Raji Is Out Of Town, Greene and Trogvac

by Brandon on Aug 12, 2009 7:00 AM CDT in Green Bay Packers News

DT B.J. Raji was seen getting on an airplane and leaving Green Bay. From Greg Bedard:

Witnesses at Austin Straubel International Airport saw Raji boarding a plane out of Green Bay at around 6 p.m. An employee confirmed to the Journal Sentinel that a "Busari Raji" -- Raji's given name -- checked in for a flight to Chicago.

I initially thought the Packers might have trouble signing Raji. It's not about him, but it seems to be hard to sign players drafted around No. 10 overall. Jacksonville had a lot of trouble signing DE Derrick Harvey last year, who didn't sign until August 27th. Would you think it's hard for a defensive lineman to come into camp late?

Maybe he's not eager to get an earful from his new defensive coaches. Outside linebacker coach Kevin Greene is bringing a lot of intesity to practice. From Kevin Seifert:

According to linebacker Brady Poppinga, Greene lost his temper several times during the first week of camp. At one point, Poppinga said Greene told them he was resisting the urge to head-butt them. Poppinga, a wild-eyed player in his own right, wisely talked him down.

That would be what Mike McCarthy called "outgoing".

Another new coach is defensive line coach Mike Trgovac, who had spent the past few seasons as Carolina's defensive coordinator. He wasn't fired in Carolina, his contract was up and he didn't want to return. Possibly because he had a falling out with their franchise player, DE Julius Peppers. If that's true, then maybe it was because of stuff like this, again from Kevin Seifert:

My lasting image of Trgovac last week was watching his face turn blue when he realized that several rookie defensive linemen didn't realize it was their turn to take the field during team drills. I can't come anywhere close to quoting him for a family Web site, and the sentence wouldn't make sense with all of the necessary "expletive deleteds." Suffice it to say, Trgovac displayed quite a range of volume and vocabulary while sprinting toward the players to shove them into the drill.

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Comments

I like it

At least the coachse are showing some fire.

It looks like Greene is about to give Matthews a right hook in that picture. And Poppinga is saying he wanted to head butt the LB’s. Haha. Greene hasn’t lost any attitude from his playing days.

Great opportunity for a Create-a-caption in that picture. For what it’s worth, here’s my take. Kevin Greene lines up a right hook on LB Clay Matthews in a typical display of intensity from the ever intense coach during a training camp practice in Green Bay.

"I’ll give him a badge and he can be my deputy." -Sheriff Melvin appoints Deputy Braun

by spell on Aug 12, 2009 9:56 AM CDT reply actions

Exactly!!!

Caption- Matthews Give me your best shot! Greene I dont think you want this kid…

But I am glad Greene is here! we have lacked that fire we have needed in the last couple of years! Last year the D was flat and didnt show any intensity! I am hoping/ knowing Greene won’t let his guys be girls out there on game day so I cant wait for some animalistic play by the LBs and D this year

by bizzle4 on Aug 12, 2009 11:35 AM CDT reply actions

Intensity or Mean Streak?

I’ve read about other teams’ players who have it, but I can’t think of a current Packer who has been labeled as playing with a mean streak. They seemed beat down at times by their opponents last season, I don’t know if it was strength or intensity, but the Packers need a little something more in 2009.

by Brandon on Aug 13, 2009 12:15 AM CDT reply actions