B.J. Raji agrees to deal with Packers

Packers holdout B.J. Raji has stopped waiting for Michael Crabtree.

The ninth overall pick of the draft has reached an agreement in principle with the Packers, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  The contract must be reviewed, but Raji is expected to sign it on Friday when he arrives in Green Bay.

Terms of the contract are not known yet, but it’s expected to be a five-year deal.

Raji’s holdout lasted nearly two weeks, which will slow his assimilation to Green Bay’s 3-4 defense.  He was expected to start at defensive end before eventually transitioning to nose tackle, but will have to play catchup once he arrives in camp.

Once Raji signs, there will be four remaining first-round holdouts.  Raji’s deal could help speed things along for Jaguars tackle Eugene Monroe, who was taken one spot before Raji.

47 responses to “B.J. Raji agrees to deal with Packers

  1. ” He was expected to start at defensive end…”
    What? Didn’t the Packers draft him to play nose tackle?

  2. Hampton Roads news Channel 3 here in Va Beach reported at 7:30 that Vick signed with the eagles, There are also reports on extremeskins.com from other viewers they saw it too. No one else has reported this.

  3. Adrian Peterson is gonna tear this boy up….Also, thank you Green Bay for taking an extra man off your front line while at the same time being forced to put this guy in the middle with the responsibility of plugging up the middle against All Day…Can’t wait, the packers are gonna be the new chicago bears when it comes to stop AP….haha…go winners of the divsions…i mean vikings

  4. “What? Didn’t the Packers draft him to play nose tackle?”
    He’ll almost certainly play Nose Tackle in the future. But right now the incumbent NT is Ryan Pickett. He’s just more experienced right now, but Pickett doesn’t have the best stamina. So Raji will likely sub in.

  5. “What? Didn’t the Packers draft him to play nose tackle?”
    They did, but the Packers have veteran Ryan Pickett (who is an accomplished 2-gap player at the NFL level) as their starter at NT. Raji has the ideal body type and physical ability to play NT in the NFL, but just doesn’t have the experience playing in the 0-technique spot to have him usurp the veteran at this point. Still, he’s powerful, quick, and more talented (or less injury-prone) than anybody else who might play DE so to see the field he’s going to have to play next to Pickett instead of in front of him.

  6. # LarryBird18 says: August 13, 2009 8:25 PM
    Adrian Peterson is gonna tear this boy up….Also, thank you Green Bay for taking an extra man off your front line while at the same time being forced to put this guy in the middle with the responsibility of plugging up the middle against All Day…Can’t wait, the packers are gonna be the new chicago bears when it comes to stop AP….haha…go winners of the divsions…i mean vikings
    —————————————-
    Can I get a translation here? Taking an extra man off the front line while at the same time being forced to put this guy in the middle? What? Raji is a D-lineman, so we’re going to take him off the front line to put him right back on the front line is what you’re saying essentially.

  7. Good job, Raji.
    Niners, stay strong – don’t give in to Crabdouche and his agent. If he wants to sit out, let him.

  8. Oh you poor poor Minnesota fans. So much trash talking in the preseason, to be followed quickly by a systematical falling apart of the entire team. Talk trash while you can. Then have fun watching Green Bay in January. Idiots.

  9. Kidekk: that was funny thing i’ve read in a while.
    LarryBird18: Don’t forget “all day vs Pwilly” I think last time “all day” got all of 13 yards on 13 carries.

  10. Hey LarryBird, pop quiz, what is “All Day’s” win-loss record against the Packers?
    GO TEAM THAT HAS ACTUALLY WON SOMETHING OF VALUE IN THEIR FRANCHISE HISTORY! Oops, I mean Packers.

  11. Yeah, taking an extra man off the line and working w/ 3 defensive linemen has really turned out badly for the Steelers, Ravens, and Patriots (hybrid 3-4)

  12. Mkepackfan, i am not even gonna respond you sir are an idiot..maybe everyone else hear got the message. Being happy about the transition to the 3-4. You are dumb.

  13. why be unhappy about the 3-4 transition? every team who’s made it in the past 10 years has posted immediate improvement across the board….

