played RDE his rookie year and Pickett played nose?

I think so. If nothing else, it would be nice to be able to move him around more so that the defense is a little less predictable. Getting another body capable of holding up inside would allow that.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Raji played LDE. The Raji and Pickett switched positions last year. Jenkins played RDE.

[Scott Campbell]

Raji, Pickett and Green lined up together a bunch last year. Could they sub Poe for Green?

[3irty1]

Raji did play LDE his rookie year before he started excelling at stuffing the run, but he already plays the equivalent of DE in our 2-4, as typically the NT is replaced with an extra corner in that subpackage. The Packers are a little different because Raji is also our best passrusher so he almost never leaves the field.

I'd be pretty thrilled to land Poe actually. Poe is a very similar player to Raji in that he is a big circle-shaped guy who has physics-defying speed and flexibility. Not many guys that fat can rush the passer worth a hoot. Poe would give us another fat guy and another pass rusher giving us some pretty sweet options. You could waddle Pickett, Raji, and Poe out in a 3-4 for a half-ton of anti-run, or Raji, and Poe out in the 2-4 for a pass-rush that would look similar to two Indiana Jones boulders. With an extra body like that plus the rotational guys Muir, Wynn, and Hargrove we could keep our big guys on a pitch count which should put Raji back in 2010 form. Don't forget too that Pickett's contract is coming up as well.

[Fritz]

I wonder what's harder to find, a nose tackle who can play and hold the middle, or a defensive end that can play the 3-4 and get a little pressure?

[sharpe1027]

Raji played LDE. The Raji and Pickett switched positions last year. Jenkins played RDE.

I always had trouble with left and right. At least until I figured out the left-hand "L" trick.

[pbmax]

Raji is also a bit short for a DE in the 3-4. They moved him inside to get he and Pickett on the field together (best 3 on roster on the field, etc.) and preferred to play Pickett out of position to let Raji disrupt inside where he was more effective. Oddly, the switch had the reverse effect as his run D suffered and his pass rush halted. Poe would force someone out of position again, possibly two people.

I think Ted would prefer that someone dying for Poe trade up.

[Fritz]

Interesting point - so Ted would prefer Raji at the nose, it seems. So do any prospects fit the bill at RDE for the Pack?

[Smidgeon]

Raji did play LDE his rookie year before he started excelling at stuffing the run, but he already plays the equivalent of DE in our 2-4, as typically the NT is replaced with an extra corner in that subpackage. The Packers are a little different because Raji is also our best passrusher so he almost never leaves the field.

I'd be pretty thrilled to land Poe actually. Poe is a very similar player to Raji in that he is a big circle-shaped guy who has physics-defying speed and flexibility. Not many guys that fat can rush the passer worth a hoot. Poe would give us another fat guy and another pass rusher giving us some pretty sweet options. You could waddle Pickett, Raji, and Poe out in a 3-4 for a half-ton of anti-run, or Raji, and Poe out in the 2-4 for a pass-rush that would look similar to two Indiana Jones boulders. With an extra body like that plus the rotational guys Muir, Wynn, and Hargrove we could keep our big guys on a pitch count which should put Raji back in 2010 form. Don't forget too that Pickett's contract is coming up as well.

That's the new duo nickname if it happens. Duly noted.

[3irty1]

Raji is also a bit short for a DE in the 3-4. They moved him inside to get he and Pickett on the field together (best 3 on roster on the field, etc.) and preferred to play Pickett out of position to let Raji disrupt inside where he was more effective. Oddly, the switch had the reverse effect as his run D suffered and his pass rush halted. Poe would force someone out of position again, possibly two people.

I think Ted would prefer that someone dying for Poe trade up.

Raji took over Nose responsibilities for the superbowl season so I'm not sure what you're talking about. Poe is another Pickett/Green/Muir type of DE but with pass rushing upside like Raji, I think he fits very well with what Ted likes bring at end.

[Brandon494]

No on Poe! Hes a combine warrior, not a football player.

[pbmax]

Raji took over Nose responsibilities for the superbowl season so I'm not sure what you're talking about. Poe is another Pickett/Green/Muir type of DE but with pass rushing upside like Raji, I think he fits very well with what Ted likes bring at end.

I should have said had the reverse effect in the 2011 season when he regressed. It also coincided with the Eagle formation that McGinn talked about in the preseason, where the 3 lineman moved out of a standard 3-4 alignment. I don't think Pickett or Green are natural DEs at all. Perhaps Poe would be more suited there?