I wouldn't expect him to take Raji snaps as much as being a limiting factor in Pickett's snaps. Don't expect Much of Pickett when only using 2 Dlineman like we have in the past.
Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins
Pickett is a rock against the run. So is Jolly. Raji is not. Pickett occupies 2 players, so does Jolly; Raji too often can be moved with one. Jolly first takes Raji's reps against the run when Pickett is in there. Takes Pickett's only as part of "rotation" to spell the Big Grease. I don't think he gets to the point where he's the best run option; Pickett is quiet, but he's very, very good.
But the reason Jolly ends up taking Raji's spot is against the pass. Or will unless there is a "light a fire" factor. Jolly isn't there yet. But he's hungry enough that he will get there. Raji, IMO, will continue to be all world in spurts....and maddeningly nothing much in others.
Maybe I'm overly optimistic about Jolly re: the pass. He was always stouter against the run than he was against the pass, after all. But it's weird: despite his being the wrong side of 29, I think he's got more potential than Raji.
It reminds me of a while back when faced with two DL needing new contracts, the Packers chose between Cletidus Hunt and Vonnie Holiday. That time, I argued for and Packer management made the wrong choice, going with the "potential" of the young guy. It's hard to believe based on what happened post-decision, but Hunt showed some dominating flashes prior to his big contract. Yet his "next step" never happened.
Will Ted go with Raji? Maybe. He certainly likes the "potential" card when it comes to linemen on either side of the ball, and there's no doubt from his late 2010 performance, that Raji has a lot of potential for dominance in him somewhere.
If it is down to the question of potential v. potential, it will be Raji who stays and Jolly who doesn't in 2014. But I just think that Jolly ends up showing more actual dominance in this contract year than Raji does. I think he wants it more.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)