9. Is Datone Jones the answer at defensive end for the Packers?

MintBaconDrivel
Senior Member Topic Starter

11 years ago

Green Bay — Scouting defensive linemen has been a challenge for Ted Thompson and the Packers. Ninth overall pick B.J. Raji worked out. The other 13 he has taken? Not so much.

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texaspackerbacker
Veteran Member

11 years ago

I know this is about Datone Jones, and I have extremely high hopes for him, but I just can't let that line slip by about Raji. "Ninth overall pick B.J. Raji worked out. " Oh really????

Raji is a barely adequate D Lineman drafted high enough up in the draft that it was legitimate to expect a star-quality if not superstar-quality player. He has been a COLOSSAL DISAPPOINTMENT to me, and in the worst way: if he had good toughness and could hold the point in his spot, but a little bit less mobility than desired, it might not be so bad, but the big damn lump is a picture of weakness. Oh yeah, he's got impressive mobility - FOR A FAT GUY! He plays like a below average 240 pounder instead of an average 340 pounder.

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DarkaneRules
Veteran Member

11 years ago

I understand that disappointment. I would say he has been average but he has made some plays for us. He is not a guy that I feel comfortable with saying he has been great or a game changer. He just has his moments. I was thinking he'd be more than that, but I have been fine with his production to this point.

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beast
Select Member

11 years ago

I've heard normally DL need a year to get adjusted to the NFL.

I'm hoping Neal breaks out finally as well. I don't like that it's right before a contract year, but they need someone to break out and help Matthews with pass rush. (also I think Perry will have a better year).

nerdmann
Premier Member

11 years ago

Originally Posted by: beast

I don't think a DL needs much. Mike Daniels lit it up last year. Worthy was a bit of a disappointment, but generally I don't think there's a huge amount to learn from college to NFL at this position.

I think Datone will be fine. He might hit the wall late in the season, but I think he'll be ok.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

beast
Select Member

11 years ago

Originally Posted by: nerdmann

I don't think it's so much learning, as getting adjusted to power, physicalness and quickness of the NFL on a every play basics.

Daniels was very physical, quick and unrelentless before he got to the NFL. Which helped him out, he probably would of been drafted much higher if not for his size / physical limits.

That being said Jones looked very quick as well, and had a good motor (though I wouldn't say unrelentless), but the physicalness one is the question for me. I think he'll do good but won't be the star right away like some are hoping for. That being said, he seems to know how to use his length very well and that might help him a lot as a rookie and help him get around the rookie curve some.

agopackgo4
Registered

11 years ago

I can echo whats being said about Raji. I said to a group last year 'you know what, Raji isn't anything special'. Got some weird looks...After all...He had the TD in the playoffs vs the Bears. That cements him to a lot of people. I don't think he's bad, but he's nothing special. Nothing that they Packers couldn't live without. I don't even know what he is supposed to do for our line. Is he a pass rusher? No. Is he a run stuffer? No. he's the AJ Hawk of the line. Solid.

Bigbyfan
Member

11 years ago

I'm not sure why people seem to have such a poor opinion of Raji. IMO, the reason he doesn't make all the "flashy" plays is the fact that the coaches play him way too much. You can't expect a guy to continuously perform at a high level if he is forced to play 85% of the snaps while consistently dealing with two offensive linemen. Even while having such a high snap count, he stays pretty healthy (which is a rarity on our defensive line).

Allowing Raji to have some breathers on the sideline every once in awhile would do wonders for his on-field production.

Also, if the Packers let Raji walk after this season, he WILL be missed and our defense would suffer for it.

blank

steveishere
Veteran Member

11 years ago

Raji plaayed like 65 percent of snaps last year and it didnt do shit for his production. No more excuses the guy has for whatever reason underperformed his talent level. Hes a monster for 1 week then takes a few games off.

nerdmann
Premier Member

11 years ago

#10

Originally Posted by: Bigbyfan

Agreed.

It would also help him if they actually played him at his position.

“Winning is not a sometime thing, it is an all the time thing. You don't do things right once in a while…you do them right all the time.”

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