wpr
  • wpr
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13 years ago
Packers consider reconfigured base defense 

Ryan Pickett would shift back to nose tackle and B.J. Raji would move into even more of a play-making role in the reconfigured base defense that the Green Bay Packers are contemplating employing this season.

At the same time, Mike Neal would line up at strong-side defensive end in the new deployment.

"I love it," Raji said Tuesday. "The coaches are giving it a shot. It's our job, particularly me and 'Pick,' to prove them right. We've done a good job at practice."

The Packers' two most common alignments in their base 3-4 front are:

 Okie, in which both ends play a 5-technique head-up over the tackles while the nose tackle is head-up on the center.

 Eagle, in which the end to the strong (tight end) side is head-up on the tackle in a 5-technique, the nose tackle is in a shaded position just off the strong-side shoulder of the center, and the weak-side end is in a 3-technique position on the outside shoulder of the guard.

Last year, on the approximately 25% of the defensive snaps when the Packers were in the 3-4, they played far more Eagle than Okie. Usually, Pickett was the 5-technique on the left side, Raji was the shaded nose tackle and either Cullen Jenkins or Howard Green was the 3-technique on the right side.

In the new setup, the 340-pound Pickett would be back at nose tackle, where he started from 2006-'09 and probably is most effective, and Raji would have more freedom as a one-gap player in the spot previously occupied by Jenkins.

"I feel, and the coaches feel, that with my ability I should be able to give a lot of guards fits," Raji said. "Cullen will be a tough guy to replace. I'm very optimistic about my future. Hopefully, I can display more of my skills."

All three defensive linemen can't get into position until the offense leaves the huddle and the strength of the formation can be declared. Raji said defensive coordinator Dom Capers has called Eagle about the same number of times as Okie thus far in front of crowds numbering more than 2,500 fans night after night at Nitschke Field.

"Coach (Capers) wants to get a lot on film so they can evaluate and see where we are," Raji said. "Coach 'Trgo' (Mike Trgovac) talked it over with Dom. He felt some of the technique at the nose 'Pick' played the best going back two seasons."

Raji, who played 85% of the 1,259 defensive snaps in 20 games a year ago, basically lined up alongside Jenkins as 3-technique tackles in the nickel and dime defenses. Given the new version of the Eagle, he might be off the nose for good.
EDITED

JSOnline wrote:




I like the idea of Raji replacing Jenkins instead of Neal or others. Pickett seems happier when he is the NT. I wouldn't mind seeing Green play 1-2 downs most of the time and bringing in Neal for 2nd and 3rd and long. It will keep him a little fresher in order to get to the QB a half step faster.
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Stevetarded
13 years ago
I love it. Raji and Neal coming off the ends is exciting to think about. We've got at least 2 big guys we can stick on the nose who can hold up but nobody besides Raji with his abilities and size that we can bring off the end. This sounds like a good move.
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beast
13 years ago
I love the idea and the article. Pickett is best in a two gap run stopper role and Raji is best in a one gap role... so that's a win/win for those guys. Neal gets to be on Matthews side, so his side will get the focus on the extra blockers (say RB/FB/TE/etc) but he won't be the main focus, so good and bad there. They should be great at pass rushing on that said. But they also will have to hold up against the run.


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Zero2Cool
13 years ago
B.J. Raji is replacing Cullen Jenkins? Who's replacing Raji? (in a meeting, can't read the whole article just yet)
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Zero2Cool
13 years ago
From this article, it makes more sense, since I was able to read it. :)

B.J. Raji to Cullen Jenkins spot.
Ryan Picket to B.J. Raji's spot.
Mike Neal to Ryan Picket's spot.




B.J. Raji may move from nose tackle spot 


With so much attention being paid to the Packers’ sluggish offense early in training camp, it’s easy to overlook the defense.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ group should be primed for a big year in their third season in the system. Promising defensive end Mike Neal and outside linebacker Brad Jones return from injury to bolster the group.

Despite losing Cullen Jenkins, the starting defensive line looks strong. It also may look a little different.

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, who deservedly was honored with the Dick McCann award at the Hall of Fame last weekend, reports that the Packers are looking to move B.J. Raji from nose tackle to defensive end. He would trade places with Ryan Pickett.

“I love it,” Raji said. “The coaches are giving it a shot. It’s our job, particularly me and ‘Pick,’ to prove them right. We’ve done a good job at practice.”

Raji would have a chance to make more plays in the alignment lining up against guards; Raji is reportedly having a great camp. It plays to Pickett’s strengths too as a space eater. Neal would be on the other side.

If the Packers are going to maintain or improve this year, it will have to come from their young players developing. Raji and Neal are near the top of the list of players that can get better.

Gregg Rosenthal on August 10, 2011, 9:09 AM EDT wrote:


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Yerko
13 years ago
This move makes so much sense and I am excited to see how it plays out. The speed Raji possesses with his body size will help him play a role at DE and surprise a lot of guards. Its also nice because Raji will have a one gap assignment.
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wpr
  • wpr
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13 years ago

B.J. Raji is replacing Cullen Jenkins? Who's replacing Raji? (in a meeting, can't read the whole article just yet)

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 




Sorry Zero. I was out of town at a meeting too and I just saw your post. Glad you figured it out.
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wpr
  • wpr
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13 years ago
SO EXPERTS-
Give me a refresher on 3 technique vs 5 technique vs 1 gap vs 3 gap.



PLEASE
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matteogb4
13 years ago
it never hurts having one more scheme...if it doesn't work we can come back to the other....and more confusion for the other teams
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Rockmolder
13 years ago

SO EXPERTS-
Give me a refresher on 3 technique vs 5 technique vs 1 gap vs 3 gap.



PLEASE

Originally Posted by: wpr 



Technique has to do with where the player lines up. A 0-technique, for instance, is lined up nose to nose with the center of the opposing team. You just move out from there, the higher the number goes. 1-technique mans the A-gap, 2-technique lines up against the guard, 3-technique lines up at the outside shoulder of the guard (B-gap) etc.

1 or 2 gap generally refers to how many gaps the D-lineman is supposed to be playing. Between the center and guards you have the A gaps, between the guards and tackles the B gaps and, potentially, between the tackle and TE the C gaps.

For instance, a NT in a 3-4 is often lined up at the 0-technique, playing 2 gap (both A gaps). Let's say, a Ryan Pickett or BJ Raji in our 3-4.

In our 4-3, we had Pickett playing 1-technique, (with, which I asume) a 1 gap assignment and Corey Williams at 3-technique, assigned to a B-gap.

I'm not sure if it's always that rigid, but that's by my understanding. Hope it actually clears something up, because that text got a little more cluttered than I though. 😛
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