B.J. Raji from BC on ESPN in bowl game NOW

[Spartacus87]

B.J. Raji, the monster athletic DT from Boston College, is playing right now in their bowl game against Vanderbilt.

So far he's making plays all over the line, he stuffed a run earlier in the backfield by pushing the center back into the running back and tackling him, and just got a sack from the DE position and actually got around the guard with his quickness to wrap up the QB.

While I think our o-line needs more immediate help, if we don't trade down from 13 and this guy is still on the board, we should seriously, seriously, consider taking him. He'd anchor our d-line for years and do a lot for our pass rushing issues even by next season.

Game's still in the start of the 3rd quarter so there's plenty left to see, and they might replay it sometime later tonight.

[DWinzit]

He does appear to be a big pocket collapsing DT who plays the run well. But do we need a player like that? ;)

[wilsonian]

I'm watching this guy right now and he is LEGIT.

[Spartacus87]

He does appear to be a big pocket collapsing DT who plays the run well. But do we need a player like that? ;) We'll probably try to get Michael Crabtree or Taylor Mays, even if it means trading up. :doh:

[DButz65]

He does appear to be a big pocket collapsing DT who plays the run well. But do we need a player like that? ;)

Damnit Vinny! Wake up and smell the coffee! :silly:

[DWinzit]

We'll probably try to get Michael Crabtree or Taylor Mays, even if it means trading up. :doh:Noooo.
BTW his tackle towards the end of the second quarter at the line, I didn't think that RB would be able to get up. He burried that poor kid.

[acuratl1984]

LOL would be awesome to get him. And maybe Terrence Cody next year??

[4thandGoal]

I was thinking the same thing while watching this. Dont know much about this cat. Is this a single game performance, or has he been doing this all season long???

[mistertim]

I was thinking the same thing while watching this. Dont know much about this cat. Is this a single game performance, or has he been doing this all season long???

Pretty good stats this year. 6 sacks I think. Only watched him a little but he seems pretty beastly. Very quick for his size. Never seen a 6'1 330 lb guy do a spin move before.

[TwentyOne]

Raji is legit. He was second team All-ACC his junior year in 2006 and first team All-ACC this season. He had to sit out the 2007 season due to academic problems, otherwise this guy would already be in the NFL. Great talent....if this guy was still on the board, I think it would be foolish not to take him.

[Runs with Scissors]

He would be a great addition to our inactive list next year.

[SkinsAllDay34]

A lot of mocks have Raji going in the 2ND ROUND not the 1st, and the middle of the 2nd to boot!!

Say Raji stock stays in the 2nd round and he slips and Vinny traded back to get a later 1st and a mid 2nd. Grabbing O Lineman in the 1st and Raji in the second, that lineman being Duke Robinson. That would be a dream scenario.

[McD5]

Can he play tight end?

Can he punt?

[fire3fighter4]

I can hear it now.

"did you see b.J. rail that dude"..*shudders*

[DWinzit]

A lot of mocks have Raji going in the 2ND ROUND not the 1st, and the middle of the 2nd to boot!!

Say Raji stock stays in the 2nd round and he slips and Vinny traded back to get a later 1st and a mid 2nd. Grabbing O Lineman in the 1st and Raji in the second, that lineman being Duke Robinson. That would be a dream scenario.The mocks are all over the place with many of the prospects. Raji is listed in the mid first round on numerous boards.

Also the DT that played very well next to him, #60 Brace is listed in the 3-5 rounds on many boards. :2cents:

It's nice this is a good year for linemen on either side of the ball. There are a number of these top prospects for both teams in the G Tech vs LSU game right now.

[Xero21]

I haven't been able to see him play, how well does he collapse the pocket/rush the passer?

Apparently he stuffs the run well which is a plus.

[mistertim]

I haven't been able to see him play, how well does he collapse the pocket/rush the passer?

Apparently he stuffs the run well which is a plus.

