B.J. Raji has learned his lesson about publicly pushing for playing time, but hell make this much clear:
If this is the week the Green Bay Packers decide to ramp up their top draft picks workload, Raji is ready.
Hes looked a whole lot more like himself the past two games, albeit in limited backup action, and the sprained ankle that cost Raji his first two NFL games finally seems to be drifting into the rearview.
Yeah, and now Im really starting to understand the defense, Raji said on Thursday. Ive been more spectating and watching and learning than playing. So now, Im getting my chance, and hopefully, I take advantage of it.
Raji played the best game of his young career on Oct. 25 at Cleveland, where he registered two solo tackles in 14 snaps and showed his restored explosion by driving back veteran guard Hank Fraley during a goal-line stand. He had two more solo tackles in 12 snaps Sunday against Minnesota a performance that would have graded out better had he not drawn a 15-yard face mask penalty.
Both games showed Raji has come a long way since Sept. 27, when he suited up for the first time since his injury in the preseason finale and was a shadow of the player the Packers drafted No. 9 overall. The power from his thick lower body wasnt there, and Raji also was incredibly slow off the ball, proof of the practice time he had missed because of the injury and the two-week layoff before his contract was finalized on Aug. 13.
The last two games, I finally got my power back in my ankle and Im able to explode into guys, Raji said.
But the Packers didnt give Raji nearly $18 million in guarantees to be a bit player in their 3-4 defense. They brought him in to be a difference-maker, the future at nose tackle and a player who could make an immediate impact as a base end and inside nickel rusher.