Green Bay - Ryan Pickett would shift back to nose tackle and B.J. Raji would move into even more of a play-making role in the reconfigured base defense that the Green Bay Packers are contemplating employing this season.

At the same time, Mike Neal would line up at strong-side defensive end in the new deployment.

"I love it," Raji said Tuesday. "The coaches are giving it a shot. It's our job, particularly me and 'Pick,' to prove them right. We've done a good job at practice."

The Packers' two most common alignments in their base 3-4 front are:

Okie, in which both ends play a 5-technique head-up over the tackles while the nose tackle is head-up on the center.

Eagle, in which the end to the strong (tight end) side is head-up on the tackle in a 5-technique, the nose tackle is in a shaded position just off the strong-side shoulder of the center, and the weak-side end is in a 3-technique position on the outside shoulder of the guard.

Last year, on the approximately 25% of the defensive snaps when the Packers were in the 3-4, they played far more Eagle than Okie. Usually, Pickett was the 5-technique on the left side, Raji was the shaded nose tackle and either Cullen Jenkins or Howard Green was the 3-technique on the right side.

In the new setup, the 340-pound Pickett would be back at nose tackle, where he started from 2006-'09 and probably is most effective, and Raji would have more freedom as a one-gap player in the spot previously occupied by Jenkins.

"I feel, and the coaches feel, that with my ability I should be able to give a lot of guards fits," Raji said. "Cullen will be a tough guy to replace. I'm very optimistic about my future. Hopefully, I can display more of my skills."

All three defensive linemen can't get into position until the offense leaves the huddle and the strength of the formation can be declared. Raji said defensive coordinator Dom Capers has called Eagle about the same number of times as Okie thus far in front of crowds numbering more than 2,500 fans night after night at Nitschke Field.

"Coach (Capers) wants to get a lot on film so they can evaluate and see where we are," Raji said. "Coach 'Trgo' (Mike Trgovac) talked it over with Dom. He felt some of the technique at the nose 'Pick' played the best going back two seasons."

Raji, who played 85% of the 1,259 defensive snaps in 20 games a year ago, basically lined up alongside Jenkins as 3-technique tackles in the nickel and dime defenses. Given the new version of the Eagle, he might be off the nose for good.

"In Okie, it's more read and react," Raji said. "I don't know which gap I have prior to the snap of the ball because I'm two-gapping. But in the Eagle, I know which gap I have. If I have the B gap, then I'm a one-gap player. As a 3-technique, coach (Capers) felt that was my strong suit."

Even though Raji weighs 340, the Packers think he can be even more disruptive playing against guards than over center.

"Boy, he's had a great camp," coach Mike McCarthy said. "The thing that's unique about B.J. is just his foot and hand speed, especially for his body type."

At nose tackle, Raji is required to use a flat stance with his feet almost parallel underneath him. At 3-technique, Raji said, "I have a little stagger with my stance like a traditional defensive lineman so I have some momentum going forward."

Counting playoffs, Raji tied Jenkins for the sack lead (71/2) and finished just behind his departed teammate in knockdowns (six) and hurries (191/2).

In the past, Capers has said that the read for the strong-side end in the Eagle is the guard, the read for the nose tackle is the center and the ball, and the read for the weak-side end is the guard, vision to the tackle and flow.

"I don't think a lot of guys that look at B.J. think he can move as well as he does," Neal said. "He can use his size and his ability to stop the run, but he can also use his speed and quickness."

Neal is the same height as suspended Johnny Jolly (6 feet 3 inches) but weighs 30 pounds less at 295 and isn't nearly as burly. Yet, the Packers think Neal has the strength to play what would be more of a sacrificial role on base downs before he gets to use his athleticism more on passing downs.

"If they're going to pay me to do it, then I've got to do it," Neal said. "I think I can get used to it. It's not a bad thing. I think I match up pretty good on an offensive tackle."

Neal played mostly 3-technique as a two-year starter at Purdue. He has no preference playing left or right side.

"Mike's done a great job with his body," McCarthy said. "He loves the weight room."

As for the 31-year-old Pickett, a move to nose tackle could resurrect his career. As nose, his diminished range isn't as noticeable and his block-eating qualities are more pronounced.

"I know he took one for the team playing end," Raji said. "But some techniques at the nose he does play better than me."

" 'Pick' just likes playing the run. Period," Neal said. "He can get his hands on people faster. He feels comfortable in there."

For the alignment to work, Neal's shoulders must hold up. He has had major surgery on each, most recently in October.

"Any time you have surgery you need time," Neal said. "But I wake up less sore every day. That's what you hope for."