Seems to do both pretty well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM3AmHWAGEg

Like I said, that's the first time I've ever seen a 6'1 230 lb guy do a spin move and have it work.

Edit: 330 lbs. :)

[21DIEHARDSKINSFAN21]

tha raji dude is sick. i would of liked to get sedrick ellis considering they say he was the next big thing since warren saap.

[Xero21]

Seems to do both pretty well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM3AmHWAGEg

Like I said, that's the first time I've ever seen a 6'1 330 lb guy do a spin move and have it work.

Wow, that was impressive. If he plays like that consistantly then I now know who I want the Skins to draft.

[acuratl1984]

Wow, that was impressive. If he plays like that consistantly then I now know who I want the Skins to draft.

I know this isn't BJ Raji but.....

Could you imagine if we can get a guy like BJ Raji this year.
And A guy like Terrance Cody next year???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxNvw_OS4lw&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUE3Ys-qf6M&feature=related

[21DIEHARDSKINSFAN21]

^^your asking our front office to do 2 things they never done, CONSECUTIVELY. yeah, new years resolution for you should be to wake up.

[illone]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=DT&draftyear=2009&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

Draft scout has him projected in the 2nd round.

[maskedsuperstar]

Damn, Raji is a baller. Man, that spin move at his size is impressive.

[maskedsuperstar]

Raji has a very quick first step. That spin move is sick.

[Spartacus87]

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/players.php?genpos=DT&draftyear=2009&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

Draft scout has him projected in the 2nd round. I'd be shocked if he fell to the 2nd. If he did, we'd have to do whatever it takes to get him.

He's easily the best DT in the draft this year.

He's extremely quick and athletic, plays the run very well, is a monster at collapsing the pocket, can use power and strength or a swim move to get to the QB, follows plays down the LOS in pursuit, and is pretty big, which makes it all the more impressive.

Not only that, but he's been an exceptional college DT since he first saw action, not like a one hit wonder, and by all accounts he's a class act off the field.

He had "academic problems," but they stemmed from his academic advisor in the football department not scheduling enough classes for him one semester, so he had to sit out for not meeting the eligibility requirement he was supposed to. He ended up on the scout team, but they had to take him off of that and make him work out on his own during team workouts because he was too dominating during practice.

Unless he gets caught shooting at cops or beating up his family or something between now and the draft, I can't imagine him falling out of the first 32 picks.

[maskedsuperstar]

Raji is definitely worth looking at. And Evander Hood is another guy that is worth looking at. Not as big as Raji, but Northwestern had problems with him. Hood was beating double teams most of the night.

http://mutigers.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/hood_evander00.html

[derekc4]

Raji is legit. He was second team All-ACC his junior year in 2006 and first team All-ACC this season. He had to sit out the 2007 season due to academic problems, otherwise this guy would already be in the NFL. Great talent....if this guy was still on the board, I think it would be foolish not to take him.

I really think the Broncos, who pick 12, will get him if he is there. They can't stop the run at all.

[Siven]

He had "academic problems," but they stemmed from his academic advisor in the football department not scheduling enough classes for him one semester, so he had to sit out for not meeting the eligibility requirement he was supposed to. He ended up on the scout team, but they had to take him off of that and make him work out on his own during team workouts because he was too dominating during practice.

Unless he gets caught shooting at cops or beating up his family or something between now and the draft, I can't imagine him falling out of the first 32 picks.

Uh, problems stemmed from not scheduling enough classes?

What the hell?

Sorry, the student handles registration for his classes. They make it crystal clear that you need 12 credits to be considered a full-time student. And besides, you can register for classes quite a few days past the start of the semester. I don't buy that excuse one bit.

[Spartacus87]

Uh, problems stemmed from not scheduling enough classes?

What the hell?

Sorry, the student handles registration for his classes. They make it crystal clear that you need 12 credits to be considered a full-time student. And besides, you can register for classes quite a few days past the start of the semester. I don't buy that excuse one bit. I don't know what to tell you then. Maybe googling it might have helped?

