Packers in Day 5 of training camp without top-draft choice Raji

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The Green Bay Packers are going into their fifth day of training camp without their top draft choice.

Defensive tackle B.J. Raji, the ninth overall pick in April, remains unsigned while both he and the Packers wait to see what the eighth-12th picks end up getting.

None have signed yet. And there are reports that the player drafted right after Raji – receiver Michael Crabtree – is trying to get San Francisco to give him the same pay as a No. 5 pick.

Crabtree was projected by many to be the top overall selection, but a foot injury dropped him down.

And if Crabtree gets bigger money, the draft picks around him will want the same.

The Packers have not given Raji an ultimatum to get to camp, and general manager Ted Thompson does not seem too worried, at least publicly.

He said all the teams are trying to do the right thing and everybody will get things worked out.

The No. 7 pick, Oakland receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, might have caused the entire Top 10 to be in line for more money, when the Raiders gave him a 20 percent increase in his signing bonus.

Meanwhile, there were three fights at last night’s Packer practice. They were the first ones this year.

Coach Mike McCarthy hinted it might be a positive sign, since there were no camp fights last year and the Packers went 6-10.

Tags: wi sports, training camp, bj raji, packers