B. J. Raji...............

Packers to wait on new contract for B.J. Raji


Posted by Curtis Crabtree on June 4, 2013, 2:48 AM
EDT
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The Green Bay Packers have managed to take care of two of the cornerstone
pieces this offseason with extensions for quarterback [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
and linebacker Clay
Matthews.

Defensive tackle [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] is one of
the next in-line for a new contract from the Packers. However, it appears as
though Raji is going to have to prove to the Packers one more time that he’s
worth it. According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Packers are tabling
talks of a
long-term contract with Raji. Instead, the team will let him play out the
final year of his rookie contract before making a decision on whether to give
him a big deal.

Raji has stated
his desire to remain with the Packers and he’s the only top 10 pick from the
2009 NFL Draft to be selected to the Pro Bowl. His best season with the team
came in 2010 when he posted 39 tackles and 6.5 sacks. The Packers are making some minor
tweaks to their defensive scheme in hopes of Raji returning to his Pro Bowl
form.

If Raji can piece together another season like that this year, he’ll
ultimately get the contract he’s seeking whether it’s from the Packers or
another team.


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9 Responses to “Packers to wait on new contract for
B.J. Raji”

1. 
   
   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] says: Jun 4, 2013 3:56 AM
   
   
   
   Guy can be a beast at times and still great in a 3-4 but he looks like he’s
   gotten too comfortable. Show some more of that 2010 grit and he’s got the big
   contract.
   
   
   
   
   
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2. 
   
   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] says: Jun 4, 2013 3:59 AM
   
   
   
   I believe he is set to make almost 7M this season, so i don’t blame the
   Packers for waiting and seeing what they get out of him the first half of the
   season at minimum. For 7M you better be a consistent all-pro level player and
   Raji just hasn’t been that consistently good.
   
   
   
   
   
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3. 
   
   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] says: Jun 4, 2013 4:47 AM
   
   
   
   BJ gave the Packers really no choice in the matter. He had 1 brilliant season
   and hasn’t really brought that productivity nor effort since. Guy has amazing
   talent and can be elite – this being a contract year, hopefully he can regain
   whatever it was he was doing earlier in his career that made him such a
   promising prospect and top lineman in the league.
   
   I don’t think he’ll be a Packer after this year, sadly.
   
   
   
   
   
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4. 
   
   28for20 says: Jun 4, 2013 5:13 AM
   
   
   
   It’ll be for another team. I think he will realize that this team is fast
   turning into moldy cheese.
   
   
   
   
   
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5. 
   
   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] says: Jun 4, 2013 7:17 AM
   
   
   
   Good. He’s been living off that Pick 6 against ‘Da Bears’ in the NFC
   Championship game. While he can be a disruptive force, he’s way too inconsistent
   and needs to be pushed. Thought all along he may be the one who ends up
   elsewhere.
   
   
   
   
   
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6. 
   
   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] says: Jun 4, 2013 7:32 AM
   
   
   
   Better be real careful with this guys next contract, he really had ONE
   memorable game against the Bears in the Super Bowl season, other then that there
   are about 25 other BJ Raji’s in the league…..average at best.
   
   
   
   
   
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7. 
   
   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] says: Jun 4, 2013 7:43 AM
   
   
   
   This guy is a beast.
   
   
   
   
   
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8. 
   
   irishgary says: Jun 4, 2013 8:34 AM
   
   
   
   Another great move by TT & Co.
   
   Raji has underperformed and needs to be motivated, a contract year will do
   it, and I’m not really sure they want to resign him. Even coming out of BC he
   was noted as lazy.
   
   
   
   
   
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9. 
   
   [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] says: Jun
   4, 2013 9:28 AM
   
   
   He’s in the prime of his career and they’re not sure if they want to offer
   him a contract? I guess he isn’t as good as I’ve been told.
   
   
   
   
   
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Maybe the sad truth of the matter is that Raji is "used up" and he simply isn't worthy of the "core player" designation we all assumed Thompson gave to him. Big guys like him don't remain productive forever and with less discretionary cash to spend, TT is likely erring on the side of conservatism in evaluating his situation.