Green Bay Packers' B. J. Raji not worried about (New) contract

[Patler]

He also said we would keep Wells over Finley.

I was one of the few who thought Jennings would stay but after watching Randall Cobb and Jones break out last season to go along with GJ's durability issues the writing was pretty much on the wall. Unlike our WRs we don't have a lot of depth on the D-line and with Pickett aging it makes no sense to let Raji walk. Raji is getting paid 3.35M while the best NT in the league (Vince Wilfork) is getting paid 4.5M so I don't understand why anyone would think Raji is going to try and break the bank on his next contract.

So, who is right 100% of the time? I'm certainly not. Never claimed to be. Just form opinions and offer them.

As for Wells vs. Finley, I think I said they should keep Wells over Finley, and that I wouldn't be surprised if they did, but I always qualified that by saying it was sounding more and more like Wells was anxious to get out of town. Seemed to have a chip on his shoulder because of the Packers unwillingness to commit to him throughout his career. I don't think he ever forgave them for handing his job to Spitz in the off-season a few years before. Can't say I blame him.

All in all, they might have been just as well off if they had worked a deal with Wells instead. Finley is costing a fortune for the two seasons, center was a weak spot last year for the Packers, they may or may not have the center spot solved for 2013, and who knows if Wells would or wouldn't have been injured if on a different field with a different team. No Finley, but possibly two or three years of solid play from Wells, I would make that trade. Especially if Quarless has indeed recovered. (My Wells vs. Finley consideration assumed that Quarless would be back last year.)

The Packers have drafted 4 DL the past two years, and there is always a Howard Green type body to bring in and take up space. If Raji leaves, it won't be for the pay of a 3-4 NT, the Packers will be happy to pay him that. If he leaves it will be for the pay of a 4-3 DT. That's the whole point.

But again, I'm not saying he will leave, although I thought so a years ago. We will have a lot better idea if they ever actual begin to talk. Personally, I don't much care one way or another.

[Patler]

Raji isn't Geno Atkins, I don't know why you guys think some other team is going to break the bank for him.

They wouldn't have to break the bank for him, just offer more than GB is willing to pay him.

[Patler]

Here is a article on the top 50 DTs in the league, notice who isn't even on the list. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ackles/page/39

If Raji isn't even in the top 50 DTs, the Packer should not even make an offer to keep him around. They should shake is hand, and open the door so he can leave. Why should they pay millions of dollars to a DT not even in the top 50? Unless he is willing to play for the vet's minimum salary.

[woodbuck27]

This 3-4 defensive scheme is the problem.

Get rid of that.

[Joemailman]

Here is a article on the top 50 DTs in the league, notice who isn't even on the list. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...ackles/page/39

That's because they have him listed as the #11 3-4 defensive end. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...e-ends/page/26Worthy, Neal and Wilson are also in the top 50.

[wist43]

If Raji isn't even in the top 50 DTs, the Packer should not even make an offer to keep him around. They should shake is hand, and open the door so he can leave. Why should they pay millions of dollars to a DT not even in the top 50? Unless he is willing to play for the vet's minimum salary.

The problem isn't Raji - it's Capers and TT.

I think Raji is among the top 50 DT's, but he's asked to play out of position, and Capers does exactly nothing to put him positions to make plays. That said, it wouldn't make sense to resign Raji unless they fire Capers.

If Capers is determined to play as little 3-anything as possible; and 4 down linemen is out of the question - then use draft picks and money on linebackers and safties.

Our ILB's are not very good, and we have no depth. The guy I wanted to plug in the middle was Sio Moore - for some reason, TT thinks we're okay in the front seven. My guess is he hasn't watched much of the Packers defensive film - b/c if he had?? he would have seen a unit get utterly destroyed, pushed backward, out hit, out flanked, out run, out everything...

We're gonna be a mess on defense as long as Capers is there. He is the Anti-Christ.

[wist43]

That's because they have him listed as the #11 3-4 defensive end. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...e-ends/page/26Worthy, Neal and Wilson are also in the top 50.

Whoever put that list together is out of their mind.

