Nonstopdrivel
16 years ago

Why Packers passed on Crabtree for Raji
Views18208Comments24
08:05 AM ET 04.26 SHARE PRINT IT MY T&R
General manager Ted Thompson has made some hard decisions in his four seasons atop the Green Bay Packers' football hierarchy (read Brett Favre), but never two in one afternoon as he did Saturday in the National Football League draft. First, he passed up wide receiver Michael Crabtree, possibly the most dynamic player in the draft and someone whom a friend of Thompson's said the Packers "had a love affair with," in order to draft a nose tackle, B.J. Raji, of Boston College. Crabtree, said Thompson, is "a remarkably gifted player" who reminded him "a little bit" of Sterling Sharpe by his dominating presence in the short-to-intermediate zones. When the Packers' 10-minute slot arrived, there were three names that they were seriously considering: Raji, Crabtree and Mississippi tackle Michael Oher. The Packers were extremely high on Oher as the No. 3 tackle, probably ahead of Virginia's Eugene Monroe, and viewed him as an immediate starter at right tackle. Then there was Raji, by far the best defensive tackle in the draft. In a moment of candor, Thompson conceded that it was a scenario he hadn't anticipated. Thompson said Raji and Crabtree had the same grade on the Packers' board. That's probably a matter of semantics, but people with knowledge of the Packers' thinking said Crabtree stood far and away as their pre-eminent player. Then Thompson turned around 90 minutes later and traded away the guts of his remaining draft for outside linebacker Clay Matthews of Southern California. To get Matthews, Thompson traded up for just the second time in his five drafts with the Packers, compared to 13 trade-downs. For New England's first-round pick (No. 26) that was used on Matthews as well as a fifth-round choice (No. 162), the Packers gave up their second-round selection (No. 41) and both of their third-round choices (Nos. 73 and 83). "No, I'm not concerned about the splash," Thompson said, because if he were the Packers would have taken Crabtree. "There were some guys that we were eyeballing, Raji and Clay as an example. We didn't know how to go about doing it."


UserPostedImage
Nonstopdrivel
16 years ago


Raji a solid building block for Packers' defense 

By Dan Arkush
April 25, 2009

B.J. Raji might not have been the best available athlete when it came time for Packers GM Ted Thompson to make Green Bays first pick.

With eight picks flashing by quickly, Michael Crabtree, the highly regarded receiver out of Texas Tech, appeared to have a better BAA pedigree.

But Raji arguably qualified as the best defensive player available nine picks into the 2009 draft, and with the Packers committing to a new 3-4 defense despite a definite shortage of qualified personnel for such a switch, the Boston College space-eater looks like an excellent alternative to Crabtree, who would have given the Packers an embarrassment of riches at the receiver position.


NT B.J. Raji

Considered the best defender by far at this years Senior Bowl, Raji should fit Dom Capers new defense up front like an extra-large glove.
With hefty Ryan Pickett already on board in the middle of the defense, Raji might see more action initially at defensive end, a position draft evaluators believe he could more than adequately handle. But with Pickett getting up there in years, Raji should still see considerable action at nose tackle in a relief role.

He quickly becomes just as reliable on the Packers new defensive line as Johnny Jolly, who could be looking at some time off due to legal problems stemming from his arrest last summer for possession of codeine, and former first-round pick Justin Harrell, who has been severely limited by back problems his first two seasons.

In addition, Cullen Jenkins, who is currently projected as a starter at one of the end spots, is coming off a serious ankle injury, making Rajis selection that much more palatable.

Raji dodged a red flag when reports of a failed drug test proved false. With Pickett entering his contract year, Raji could be the Packs all-important defensive cornerstone on the nose for a long time to come starting next season.

Look for GM Ted Thompson to continue collecting more defensive building blocks as the draft wears on.


UserPostedImage
Greg C.
16 years ago


In addition, Cullen Jenkins, who is currently projected as a starter at one of the end spots, is coming off a serious ankle injury, making Rajis selection that much more palatable.

