Packers Daily Links: Raji Takes to Boxing

On the advice of the Bears' Julius Peppers, B.J. Raji took up boxing in the offseason. That and more in today's Daily Links...

Defensive lineman B.J. Raji has reportedly heeded some advice he got from Julius Peppers of the Chicago Bears during the Pro Bowl when they were teammates on the NFC squad. "This off-season, Raji trained at a gym near in New Jersey," writes Ty Dunne of JSOnline. "With a close friend who has a boxing background, the 337-pounder spent two-minute and three-minute rounds in the ring throwing punches. He didn't spar with anyone, but Raji believes the workouts did help with his hand speed, footwork, endurance and violence." It's not uncommon for players to take up seemingly odd offseason pastimes from boxing to mixed martial arts and more. If it works, who's to complain?

More on B.J. Raji comes from the Green Bay Press-Gazette, Fox Sports Wisconsin and ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Outside linebacker Erik Walden will be suspended for the first game of the season for an incident dating back to last year when he was involved in a domestic dispute with his girlfriend. "Walden said Thursday that his appeal has already been heard and denied," writes Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com. "His suspension, handed down by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, is for violating the league’s personal conduct policy." It will be interesting to see how the Packers handle his suspension, whether they keep him on their 53-man roster or sign someone to replace him for a week.

More on Erik Walden comes from the Press-Gazette, PackersNews.com and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers made some attention-grabbing comments on Thursday at training camp when he spoke about the talent level on the Packers. "It’s tough," Rodgers is quoted as saying by Tyler Dunne. "This is going to be the most difficult cuts that Ted and his staff and Mike have to do because we’re deep. You just look at that position group right over there to my left — the defensive line. There are a lot of guys in that group who are probably going to be playing big minutes for other teams just because we don’t have the room for them. It’s tough, it’s frustrating because you get to know guys and then they get cut. I’m excited about this team this year. We have a lot of talent.” Few people would disagree with Rodgers. Coming off a 15-1 season, regardless of the playoff loss, this is obviously a talented team. The new Associated Press poll would seem to corroborate that.

More on Aaron Rodgers and comments made Thursday come from the Press-Gazette, Fox 11, ESPNMilwaukee.com, Fox Sports Wisconsin and Packers official website.

A feature on backup defensive lineman Daniel Muir is written by Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel. "Muir, 6 feet 1½ inches and 319 pounds, is trying to fill the role of backup nose tackle, backup defensive end and backup nickel rusher that became vacant when Howard Green wasn't re-signed," writes McGinn. "The position is crowded with veterans now, but Muir has a legitimate chance to stick." Muir's chances of making the team are only increased by the suspensions to fellow defensive linemen Mike Neal and Anthony Hargrove to begin the season.

Training camp round-ups come from the Journal SentinelPress-GazetteESPNMilwaukee.comPackers official website and Packer Report.

Family Night previews come from ESPNMilwaukee.com and PackersNews.com.

Linebacker D.J. Smith is profiled in an article by Tyler Dunne.

Rookie cornerback Casey Hayward is the focus of an article by Wes Hodkiewicz at the Press-Gazette.

There's no doubt Marshall Newhouse is the starting left tackle, writes Pete Dougherty of the Press-Gazette.

The offensive line is pretty much set, the Associated Press reports.

Penalties were an issue at Thursday night's practice. More from Packer Report and PackersNews.com.

Packer Report published articles on Donald Driver and Greg Van Roten.

Be prepared for delays if you're driving to Family Night.

Michael Irvin wants a new name for the Lombardi Trophy?

Brief footage of Thursday's practice appears at PackersNews.com.

Video: Training camp is discussed by the guys at the Press-Gazette...

Brian Carriveau is the editor at Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

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Comments (2)

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FITZCORE1252's EVO's picture

August 03, 2012 at 10:36 am

Brian. Is there anyway for me to view yesterday's chat from practice? I don't see it anywhere and I missed most of it.

GBP 4 LIFE

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Roy's picture

August 03, 2012 at 11:48 am

Question? Three defensive line types are
suspended for varying games but all for
game one. I thought the Goodell procedure
was to arrange suspensions to avoid
concurrent hardships on teams. In other
words, why not 13 days over 13 games?

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