Athletes don't need the 12 credits per semester full-time student status to be able to play during their season. As long as they're on pace to graduate by a certain deadline, it's fine.

Christian Ponder, the QB for FSU, actually got his Bachelor's degree last summer in Real Estate and Finance, and was only taking a few graduate classes this past fall while playing.

Raji got screwed because his advisor told him he was on pace to graduate and he only needed to take two classes in the summer to be eligible for the fall, when in reality he needed three and the NCAA flagged him for being off track.

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2008/08/19/bc_lineman_raji_is_a_study_in_determination/ (http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2008/08/19/bc_lineman_raji_is_a_study_in_determination/)

Again, nothing to do with him being lazy or stupid. He just got bad advice from his advisor. And each school has people in the athletic department that check these and make sure kids are on track to be eligible, but if the advisor screws up and miscounts a kid's credits, then the kid doesn't know until it's too late, just like the athletic department.

[Rufus T Firefly]

I don't know what to tell you then. Maybe googling it might have helped?

Athletes don't need the 12 credits per semester full-time student status to be able to play during their season. As long as they're on pace to graduate by a certain deadline, it's fine.

Christian Ponder, the QB for FSU, actually got his Bachelor's degree last summer in Real Estate and Finance, and was only taking a few graduate classes this past fall while playing.

Raji got screwed because his advisor told him he was on pace to graduate and he only needed to take two classes in the summer to be eligible for the fall, when in reality he needed three and the NCAA flagged him for being off track.

http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2008/08/19/bc_lineman_raji_is_a_study_in_determination/ (http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/football/articles/2008/08/19/bc_lineman_raji_is_a_study_in_determination/)

Again, nothing to do with him being lazy or stupid. He just got bad advice from his advisor. And each school has people in the athletic department that check these and make sure kids are on track to be eligible, but if the advisor screws up and miscounts a kid's credits, then the kid doesn't know until it's too late, just like the athletic department.

Either way, he won't be taking classes to be eligible to play in the NFL. Academic issues sometimes can be a sign of a lazy, dumb or reckless kid, but by themselves are nothing to worry about per their ability to be good pros. Just up to the FO to do their homework on a prospect. Thank goodness we have an organization that never misjudges people. Oh, wait.........

[UltimateSkinFan616]

With Griff aging, I think we need someone like BJ to add a little push to our inside pass rush. If we can trade down and still get him, I say we go for it!

[AAARedskin]

Getting RAJI would be a great pick......he could only help the Skins. Stuff the run, and push his man into the lap of the QB, forcing the opposing QB to throw it sooner than he wanted to......what a BOON he'd be to the D-line. No complaints at all from me....the Skins need help on BOTH lines, not just the O-line!!!!

[GibbsFactor]

Isn't he projected to come out as a nose tackle?

I guess he could play that, it would be nice to have someone that can play the nose in a 4 down lineman situation, only adds beef up front. Plus, we'd have the personnel to move to a 3 if we ever did.

I wouldn't be opposed to it.

Depends on what we do in FA, Dline and Oline are both important.

I honestly think we are thinking too much about our Oline because our offense sputtered so much. When healthy they are pretty good.

I'd like to get a stud Dlineman AND Mack to play center. To be honest, I think our interior line needs as much help as the exterior.

[[[ghost]]]

He'd be a great pick if we traded down. But I'd much rather have Oher at 13.

[deejaydana]

];6011373']He'd be a great pick if we traded down. But I'd much rather have Oher at 13.


All the mocks I'm reading have Oher gone within the first 6 or so picks. I'd love to get him but it ain't looking like he'll be there. :(

[redskins0756]

We'll probably try to get Michael Crabtree or Taylor Mays, even if it means trading up. :doh:

And remember in 2007 when we wanted to trade up and get Jamarcus Russell? :doh:

[Siven]

Isn't he projected to come out as a nose tackle?