"Nonstopdrivel" wrote:



Actually, it's the chest injury that is serious. He only needed arthroscopic surgery on his ankle. I looked it up:
http://www.kffl.com/player/7665/NFL 
blank
El3ment12
16 years ago
So do we really have amazing depth at DT now? With Jenkins hurt, and Harrel not proven yet, We kinda don't. We needed Raji. I'm so glad we got him, because after seeing those tapes of him, DAMN! I think he can be a big contributor the first game. 🙂
DarkaneRules
16 years ago
So that thing with Jenkins sucks. I hope he'll be okay.
Circular Arguments: They are a heck of an annoyance
PackerTraxx
16 years ago
I wish both Jenkins and Harrell can come back healthy. Jenkins because we know he is a good player and we need him. Harrell because I would like to see just how good he really is.
Why is Jerry Kramer not in the Hall of Fame?
zombieslayer
16 years ago

The pick of Raji also earned Thompson rare applause from Packers fans who gathered at a draft party at Lambeau Field.

Theyre getting soft, Thompson quipped.

Attendees roundly booed Thompson after he picked defensive tackle Justin Harrell in the first round in 2007 and chose wide receiver Jordy Nelson with the first of three second-round selections after trading out of the first round last year.



Just had to post this. I thought it was funny. I like TT's response.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AmIq2uA5CLTONg9HWSn_w_.G2bYF?slug=teamreports-2009-nfl-gnb&prov=sportsxchange&type=team_report 
My man Donald Driver
UserPostedImage
(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
16 years ago
Man, I was nervous right up until I saw BJ on the phone with a smile on his face, pumping his fist. I went to BC and live out here so I have watched nearly every game he has played. Rest assured guys, we got a stud.
UserPostedImage
go.pack.go.
16 years ago
Just by watching some youtube videos on him, you can see that he dominates. I love his bull rushes and then he just pushes the lineman off of him and sacks the QB.
UserPostedImage
Pack93z
16 years ago
BJ Raji interview pre-draft...

More.... 



Justin Suchoski, Philadelphia, PA
02:47 PM ET
B.J., who impressed you the most at the combine, at any position?
09_combine_raji_bj_40x55
B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
That's a good question. Wow. I would say Everette Brown, because of his explosiveness. I watched some tape on him, and he looked good in person, too. I would say Clay Matthews. He did everything well. Aaron Curry really impressed me too.


