Zero2Cool
14 years ago
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Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji have flip-flopped positions.

The Green Bay Packers have decided to move Pickett to left defensive end and Raji to nose tackle in their 3-4 base defense. The move was unveiled Wednesday during the teams first open organized team activity practice.

The Packers also plan to play Raji and starting right defensive end Cullen Jenkins as the two down linemen in their nickel package.

Pickett, the 10th-year veteran who has played on the interior of the defensive line his entire NFL career, was hesitant about the switch when coaches first broached the subject with him before the OTAs.

At first, I was like, Ah, I dont like it, but then I started thinking theyre right, Pickett said after Wednesdays practice. I can actually play either one, and I think B.J. will be a great nose. I thought about it, and I said, All right, its cool. Ill do whatever I can to help the team. So thats why Im at end.

The move allows Raji, the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft, to return to a more natural position. The Packers played him mostly at left end during his rookie year last season. He moved to nose tackle late in the season after Pickett injured a hamstring and missed three games.

Im still going to be doing both (end and nose), but Ill be primarily at nose this year, Raji said. Im definitely more comfortable. Last year, learning the techniques as well as the defense, thats a little tough when youve got both of those things at once. Now, the defense Im accustomed to, its just mastering the techniques, which I think will come with reps.

The switch gives the Packers a more athletic player in the middle in the 6-foot-2, 337-pound Raji without sacrificing the power and strength of the 6-2, 340-pound Pickett.

Raji could provide more pass rush from the inside spot without sacrificing anything against the run. The Packers led the NFL in rushing defense last season but are looking for more interior pass rush.

Plus, by moving Pickett outside, it gives them a bruiser as the strong-side run stopper. While Pickett is shorter and heavier than the prototypical 3-4 defensive end, his footwork and agility are exceptional for his size. The Packers also dont expect their 3-4 ends to cover as much ground to the sideline as a 4-3 defensive end.

Its a big adjustment, said Pickett, who in March signed a four-year, $28 million contract that will pay him $10 million this season. I kind of liked the nose spot. But this is whats best to help the team, so

Pickett would like to get down to about 325 pounds but said the team hasnt told him that losing weight is a necessity.

While nothing is set in stone and several coaches said the position switches were more about making sure both players were well versed at each spot, the Packers dont waste valuable reps, which suggests the move is permanent.

It could be, defensive line coach Mike Trgovac said. This is the time of the year you want to do things like that.

It also gives the Packers some insurance in case Johnny Jolly, who started every game last season at left defensive end, gets suspended following his trial for possession of codeine, which is scheduled to begin Friday in Houston. Jolly also hasnt signed his restricted free agent tender and therefore hasnt attended any of the offseason program or the OTAs.

(Pickett and Raji) are both very athletic guys, or we wouldnt be trying this here, Trgovac said. The ends a little more athletic position because of some of the things he has to do with containing the quarterback. I think theyre both very good, athletic guys. B.J.s body size, hes built for nose guard. It just happens we have two of them. If theyre the three that we have here at the beginning of the year theyre our three best players.


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zombieslayer
14 years ago
Should this be merged with "Trading Places?"
My man Donald Driver
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(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
bozz_2006
14 years ago
Kind of offers the same insight into the situation than what our collective thinking has come up with. I'd like to hear what Coach has to say.... of course he'll just tiptoe around the question and move on. lol. but i want to hear what he has to say anyhow.
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Fan Shout
Mucky Tundra (6m) : beast, I would guess ad revenue from more eyes watching tv
Zero2Cool (26m) : I would think it would hurt the home team because people would have to cancel last minute maybe? i dunno
beast (35m) : I agree that it's BS for fans planning on going to the game. But how does it bring in more money? I'm guessing indirectly?
packerfanoutwest (46m) : bs on flexing the game....they do it for the $$league$$, not the hometown fans
Zero2Cool (1h) : I see what you did there Mucky
Zero2Cool (1h) : dammit. 3:25pm
Zero2Cool (1h) : Packers Vikings flexed to 3:35pm
Mucky Tundra (1h) : Upon receiving the news about Luke Musgrave, I immediately fell to the ground
Mucky Tundra (1h) : Yeah baby!
Zero2Cool (2h) : LUKE MUSGRAVE PLAYING TONIGHT~!~~~~WOWHOAAOHAOAA yah
Zero2Cool (3h) : I wanna kill new QB's ... blitz the crap out of them.
beast (3h) : Barry seemed to get too conservative against new QBs, Hafley doesn't have that issue
Zero2Cool (4h) : However, we seem to struggle vs new QB's
Zero2Cool (4h) : Should be moot point, cuz Packers should win tonight.
packerfanoutwest (4h) : ok I stand corrected
Zero2Cool (4h) : Ok, yes, you are right. I see that now how they get 7th
Zero2Cool (4h) : 5th - Packers win out, Vikings lose out. Maybe?
beast (4h) : Saying no to the 6th lock.
beast (4h) : No, with the Commanders beating the Eagles, Packers could have a good chance of 6th or 7th unless the win out
Zero2Cool (4h) : I think if Packers win, they are locked 6th with chance for 5th.
beast (4h) : But it doesn't matter, as the Packers win surely win one of their remaining games
beast (4h) : This is not complex, just someone doesn't want to believe reality
beast (4h) : We already have told you... if Packers lose all their games (they won't, but if they did), and Buccaneers and Falcons win all theirs
Zero2Cool (4h) : I posted it in that Packers and 1 seed thread
Zero2Cool (4h) : I literally just said it.
packerfanoutwest (4h) : show us a scenario where Pack don't get in? bet you can't
Zero2Cool (4h) : Falcons, Buccaneers would need to win final two games.
Zero2Cool (4h) : Yes, if they win one of three, they are lock. If they lose out, they can be eliminated.
packerfanoutwest (4h) : as I just said,,gtheyh are in no matter what
Zero2Cool (4h) : Packers should get in. I just hope it's not 7th seed. Feels dirty.
packerfanoutwest (4h) : If packers lose out, no matter what, they are in
packerfanoutwest (4h) : both teams can not male the playoffs....falcon hold the tie breaker
packerfanoutwest (5h) : if bucs win out they win their division
beast (5h) : Fine, Buccaneers and Falcons can get ahead of us
packerfanoutwest (5h) : falcons are already ahead of us
beast (5h) : Packers will get in
beast (5h) : If Packers lose the rest of their games and Falcons win the rest of theirs, they could pass us... but not gonna happen
packerfanoutwest (5h) : they still are in the playoffs
packerfanoutwest (5h) : If Packers lose the remaining games,,,,at 10-7
Zero2Cool (7h) : We can say it. We don't play.
Mucky Tundra (8h) : But to say they are in is looking past the Saints
Mucky Tundra (8h) : That said, their odds are very favorable with a >99% chance of making the playoffs entering this week's games
Mucky Tundra (8h) : Packers are not in and have not clinched a playoff spot.
buckeyepackfan (9h) : Packers are in, they need to keep winning to improve their seed#.
Mucky Tundra (18h) : Getting help would have been nice, but helping ourselves should always be the plan
beast (18h) : Too bad Seahawks couldn't beat Vikings
bboystyle (18h) : We just need to win Monday night and were in
Mucky Tundra (21h) : Or ties, but let's be real here
Mucky Tundra (21h) : Other scenario was Falcons+Rams losses
Mucky Tundra (21h) : Needed a Falcons loss for a Seahawk loss to clinch
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