I guess he could play that, it would be nice to have someone that can play the nose in a 4 down lineman situation, only adds beef up front. Plus, we'd have the personnel to move to a 3 if we ever did.

I wouldn't be opposed to it.

Depends on what we do in FA, Dline and Oline are both important.

I honestly think we are thinking too much about our Oline because our offense sputtered so much. When healthy they are pretty good.

I'd like to get a stud Dlineman AND Mack to play center. To be honest, I think our interior line needs as much help as the exterior.

Hmm. Raji, Mack, and then Jordan Gross in FA?

Resign Hall and I think we should resign Kendall.

[VaK9Trainer]

Raji being projected to go in 2nd round is probably due to his height. Ideally, teams want guys that are a bit taller, but hey, if you can play the position, who cares?

[SkinsAllDay34]

He isnt the top DT in this draft, according to Espn. Mcshay has Gerald McCoy with a higher rating. He is the DT from OU. He is likely to stay another year though.

I

[Spartacus87]

Raji being projected to go in 2nd round is probably due to his height. Ideally, teams want guys that are a bit taller, but hey, if you can play the position, who cares? I don't get why teams get so caught up in that kind of crap.

Vernon Gholston had all the measurables in the world and now look at him. Same with Jamarcus Russell.

Meanwhile a guy like Fletcher goes undrafted and look how he's done in the league. It matters to a certain extent sure, but if a guy looks like he just knows the game and can play it, then he's got it. There are workout warriors, and then there are football players (and in the rare case, both). Just amazes me that teams with professional scouts continue to be fooled by that kind of trivial nonsense year after year.

Raji is listed as 6'1''.

Vince Wilfork is 6'2''.
Jamal Williams is 6'3''.
Casey Hampton is 6'1''.

Clearly, you don't have to be 6'4'' or 6'5'' to be able to play DT in this league.

[Jimbo]

I like Raji but it's a tough decision whether or not to stay put at #13. It's a pretty good spot for other teams to trade up to so the likelihood of the Skins trading down is there, especially since we don't have a 2nd round pick. There could still be guys like Peria Jerry on the board after trading down and quality guys always seem to fall. This draft seems to be deep a LB so we could possibly grab a quality LB with an extra pick.

Lots of decent options.

[angel2]

Damn, Raji is a baller. Man, that spin move at his size is impressive.



Draft Terrence Cody. Better than B.J. Raji and the guy is STRONG.

[angel2]

B.J. Raji, the monster athletic DT from Boston College, is playing right now in their bowl game against Vanderbilt.

So far he's making plays all over the line, he stuffed a run earlier in the backfield by pushing the center back into the running back and tackling him, and just got a sack from the DE position and actually got around the guard with his quickness to wrap up the QB.



Wrong DT. Check out Terrence Cody in this utube.com clip below.

[DWinzit]

I like Raji but it's a tough decision whether or not to stay put at #13. It's a pretty good spot for other teams to trade up to so the likelihood of the Skins trading down is there, especially since we don't have a 2nd round pick. There could still be guys like Peria Jerry on the board after trading down and quality guys always seem to fall. This draft seems to be deep a LB so we could possibly grab a quality LB with an extra pick.

Lots of decent options.We have too many holes and not enough picks. Trading down to collect more prospects is the right answer in a year with many OL/DL options. There is a chance we could still grab Raji if we don't drop too far.

[AirMayo21]

Love to see the big dude playin for us. I love having BC kids on the team

[Mr. S]

Raji, Cody, or Sen'Derrick Marks from Auburn would all be solid. Marks may be a late first rounder or early 2nd, so drafting him after trading down would make more sense.

If Raji and Cody are the top 2 DT's, then one of them will be there at 13 most likely.

However, consider that very few d-lineman come in right away and contribute. They have a bit of a learning curve as well. That being said, we should draft o-line in the first, whether we trade down or not. After, we should draft a 2nd round DT, someone like Marks if available, or a solid DE prospect.