"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"
Users browsing this topic
    Fan Shout
    dfosterf (9h) : We do have good depth at running back imo. Still so frustrating. Bitching about it is a futile excercise, which I plan to do anyway.
    Mucky Tundra (23h) : Whoops, I thought Zero was saying it was a surprise the Brewers lost and not Lloyd being hurt
    Mucky Tundra (23h) : Not a surprise; inevitable
    Zero2Cool (17-Aug) : Brewers streak ends at 14
    Zero2Cool (17-Aug) : SURPRISE
    Mucky Tundra (17-Aug) : @mattschneidman Matt LaFleur on MarShawn Lloyd: “He’s gonna miss some time.”
    Mucky Tundra (16-Aug) : CLIFFORD WITH THE TD WITH UNDER 2 TO GO!!!!!
    Zero2Cool (16-Aug) : 90 MINUTES UNTIL FAKE KICKOFF!!
    Martha Careful (16-Aug) : I think Ruven is a bot, but regardless should be stricken from the site.
    Zero2Cool (14-Aug) : Packers RB Josh Jacobs ranked No. 33 in NFL 'Top 100'
    dfosterf (13-Aug) : The LVN Musgrave collision- Andy Herman said Musgrave seemed to be the one most impacted injury-wise
    dfosterf (13-Aug) : a lower back injury
    dfosterf (13-Aug) : Doubs says he's "fine" after injury scare. Some reported it as z
    Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : With LVN that is; need to see what happens in the next practice
    Mucky Tundra (13-Aug) : beast, reading about what happened, it sounded like one of those "two guys collide and are moving slow afterwards" type of deals
    beast (12-Aug) : I believe Musgrave has been injured every single season since at least a Sophomore in highschool
    packerfanoutwest (12-Aug) : Matt LaFleur: “Highly unlikely” Jordan Love plays more this preseason
    dfosterf (12-Aug) : Doubs, Savion Williams, LVN, Musgrave all banged up to one degree or another, missing one here I forget
    Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : RB Tyrion Davis-Price is signing with the Green Bay Packers.
    Zero2Cool (12-Aug) : zero help, dominated. preseason
    beast (12-Aug) : QB Jordan Love has surgery
    beast (12-Aug) : Martha said Morgan had a lot of help, I didn't watch the OL so I can't say.
    Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers LT Jordan Morgan did not allow a single pressure across 23 pass-blocking snaps vs. Jets last night, per PFF
    Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : With buckeye and the reasonable couple, we're currently sitting at 10
    buckeyepackfan (10-Aug) : Just posted to re-up on our FFL.
    Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : If healthy after, then thats all I care. Well, no drops would be nice
    wpr (10-Aug) : I made it through the 1st Q.
    dfosterf (10-Aug) : Just gotta figure out how.
    dfosterf (10-Aug) : Could have been a worse start, so there is that.
    beast (10-Aug) : Yeah, someone tell the Packers football season has started, seems like they weren't ready for it
    Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : Sooooooo many penalties
    Mucky Tundra (10-Aug) : It may only be preseason, but this game is a trip to the dentist
    Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do bad -- FREAK OUT!!!!!!
    Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Packers do good -- eh only preseason
    dfosterf (10-Aug) : Well that half was fun
    Zero2Cool (10-Aug) : Great, zayne is down
    Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : 13 minutes away from kickkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkoffff
    Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Had Celebration of Life for my uncle up north. wicked rain hope it dont come south
    Mucky Tundra (9-Aug) : THE GREEN BAY PACKERS ARE PLAYING FOOTBALL TONIGHT!!!!!! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!!
    Zero2Cool (9-Aug) : Woo-hoo
    TheKanataThrilla (9-Aug) : NFL Network is broadcasting the game tonight, but not in Canada. Not sure why as no local television is showing the game.
    beast (8-Aug) : But the Return from IR designations had to be applied by the 53 man cutdown.
    beast (8-Aug) : It's a new rule, so it's not clear, but my understanding was that they could be IR'd at any time
    Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : *had to be IRed at 53
    Mucky Tundra (8-Aug) : beast, I thought the designate return from IR players had to be IR at cutdowns to 53, not before
    beast (8-Aug) : It's a brand new rule, either last season or this season, prior, all pre-season IRs were done for the season
    beast (8-Aug) : But the Packers would have to use one for their return from IR spots on him, when they cut down to 53.
    beast (8-Aug) : I think the NFL recently changed the IR rules, so maybe the season might not be over for OL Glover.
    Zero2Cool (8-Aug) : Packers star Howton, first NFLPA prez, dies at 95 😔
    dfosterf (8-Aug) : Apparently it is too complicated for several to follow your simple instructions, but I digress
    Please sign in to use Fan Shout
    2025 Packers Schedule
    Sunday, Sep 7 @ 3:25 PM
    LIONS
    Thursday, Sep 11 @ 7:15 PM
    COMMANDERS
    Sunday, Sep 21 @ 12:00 PM
    Browns
    Sunday, Sep 28 @ 7:20 PM
    Cowboys
    Sunday, Oct 12 @ 3:25 PM
    BENGALS
    Sunday, Oct 19 @ 3:25 PM
    Cardinals
    Sunday, Oct 26 @ 7:20 PM
    Steelers
    Sunday, Nov 2 @ 12:00 PM
    PANTHERS
    Monday, Nov 10 @ 7:15 PM
    EAGLES
    Sunday, Nov 16 @ 12:00 PM
    Giants
    Sunday, Nov 23 @ 12:00 PM
    VIKINGS
    Thursday, Nov 27 @ 12:00 PM
    Lions
    Sunday, Dec 7 @ 12:00 PM
    BEARS
    Sunday, Dec 14 @ 3:25 PM
    Broncos
    Friday, Dec 19 @ 11:00 PM
    Bears
    Friday, Dec 26 @ 11:00 PM
    RAVENS
    Saturday, Jan 3 @ 11:00 PM
    Vikings
    Recent Topics
    3h / Green Bay Packers Talk / wpr

    12h / Around The NFL / isaiah

    14h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    19h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    17-Aug / Fantasy Sports Talk / GoPack1984

    17-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    17-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

    16-Aug / Feedback, Suggestions and Issues / beast

    15-Aug / Around The NFL / Mucky Tundra

    13-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

    12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

    12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    12-Aug / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

    12-Aug / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

    Headlines
    Copyright © 2006 - 2025 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.