The question was simple and B.J. Raji answered with a matter-of-fact tone that made the inquiry sound asinine like the answer was common knowledge.
What can you do if you get the regular job in the middle? someone asked him after the Green Bay Packers organized team activity practice on Wednesday.
What can I do? Raji repeated. Just cause havoc.
That was the thought process when the Packers selected the former Boston College star with the No. 9 pick of the 2009 draft. Raji was considered an instant impact-type player, but a few factors slowed his production last season.
First, Raji missed two weeks of training camp while holding out. Then an ankle injury kept him out of action.
And when on the field, rotations from defensive end to nose tackle kept Raji from being able to grow into one position.
That was 2009. This is 2010.
The Packers have handed Raji the starting nose tackle job and hes approaching the responsibility with a Pro Bowl mentality.
Skys the limit for me, I believe, Raji said. When I come in and wreak havoc, it will change a lot. It makes the lives of Nick (Barnett) and (Brandon Chillar) and A.J. (Hawk) a lot easier. Thats what the 3-4 is designed to do, get our linebackers running free and making plays. And when the opportunity presents itself, Ill make the plays myself.
Raji started every game he played at Boston College from the time he was a sophomore. He was named an AP third-team All-American as a senior and was the first defensive tackle in 23 years to lead B.C. in sacks.
After his belated start in training camp, Raji went down with an ankle injury against Tennessee in the final preseason game. Being slowed his entire rookie year by a bum ankle and starting just one game was different, to say the least. Add that to playing multiple positions in a new defense and you have a developmental first year.
The comfort level is a lot better and thats something that came over time, Raji said. That particular ankle injury I didnt know it was as severe as it was at the time.
This year, Im more of a focal point as far as the starting lineup is concerned. Im worried about that right now.
Coach Mike McCarthy agreed that focusing on one position should benefit the 6-foot-2, 337-pounder with light feet. He also lauded Rajis commitment to the weight room during the offseason.
Defensive end Ryan Pickett could barely contain his appreciation for his fellow defensive lineman.
Aw, man I think hes at home (at nose tackle), Pickett said. He just fit right in. Hes got the body style, quickness, strength. Hes not missing nothing. He has all the tangibles to be a great nose tackle.
If he can just continue to play how he started last year, thats going to mean the world to our defense. His desire is to be the best.
Pickett and safety Nick Collins talked about an added dimension Raji could bring to the unit. The defense was the No. 1 run-stopping team in the league last year (83.3 yards a game), but gave up 375 passing yards in a playoff loss to Arizona and 472 yards through the air in a December regular-season loss to Pittsburgh. The prospect of additional pass rush from the inside that forces the ball in the air quicker lit up Collins eyes.
Hes got a better understanding of the game and thats just going to make him play a little faster and be dominant, Collins said. If he can do that, we can be one of those defenses you talk about for years to come.
Weve got these ball-hawks back here. More opportunities, more floaters, however you want to put it. Everybody just having a good time playing football.
The trust from teammates, the starting job, life at one position and a year of experience should have Raji feeling fairly confident. And thats probably not a strong enough adjective.
But dont act like he wasnt already.
It wasnt I didnt have any confidence in myself, Raji bristled. It was confidence in the defense. Not understanding why I had to be somewhere.
I always had (confidence).