Nose tackle B.J. Raji is in Honolulu this week preparing for his first Pro Bowl appearance. He's one of seven Packers selected for the NFC squad.
On Friday, packers.com caught up with Raji, and he sends this "postcard" from Hawaii.
I'm just keeping it real simple this week, a lot of hanging out by the beach and the hotel pool. Nothing too exotic – no hula lessons or anything, for those wondering about my dancing. Just trying to enjoy myself.
This trip helps to give us some distance from the end of our season. I'm the type of person that doesn't ever really get over losses. You just learn to move on, and that's what I think I've done. We're two weeks removed from that big letdown, so I've put that in the back of my mind.
When you come out here and see guys that you've watched play football growing up, you're definitely humbled and you're grateful that you have this opportunity. So I've tried to move on and not dwell on the fact that we lost that playoff game at home.
It's been fun getting to know some of the other NFC guys. Jay Ratliff (from Dallas) and I hit it off. We play the same position, so we can relate to some of the same issues and blocking schemes.
I've also talked to Julius Peppers (from Chicago) a bunch. He was coached in Carolina by the same coach I have now, Mike Trgovac, so we've been getting to know each other. I figure it can't hurt. He's made seven Pro Bowls in 10 years, so I would assume he has some knowledge and he's doing something right. I'm trying to soak up all the information I can, and it's a privilege to be here, obviously.
As far as the game on Sunday, most guys say the first half is pretty light, and in the second half people try to get after it. It's my first time so I'm not too sure, and I guess we'll have to see.
To see Thursday's postcard from WR coach Edgar Bennett, click here.
