I am actually very much looking forward to Raji's return and that could simply be due to the lack of depth we currently have across the d-line with the suspensions and some not living up to what they should be...yet (double whammy for Datone).

While I know it is the agent's job to sell his player, there was talk of Raji's weight lifting and the numbers being shown were just ridiculous. Add that to Raji's new and improved "lighter" image and I honestly DO think he is going to be a dominant player for the defense this season.

The Packers need him to be that dominant player.

Unless I see it I don't believe he'll be any better than an average starter.
I don't think he has even 16 combined above average games in his career so far and it would surprise me to see him suddenly change his tune this late in the game.
It's possible but I don't think he'll be close to dominant this year.
Luckily NT is a position where having an average type player isn't going to kill your defense.

Yerko;317227I am actually very much looking forward to Raji's return and that could simply be due to the lack of depth we currently have across the d-line with the suspensions and some not living up to what they should be...yet (double whammy for Datone).

While I know it is the agent's job to sell his player, there was talk of Raji's weight lifting and the numbers being shown were just ridiculous. Add that to Raji's new and improved "lighter" image and I honestly DO think he is going to be a dominant player for the defense this season.

The Packers need him to be that dominant player.

And this new "lower" weight is what, 327?
So it's still not like he's gonna get pushed off the LoS.

[img=http://i751.photobucket.com/albums/xx159/dhazer69/bj-raji-victory-o.gif]ya right[/img]


his one shining moment

5-10 pounds is huge for a DL. The lighter weight will help him penetrate more. We'll see a determined and powerful return of Raji in my opinion.

DarkaneRules;3172485-10 pounds is huge for a DL. The lighter weight will help him penetrate more. We'll see a determined and powerful return of Raji in my opinion.

What about body fat percentage?

If he went from 340lbs and 10% body fat to 330lbs and 12% I say that isn't the greatest.
If he maintained the same body fat percent AND lost weight, that is a positive ...ah. gain? lol

I just don't have much faith in BJ.
I hope he proves me wrong.

I will withhold badmouthing Raji for this season unless or until he shows that he needs to be badmouthed.

I will say this, though. His worst quality was NOT lack of mobility, but it was getting pushed around - pushed off the line of scrimmage, so what does he do? Get lighter and hopefully more mobile and presumably less strong at the point of attack. If he had added 20 pounds of muscle, bulked up to about 360 - gotten more like Howard Green (remember him?) or whatshisface - the really huge NT we had for a short time), then I'd be more optimistic.

After 14 teams have played B.J. Raji has a +1.7 ProFootballFocus rating which puts him 10th among NT/DT in the NFL.

So far, so good.

Zero2Cool;321356After 14 teams have played B.J. Raji has a +1.7 ProFootballFocus rating which puts him 10th among NT/DT in the NFL.

So far, so good.

Well my eyes saw him shoot some gaps and get penetrations, but they also saw Raji handled quite effectively with one on one blocking.
He's a long way from becoming a dominant player.