In this installment of Film Study, I decided to focus on one player I get asked about quite a bit – B.J. Raji. So I went back and watched all of his snaps in the Green Bay Packers – Indianapolis Colts preseason game and here are my observations:
From a personality standpoint, Raji hasn’t shown much of a mean streak, and that was my only real concern when the Packers first selected him. From observing Raji, and speaking to people here in NJ that knew him during his high school years, he’s a “good boy.” Polite, kind, soft-spoken: the type of kid you’d want your daughter to marry.
Of course, that doesn’t translate well to the battlefield known as the NFL. Not to say they are mutually exclusive. There have been plenty of “good guys” who would rip your heart out on the field if needed. Bart Starr, the ultimate gentleman, has been described as such by many teammates. Raji hasn’t shown me that killer instinct, yet. Read more...(905 words + 6 images, estimated 3:37 mins reading time)
In this next installment of Film Study, I select a few plays from the Packers – Seahawks preseason game that show something interesting upon review that might have been missed on first watch.
Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers are committed to doing whatever possible to keep QB1 un-sacked and upright. In just his limited preseason action, Rodgers has already shown the ability to more quickly recognized his checkdowns and not hold onto the ball too long. McCarthy, for his part, seems committed to giving the offensive line more pass protection help when needed, something I felt was lacking last season.
On Aaron Rodgers’ first play, 56 yard completion to Greg Jennings, Donald Lee was used in pass protection, and seemingly left to Rodgers to decide how. As you watch the play, you’ll see Rodgers look at Lee, who is lined up on the left side. He then glances to the right and sees the Seahawks have overloaded that side. He looks back at Lee, and most likely calls a protection change. Lee goes into motion and lines up on the right side, where he can help in the protection. Read more...(739 words + 6 images, estimated 2:57 mins reading time)
Favre drama continues as he returns to Vikings for the 2010 Season. Here, Brett arrives in Minnesota, followed by a helicopter. The only thing missing was a white Bronco…
The following are my observations on the Packers – Browns game after re-watching the game with the benefit of rewind and slow-motion:
Bryan Bulaga is an NFL starting lineman. Right now. Bulaga won his one-on-one battles while at guard and at tackle. He also looked noticeably better than Daryn Colledge. Bulaga was a little unsure of himself at guard on a few plays, which is to be expected. But once he found his mark an locked on to someone, they did not get away. I also saw Bulaga do something I haven’t seen from a Packers guard in some time. This was one of my pet peeves last season. In pass coverage, with Wells on the tackle and Clifton taking a blitzing linebacker, as Cleveland sent a defensive back on the edge outside of Clifton, Bulaga quickly slid over behind Clifton to meet the blitzing DB and stop his rush. Simple, effective, and something I just never saw as I would watch the game films last season. I don’t know if we credit Bulaga or the coaches for that, but either way, it’s a very good thing. Read more...(1284 words + 6 images, estimated 5:08 mins reading time)
Call him the Florida Flash. By now, most Packers fans know that Sam Shields can outright fly. Shields himself knows that putting that speed to use on the playing field will be his ticket to outpace other candidates for a spot on the 53-man roster. Let’s just say that after his 98 yard interception at the family night scrimmage, Shields has made a good first impression.
I generally like to do my undrafted free agent evaluations before training camp starts, so I can make more of a “blind” evaluation uninfluenced by camp performances (I like the challenge). While in the previous weeks I covered the wide receivers, running backs and offensive linemen free agents, there just hasn’t been time to get to the defensive UDFAs.
But there are a couple of defensive UDFAs in camp that are worthy of a “better late than never” evaluation, and we’ll start with Sam Shields. Read more...(1074 words + 6 images, estimated 4:18 mins reading time)
In this installment of Film Study, I decided to focus on one player I get asked about quite a bit – B.J. Raji. So I went back and watched all of his snaps in the Green Bay Packers – Indianapolis Colts preseason game and here are my observations:
