Three games in and barely a Raji sighting to speak of. This is a contract year for him right? IMHO not gonna be worth the cash he wants.
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His position does not get a lot of the spotlight. The position's responsibility is to plug the holes and be able to hold the ground.
You are right though, I haven't noticed him much, but the way the Packers run D is this year. I think he is doing fine.
Hungry is right too that there is a deep rotation.
I've seen him occupying blockers. Not enough tackling running backs 5 yards downfield though.
I've seen him anchoring a pretty stout run defense.
We don't really need to hear Raji's name for him to be doing his job. If the run D is solid and he's helping collapse the pocket on passing downs, then anything else is gravy.
Yes, but he won't get too many State Farm endorsements doing that. Time to step ut up, Raji!
Is this a spin off show of "What's Happening!!"? ReRaj
Doesn't New England run a 3-4 defense? We sure hear (not for a while now, though) Vince Wilfork's name come up a lot.
Could have posted this to the Barclay thread too. From PFF:
https://www.profootballfocus.c...t-nfc-first-quarter/
Green Bay Packers
Stock Up: Don Barclay (+6.5, Q1 2013; -3.6, Q4 2012)
Stepping in to start as an undrafted free agent late in the season, Barclay had a rough end to the year including the playoffs, letting up 25 pressures in six starts. Starting his first full season, Barclay has let up only six pressures (2 Sk, 1 Ht, 3 Hu) through three games and has made strides with his run blocking as well.
Stock Down: B.J. Raji (-1.3, Q1 2013; +10.4, Q4 2012)
Fewer pressures, fewer stops, less impact. Raji was our fourth-highest graded 3-4 defensive end over the final month of the 2012 regular season and only bettered by J.J. Watt for run defense grade in the same time span. However, the start to 2013 hasnât been to the same level, not poor but a big step below the form he showed to close last season, with only two hurries and four stops through three games.
I'll also throw this in here instead of starting a new thread:
https://www.profootballfocus.c...t-rounders-in-focus/
28. Nick Perry, OLB, Green Bay Packers Grade: -3.6 Status: Starter (146 snaps) Analysis: He was meant to ease some of the load off Clay Matthews. He hasnât. In fact he has just four hurries this year as the team still struggles to get pressure. He simply has to improve.
I'm not sure why Ted bothers to draft corners and tackles, he does much better with undrafted free agents
Doesn't New England run a 3-4 defense? We sure hear (not for a while now, though) Vince Wilfork's name come up a lot.
Wilfork has more letters in his name than Raji, that is why you hear and see it more.
When the Green Bay Packers defense turns to nickel, to dime, he's been on the sideline. Powerless. With a chance to pad his stats â in, ahem, a contract year â the defensive end is on hold.
Raji insists this isn't difficult, not even with millions of dollars at stake.
"You know what? No, no," Raji said. "To do that, you have to be secure in yourself as a player and I am. I believe I'm one of the best in the league."
I've always thought Raji was better on fewer snaps. With the way Daniels has been playing and the presence of Jones and Jolly it's not surprising he's playing fewer snaps. He does need to produce more. He's been solid vs. the run but has done nothing in the pass rush. You could probably say that about pretty much everyone on that defense.
I'll also throw this in here instead of starting a new thread:
https://www.profootballfocus.c...t-rounders-in-focus/
28. Nick Perry, OLB, Green Bay Packers Grade: -3.6 Status: Starter (146 snaps) Analysis: He was meant to ease some of the load off Clay Matthews. He hasnât. In fact he has just four hurries this year as the team still struggles to get pressure. He simply has to improve.
Perry is clearly better than Walden in coverage and against the run, but as far as rushing the QB, he's been a downgrade. I was looking forward to seeing Perry more than just about any other player, and he's been a huge letdown so far this year. I know he's only started 9 games in the NFL, but he really needs to figure out how to start getting after the QB, soon.
He does need to produce more. He's been solid vs. the run but has done nothing in the pass rush.
How can he show more on the pass rush when ne is on the sidelines when the Packers are in nickel or dime? Pretty hard to get a sack or QB pressure when your helmet is in your hand and not on your head!
he's rushed the passer 55 times. The most of any DL. Next closes is Daniels at 50 and Jones at 46. He gets plenty of opportunities.
pwned
In defensive coordinator Dom Capersâ scheme, the Packers donât expect major sack production from their interior defensive linemen. Last year, defensive tackleB.J. Raji had what the team considered one of his best seasons, yet he didnât have a single sack. Opportunities for defensive linemen to pin their ears back and âjet rush,â as Capers calls it, are not the norm.
His production in '10 was probably a bit of an anomaly. Fans looking for sacks and splash plays may need to adjust their expectations.
