B.J. Raji

Raji says he’s taking a year off from football

March 14, 2016 By Bill Scott

BJ Raji

Nose Tackle B.J. Raji is a free agent. After the season was over, Raji wasn’t sure about his future with the Packers and seemed to be ready to test the free agent market. But the Packers were said to be interested in Raji and he also reportedly received interest from the Carolina Panthers.

With free agency underway, it isn’t know just what interest teams had in Raji, but the former Packer threw a curve ball by saying he’s going to be taking a year off.

Raji made 18 tackles during the regular season, record a half of a sack and finished with six pressures.

Raji released a statement today that read:

I am taking a hiatus from the NFL and will not play during the 2016 NFL season. This decision was made [Read more…]

Packers not likely to use franchise tag on Crosby

March 1, 2016 By Bill Scott

Mason Crosby

The deadline for NFL teams to use their franchise-and-transition tags is three this (Tuesday) afternoon.

Mason Crosby is the only potential Green Bay Packers player to get tagged, as he’s about to enter free agency for the second time in his career.

If Crosby does receive a franchise tag, he would get a one-year deal worth nearly $4.6 million, giving the Packers more time to set up a long-term contract.

None of the other Packers free agents, including nose tackle B.J. Raji, cornerback Casey Hayward and linebacker Mike Neal, appear to be candidates for a tag. [Read more…]

Report: Packers sign DT Letroy Guion to three-year deal

February 12, 2016 By Bill Scott

Letroy Guion

The Green Bay Packers have now secured two of their talented defensive lineman before the start of free agency.

After signing Mike Daniels to a four-year, $41 million extension during the season, an ESPN Report says the Packers signed defensive tackle Letroy Guion to a three-year deal worth $11.25 million.

The 28-year-old Guion missed the first three games of the 2015 season, serving a suspension as a result of an off-season arrest last February. Guion wound up pleading no contest to possession of marijuana and paid a $5,000 fine.

Those issues led to Guion playing last season on a one-year deal worth $2.75 million. Following his suspension, Guion played in every game for the Packers last season, including the playoffs.

Guion finished the regular season with 21 tackles, but he failed to record a sack.

B.J. Raji, the Packers started nose tackle last season, is set to become a free agent in March.

Packers injury picture improving

October 17, 2015 By Bill Scott

Mike McCarthy

Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy is optimistic wide receiver Davante Adams and safety Morgan Burnett may be able to play tomorrow when the Packers host the San Diego Chargers at Lambeau Field (3:25 pm).

Although he had to be helped off the field last Sunday in a game against the Rams, guard T.J. Lang says he’s ready to start the next game.

Nose guard B.J. Raji, cornerback LaDarius Gunter and linebacker Nick Perry are listed as doubtful for the game against the Chargers.

Matthews fined

Packers linebacker Clay Matthews was fined $17,363 by the N-F-L for his first quarter hit on St. Louis Rams quarterback Nick Foles last Sunday. The fine is for a first-time offense for roughing the passer. Matthews had a previous fine against Foles while the quarterback played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, but it was rescinded. Matthews wasn’t penalized for the hit in Sunday’s game but Rams coach Jeff Fisher complained that he should have.

Packers win, but the streak is over

October 11, 2015 By Bill Scott

Aaron Rodgers: UPI/Bill Greenblatt

The Green Bay Packers went head-to-head with one of the top defensive fronts in the NFL and won, pulling out a 24-10 victory over the St. Louis Rams at Lambeau Field.

The Packers defense gave up 159 rushing yards to Todd Gurley, but they held Nick Foles to just 141 yards passing, completing just 11 of 30 passes. Foles was held to one touchdown and the Packers secondary picked him off four times.

Two of those interceptions came from rookie Quinten Rollins, the first of which was returned 45 yards for a touchdown, giving the Packers a 14-0 lead.

The defense continues to stand out, sacking Foles three times, but getting 12 more hits on the [Read more…]

Packers sign second round pick

May 12, 2015 By Bill Scott

Quinten Rollins

The Green Bay Packers now have three-quarters of their 2015 Draft Class under contract after second-round pick Quinten Rollins signed a four-year deal with the team on Monday.

