So, BJ was drafted as a run stuffer!?
Originally Posted by: nerdmann
Short anser, yes. With the switch to a 3-4, a big guy to anchor the middle was needed and he was the highest rated for that role from his days at BC. I think he was expected to push the pocket up the middle as well, as he was that highly touted, but the basic role for which he was drafted was to absorb blockers and stuff the run, as with any NT.
Originally Posted by: OlHoss1884
After thinking it over, I think the answer is yes... I believe Raji was drafted as an explosive NT that would be hard for OL to keep up with like he was in college.
That being said, I don't believe Raji was drafted as a run clogger to clog the OL, which they've been asked to do the last two years switching to the more traditional (conservative) 3-4 system, where I do believe Pickett was the better fit for NT in that system (and don't think Raji's style of play fit in it at any position other than 2-4 nickel rush DT).
That being said, I believe Boston College ran both the 3-4 and 4-3 system while Raji was in college, and Raji would play an aggressive 3-4 DE (like Cullen Jenkins did (different styles)) and Ron Brace (who plays a lot like Pickett did (but Pickett was much better/longer) played the NT role. And I think Raji played 3-4 DE some his first year... and the basically aftermath of that was... his arms/length isn't long enough to pass rush from out there and handle being further out and having to deal with the talent/size/length of NFL OTs.
So it's possible the Packers thought Raji might be able to play at 3-4 DE as well before his rookie year... but the general thinking is he was drafted to play NT (because he's NT size).
"Ultimately, defense goes back to attitude, desire and pursuit," nose tackle B.J. Raji said.
Watching Raji the last couple of years... I think Raji has very limited desire/attitude to run clog... so it might be very good that the Packers are rumored to be switching systems and getting away from the system with so much run clogging... of course he's going to be asked to play NT, which normally the position that gets asked to do it the most, so he could still be asked to do it (maybe).
And of course, Raji has a down year before they even switched to the run clogging system... after the Super Bowl year he didn't seem the same either... but they maybe could of had something to do with losing Nick Collins and Cullen Jenkins, as well as Tramon Williams and Woodson not being the same as the year before... Williams had that shoulder injury which he wasn't the same for a couple year... and Woodson seemed to lose a step that season.