  14. wow packers, another lazy worthless POS with bitchtits at lambeau, at least he’s on the field instead of the stands for a change.
    this loser has bust written all over him.
    since when is B.J. an abbreviation for Tony Mandarich? (yes, i’m aware that was the other side of the ball, still a bust, just like your boy raji)
    @gbkris yeah, 3-4 also works great for the browns, the 49ers, the chiefs and jets doesnt it? you’re a tool. those teams have something yours doesn’t TALENT AND COACHING get a clue.
    @rzrpack confusing a little football and baseball? last i checked TEAMS have records, not players. unless of course you are talking about individual records…something AD holds in rushing yards for a game
    @larrybird18 the thing you are missing here is that using packer math, switching to a 3-4 is a crucial step to greatness. it goes like this:
    step 1: switch to 3-4
    step2: ???
    step 3: PWNZOR THE BIQUEENS!!!!!
    somehow they think that subbing a crappy DE for a crappy LB will make them better, but then again, they are from GB, so who can blame them.

  15. how exactly does raji have bust written all over him, DOCBG?????
    care to make any sense? or do you just want to kiss that dumbass larrybirds ass some more?
    also, larrybird.
    i welcome the vikings to run right up the middle. please, run right behind your small ass weak replacement for birk, sullivan. please, in fact i DARE you to do it.
    the thing you need to concern yourself with is what is going to happen when busari squashes sage into the ground, and you have yet ANOTHER YEAR WITH TJACK AT THE HELM?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
    how ya like me now?

  16. Doc BG,….. Doc? Really? What do you specialize in…. a little wishful thinking?, lots of fantasy?, snake oil perhaps.?? Does mom know you’re playing with the computer, I know you’re still not allowed to play with anything sharp aren’t you son. Let me see…. you and your Purple (Barney) wearin, pussy dome playen, 10,000 lake 10 million hick liven, haven’t won anything..EVER azz is trying to bust on GB?? (and yes, it is GB, not BG dick, I mean doc) LOL I look forward to your pathetic attempt at a retort. Do us all a favor, put your purple Queens hat on, yeah, the one with the ear flaps and chin strap…. go out side and wait for the little buss, don’t worry when all the other kids laugh at you, it goes way beyond that,… and shut the hell up and dream of being somewhere else…. anywhere else…. maybe in a winning sports town… ahhhhh yes… GB!

  17. “those teams have something yours doesn’t TALENT AND COACHING get a clue.”
    Wait… talent aside, let’s look at the Green Bay defensive coaching staff, shall we?
    Defensive Coordinator: Dom Capers, the man who, along with Dick LeBeau, invented the zone blitz and the modern 3-4 defense.
    Defensive Line Coach: Mike Trgovac, who was the defensive COORDINATOR in Carolina last year.
    OLB Coach: Kevin Greene, in his first coaching gig, his resume includes “probable hall of fame at OLB”, and “the greatest technician as a pass rusher anybody has ever seen.”
    ILB Coach: Winston Moss, who is oft-interviewed for head coaching positions when there are vacancies.
    Safeties Coach: Darren Perry, who was largely responsible for the development of Troy Polamalu into one of the NFL’s finest safeties.
    Homerism aside, there’s some considerable talent and knowledge among the Packers defensive coaching staff.

  18. jeremiah says: August 13, 2009 10:06 PM
    how exactly does raji have bust written all over him, DOCBG?????
    care to make any sense? or do you just want to kiss that dumbass larrybirds ass some more?
    —————————————————–
    lets lookup a little info here shall we?
    raji was supposedly such a fantastic defensive lineman right? must have been his talent on display when BC gave up 100+ yards rushing on 5 different occasions last year right? especially when it was against such powerhouses as kent state and UCF….
    also, lets keep in mind that BC was ranked 17, the only ranked team in the 5 examples im talking about is VT, which was ranked 25th, so its not like it was a (supposedly) better school that was running the ball down their throats was it?
    why dont you go ahead and bookmark this page now, that way when AD puts monster numbers against you on 10/05 and 11/01 you can come right back and admit what a fool you are.
    as far as replacements goes, lets not forget loadholt replacing cook (a backup at best, probably for his career) and a full season of bigmac laying you pansies on your backs. birk is tough to lose, but with a bust like raji rushing, we could probably put a cheeseburger to block him and still slow him down enough for sage/tjack to light up the sidelines deep to harvin.
    i doubt this information will help you understand things, you see, unlike you folks from GB, im handicapped with the need to MAKE SENSE when i post a comment, but maybe others will understand.

  19. Let the Viking fans have their say, at the end of the day they have to look at that nitwit, Col Klink, running their team and who could feel good about that? They always find a way to lose and 2009 is going to be no different. Maybe a new and different way to lose but they will still lose, and still have no QB.

  20. It will be great to see the best defensive lineman in this year’s draft showing his great talent.
    I wish the kid well there in Titletown.

