I started this season concerned about losing Raji, due in part to the fact that the Packers didn't have anyone else on the roster (assuming that Pickett leaves) to play the position.  About midway through the season I decided I was glad they didn't have playmaker type money invested in him, but thought we might be able to get him back at a reasonable price.  Now I'm not sure I would even want him back at a discount.

 

He has become a below average starter.  He provides no push in the pass rush, and can't get off a block in the run game.  I can't see paying the version of Raji that the Packers have right now more than low end starter type of money - and who wants a low end starter?

I re-watched the game focusing strictly on the line play. I want to tell you, number 90 in white was the worst player on the field. He has eaten himself out of a big contract and gives no effort whatsoever.

 

I can take a guy like Hawk who maybe isn't just that good, but at least puts forth effort. To watch Raji get dominated like he did was embarrassing. And I'm telling you, he is freakin' fat! He spent the whole game pulling his jersey down over his gut.

 

Now, when Mike Daniels was playing his position, much of the time was spent on the Bear's side of the LOS. On the Bear's last drive, when Forte got tacled for a big loss by Mulumba, it was caused by Daniels shoving the OG 5 yards deep and planting him on his back.

 

I wouldn't give Raji the vet's minimum. He can't stay in shape and is just going through the motions. Jettison him to Minnesota. If you get the time, watch the replay and just watch him. It's sickening.

lately he's not even good for a couple disruptive plays here and there.  Maybe these guys are coached to get engulfed by blocks

I watch Raji and Pickett all the time,  not much production.  Is Worthy ready to play some serious minutes?  

If this were the Patriots, they'd let him walk and Worthy would be next man up. If you draft and develop, it's time for Worthy. Bye bye B.J.

It'll be interesting. As we all know, 340 pound guys that can move like Raji don't show up every day. He has had some good games this year: the 11/04/13 Packer/ Bear game, Raji was nails...and then other games where he can't hold his position....but somebody running a 3 man front  will give him a big payday

As long as it isn't us

Watch the replay. He either can't move at all anymore, or doesn't want to. Either way, that isn't good. He get's shoved 5 yards deep into the end zone on one of Forte's TDs. On any play that is away from him, he just stopped and gives up. There's a play where Forte runs around left end to get a 1st and goal inside the 5. Raji, who never even sniffs the tackle, turns and HIGH FIVES Hawk! I don't why...I guess he's happy someone made a tackle even though the Bears ran it for 7 or so yards and got a 1st and goal. I have to wonder what the coaches think when they watch the tape. He gets tied up with the blocker and just dances with him without even trying to disengage from the block. It's the 4th quarter and his jersey isn't even dirty. Until I just watched the game without watching the ball, he stuck out as so inept that I couldn't believe it. And I still think he's gained 40+ pounds this year.

I agree with antiworst on this one. I was a Raji fan at the beginning, him being from BC, but the last couple of years I have soured on him. Raji is just standing around half the time. He is not competing and gives little effort. 

I've seen kids hit harder playing patty cake than Raji is hitting OL men right now. I hope he reads this and gets a little motivation.  I would think a chance at another Super Bowl ring would be all the motivation he needs but I guess not.

He gets tied up with the blocker and just dances with him without even trying to disengage from the block.

 

I'm not defending the guy and I also think he's mailed it in for the most part, but to be fair he's supposed to tie up blockers to allow the LBs to make plays.

Earlier I read some of his comments regarding his role on this team and the tone seemed to indicate he was not feeling good about what he was being asked to do.  He certainly has had a diminished part on the defense.  Not sure why. 

Let Raji walk.  He was a key part of the defense in 2010 and made a difference, as lazy as he looks now, pay him and he'll become Mr. Irrelevant

 

I can see the Pats signing a guy like Raji and whipping him in to shape, ProBowler for years to come. 

 

Sometimes, coaching can be the difference.

I agree that Raji will probably be better someplace else. I can't imagine he's happy with his role this season. He's certainly playing like someone not happy.

Yep, it looks like maybe Raji is just playing out the string, hoping to not get injured. Then wants to go to a new scheme where he is allowed to "jet" after the QB. Someone will pay him, dont know how much, but he will get a contract from another team.

 

Sure, Raji may say all the right things about staying to the press. But actions speak louder than words. Be careful, the grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

 

However, if motivated, I still think Raji, would perform much better in the Nose Tackle position vs DE where he's been the last couple/few years.

What puzzles me is why the staff is still starting him. He's useless, the Marshall Newhouse of the Defense. Wilson, Boyd, Daniels--give them more snaps. Even Worthy. Can't believe he wouldn't be disruptive if given the chance.

Rating the Packers vs. Bears

jsonline.com

by Bob McGinn on 12-31-13

 

B.J. Raji (32) was more active. He was getting off the ball, attacking blocks better and hustling in pursuit. He was moved out too easily by LT Jermon Bushrod on Matt Forte's 5-yard TD. This didn't qualify as one of the many superb performances Raji has had against Chicago, but it was a step in the right direction.

-jsonline

 

 

 

The Best of the NFC North Division

jsonline

by Bob McGinn on 12-28-13

 

Last week, executives in personnel for each of the four NFC North Division teams were asked by the Journal Sentinel's Bob McGinn to rank the top players in the division at each position.