According that ranking, Green Bay has 4 of the top 30 3-4 DE's in the entire league, lol... why is it we suck ass so bad in our front seven then?? If Matthews is a world-beater, and Hawk is above average, and we have the best collection of 3-4 DE's in the entire league - why do we suck?? lol...

Beyond that, if we have 4 of the top 30 3-4 DE's in the entire league - why did TT draft a 3-4 DE in the 1st round?? Do we now have 5 of the top 30 3-4 DE's in the league?? Too bad Capers only plays 2 at a time - we have so much super-awesome talent!!

[Patler]

If Raji isn't even in the top 50 DTs, the Packer should not even make an offer to keep him around. They should shake is hand, and open the door so he can leave. Why should they pay millions of dollars to a DT not even in the top 50? Unless he is willing to play for the vet's minimum salary.

The problem isn't Raji - it's Capers and TT.

I think Raji is among the top 50 DT's, but he's asked to play out of position, and Capers does exactly nothing to put him positions to make plays. That said, it wouldn't make sense to resign Raji unless they fire Capers.

If Capers is determined to play as little 3-anything as possible; and 4 down linemen is out of the question - then use draft picks and money on linebackers and safties.

Our ILB's are not very good, and we have no depth. The guy I wanted to plug in the middle was Sio Moore - for some reason, TT thinks we're okay in the front seven. My guess is he hasn't watched much of the Packers defensive film - b/c if he had?? he would have seen a unit get utterly destroyed, pushed backward, out hit, out flanked, out run, out everything...

We're gonna be a mess on defense as long as Capers is there. He is the Anti-Christ.

I was replying sarcastically to a statement by Brandon that implied Raji was not among the top 50 tackles. It's not my position that he isn't in the top 50.

[mraynrand]

We're gonna be a mess on defense as long as Capers is there. He is the Anti-Christ.

[Bretsky]

Iirc, Patler was the first to predict that GJ would be gone. Tough to bet against the OG.

Patler has a history if hearbreaking predictions that come true
He was also the first to predict a Packers loss against the Giants when the NYG came to Lambeau the first time and beat us in the playoffs and went on to win the SB

[mraynrand]

We're gonna be a mess on defense as long as Capers is there. He is the Anti-Christ.

IT's all for you Dom! It's ALL FOR YOU!!!

[Joemailman]

Whoever put that list together is out of their mind.

According that ranking, Green Bay has 4 of the top 30 3-4 DE's in the entire league, lol... why is it we suck ass so bad in our front seven then?? If Matthews is a world-beater, and Hawk is above average, and we have the best collection of 3-4 DE's in the entire league - why do we suck?? lol...

Beyond that, if we have 4 of the top 30 3-4 DE's in the entire league - why did TT draft a 3-4 DE in the 1st round?? Do we now have 5 of the top 30 3-4 DE's in the league?? Too bad Capers only plays 2 at a time - we have so much super-awesome talent!!

The people at Bleacher Report are clowns. Plenty of people here who know more than they do. Doubt they even know that Neal and Worthy are primarily inside pass rushers. Datone Jones is a different story though. There is some talent here on the DL. Just don't know if Capers can make it all fit together.

[Brandon494]

I was replying sarcastically to a statement by Brandon that implied Raji was not among the top 50 tackles. It's not my position that he isn't in the top 50.

Never said he wasn't a top 50 DT, just pointing out that you guys are over hyping him if you think he is going to get a huge pay day.

[RashanGary]

Patler has a history if hearbreaking predictions that come true
He was also the first to predict a Packers loss against the Giants when the NYG came to Lambeau the first time and beat us in the playoffs and went on to win the SB

Um, I remember that game. Me and Wist were pretty friggin negative going into that game too. I do join forces with the dark side when I have to.

[wist43]

The people at Bleacher Report are clowns. Plenty of people here who know more than they do. Doubt they even know that Neal and Worthy are primarily inside pass rushers. Datone Jones is a different story though. There is some talent here on the DL. Just don't know if Capers can make it all fit together.

That's been my gripe all along. I like a lot of the players, but they all have to be used in specific ways to make the best use of their talents. Capers is obviously failing miserably at that - I can't fathom why they gave him another year.