BJ Raji 2013 grade from Jersey Al

[3irty1]

I almost want to pay for Pro Football Focus to understand how they justify classifying him as an end.

In the base 3-4 Eagle Oakie, he lines up at a 3 technique mostly associated with a 4-3 DT. In nickel when he played versus the run, he was a DT. He almost never played end.

Doesn't make his year any better, but it makes the position comparisons useless.

I'm guessing they call both of the down lineman positions DE's in a 2-4 as its typically the NT who would leave the field in that sub-package.

[packrulz]

Obviously the effort wasn't there but I'm not sure he's sulking about his contract. Without Clay there BJ was the only one worth double teaming, and the D line was a plug and play bunch this year with all the injuries. He probably got sick of busting his ass by himself when he wasn't getting any help. I still think he can be good if the rest of the line gets healthy.

[mraynrand]

Really.

What is an F+ anyway?

If he improves next year, will he get a D- from some other "grader"?

Another D minus?

[Rutnstrut]

"He probably got sick of busting his ass by himself when he wasn't getting any help."

Boo fucking hoo, I feel so sorry for the poor, over payed POS. If that is the case it shows no heart, they don't need players like that on this team. All the talent in the world will not make up for playing with no heart.

[Joemailman]

Obviously the effort wasn't there but I'm not sure he's sulking about his contract. Without Clay there BJ was the only one worth double teaming, and the D line was a plug and play bunch this year with all the injuries. He probably got sick of busting his ass by himself when he wasn't getting any help. I still think he can be good if the rest of the line gets healthy.

I don't think I want to give millions to a guy who can only be good if everybody else is healthy. When injuries hit, you want your best players to elevate their game, not regress.

[smuggler]

He is not worth keeping. Find a replacement. Maybe Nix will fall to us in the draft.

[run pMc]

He is not worth keeping at $8 million a year. Find a replacement. Maybe Nix will fall to us in the draft.

FIFY

I'd be ok with Nix. They'll have to draft at least one DL -- I don't see them keeping more than 2 of Raji, Pickett, Wilson and Jolly (who may have a career-ending injury). Raji's got talent, but he didn't seem to play to it, and it seems like he's miscast in Capers' scheme. I don't see how GB can keep him on the roster and have him be happy, well paid and productive.

I'd only draft a DL in R1 if a really good fit fell to 21, otherwise I think they can find some fatties on Day 3, and the FA DL market is rumored to have a lot of passable players. I haven't seen much of Nix, but I think he could play NT for GB. Pickett can come back and mentor the young guys, and then they hope Worthy/Boyd/Datone show something. If Wilson isn't pissed about not playing they can bring him back but I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone. If Jolly gets cleared to play I'd bring him back over Wilson.

[MadScientist]

There were some telling comments from TT/MM about some players tanking after Rodgers injury, and all signs point to Raji being one. The crappy play would make sense if he was more worried about not getting an injury than about playing well. The only way he's back is if the whole league looks at the film and decides to pass, forcing Raji to beg TT for a make-good contract.

If Jolly comes back and they can squeeze one more year out of Pickett, I would still like to see them draft a stud safety (if available) over a DL. Nick Collins and Seattle proved how important safeties are.

[wist43]

None of the front 7 (6) guys can be properly evaluated and graded - none of 'em.

Same goes for the secondary.

Capers throws such a mess out there every week, and misuses every player on the roster to such an extent that you simply can't evaluate them - and as such, you can't hold them accountable.

If I were Raji, I would have cleaned out my locker the day we lost to the Niners, and not looked in the rearview mirror lest I see Dom Capers in it.

Capers wasted Raji's best years... I hope he latches on with a team that will use him properly and wish him the best of luck. He's a good dude and a good player.

[bobblehead]

None of the front 7 (6) guys can be properly evaluated and graded - none of 'em.

Same goes for the secondary.

Capers throws such a mess out there every week, and misuses every player on the roster to such an extent that you simply can't evaluate them - and as such, you can't hold them accountable.

If I were Raji, I would have cleaned out my locker the day we lost to the Niners, and not looked in the rearview mirror lest I see Dom Capers in it.

Capers wasted Raji's best years... I hope he latches on with a team that will use him properly and wish him the best of luck. He's a good dude and a good player.

wist, I tend to agree with you on most things Capers/defense, but this is a classic overstatement. Its easy enough to evaluate a guys motor, his one on one matchups, and his ability to execute his assignment (even if its a bad one).

[hoosier]

Raji’s 2013 season as a whole can be considered a lowlight; Raji ranked second to last in ProFootballFocus’s 3-4 defensive end metrics and was clearly not doing much despite recording 666 snaps.

Raji's inability to be a beast in 2013 is all in the numbers.

[mraynrand]

Raji's inability to be a beast in 2013 is all in the numbers.

I see what you did there. What is the number of the beast mode?

[Zool]

I see what you did there. What is the number of the beast mode?

What ever Prince Fielder's jersey number was when he brought it into the public lexicon back in 2010-2011.

[smuggler]

Raji is not good at doing what Capers asks him to do. We already know that Capers won't change the scheme and the Packers won't change the DC.

Even if Raji is better than whomever we could replace him with, he's not $4mil or $6mil a year better, so he's gone. Bye bye, Raji. Thanks for 2010.

[wist43]

wist, I tend to agree with you on most things Capers/defense, but this is a classic overstatement. Its easy enough to evaluate a guys motor, his one on one matchups, and his ability to execute his assignment (even if its a bad one).

I'd imagine for Raji it had to be dispiriting when the Packers didn't fire Capers. He knew full well he was in for another full season of misuse. I knew he was - he certainly had to understand that too...

Capers mismanaged everyone on that defense - he absolutely should have been fired last year, and certainly it was a no-brainer to fire him this year; yet, there he sits.

Now Raji is going to be gone, Neal is gone, and who knows which if any of Pickett, Wilson, and Jolly will be back?? Perry is a fish out of water at OLB, Jones and Hawk combine to form a deficient duo in the middle, and Matthews can't stay healthy.

If I'm a front seven player?? Regardless of 3-4 or 4-3... I wouldn't even consider signing with Green Bay as long as Capers is there. We're in for another dismal season of Capers trying to fit round pegs into square holes, and snap after agonizing snap of 2-4 alignments designed to get the ball run down our throats.

We're going to be having this same conversation next year - and Capers still won't be fired.