Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji have flip-flopped positions.
The Green Bay Packers have decided to move Pickett to left defensive end and Raji to nose tackle in their 3-4 base defense. The move was unveiled Wednesday during the teams first open organized team activity practice.
The Packers also plan to play Raji and starting right defensive end Cullen Jenkins as the two down linemen in their nickel package.
Pickett, the 10th-year veteran who has played on the interior of the defensive line his entire NFL career, was hesitant about the switch when coaches first broached the subject with him before the OTAs.
At first, I was like, Ah, I dont like it, but then I started thinking theyre right, Pickett said after Wednesdays practice. I can actually play either one, and I think B.J. will be a great nose. I thought about it, and I said, All right, its cool. Ill do whatever I can to help the team. So thats why Im at end.
The move allows Raji, the ninth overall pick in the 2009 draft, to return to a more natural position. The Packers played him mostly at left end during his rookie year last season. He moved to nose tackle late in the season after Pickett injured a hamstring and missed three games.
Im still going to be doing both (end and nose), but Ill be primarily at nose this year, Raji said. Im definitely more comfortable. Last year, learning the techniques as well as the defense, thats a little tough when youve got both of those things at once. Now, the defense Im accustomed to, its just mastering the techniques, which I think will come with reps.
The switch gives the Packers a more athletic player in the middle in the 6-foot-2, 337-pound Raji without sacrificing the power and strength of the 6-2, 340-pound Pickett.
Raji could provide more pass rush from the inside spot without sacrificing anything against the run. The Packers led the NFL in rushing defense last season but are looking for more interior pass rush.
Plus, by moving Pickett outside, it gives them a bruiser as the strong-side run stopper. While Pickett is shorter and heavier than the prototypical 3-4 defensive end, his footwork and agility are exceptional for his size. The Packers also dont expect their 3-4 ends to cover as much ground to the sideline as a 4-3 defensive end.
Its a big adjustment, said Pickett, who in March signed a four-year, $28 million contract that will pay him $10 million this season. I kind of liked the nose spot. But this is whats best to help the team, so
Pickett would like to get down to about 325 pounds but said the team hasnt told him that losing weight is a necessity.
While nothing is set in stone and several coaches said the position switches were more about making sure both players were well versed at each spot, the Packers dont waste valuable reps, which suggests the move is permanent.
It could be, defensive line coach Mike Trgovac said. This is the time of the year you want to do things like that.
It also gives the Packers some insurance in case Johnny Jolly, who started every game last season at left defensive end, gets suspended following his trial for possession of codeine, which is scheduled to begin Friday in Houston. Jolly also hasnt signed his restricted free agent tender and therefore hasnt attended any of the offseason program or the OTAs.
(Pickett and Raji) are both very athletic guys, or we wouldnt be trying this here, Trgovac said. The ends a little more athletic position because of some of the things he has to do with containing the quarterback. I think theyre both very good, athletic guys. B.J.s body size, hes built for nose guard. It just happens we have two of them. If theyre the three that we have here at the beginning of the year theyre our three best players.