By Brad BiggsOlin Kreutz said B.J. Raji is getting far too much attention for a rookie with 10 games of experience after the Green Bay Packers nose tackle made it clear Thursday in comments to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he is stronger than the Bears' center.
"Is that his expertise after (10) games in the NFL?" Kreutz said after practice this afternoon in the Walter Payton Center.
"That is the great thing about the NFL," Kreutz added. "We'll find out on Sunday."
Was Kreutz surprised at Raji's remarks?
"No, that's the way young players are nowadays, they are all pretty much clowns,'' he said. "That's what he thinks. After 10 games, he probably thinks he is the strongest guy in the NFL.''
Raji said that Kreutz relied on quickness. The first-round draft pick
from Boston College could be making his first career start as Ryan
Pickett is iffy for the game with a pulled right hamstring.
"It's nothing physical, it's all technical," the 6-2, 337-pound Raji told the Milwaukee newspaper. "I'm stronger than the guy. I mean, that's not really talking (smack), he's just fast. That's not his game, really, strength. He's more trying to out leverage you, get around you. Once I get the feel of that then the game will come a lot easier.
"It's not going to take me a whole lot to get used to him moving. Football's football. He's not going to change the way he plays because there's a new nose on him. He's going to play the way he's been playing. So what I watch on film, it's probably going to help me out the most, really.''
Kreutz is always one to speak highly of the opponent, whether he believes it or not, but passed on a chance to assess Raji.
"Ah, you know, I would rather not compliment him now,'' Kreutz said. "I'm not going to talk about a rookie. This is too much attention for a rookie right here.''
Photo: Olin Kreutz against the Eagles this season. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune)
"It's nothing physical, it's all technical," the 6-2, 337-pound Raji told the Milwaukee newspaper. "I'm stronger than the guy. I mean, that's not really talking (smack), he's just fast. That's not his game, really, strength. He's more trying to out leverage you, get around you. Once I get the feel of that then the game will come a lot easier.
"It's not going to take me a whole lot to get used to him moving. Football's football. He's not going to change the way he plays because there's a new nose on him. He's going to play the way he's been playing. So what I watch on film, it's probably going to help me out the most, really.''
Kreutz is always one to speak highly of the opponent, whether he believes it or not, but passed on a chance to assess Raji.
"Ah, you know, I would rather not compliment him now,'' Kreutz said. "I'm not going to talk about a rookie. This is too much attention for a rookie right here.''
Photo: Olin Kreutz against the Eagles this season. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune)
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if every editor wrote like you believe me the world would be a better place! this was an excellent read expecting more!
SLO JIM, I you to do the same with B.J., and he will wipp yours, as well.
Kreutz sucks
All I know is, nobody would be talking smack to Olin's face. The two guys who did got broken jaws. Kreutz is a bad man.
Bear down OLIN!
I dare any of you mouths to go in a wrestling room with Olin. He will wipp all your asses
kruetz = 4 bad exchanges and 2 fumbles in this game
Olin should just be quiet himself. He's overrated and washed up. Has been for years.
Olin is one of if not the most respected active player on the Bears, the entire team will be out for blood. Thank You BJ might be just what we needed.
P.S. if my initials were "BJ" I would use my whole name!!!
Raji was stupid in saying what he said, but he is a rookie, what is Kreutz's reason for making stupid statements?
Kreutz just needs to shut up, I mean HELLO the team is 5-7 goofball.
If you are so mad then maybe you shouldn't be letting your QB get murdered behind you.. or how about this, try preacticing your snaps to Jay so we do not have a repeat of fumblitis on the goal line... what a buffoon
F you Raji, haven't even started one game yet, only talking
smack cause you're team is doing good
Vegas has the Pack only 3 pt favs, trap game coming short week at Chicago who always plays the Pack tough even in their worse seasons, Raji & Fudgies going down like Cicero
prostitutes
I don't understand what Kreutz is so upset about. There was no trash talking from Raji, just a frank assessment on Kreutz's style of play. He's undersized. Period. So he uses technique and quickness to his advantage instead of brute force. What's the big deal?
I don't understand what Kreutz is so upset about. There was no trash talking from Raji, just a frank assessment on Kreutz's style of play. He's undersized. Period. So he uses technique and quickness to his advantage instead of brute force. What's the big deal?
Time for Olin to put up or pack his bags and head out of town. If this "clown" rookie wins the battle at the line, what can the future hold in store for Olin?
Raji will most likely have a pretty good game against Kruetz. The Bears are over-matched at just about every position.