Zero2Cool
13 years ago
Web Page Name 

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.


UserPostedImage
zombieslayer
13 years ago
Should this be merged with "Trading Places?"
My man Donald Driver
UserPostedImage
(thanks to Pack93z for the pic)
2010 will be seen as the beginning of the new Packers dynasty. 🇹🇹 🇲🇲 🇦🇷
bozz_2006
13 years ago
Kind of offers the same insight into the situation than what our collective thinking has come up with. I'd like to hear what Coach has to say.... of course he'll just tiptoe around the question and move on. lol. but i want to hear what he has to say anyhow.
UserPostedImage
Fan Shout
dfosterf (8h) : For the record, I enjoy Beast and Mucky drafts
Zero2Cool (15h) : Haha
Mucky Tundra (16h) : No time for talking! Back to work beast!
beast (17h) : You saw only 4,201 of my mocks? 🥺 I think that means you missed more than half of them 😢
dfosterf (20h) : Does anyone know what Lambeau field improvements got put on hold? My guess would be for the 2025 draft
Zero2Cool (22h) : It's like listen, you made 4,201 mocks, no shit.
Zero2Cool (22h) : Cuz during the draft "I had them mocked there!" as if it's amazing.
Zero2Cool (22h) : They're fun to do once in awhile. It's people who think they are "content" that annoy me.
dfosterf (22h) : Against tbd
dfosterf (22h) : Answer to your question is yes, it's a Thursday, will be the Chiefs aga
dfosterf (22h) : Luckily for all concerned, I don't post them. I did one, but that was like 25 mocks ago
Zero2Cool (22h) : NFL 2024 gonna start Sept 5th isn't it???
Zero2Cool (23h) : Ugh... kids these days!
dfosterf (23h) : I'm gonna go do some more mock draft hell instead 🤪
Zero2Cool (23h) : Did we do one of those prediction threads yet for 2024 season?
dfosterf (23h) : In my city, they are playing the nimby game, in order to keep some railroad tracks vs. 2 professional sports teams and a concert venue.
dfosterf (23h) : And/Or a city council, of which I haven't seen a good one in a very long time
dfosterf (27-Mar) : That sounds like a Mayor, not a city.
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers halt scheduled 80mil upgrade of stadium until lease agreement talks are restarted
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : City of Green Bay puts Packers' Lambeau Field lease talks on hold
buckeyepackfan (26-Mar) : Packers 1 of 3 teams to vote no on new kickoff rule.
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Packers sign another Kicker
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Lengthy explanation at PFF if you click the link
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Kickoff rules officially changed.ngthy explan
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : lol
Cheesey (26-Mar) : 2009? No thanks! One open heart surgery is enough!
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Good for you!
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Yes. That's the one.
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Is that "Lady Dugan" per chance?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Crystal?
dfosterf (26-Mar) : Please refresh my memory
Zero2Cool (26-Mar) : Alan posts. Crystal back in my life. It's 2009 all over again! Lol
Mucky Tundra (26-Mar) : BAH GAWD! THAT'S CHEESEYS MUSIC!
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Gutekunst said early stages of Jordan Love contract being discussed.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Shouldn't be penalized cuz official screwed up
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Yeah, challenge until you are incorrect twice.
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Fining them is the goal, per the people who made the rule anyway.
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still waiting on the kickoff rule changes. Did hear yesterday that the touchback proposal will now be the 30 yard line, not the 35
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Probably speed of game issues with your proposal
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Hopefully the refs don't get in the habit of throwing flags on this
beast (25-Mar) : I think when it comes to Challenges should get two strikes, so unlimited challenges as long as they keep winning them, but 2 wrong then done
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Still subject to the fines etc
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Yes, I should have been more specific. Also, they are now saying it would be a 15 yard penalty. That makes more sense .
beast (25-Mar) : Simply fined in the week to follow
beast (25-Mar) : I agree with one NFL official, it'll probably be like some of the helmets hits, not really called by the refs on the field but simply fined
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Hip drop is not. Super confusing. Referees job is harder
Zero2Cool (25-Mar) : Swivel hip drop is banned
dfosterf (25-Mar) : The hip drop enforcement will be in the form of fines, etc. Not flags
dfosterf (25-Mar) : A major foul will be enforced on the offense if there are offsetting penalties in a change of possession situation
dfosterf (25-Mar) : Teams will receive a 3rd challenge if 1 was successful. Previously, it took 2
Please sign in to use Fan Shout
2023 Packers Schedule
Sunday, Sep 10 @ 3:25 PM
Bears
Sunday, Sep 17 @ 12:00 PM
Falcons
Sunday, Sep 24 @ 12:00 PM
SAINTS
Thursday, Sep 28 @ 7:15 PM
LIONS
Monday, Oct 9 @ 7:15 PM
Raiders
Sunday, Oct 22 @ 3:25 PM
Broncos
Sunday, Oct 29 @ 12:00 PM
VIKINGS
Sunday, Nov 5 @ 12:00 PM
RAMS
Sunday, Nov 12 @ 12:00 PM
Steelers
Sunday, Nov 19 @ 12:00 PM
CHARGERS
Thursday, Nov 23 @ 11:30 AM
Lions
Sunday, Dec 3 @ 7:20 PM
CHIEFS
Monday, Dec 11 @ 7:15 PM
Giants
Sunday, Dec 17 @ 12:00 PM
BUCCANEERS
Sunday, Dec 24 @ 12:00 PM
Panthers
Sunday, Dec 31 @ 7:20 PM
Vikings
Sunday, Jan 7 @ 3:25 PM
BEARS
Sunday, Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM
Cowboys
Saturday, Jan 20 @ 7:15 PM
49ers
Recent Topics
9h / Green Bay Packers Talk / dfosterf

9h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

9h / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

16h / Green Bay Packers Talk / Mucky Tundra

21h / Random Babble / Zero2Cool

27-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

26-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / bboystyle

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

25-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / Zero2Cool

24-Mar / Around The NFL / dhazer

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

24-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

22-Mar / Green Bay Packers Talk / beast

Headlines
Copyright © 2006 - 2024 PackersHome.com™. All Rights Reserved.