The Packers still have to get deals done with top pick Damarious Randall and 3rd round pick, wide receiver Ty Montgomery.

The Packers also signed Central Michigan offensive lineman Andy Phillips after he took part in the rookie orientation camp last weekend on a tryout basis..

Luther Robinson

The Packers released defensive lineman Luther Robinson, who had two tackles in five regular-season games last season.

With veterans B.J. Raji and Letroy Guion back for another season and the team selected Louisiana Lafayette defensive lineman Christian Ringo in the sixth round of this year’s NFL Draft, Robinson became dispensable.

Packers announce Guion & Raji signings

March 31, 2015 By Bill Scott

Ted Thompson

The Green Bay Packers today re-signed DT Letroy Guion and DT B.J. Raji today. General Manager Ted Thompson announced the signings.

Guion started all 16 games for the Packers this past season, registering career highs with 62 tackles and 3 1/2 sacks during the 2014 regular season while recording 12 tackles and a half-sack in the postseason.

Guion was arrested following the season on felony drug and weapons charges but had those charges dismissed recently.

Raji missed the entire 2014 season after suffering an injury during the third preseason game and was placed on injured reserve. Prior to last year he played in 14 or more games in each of his first five seasons, including starting all 16 games three times. He had surgery following the biceps injury and will be ready for the start of training camp.

Raji was named to the Pro Bowl in 2011, becoming the first Green Bay defensive tackle to be selected to the all-star game since Bob Brown in 1972.

Packers sign Guion to 1-year deal, Raji agrees to deal

March 30, 2015 By Bill Scott

B.J. Raji

The Green Bay Packers liked what they got from Letroy Guion so much that they’re willing to give the defensive tackle a second chance.

The Packers signed Guion to a one-year contract, a deal first reported by ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky.

Guion was arrested back in February on felony marijuana and firearm possession charges, but they were dismissed after he paid a $5,000.00 fine.

Guion could still face discipline from the National Football League. The [Read more…]

Packers release Lyerla

August 27, 2014 By Bill Scott

Colt Lyerla

The Green Bay Packers changed their minds on rookie TE Colt Lyerla. Instead of keeping him on season ending injured reserve, the Packers waived Lyerla, reaching an injury settlement that covers the first eight weeks of the regular season.

After eight weeks, Lyerla could sign with any other NFL team. He wouldn’t be allowed to resign with the Packers until after the 14th week of the season.

Lyerla tore his MCL and PCL trying to hurdle a Packers defender during the team’s Family Night practice on August 2.

Packers reach 75 player limit

The Packers reached the NFL’s 75-player limit yesterday by placing six players on injured reserve. Among the six is defensive lineman B.J. Raji who tore his right biceps in Friday’s 31-21 win over Oakland.

The Packers also placed Jared Abbrederis, Don Barclay, Andrew Tiller, Rajion Neal and Joe Thomas on I.R.

None of the six were designated as the team’s player to return from injured reserve. The Packers will have to make their final cuts, getting down to 53 players by 3pm Saturday.

Raji with torn bicep, out for the season

August 23, 2014 By Bill Scott

B.J. Raji rushes against J.C. Tretter in Training Camp practice.

If the Green Bay Packers are going to repeat as NFC North Division champions, they’re going to have to do it without nose tackle B.J. Raji.

The Packers haven’t made any official announcement but a source indicates that Raji did suffer the injury early in Friday night’s 31-21 win over the Oakland Raiders in exhibition play. NFL.com initially reported Raji was believed to have torn his biceps.

The Packers re-signed Raji in the off-season for one-year at $4 million. Prior to last night’s injury, Raji had been having a very good training camp, getting back into the swing of things at the nose after playing end a lot last season.

In the short-term, the Packers look to second-year nose tackle Josh Boyd, free-agent Letroy Guion and undrafted rookie Mike Pennel, who has had a good training camp, pushing for a spot on the roster.

Guion has missed the entire training camp with a hamstring injury and was projected to open the season on the P.U.P. list. Raji’s injury could however force the Packers to bring Guion along sooner.

Veteran Ryan Pickett is still available as well. He turns 35 in October and said he still wants to play and would love to come back to Green Bay.