Update: Draft 2009
I ran across a great article published in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel this week. It highlights four players that may interest the Packers in their new 3-4 scheme.
I ran across a great article published in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel this week. It highlights four players that may interest the Packers in their new 3-4 scheme.
The article picks out these four guys as potential prospects.
"Four of the top players at the Senior Bowl - Boston College tackle B.J. Raji, Southern California linebackers Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews and Sidbury - had meetings with the Packers this week. That is not out of the ordinary. Except for players who don't fit their schemes, the Packers had at least a cursory conversation with each player in Mobile."
It really sounds like the Packers are once again taking a long and careful look at all their options. I encourage everyone to read the entire article. Good stuff if your an X's and O's kind of guy.
Or, a no-frills kind of guy as well. Sorry Greg, couldn't resist.
(Stay Tuned)
Comments (3)
January 27, 2009 at 07:05 pm
Those players are high on the draft chart for the Pack but the overriding factor with TT WILL be how the draft board falls. I believe that TT sticks to his guns and takes the best available regardless.
January 27, 2009 at 07:19 pm
I liked this part of the article, about Boston College tackle B.J. Raji:
Raji, who projects as a nose tackle in the 3-4, is physically similar to Packers tackle Ryan Pickett. Raji stood 6-2 and weighed 334 pounds at the Senior Bowl. At the combine in 2001 when he entered the draft, Pickett was 6-2 and 309, although he's closer to 350 now.
But the big difference in the two players is quickness off the ball. There wasn't a quicker tackle at the Senior Bowl. That's a 3-4 asset because if a player can shoot a gap, the offensive linemen might have to double-team him. That leaves other players unblocked.
The prototypical 3-4 NFL nose tackle is the 6-1, 323-pound Vince Wilfork of the New England Patriots. Wilfork is stronger but Raji is taller, just as heavy and quicker.
"The Packers were asking me where I felt comfortable playing," Raji said. "I definitely can do it. I'd love to do it. I'm their man if they need a nose tackle. Bring it on."
Alex Tallitsch
January 27, 2009 at 07:30 pm
I loved that part too. I like any comparison to Wilfork. That guy is a machine.