Green Bay Packers to rely on B.J. Raji as defensive nucleus

When the Green Bay Packers selected B.J. Raji 9th and Clay Matthews 26th in the 2009 NFL Draft, they appeared to expedite their transition into a 3-4 defense with two cornerstones. Raji starred early for the Packers, dominating as a nose tackle in 2010 before seeing his impact fade as a defensive end. Now finally back at his natural position for the Green Bay Packers, Raji is again prepared to be the nucleus that Dom Capers builds his defense around.

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The nose position was left bare last August when Raji went down with a torn biceps injury, costing him the entire 2014 season. Letroy Guion filled in admirably, however, leaving many to question how the two would be used when both decided to return to Wisconsin this offseason.

According to a report from Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Guion will now do as Raji once did: kick out to defensive end. This will give the Packers an intriguing base package of Raji at nose with Guion and the stellar Mike Daniels flanking him at defensive end. My eyes will be on Guion’s ability to create backfield disruption from that end position, but this formation could also have a subtle impact on Green Bay’s run defense, something that plagued the team through much of 2014.

At a stout and bullishly strong 337 pounds, Raji is a pure prototype at nose tackle. While I realize that his shift out to defensive end and a handful of injuries have negated his impact over the past several seasons, though, is that enough reason to excuse his decline? Should great players not excel regardless of their position?

The key for Raji will be regaining his incredible footwork, blending sumo and ballet to overwhelm opposing guards and centres. His strength is reportedly a non-issue following a full recovery, but what made Raji special in 2010 was his ability to run a high-motor style on a heavy snap count, wearing down blockers who had grown accustomed to plodding behemoths in the middle.

Jul 26, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji (left) and defensive lineman Donte Savage (right) work on ball security drills during opening day of training camp at Nitschke Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

For his part, Raji is confident that he can not just return to his old form, but top it altogether. He tells Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel “I don’t want to pick up where I left off. I want to improve. I think I have a lot to offer and my group has a lot to offer. My first obligation is to make sure our young guys are coming in, ready to go. And I think as a unit, Coach Trgo and Coach Montgomery, when I came back and I signed, they put a lot of effort into our program and I think everybody’s bought in. So I’m excited.”

One storyline to watch from the emergence of Raji and Guion sharing the field is what happens to Datone Jones. The 26th overall pick in 2013 recorded just 1.5 sacks in 2014 while battling through injuries, and has shown very little in his two professional seasons.

Mike Daniels is not donating snaps to anyone and Guion has the support of the staff, so Jones will struggle to build meaningful playing time unless he really stands out in training camp. Just 25 years old at the beginning of this season and with a physically imposing frame, the tools are there, but the production has not been.

It’s entirely likely that 2010 was a flash of Raji that we’ll never see again. His 6.5 sacks that season will surely go down as his career highlight, but a healthy Raji still has a lot left in the tank. He’s at home in Green Bay, he’s at home playing the nose, and the Packers are ready to let The Freezer roll.

Next: James Starks facing dirty work for Packers in 2015

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