BJ Raji agrees in principle (1 Viewer)

[bcr8f]

Deal reached on Raji's contract

By Greg A. Bedard of the Journal Sentinel

Aug. 13, 2009 6:43 p.m.

Green Bay – The nearly two-week long contract dispute between the Green Bay Packers and top draft pick B.J. Raji is almost over.

The two sides reached agreement in principle on a contract for the ninth overall pick out of Boston College this evening. The contract, which is being reviewed, at this moment, is expected to be signed on Friday when Raji arrives back in Green Bay.

Terms of the contract were not immediately known, but it was likely a five-year contract.

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers, who was also represented by Raji’s agency, Athletes First, got a five-year deal worth $15.4 million guaranteed last year as the ninth pick.

The agreement comes just two days after Raji left Green Bay, where he had been training at a local high school, for Boston as contract talks between the two sides broke down.

Raji and the Packers had been at odds over the deal for 13 days. It was the longest contract dispute for a Packers draft pick since offensive tackle Ross Verba missed 22 days of training camp in 1997. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was out four days in ’05.

Raji was the odds-on favorite to start at left defensive end before missing the start of training camp. He was listed as the back up to nose tackle Ryan Pickett on the depth chart released this week.

Look for more on this developing story later on JSOnline.com and in Friday's editions of the Journal Sentinel.

 

[hauser42]

Little late but BJ should be able to still get plenty of playing time starting week 1 for this season. Will offer some muscle to the run defense

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Little late but BJ should be able to still get plenty of playing time starting week 1 for this season. Will offer some muscle to the run defense

I wonder, in the very complex system Capers runs, how fast they can intgrate raji. Certainly I hope his youth and athleticism and great bulk can contribute. I am hoping with him back, and with Jolly available for at least the year that the Packers can get the kind of D-line rotational depth which I believe was the impetus for their 13-3 record two years ago. Now if we could just get some good news about Harrel, over whom I have started to lose hope. The Packers could actually, if all healthy, have one of the leagues best line rotations. That excites me.

 

[tdmills]

Little late but BJ should be able to still get plenty of playing time starting week 1 for this season. Will offer some muscle to the run defense

I wonder, in the very complex system Capers runs, how fast they can intgrate raji. Certainly I hope his youth and athleticism and great bulk can contribute. I am hoping with him back, and with Jolly available for at least the year that the Packers can get the kind of D-line rotational depth which I believe was the impetus for their 13-3 record two years ago. Now if we could just get some good news about Harrel, over whom I have started to lose hope. The Packers could actually, if all healthy, have one of the leagues best line rotations. That excites me.

I thought Jolly's case could come back open at any moment?Also, isn't Harrell injured?

 

[sho nuff]

Jolly's thing could come back up...but as long as it has been the trial would likely not be til after the season.

Harrell has had some back spasms...that is it.

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Looking at the roster, I can't help but think what a great front 7 they would have with a base 4-3; Jenkins and Kampman at the ends, Pickett/ Jolly/Raji rotation in the middle and Hawk, Barnett and Mathews at LB.

 

[VTjkru]

Looking at the roster, I can't help but think what a great front 7 they would have with a base 4-3; Jenkins and Kampman at the ends, Pickett/ Jolly/Raji rotation in the middle and Chillar, Barnett and Mathews at LB.

 

[Pipes]

Jolly's thing could come back up...but as long as it has been the trial would likely not be til after the season.Harrell has had some back spasms...that is it.

For now...that guy hasn't been healthy since his junior year of college. I don't trust Harrell to contribute at all this year, hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[tdmills]

Jolly's thing could come back up...but as long as it has been the trial would likely not be til after the season.Harrell has had some back spasms...that is it.

It was a torn bicep in college.....has it always been a back in the NFL?For now...that guy hasn't been healthy since his junior year of college. I don't trust Harrell to contribute at all this year, hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[sho nuff]

Its been the back since last year.

Bad enough a few doctors thought he may not ever play again. They might be right.

 

[Sweet Love]

Looking at the roster, I can't help but think what a great front 7 they would have with a base 4-3; Jenkins and Kampman at the ends, Pickett/ Jolly/Raji rotation in the middle and Hawk, Barnett and Mathews at LB.

I agree..they have been touted as a sleeper Defense, and I have been able to grab them as my D in the last couple of rounds of all my mocks. As a Jets fan, I was hoping to get the Jets with the 10th or so pick, but that ship has sailed.

 

[tdmills]

Its been the back since last year.Bad enough a few doctors thought he may not ever play again. They might be right.

That sucks....I felt he was talented....just a reach at where TT took him.

 

[sho nuff]

Its been the back since last year.Bad enough a few doctors thought he may not ever play again. They might be right.

That sucks....I felt he was talented....just a reach at where TT took him.

A bit of one at that spot yes. 5 spots down and he might have been gone though given the chatter on him I have heard.And yes, he could be very good if he was ever healthy...has the mold for it for sure. Its funny too as conservative as people say Thompson is...he took that risk with upside and lost.

 

[scrumptrulescent]

 

[trader jake]

I wonder, in the very complex system Capers runs, how fast they can intgrate raji.

The initial plan was to put B.J. Raji at right end but also give him looks at left end and nose tackle. I'd guess the staff will now plug him in at right end and get him ready to go at the one spot and drop any idea of playing him on the left side at all. If he gets any reps at a spot other than right end it would be behind Pickett at nose tackle.