  21. There appear to be some misconceptions about Adrian Peterson’s magical ability to crush the 3-4 defense. Let’s look at some numbers.
    Adrian Peterson has faced the 3-4 defense 3 times in his NFL career.
    vs. Dallas – 12 for 67 yds (Jackson threw 6/19 for 72 )
    vs. SD – 30 for 296 (Jackson threw 6/12 for 63 )
    vs. SF – 9 for 13 (Jackson threw 16/25 for 163)
    So he’s had one really good game against a 3-4 defense, one bad one, and one really bad one.
    Just looking at “running against the 3-4” as a whole, last year in the NFL:
    8 of the 9 3-4 defenses in the NFL finished in the top half of the league in run defense by YPC (Not Cleveland).
    8 of the 9 3-4 defenses in the NFL finished in the top half of the league in run defense by YPG (Not Cleveland).
    8 of the 9 3-4 defenses in the NFL finished in the top half of the league in run defense by TD’s (Not Cleveland).
    After all, isn’t the whole point of the 3-4 defense that it’s schematically superior to the 4-3 against the run?

  22. DOCBG-
    so your logic is that because BC gave up a few 100+ yd rushing games last year that is why raji is a bust????? are you kidding me dude?
    that is ridiculous
    EVERY team gives up 100+ yd games once in awhile. even your precious willum wall and the feared ej “my toes hurt coach” henderson have given up 100+ yd games. so does that make THEM BUSTS?
    no, it doesn’t. it’s ok though. i didn’t expect much of an answer from someone whose premise is so clearly flawed, and wrong.
    maybe you should take a look at POSSIBLECABBAGE’s post above.
    does “all day” running for 13 yards against san francisco, or 67 vs dallas make HIM a bust?
    one last thing….
    “@gbkris yeah, 3-4 also works great for the browns, the 49ers, the chiefs and jets doesnt it? you’re a tool. those teams have something yours doesn’t TALENT AND COACHING get a clue.”
    yeah, apparently the 3-4 worked pretty good against “all day” pretty well that day. maybe we should just start calling him “some days”.
    see me go, ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!

  23. Possible:
    vs. Dallas, that’s 5.6 ypc. He diddn’t play at all in the 2nd half.
    Don’t let something like facts get in the way.(no Packer fan ever does)(deefinite sarcasm)
    Also, on your other post , I see all you mention is coaching. Is that because you know you don’t have the personell to run it?
    I’m positive that’s the case, the rest of us fans know it, it’s just you GB fans won’t admit it.
    Linebacking is key to this Def. AJ Hawk is a huge bust for the spot he was drafted at, Matthews is hurt, Barnett is old, and just exactly what is a Poppinga?
    You don’t just switch to a 3-4 and presto your D is in the top 10.
    When Capers turned around Carolina, he was able to draft for that specific D AND select players off of other teams that fit that scheme.
    What they are trying to do in GB is make the players they have, fit the scheme.
    All because TT and MM panicked.
    Minnesota is going to have a MASSIVE line this year.
    They also will present matchup problems galore for many defenses. I can’t see Kampman dropping into coverage and keeping up with Shiancoe or C.Taylor, or Minnesotas 4th WR.
    You go on thinking that something magical is going to happen because of the switch.
    I’m telling you, last season WAS NOT the abberation for GB, the 13-3 year was, eveything went right for them that year, EVERYTHING.
    The glory years are back in GB, where every year GB can be counted on for 4-7 wins.

  24. RAGNAR.
    massive line? are you talking OL or DL?
    i know sullivan is listed at 6-4 300, but admit it. the guy is small. and he is no matty b. loadholt MIGHT be nice, but he is a rookie. and i expect kampman to eat him alive.
    we will see a glimmer of the disappointment that is to come for viking fans tonight.

  25. I’m the tool? I’d say DocBG is more of a tool. Go back to your beautiful plastic bubble where everything has a fake touch to it, and I’ll see you in San Antonio or Vegas when you can’t get a deal done for a new stadium. I didn’t say the Packers d was going to VAULT to # 1 in the league, they could be middle of the line or even worse, but even that would be a HUGE improvement from last year.

  26. Agreed-I don’t expect anything great, but at least we can’t do worse than last year. The 3-4 make take a year or two to set up, but it’s still going to be a lot better than what we had, and lest we forget, what we had was 5-1 against your by-default reigning division champs.
    Capers also talked about using the dime formation a lot this year, that would probably help ease the transition, and with the players we have, could be very effective against the pass.
    Ragnar-you’re an oversensitive idiot and a homer. Keep talking while still you can though.
    Much as I hate to say it, I really think this is Chicago’s year more than anyone else’s. There’s still hope for us though. It’s a pretty pathetic division, it OBVIOUSLY doesn’t take much to win it these days.