This way, the tackle could potentially start from day one, while the d-line guy can make their way into the lineup and be even more of a factor next season. A good DT will make it easier for a good DE to come in for 2010.

[Spartacus87]

Wrong DT. Check out Terrence Cody in this utube.com clip below. Don't believe the hype. He's just really, really huge at 365 pounds or so, and he's getting love this season for how he's helped turn around Alabama's run defense.

He's a great run stuffer due to his size, and for that he could be a solid NT in a 3-4, but he doesn't do a great job getting to the QB because he's not quick at all, and he's pretty out of shape due to just how big he is. He also doesn't have a real college career to look at, being that this is his first year playing for Alabama.

Raji is a better fit for a 4-3, and even at 320 pounds he's fast enough to play DE in some alignments for BC and still get a sack.

Peria Jerry is arguably a better prospect than Cody. If Cody came out right now he'd probably be like Alan Branch Part 2.

It's all moot anyway, because last I heard Cody was returning to Alabama for his senior year.

[angel2]

See below.

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Raji being projected to go in 2nd round is probably due to his height. Ideally, teams want guys that are a bit taller, but hey, if you can play the position, who cares?

I remember watching Darnell Dockett in '05 or '06 and he was absolutely dominating the game. I knew right away he would be a beast in the NFL. And really, I know **** about football. I was then shocked when he slipped to the 2nd.

And now he's a pro-bowler. Mocks mean ****.

[angel2]

Don't believe the hype. He's just really, really huge at 365 pounds or so, and he's getting love this season for how he's helped turn around Alabama's run defense.

He's a great run stuffer due to his size, and for that he could be a solid NT in a 3-4, but he doesn't do a great job getting to the QB because he's not quick at all, and he's pretty out of shape due to just how big he is. He also doesn't have a real college career to look at, being that this is his first year playing for Alabama.

Raji is a better fit for a 4-3, and even at 320 pounds he's fast enough to play DE in some alignments for BC and still get a sack.

Peria Jerry is arguably a better prospect than Cody. If Cody came out right now he'd probably be like Alan Branch Part 2.

It's all moot anyway, because last I heard Cody was returning to Alabama for his senior year.


I just looked at most of his youtube clips and don't see a slow guy who has problems getting to the QB and pushing the pocket back. This guy is very agile for 365 + pounds. I would suggest you look a little further at him.

If he does not come out this year, then this issue is moot. Raji has less of a motor than Cody.

[Xero21]

I just looked at most of his youtube clips and don't see a slow guy who has problems getting to the QB and pushing the pocket back. This guy is very agile for 365 + pounds. I would suggest you look a little further at him.

If he does not come out this year, then this issue is moot. Raji has less of a motor than Cody.

Are you related to him or something? You seem very determined to get people to love him :silly:

I don't know much about NCAA football at all so you and many others in this thread are much more knowledgable on the players.

We need a guy that can collapse the pocket/rush the passer. A run-stuffer is great but we already have one named Griffin.

Can Cody get a good pass-rush?

[Spartacus87]

I just looked at most of his youtube clips and don't see a slow guy who has problems getting to the QB and pushing the pocket back. This guy is very agile for 365 + pounds. I would suggest you look a little further at him.

If he does not come out this year, then this issue is moot. Raji has less of a motor than Cody. Well sure, of course his Youtube clips are going to make him look like an all-star. What do you expect? A highlight reel that features him getting cut-blocked or getting let through up field so a screen opens up past him?

I've seen a lot of Raji in games and payed a lot of attention to him, being that he's on an ACC team against my Seminoles.

I've also seen a lot of Cody, as Alabama games were on a good amount on the SUN Sports network down here in Tallahassee.

Cody's a good tackle, but even he seems smart enough right now to understand he isn't quite ready yet for the NFL. He's more of a gap filling NT, probably best fit for a 3-4 though. That's not what we really need.

