Raji played NT in 2010 and DE in 2011. I'm positive of it because I remember them saying they were moving Raji to Jenkins spot on the line.
Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool
Jenkins spot was in both the 3 and the 5 placement, depending on what the D call was.
3 placement is outside the OG. 5 placement is lined up across the OT.
They said they would use Raji in the 3 (Jenkins spot) when there was a 3.
When there was no 3 they said Raji would be at NT (not Jenkins spot).
That's what they said. But NT is asked to protect against the possible run first, by clogging a gap first, then if it's a pass play then penetrate... as the defense started to struggle, Raji stop clogging and went straight to penetrating... so they moved Pickett to NT and started to call a lot more plays with the 3 placement for Raji, which let him penetrate right away.
I would say Raji is not a DE nor a true NT. I think he's a DT or a pass rushing NT. Wade Phillips version of the 3-4 uses a pass rushing NT very well. Also Raji could become a very good true NT if he was more patient. But with Pickett, I rather use him as the NT and Raji in the 3 placement. Problem is the OLB would have to be able to hold their own in the run game, and with Zombo being injured last year, they didn't have another OLB that could hold their own in the run game. (not counting Matthews of course).