  27. As usual, the viking fans babble on about stuff they can’t back up. The Packers don’t have coaching? Dom Capers is a great coach. Want to know the reason why? It’s because he doesn’t fit the players to the system, he fits the system to his players talents to maximize their talents.
    AJ Hawk was playing at 70% last year, he’s not a bust for what he was supposed to be. His label was that he’d show up every day and do his job, and that’s what he’s done. He’ll have a big year this year(projection, not fact).
    Also, how is Barnett old? Age 28 is in a players PRIME.
    Again, viking fans you talk about Packer fans not having facts, show me some facts to back up your idiot claims just once, I would love to see that.

  28. Oh, and I’m glad to see Raji finally got signed. I just hope he’s a fast learner.

  29. You’re really going to put so much stock into a preseason game? Really? When you aren’t actually playing to win?
    Typical packer backer!
    Sullivan 6’4″ 301
    Wells 6’2″ 303
    So, by your reasoning, Wells isn’t good either because he is small?
    By the way, Matty B. ” was no Jeff Christy” when he took over.
    That, and Kampman “eating him alive” is your HOPE. Kampman is still learning a new position, I wouldn’t expect any domination out of him right away. He’s going to have huge trouble in coverage. Besides that, outside of Barnett, uour LBS don’t hve the speed to play the 3-4.
    Nice try jeremiah

  30. Hawk at #5 is supposed to be a DIFFERENCE making perennial pro bowl player…………not even close.
    Beer cheese, kettle, meet pot.
    5- 1, whoop de doo.
    Guess what? in the playoffs, we lead 1-0.
    Again, whoop de doo.
    How’s that ” by default again? Because Golden boy couldn’t finish a game. He was 0-8!!
    Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes.
    Wait, it was the injuries, no, the refs screwed us, no crosby blew it, no, our defense sucks.
    Guess what? It still will.
    Nick, they have been saying that about Hawk since he was drafted, never happens.
    How is Harrel working out for ya?
    maximizes talent?
    You have 2 old corners as 4 of the only good players on that D, a de playing linebacker(idiocy)
    and Barnett, he who celebrates when he holds a rb to a 4 yd gain.
    By the way Beer, i will be talking all year, not to worry.
    You are the ones that should be worried, not Vikes fans.

  31. adrian peterson will have no issue running right up the middle against a 3-4. Playing against a 3-4 will allow either a guard or a tackle to get to the 2nd level and cover up a linebacker. if adrian follows his blocks that my friends is the recipe for a touchdown scamper

  32. Man, I can’t wait to see this season unfold. To hear Vikings fans tell the story, it’s like they dominated the league all season long! The let down this season is sure going to a lot of fun to watch!

  33. madM100 says:
    August 14, 2009 12:24 PM
    adrian peterson will have no issue running right up the middle against a 3-4. Playing against a 3-4 will allow either a guard or a tackle to get to the 2nd level and cover up a linebacker. if adrian follows his blocks that my friends is the recipe for a touchdown scamper
    That post shows you have absolutely no understanding of the 3-4 defense
    @Ragnar
    Since when is 100+ tackles a year a bust???? If you measure all linebackers by the same stick as you measure AJ Hawk then Chad Greenway is also a bust….dumbass.

  34. Ragnar.
    A swith to a 3-4 insn’t the rebuilding project you are making it out to be. Actually Green Bay’s linebackers are probably better suited for this then previously which is why the swith is made. A team may see 40 percent of their plays in their base defense. The nickel, dime, short yardage stuff remains the same and the secondary for all intents and purposes is unchanged. It can’t be any worse then it was last year defensively so they aren’t gooing to go backwards. A few bad breaks turn into good breaks and they are a 10-6 team LAST year with a horrendous defense. The ten or 11 win mark is where I expect them to be this year and in the playoffs. After that anything can happer. Ask the Cardinals.

  35. What part of for where he was drafted don’t you understand?
    He should be a difference maker!! He’s not.
    #5 overall pick should be a probowler year in and year out.
    I never said greenway was awesome did I?
    Hawk, is usually 2 seconds late in arriving at the play, he wasn’t woth a # 5 pick and you know it.
    Keep overvaluing your team and your players, you’ll be sorely disappointed come January.