Hell, I wish we did need a guy like that, then that would probably mean we had a solid pass rush but just needed help stopping the run. Then it'd be a no brainer to get the best o-lineman in the 1st or trade down and get two, and we could just pick up Ron Brace from BC in the late 2nd or third round. That'd certainly make all of our Armchair GM talk more cut-and-dry, and easier for even Vinny to understand what to do with our pick.

But unfortunately we need a pass rushing DT that can also play the run (which generally requires a 1st or 2nd round pick to find a good one, I hope Vinny understands this), and Raji can do that. He's capable of not only taking up blockers to help the rest of the d-line, but he can get to the QB by himself. Cody has never displayed the type of motor to be able to line up at DE, put a swim move on the tackle, and sack the QB. That's pretty damn rare for a 320 pound DT.

[Xameil]

I was thinking the same thing while watching this. Dont know much about this cat. Is this a single game performance, or has he been doing this all season long???

all season long.

[mistertim]

Cody is not coming out this year.

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/article/20081219/SPORTS0401/812190320

[whatmeworry]

Definitely a great player but we need more help on O than D.

[pjfootballer]

Spartacus87 is right. Raji is much better than Cody in the 4-3. Cody would be good in the 3-4 as a space eater. He'll be the next Gilbert Brown. Raji is fast, agile and strong.

[21DIEHARDSKINSFAN21]

thats y we get gross then o-line in the 3rd

[pjfootballer]

I don't want Jordan Gross. First of all he's 29. Aren't we trying to get younger on the O-line? Second, we have some draft picks to get a G, C and DT. Doesn't matter what round. Gross went to BYU and went on a mission. I belive he was 24 when they drafted him. I'd rather start Heyer at RT then waste more money on O-linemen. Aren't we paying Samuels, Rabach and Thomas enough money already?

[STBonecrusher21]

Hahaha.

OMG.

He's a god **** BEAST!!!

[Xameil]

Love to see the big dude playin for us. I love having BC kids on the team

Me too.

[Spartacus87]

For what it's worth, Terrence Cody is getting surprisingly manhandled at the LOS so far in the Alabama/Utah game.

Utah's actually run it right at him several times, and he's gotten blocked out of the play by only Utah's center.

The whole team seems to be playing flat, so it's not just him, but he's not looking like a 1st round talent at all in this game.

[Blue Collar Skins]

He would be a great addition to our inactive list next year.Hahaha :silly:

[21DIEHARDSKINSFAN21]

with the 13th pick the washington redskins select -- BJ RAJI FROM BOSTON COLLEGE.

-fans in the stands boo cause they wanted michael johnson.

[Teddav75]

As a current BC student having watched every game the last four years, I am constantly in awe of what B.J. can do on the field. He changes offensive game plans just by appearing on the field. I would absolutely love to have him on the Skins and have high confidence in his ability at the next level.

At the same time, getting very little press is a guy who plays right next to Raji, Ron Brace. Brace has been overshadowed by his teammate but both have really stood out this season and are prepped for the big leagues. I don't see Raji getting much beyond 13, but I think Brace could be a nice addition in the 3rd. Here's to seeing a schoolmate on the field again next year!

Go Eagles and Go Skins!

[21DIEHARDSKINSFAN21]

iono i think brace did good cause of raji takin most of the double teams. that in mind i wouldnt mind pickin up brace with a late 6th rounder.

[Spartacus87]

iono i think brace did good cause of raji takin most of the double teams. that in mind i wouldnt mind pickin up brace with a late 6th rounder. Brace would be a very solid 3rd round pick, maybe 4th. He'd be like a better, quicker, Anthony Montgomery though. Not like that's necessarily a bad thing, but we really don't need more help stopping the run.

[method man]

I think the odds are, even if we don't trade down, there will be a decent RT prospect waiting for us in the 3rd like Feneki Tupuo or Alex Boone.