Raji done for year - torn bicep

 

The fact that the Dline outside of Daniels is completely unproven.

If they left Raji at DE, I'd agree. That he was placed at his old position at NT, and was having a very good camp playing THAT position yes it is disappointing. Would he have made the PB? Who knows. But it was pretty likely that he would have been much more the Raji we saw in 2009-2010 then the one we were seeing in 2012-2013.

 

There will be necessary corrections after Raiders tailback Maurice Jones-Drew's 40-yard touchdown run on the opening drive. The long touchdown run wouldn't have been possible without numerous breakdowns from the Packers defense, including a missed tackle from inside linebacker A.J. Hawk. But what had Hawk smiling in the locker room Friday night was the way Green Bay's defense responded.

 

After the touchdown, the Packers pitched five straight three-and-outs. Excluding that one play, it was their best defensive performance of the preseason. The best part about it was how they responded to the early adversity.

 

"That's kind of the thing we hadn't been able to do as much these past couple seasons," Hawk said. "When the game can kind of go one way or the other as a defense, we need to take the reins and take control of it. That's something we haven't always done, and tonight I think we kind of did.

"We gave up a big run for touchdown, and you never want to let that happen. But we knew we put that behind us, and we just needed to keep going out there and rolling. Five straight three-and-outs after that is something that we found a way to respond.

IIRC, most of if not all of those consecutive stops came without Raji and Boyd in there. Perhaps a silver lining to build on. 

 

does Letory Guion even play football?

The Packers will look to Boyd first. Then Pennell. I don't know if Guion is even on their radar. To this point, he's done nothing.

 

Innerweb blurbs I am reading, I wouldn't hold my breath on Pickett. It doesn't appear the Packers have any interest in getting bigger/slower on the line. Sounds like they want to stay with quicker. smaller DL.

We're talking about a guy that had 17 tackles and zero sacks last season.  Let's not get crazy here.  Sure, we're better with him than without him but the train is still rolling down the tracks. 

Playing out of position.  I don't think it's a massive loss but it sure ain't good either.

No injury to a starter or significant backup is good.  But if I were making a list of starters that the Packers could replace if need be, Raji might be near the top.  If nice to speculate that he'd be a lot better moving back to NT, but it's no sure thing.  Maybe he's just not that big of a force.  Maybe we'll find out next year if he re-signs.

Pennel would be a helluva story, but again- he's a rookie. Playing the toughest position on the DL in a 3/4.

Raji, Pennell, Guion, Boyd... That would have been a good rotation with upside and some room to develop in the coming years. But now the one guy who showed he can play at a high level in the NFL is gone. The rest are weakened because Raji was the first option.

That's all I'm trying to say. It frustrating. They won't be as good as they could have been, IMO. They won't be.

Bakhtiari did pretty well at LT as a rookie. Stranger things have happened. Pennel may not need to be the starter...if he can spell Boyd that may be enough of a contribution.

PG's Eric Baranczyk with a good look at Raji's loss and how the team can do without him.

 

@EricBaranczyk1: Boyd, Pennel appear to be up for the challenge!  (http://t.co/cgmDfSmcFc)

I can't help but think back to the love/hate/concern when Nick Barnett went down and Desmond Bishop had to fill in. 

 

Im ok with Boyd. He's earned a shot. 

I also wonder whether Capers (who seems to be more open this season to adapting to the talent he has on field vs forcing his scheme to fit) would do some more 4-3 looks.

 

Guys like Perry and D. Jones seem to be more natural 4-3 guys. And as we saw last night, Perry was really effective last night off the right side. Last year, he rarely got to rush from that side.

 

Maybe Bradford, Thornton would be better in a 4-3 as well?

Can't change things over losing BJ. They let him test FA 3 months ago. Clay and Peppers are a better version of Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks. Can't play away from that skill. 

Im not saying dump the 3-4. Im talking just certain packages where Capers would be in more of a hybrid 3-4/4-3. The Ravens do this I believe

It limits options. He was a starter because he was better than anyone else on this team at that position.  Goal line will be affected. Hopefully the drop off to next man up isn't that great. if Pennel lives up to what others consider his potential maybe by the end of the tear we won't notice as much, but I fear it may hurt in the beginning of the season. 