  36. I’m not about to say that Hawk is some all-World Ray Lewis type LB. But if you remember at the time in the draft, anyone else in the Packers position would’ve drafted Hawk. What were they sposed to do? He was the one ‘solid can’t miss’ player. The place would’ve erupted if he wasn’t drafted at that point. Granted he hasn’t produced like a #5 pick should, but he’s on the field contributing and continuing to get better, so it’s better than a Tony Mandtrich, Jamal Reynolds, etc. If you hit on all of your first round picks, you would win the super bowl every year.

  37. Ragnar, Loadholt is learning a new position also, since he has flipped over to the right side. Vikes OL has one good guard, one underachieving tackle, and three guys. The only reason they look good is because Peterson is running behind them. Packers will be playing a lot more zone this year, which means even if he isn’t rushing, Kampman won’t have to necessarily “keep up with” anyone – not that Mini’s receiving corps is exactly the stuff of legends anyway. By the way, do you have a job or anything? You sure have a lot of free time to yap on this board.

  38. I love how people like to label players as draft busts before they’ve even taken a snap. If you’ve got that kind of talent and foresight, why are you sitting at home posting comments on a message board rather than, you know, working as a scout for a team?
    Exactly what I though.
    Sure, Raji might turn out to be a bust. Then agains, so might Harvin. And any number of players drafted in the first round. People thought Tom Brady was going to be a nobody, being drafted in the 6th round and all and look how that turned out.
    And I’d hardly consider Hawk a bust. Sure he hasn’t lived up to the hype so far, but he’s not terrible either.

  39. GB
    Fot the last time being drafted # 5 overall, means he SHOULD be all world.
    Why is that so hard to understand?
    Just as raji should be, he’s a top 10 pick.
    As for TT’s 1st round draft record, he should just keep trading out of it, he sure doesn’t know blue chip talent. He’s much better in the later rounds.
    Bat Say. fortunately, I have a job that allows me the free time I need to try to enlighten some retarded fans on what is what in the state of the NFC North for 09.
    Nah, Chester Taylor didn’t rush for 1200 yards the year before All Day got there or anything, nice try though.
    Sparta, last I checked this is a fan site. You know, where fans go to post thier opinions on the topic at hand?
    You do understand the concept right?
    For where Hawk was drafted, yes, he is a bust.

  40. Well, if Hawk is a bust based on his performance vs. where he was drafted, you must be a douche based on your choice of favorite team.
    Just posting my opinion on the topic at hand.

  41. RagnartheViking says:
    Hawk at #5 is supposed to be a DIFFERENCE making perennial pro bowl player…………not even close.
    Beer cheese, kettle, meet pot.
    5- 1, whoop de doo.
    Guess what? in the playoffs, we lead 1-0.
    Again, whoop de doo.
    How’s that ” by default again? Because Golden boy couldn’t finish a game. He was 0-8!!
    _________________
    Wow, where to begin. I think you’re now officially the Bob_Nelson of Vike fans. Congrats on giving the most blowhard, fairweather fans in the league an even worse name.
    You’re right about Hawk. He’s been consistent, but not really worth a top 5 pick. Hopefully playing in a scheme very similar to what he had at OSU will help him become a force. We’ll see though.
    Harrell is without a doubt, a complete waste of time and money, and a textbook bust. We know this, we all called it right after the pick was announced. Sadly, TT is an arrogant fool. Could be worse though, at least he didn’t hire one of the dumbest coaches in league history, LET ALONE keep the bald moron around for three years.
    As for kettle meet pot, read my post. I called you a homer. Then I went on to say I expect Chicago, our most hated rival, to win the division. I don’t think a homer would do that. You aren’t known for educated comebacks though, so we’ll let that slide.
    1-5 is a whoop de do? No wonder you’re okay with having Childress, Jump Pass Jackson and four Superbowl losses. Most “fans” WANT their team to win, if I’m not mistaken. Maybe you all don’t. That would explain the lack of support for the playoff game at least…
    Oh, and you’re right again, #4 did choke a lot in big games, including that playoff disaster in 05 (and yet you constantly hate on us for bringing up the past). Didn’t stop you, Wilf, Chilly, or the rest of the aptly named Purple Pride from drooling over the mere possibility of getting him on your team though.
    I think you should do some reading on pots and kettles before calling me out for ANYTHING. Just be careful not to spill your big glass of kool-aid on the book, that purple coloring leaves a terrible stain.

  42. beer cheese soup, you need a little work on having a coherent argument. first you start off by conceding the points ragnar was trying to make, then you start calling names like this is 2nd grade.
    grow up a little bit, or at least ask your babysitter to look over your posts so you don’t look like a moron.

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