Ryan Pickett would shift back to nose tackle and B.J. Raji would move into even more of a play-making role in the reconfigured base defense that the Green Bay Packers are contemplating employing this season.

At the same time, Mike Neal would line up at strong-side defensive end in the new deployment.

"I love it," Raji said Tuesday. "The coaches are giving it a shot. It's our job, particularly me and 'Pick,' to prove them right. We've done a good job at practice."

The Packers' two most common alignments in their base 3-4 front are:

 Okie, in which both ends play a 5-technique head-up over the tackles while the nose tackle is head-up on the center.

 Eagle, in which the end to the strong (tight end) side is head-up on the tackle in a 5-technique, the nose tackle is in a shaded position just off the strong-side shoulder of the center, and the weak-side end is in a 3-technique position on the outside shoulder of the guard.

Last year, on the approximately 25% of the defensive snaps when the Packers were in the 3-4, they played far more Eagle than Okie. Usually, Pickett was the 5-technique on the left side, Raji was the shaded nose tackle and either Cullen Jenkins or Howard Green was the 3-technique on the right side.

In the new setup, the 340-pound Pickett would be back at nose tackle, where he started from 2006-'09 and probably is most effective, and Raji would have more freedom as a one-gap player in the spot previously occupied by Jenkins.

"I feel, and the coaches feel, that with my ability I should be able to give a lot of guards fits," Raji said. "Cullen will be a tough guy to replace. I'm very optimistic about my future. Hopefully, I can display more of my skills."

All three defensive linemen can't get into position until the offense leaves the huddle and the strength of the formation can be declared. Raji said defensive coordinator Dom Capers has called Eagle about the same number of times as Okie thus far in front of crowds numbering more than 2,500 fans night after night at Nitschke Field.

"Coach (Capers) wants to get a lot on film so they can evaluate and see where we are," Raji said. "Coach 'Trgo' (Mike Trgovac) talked it over with Dom. He felt some of the technique at the nose 'Pick' played the best going back two seasons."

Raji, who played 85% of the 1,259 defensive snaps in 20 games a year ago, basically lined up alongside Jenkins as 3-technique tackles in the nickel and dime defenses. Given the new version of the Eagle, he might be off the nose for good.
EDITED

JSOnline wrote:

B.J. Raji may move from nose tackle spot 

With so much attention being paid to the Packers’ sluggish offense early in training camp, it’s easy to overlook the defense.

Defensive coordinator Dom Capers’ group should be primed for a big year in their third season in the system. Promising defensive end Mike Neal and outside linebacker Brad Jones return from injury to bolster the group.

Despite losing Cullen Jenkins, the starting defensive line looks strong. It also may look a little different.

Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, who deservedly was honored with the Dick McCann award at the Hall of Fame last weekend, reports that the Packers are looking to move B.J. Raji from nose tackle to defensive end. He would trade places with Ryan Pickett.

“I love it,” Raji said. “The coaches are giving it a shot. It’s our job, particularly me and ‘Pick,’ to prove them right. We’ve done a good job at practice.”

Raji would have a chance to make more plays in the alignment lining up against guards; Raji is reportedly having a great camp. It plays to Pickett’s strengths too as a space eater. Neal would be on the other side.

If the Packers are going to maintain or improve this year, it will have to come from their young players developing. Raji and Neal are near the top of the list of players that can get better.

Gregg Rosenthal on August 10, 2011, 9:09 AM EDT wrote:

B.J. Raji is replacing Cullen Jenkins? Who's replacing Raji? (in a meeting, can't read the whole article just yet)

Originally Posted by: Zero2Cool 

SO EXPERTS-
Give me a refresher on 3 technique vs 5 technique vs 1 gap vs 3 gap.



PLEASE

Originally Posted by: wpr