When Jolly went down last year Boyd came in and played well. Yet, going with Boyd and Pennel is likely a step back, at least initially.

 

It's a very thin line... the room is on fire but it won't help to panic.

 

 

I am excited to see what Pennel does.  Guy plays like a thug. 

Always hurts a unit to lose depth, especially your starter.  But TT was preparing for Raji's absence (FA or IR) at least 2 drafts ago.  Might as well call him Teddy AllState.

When Raji did not get any love in FA, and was re-signed by TT, I read many posts on this board as to what a mistake that was since BJ played so poorly last year.  Now,he seems to be the most important person on the D and his loss is terrible.   

I don't know how bad his loss will affect the Pack but it sure is a turnaround on sentiments on this board.

I don't recall too many thinking it was a mistake to resign BJ, especially when they only gave him $500,000 guaranteed.

 

 

He was having a good camp and there was reason for optimism, but it's been several years since Raji performed at a high level and let's not get carried away with the significance of the loss. Boyd and Pennel have both played pretty well and there's no reason to believe they can't fill the void without much of a drop-off.

 

Adversity builds character and I wouldn't be at all surprised if the injury causes the team to discover a better player on the roster.

 

We lost a starter. It's dang significant.

Hags and whiners never seem to lose starters. And they're our only competition.

I was as hard on Raji last year as anyone. He was fat, unmotivated, and playing out of position. But this year he was in better shape, motivated, and back at nose tackle. And he was doing what nose tackles are supposed to do: eat up blockers and getting some push. I hope someone can do close to the same.

 

On a positive note, could Elliot be our next KGB? The dude seems to have pass rushing moves and is loooooong.

Plug in that stud we spent a high draft pick on from Michigan State. Oh wait....

Mandarich was a long time ago. Let it go already. 

Raji did appear to be more talented this year than he was last year.

Just watched the 1st half series after Raji went out. Boyd held his own. Got a good push on 3rd and long with a hand in Schaubs face (incomplete pass) he's not easy to move. 

 

Interesting that on a later 3rd and long Datone lined up over the C. Got a decent push. (Play where CM3 chased Shaub and forced him to dump it out of bounds)

 

Boyd got the majority of 1st half snaps and looked fine. I expect hes the plan and Pennell is depth. 

Boyd is probably less athletic than Raji but he's fully capable of eating up blockers.   Pennel gives you a little more quickness but he's more of a situational guy IMO.

Jones will slide inside on passing downs so in reality Boyd and Pennell just need to hold down the point on 1st and 2nd down and I think they can.   The Packers were high on Boyd last year and if Pennel can keep his head straight I think he can make an impact  as well

Bring back 

 

Pennel is straight up strength and bull rush.  He is NT space occupier.

 

Pennel and Daniels jack yo' ass like a looter in a riot.

 

Makes IC pee a little bit.

Now it's time for the blubber, blabber to watch that belly get fatter. Fat boy on a diet. Don't try it. 

If we had to lose a starter......MariRaji I can handle.

 

Only two dumdums I would rank below are TalkaHawk and Brad Jone$

I view the loss of Don Barclay as more significant, and he's not a starter. Don't see much of a problem replacing Raji's production.

For people who pay attention to IR details.  What's the possibility they release Raji outright?  One year contract, taking up a position.  I have to wonder if there is interest to keep him on next year?  Is it worth the roster spot?

Agree.. In order starters who we can afford to lose.

 

Hawk

Jones

Raji

Burnett

Williams

Dammit Henry, stop stealing my posts. 

 

They may very well do a waived/injury settlement with Raji.  The lack of any lookers this past off season combined with him being out for the season means he will have even less leverage next year.  If he is healthy bring him back then and save a couple million $$$ now.  Maybe Pickett or Jolly will get a call from TT. Prefer Jolly if healthy.

 

https://packers.timesfour.com/t...b-gamethread?page=12

Maybe TT can sign this guy:

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_...nch-following-arrest

He will be Seattle bound

Jared Lorenzen?