BJ Raji offered 8 mil a year

Yep.  Raji is going to end up in a one gap system or a 4-3 and show he has the ability to still rush the passer.  Not what they are asking him to do here.  

I really think he's doing as he's told but I think he's losing interest and considering the results on defense it's understandable.  

It's the same damn thing as why is Nick Perry not playing on the right side more.   There is talent on this defense.  It may need an infusion but the talent just isn't as bad as the performances.  

It feels like Capers is out of touch with the capabilities of the players, almost to the point where some are mailing it in.  

Read an article on Bengals Zimmer this AM. He cites the biggest factor in their defense's success is that they review their game video together as a whole unit instead of by position group. He frequently stops the video and quizzes players on everyone's responsibilities, not just their own. Sounds like he is using a "global - conceptual" style of teaching (must see the big picture) and peer pressure (putting guys on the spot in front of a large group) to get his guys "assignment sure". 

Well if it truly is Raji not liking the scheme and putting in a poor effort because of that then he's shooting himself in the foot. After the Haynesworth debacle, no one wants to spend big bucks on a DT who they aren't 100% sure will earn those dollars. Raji isn't a dummy and neither his agent, I don't see that as the most likely scenario.

It could be about how Capers is using him, but I don't see a lot of difference between how he was being used early in his career and now. He's been back and forth from DE and NT his whole career and is often times playing the 3-tech position. 

I think what it boils down to is who the offense is trying to eliminate. Matthews has mostly been out this season and before this season started if someone asked who was the 2nd most important player to take away on that DLine, most of us would have said Raji. His best seasons were next to Cullen Jenkins because Jenkins was the focus and Raji could do what he does best. I think offenses have worked to make him ineffective and because he isn't a dominant player like a Wilfork or Ngata, it's working. This has opened the door for guys like Daniels and D. Jones to do some really good things. At the end of the day he needs to have more mental toughness and power through these obstacles, but I don't think it's 100% on him. 

It's a chicken or the egg argument......does Capers' scheme suck b/c Raji isn't playing well......or is Raji not playing well b/c Capers' scheme sucks?  We'll probably never find out until either Raji or Capers leaves.  

I just don't think Raji is a defensive cornerstone and you can't pay a role player $8m a year (if that's what he's still demanding).  It sucks b/c Raji definitely has the talent to be a Wilfork/Ngata type DT but for whatever reason (lazy, bad scheme, no talent around him, etc.), it's not showing up on the field.  Can't put big money into a player without seeing a consistent performance on the field (ie: Cletidus Hunt).  If you look at who TT has given big money to (Rodgers, Jennings, Williams, CMIII), they all had a long track record of consistent performance on the field; Raji doesnt have that (unless TT and coaches see something we don't). 

That said, is anyone going to pay Raji $8m a year to be a pass rusher?  He's 340 lbs which screams "space eating" NT, not 3 technique pass rusher, especially after a season in which Raji has zero sacks.  Any team paying Raji big money is taking a gamble and teams seem smarter than that these days.  I guess we'll see how this works out but I'd give him $4m a year, with incentives based on team performance.  

Cleveland is allowing DC Ray Horton, a 3-4 guy, out of his contract and he is free to go elsewhere... just sayin'!

I think I read this morning that our safeties have ZERO picks this year. None. Nada. Sheesh...

It took Collins a few years to turn into a pro bowl safety so I'll be patient with Burnett......especially seeing as he's never played with an NFL caliber safety along side him.  MD Jennings, Jerron McMillian, Sean Richardson and Charlie Peprah are backups (if that), not legit starters.  Put him next to a real safety and I bet we'll see more out of Burnett.  IMO, safety is their biggest need.  Sure hope Clinton Dix slides to the Packers draft slot.  

Where did the leak originate ?

Raji could gain by releasing the 8 M offer as the Packers are known for being pretty tight with their dollars. It also helps his value if teams know GB made an offer as opposed to just letting him walk... then teams would be a little scared about him

Packers could gain by releasing the info so other players, agents and teams know they put a "fair price" on him instead of just letting him walk. And maybe it sends a message to potential new teams that GB isn't going to let him go without a battle

Really hard to know what it all means

And without knowing the contract details, its hard to put much faith in a 8 million/year offer.

How much is upfront and is the deal filled with a bunch of fluff at the end to boost the 8M/yr average...?

In the end, I think he'd prefer to butter his toast someplace else

Maybe the 2 parties agreed to release the offer info to make each look better even though they both know he is gone.

Mutual back-scratching if you will

I would not pay him $8mil.  He couldn't even step up in a contract year.  What's he going to do after he gets paid?

What would you know about that?

Thought it was lay'd !

 "Cya Bj."

 "What a newlywed groom says"

 

Daniels said he thought the defense bought into coach Mike McCarthy's challenge that it play a more physical brand of football and bring an edge to its game. He said in training camp and the early part of the season, it was evident the defense was on a mission.

Asked if he thought that feeling waned as the season wore on, he said he couldn't deny there was a change.

Hopefully the coaches follow Daniels' lead.  Definitely up to the players but the coaches can't be a bunch of Campen whistle blowers and Capers strategists either. 

Great stuff to hear from Daniels!!