Looking back at the 09' NFL Draft- BJ Raji
by Jabooty on Mar 12, 2010 9:54 AM CST
24 comments
I'm just curious what you guys think about drafting BJ Raji last year. At the time, I was jumping up and down thinking we got a big victory. On the other hand, we did miss out on OT Micheal Oher who kept dropping. Oher turned out pretty solid in the NFL. On the other, we haven't seen what Raji can do yet as injuries held him back last year. So that leaves open the question: should we have used our Top 10 pick last year on Oher to replace Clifton or did we make the right decision in drafting Raji to help our transition to the 3-4 defense? I'm wishy washy on this, because I think Raji will be a huge benefit to our defense. However, Oher could have been our franchise LT.
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Not sure yet
I definitely saw flashes last year that Raji can be a force in the league. If he stays healthy this year I think he will have a great year and prove he was worthy of a top 10 pick.
He definitely looked Albert Haynesworth good and similar to Pickett when in though he seemed quicker like an ideal 4-3 DT a la Kevin Williams and less of a pure Nose Tackle though he could be very good.
I viewed him more like Shaun Rogers
I thought he was a NT from the beginning, but a gifted NT, while Ron Brace was the 3 tech DT at Boston College. Not that it matters really, because Raji played his role effectively…thus being drafted in the Top 10.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
imo
ted thompsons best draft by far. could possibly get 6 starters out of that draft class.
he actually drafted for need instead of best player available nonsense.
Agreed here. The BPA thing is nice and all but the only time you can really use this strategy and be successful is when your team is relatively strong at almost every position. When a team has glaring needs at OT, CB, and SS like we do you almost have to address that position, even if there is a really good WR on the board for example.
by packallday555 on Mar 12, 2010 11:26 AM CST up reply actions
Eh, hard to say. Like you pointed out we haven’t really seen what Raji can do when at 100%. Yet, we still saw some glimpses of what he can possibly do. He was stout against the run this year, and seeing him burst through the line to make 3-4 TFLs this year was really exciting. I think with an offseason under his belt and being at 100% (hopefully) we’ll see some more TFL’s and a better pass rush.
On the other hand it would be great to have Oher as our LT. It’s kind of hard to say. I think if we had to re-do the draft I would be happy with picking either.
great thought...
that is hard to say after only one year. I was much like you, jumping up and down that Raji slid to us at 9. I probably would have been slightly disappointed if we had passed on him but in the end having someone like Oher would certainly have changed how our Oline played last year, BUT in the long run, Raji might turn out to be an elite game changer at DT!
I think it depends on this years Draft...
I was very happy to see us Draft Raji… He can have a great impact this year provided he’s healthy!! If we happen to get our franchise LT this year… I think Ted’s in the clear… If we don’t… It could be a long year…
That's doubtful
Personally I don’t see any true LT’s in the draft other than Okung. I think if we draft an OT, he will slide over to be our RT. Next year we could address our need at LT.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
agree
but here’s an idea, next year why don’t the pack sign a quality free agent LT.
or is this idea “way out their”
why?
are you a fortune teller?
what are saturdays lotto numbers————-if you get a chance let us know. tks.
No but I’m sure he’s followed the team closely since TT took over and probably before, and judging by his actions so far as GM there is no way he’ll bring in a FA LT. Don’t get me wrong, I would love for him to do so but I doubt he will.
Another thing to think about is there usually aren’t any quality FA LT’s. Usually the good ones are restricted FA’s and are tendered a 1st and 3rd, and the unrestricted guys are guys who are older or guys or guys who have filled in at LT and done a decent job.
by packallday555 on Mar 13, 2010 3:47 PM CST up reply actions
I think Strohman and Packallday
summed up my point nicely. First they aren’t available and second if they were, we aren’t the team that would go after them. If they were out there, they’d get TOP dollar and our GM doesn’t go after those kinds of guys. Its likely if one made it out there anyway, he’d have some kind of glaring issue that would make us question if we wanted him anyway. Teams don’t let their “fat guys” go…
Theres no such thing
As a Quality FA LT!!! If you have one you don’t let him go! ANd I don’t know ANY team that has 2 LT. Even IF a team had 2 one would play RT, or at the least TRADE the other!!!
Last time you heard of a Quality LT being traded was… NEVER!!
another positive person
is that you Tony Robbins?
Stroh does have a point
We could have possibly traded for Gaithers from Baltimore, but that would require us to trade our 1st Round pick. LT’s are the the most important position on the OL. Good LT’s should never be a free agent.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Ravens have 2 LTs. Haha just thought I’d tell you this.
by packallday555 on Mar 13, 2010 3:48 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think anyone
Anticipated Ryan Pickett stepping up as he did, so when we got Raji it was huge.
He shows flashes as a DE and he’s starter caliber – hopefully he’ll stay healthy and keep getting better.
It was definitely a good call to grab him.
Orakpo
I was hoping for him next year with our pick. It was actually a genius move by TT to get the best DT in the draft and take a risk a Clay. We filled two holes by getting Raji and Clay. If we took an OLB first, Raji would have been off the board and we wouldn’t have been able to get a serviceable. And I don’t think you can blame us for passing on Oher because our defense was so bad the previous season.
That's true
Good point Justin. Our run D was atrocious in 2008.
"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi
Your right, Raji was the hands down pick. He was the consensus best DT in the draft, and we had like the 26th ranked run defense.
by packallday555 on Mar 13, 2010 3:49 PM CST up reply actions
Raji was a good pick
He did his job, played multiple roles, can be good NT or DE. Did fine as a rookie last yr even when injured. I didn’t see him give up alot of grass (if any).
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