 

They were not permitted to vote for their own players, and none of the comments was made by a scout about a player on his own team. A first-place vote was worth three points, a second-place vote was worth two and a third-place vote was worth one. An asterisk denotes a unanimous (nine-point) selection.

 

THREE-TECHNIQUE TACKLE: Ndamukong Suh* (Det), 9. Others: B.J. Raji (GB) and Kevin Williams (Minn), 6; Corey Wootton (Chi), 3.

 

Raji, a first-team NT in 2010 and '11, fell off the past two years. "Still a good player," one scout said. "I don't think he was dominant. Motor runs hot and cold. Didn't see much pass rush out of him. Stats aren't everything, but he had 15 (solo) tackles and no sacks. Please. That's hard to do, isn't it?" continue

 

 

Pete Dougherty analysis: Less certainty on D-line after run defense collapses

Green Bay Press Gazette

12-28-13

 

[...]But as the team’s run defense has collapsed this season, so has the play of the defensive line. And Raji, who leads the line in snaps (574), has had a muted impact during his contract season.

The Packers’ run-stopping issues started against these same Chicago Bears in the fourth quarter of the Nov. 4 matchup at Lambeau Field...

 

From that point on, the Packers’ run defense has been more liability than asset. Including that game, the Packers in the last eight weeks have given up an average of 161.8 yards a game.

To put that in perspective, that’s essentially the same as the Bears have averaged allowing all season (161.5 yards), and Chicago ranks last in the NFL in run defense.

 

At age 27, Raji’s not old, though he’s not far from the point at which some NFL players start to decline. Of more concern is that in a contract season, Raji has been hard to notice. He ranks fourth among the team’s defensive linemen in tackles (30), has no sacks and three quarterback hits.

 

On the other hand, Raji is representative of the big-man theory that Thompson espouses every year at draft time: that there aren’t many people on the planet with that kind of size and athletic ability, so you better get them while you can. That Raji leads the defensive line in playing time — he’s taken 57 percent of the Packers’ defensive snaps, ahead of No. 2 Mike Daniels’ 48 percent — says he’s doing things the Packers’ defensive coaches like. continue

3 QB hits in 574 plays......

Maybe Raji is being asked to do the wrong thing, in addition to his not giving much effort. Before last year he was asked to do more creative things than just eat up blockers (remember the interception against the Bears?). I just have no faith in Capers putting guys in the right spot and/or playing to his players' strengths. I think that if Raji goes somewhere else where he's comfortable, he'll be a much better player. Either that or he's waiting to see if Capers gets axed and then he'll make a decision.

If Raji is not competing and mailing it in because he doesn't like his role in the scheme, then that is an indictment on his character. However, if the coaching staff is prohibiting him from playing to his potential, then that is poor coaching. 

 

Maybe, we are seeing a bit of both. Poor coaching and Raji mailing it in.

Doesn't really matter where the problem lies.  The bottom line is the production being put out isn't worth anywhere near that kind of money.

ESPN lists Raji with 12 unassisted tackles. That is absolutely pathetic.

I bet they resign Raji.

 

He makes Cletidus Hunt look like Reggie White, effort wise. I was once a huge Raji fan, but the guy is just a joke. He isn't worth 1 cent more than the vet minimum, and then only as a backup/rotation player.

Are we talking about AJ Hawk again?

If it makes you feel any better, Hardy Nickerson was definitely much worse during his single season in Green Bay than Hawk has ever been.

I'm pretty sure AJ Hawk is making all the defensive alignment calls for Obamacare

So if you like your slow linebacker, you can keep your slow linebacker?

I think AJ Hawk is an above average starting Packer defensive player.  We have bigger problems than AJ on the D.

That's a key indicator in McGinn's belly fire index. Definitely a pro bowl move by Raji.

 

You should say, "Read my lips" for emphasis!

Hawk is an average football player. I agree we do have bigger problems on defense than AJ Hawk.

Jolly & CM3 being out is the biggest problem.

It would be nice to see high picks Datone Jones, Nick Perry and Jerel Worthy make some type of impact in the next couple of games.  Perry and Worthy have been dinged up.  Have no idea where Jones has been hiding. 

It would be nice to see high picks Datone Jones, Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy, Mike Neal, BJ Raji and Morgan Burnett make some type of impact in the next couple of games.  Perry, Worthy and Neal have been dinged up.  Have no idea where Jones, Raji and Burnett have been hiding. 

I'd like to see that too dammit!

I think Burnett biggest problem is he has been play next to an absolute zero in the other safety position. The Packers need to bring in a veteran this offseason to solidify the position and help Burnett develop.

Worthy always need a good off season to get stronger,  Jones  also needs some weight room time. Raji has been just causing himself to loss millions in free agency.  Has Perry 4 sacks in 11 games.

Neal has 5 sacks in 16 games, big news is he has been healthy all year.

On the bright side Boyd and Daniels are late round picks that are turning into good players.

Burnett??? How quickly we forget he made a great play to slide over & bat down the ball with :20 seconds left Vs. Chicago.

Now, would I like to see some turnovers? Absolutely.

Our problem is the other safety spot.

I'm wondering what Dom can/will do differently to stop them from racking up 500-600 yards of offense.

How many big games do we need to see where the defense gives up huge chunks of yardage before the DC is to blame?

Time for Dom to step up & put together the game plan of his career.

Amen Brother!