Green Bay Packers: If…And…But for 2015

Jun 17, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive tackle B.J. Raji (90) gets ready for the team

And

Veteran defensive linemen B.J. Raji can solve the team’s issues when it comes to stopping the run. The former Pro Bowler missed all of the 2014 season with a torn bicep – just when the 2009 first-round pick was getting ready to move back to the nose tackle spot.

Minus the massive defender, along with the subpar play of veteran inside linebackers Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk (both who were released this offseason) and others, the Pack ranked 23rd in the NFL against the run during the regular season and didn’t fare too well against DeMarco Murray and Marshawn Lynch in the playoff split with the Dallas Cowboys and Seattle Seahawks.

Now keep in mind this was a Green Bay defense that one year earlier that finished 25th in the league in terms of yards allowed on the ground. It is interesting to note that in his first season as the team’s defensive coordinator in 2009, Dom Capers saw his unit allow the fewest rushing yards in the league. Over the past five seasons, their best showing in this department has been 14th.

Players such as inside linebacker Clay Matthews, second-year pro Carl Bradford, third-year linebacker Sam Barrington and perhaps rookie Jake Ryan (a fourth-round pick from Michigan) must step up in a big way.

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