BJ Raji here we come!

I keed, I keed.

This is great news.
And I can now realistically see Raji being the guy.

I think this makes it easier to swallow the defensive hires, especially Gibbs who seems more suited to a 3-4 but ended up having to institute a 4-3 in NO I believe...

Here is news from the Senior Bowl


In the first two days of practice, no player has been more dominant defensively than B.J. Raji, the 6'2" 335 pound defensive tackle out of Boston College. Not only has he dominated in the one-on-one drills against the best centers in the draft, he has also been impressive in the individual position drills. Raji has shown excellent upper body strength, as well as quick feet for his size.

He has a knack for busting through the line and creating havoc in the backfield, and if he continues the pace he is on, he will cement his status as a top 15 pick in the draft.

Hali is a fraud.

who doesn't like Casey Hampton?????


B.J. Raji's Scouting Report
By Matt McGuire


Strengths: Elite size, bulk, and strength to play defensive tackle in the NFL and hold up against the bigger offensive linemen ... Complete wall in the middle of the defensive line against the run ... Somewhat athletic with fluid hips ... End-to-end defender who can make plays outside of the phone booth ... Best pass rush move is the bull rush ... Very strong hands, occasionally manhandles opponents ... Tough and plays through pain ... Solid stamina despite his size ... Able to play the highly valuable 3-4 nose tackle/zero technique.

Weaknesses: Outside of the bull rush, Raji does not have much of a pass rush repertoire ... Does not consistently dominate as much as you want him to as a pass rusher ... Has a tendency to get too high ... Misses easy tackles ... Not much experience.

Summary: Raji is a very talented player with high upside, but his lack of experience worries me. If Gerald McCoy does not declare, Raji is likely the first defensive tackle off the board. Raji was suspended for the 2007 season for academic reasons; however, it was not a GPA issue rather it being with not earning enough credits. This will not hurt his draft status.

Player Comparison: Casey Hampton. Hampton might generate more sacks if he were in a 4-3 system rather than taking on two gaps. Raji and Hampton have a similar physical presence on the line of scrimmage, especially against the run.

He'd have to be a rush backer, but that means he'd have to learn to drop into coverage some plays too, I have no idea what to think about that. He's athletic, sure - so maybe he makes the transition. But he's been losing value lately, either from scheme or personal play ability, on the end in a 4-3, so I gotta think they try it, or cut him.

Excellent.

Opens up the draft choices in the first a little. Raji, Curry and Brown (if they have good workouts) have shots.

Pioli and most smart football people said/say that you build a great football team from the inside out, start with the trenches

No. The switch to the 3-4 pretty much seals Hali's fate. He's too slow to be a rush backer and not big enough to play DE.

If anything....I can see either of these FAs coming into town.

Chris Canty DE
Igor Olshansky DE

Switching to the 3-4 eh?

Welcome to the Dark Side.

agreed....Hali has no place in 3-4

BYE BYE HALI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love it becaus eyou can change from the 30 to 40 fronts so easy.

Casey Weeeeegman was on Sirius radio yesterday talking about how hard the 3-4 multi fron is on a Center

There is no way in hell the Chiefs tie up huge money into another DT with the 3rd pick.