Natural ability doesn't go away IMO. Jolly is a natural football player, the biggest question is about his physical shape. He's obviously not going to be in football shape when he reports to OTA's, so I imagine it will be rough early on. I expect he will survive to training camp though and hopefully by then he will be in a little better shape having spent 2 months in GB working with the team. As IC said, if he can be stout against the run and swat down some passes then he can be a useful guy in a rotation.
The other big question I have with him is his confidence. His confidence matched his immense physical ability in 2009 and he was a monster. Did that confidence come from the drugs? Is he going to be able to muster the same level of intensity and confidence drug free? I'm no expert on addicition or recovery, but if you're recovering/recovered from a pain killer addiction you can't have anything stronger than OTC pain relievers, correct? I thought that's what they said about Favre after he recovered. I'm sure that's going to be difficult for an interior DL.
The odds are certainly against him succeeding, but if he does succeed then it will pay off huge for this defense. He brought a level on intensity that no other player did in 2009. He's mean, he fights, and he gets the energy level of the whole defense up.
quote:Originally posted by fightphoe93:
Now it's an even longer shot.
Indeed, but let's look at what he needs to do
He already knows the defense, so it won't take much time in that endeavor
He already knows the team, the city and the organization
He has excellent coaches who believe in him
He has shown in the past that he can be a talented contributor, so we know he can do it as opposed to a rookie who is still a question mark in the NFL
It really just comes down to physical training- and he has 3 months to get in shape. June and July dedicated to getting ready for training camp, and August to get into football condition
Its not my area of expertise, but perhaps MN Cheese or others can chime in on what's possible in 3 months time
And while we lament the fact that he's been away so long, there is a small upside to that as well- no wear and tear on his body from thousands of collisions in the trenches. It's an uphill battle for sure, but its not impossible
The world is pulling for him, now its up to him and the coaches
The biggest thing will be if he retains his quickness. I think given this second chance, he'll be motivated to do well but if he still has the quickness is another matter. He could have exercised in the lockup to keep up his strength, but it's tough to simulate the quickness of the pro game.
Never a bad thing to have the 
on your side
on your side
What's that, IowaCheese, Al Pacino's character in "Da Hood's Version of The Devil's Advocate?"
quote:Originally posted by GBFanForLife:
What he just said
If that's part of our stretching routine, no wonder we can't stay healthy!
One things about the Packers' DL is that they haven't been as long in the middle. Now with Jones and possibly Jolly (if he can play) they get a lot longer. It makes it that much harder to complete those quick passes that hurt your underneath coverage.
quote:Originally posted by ChilliJon:
Jolly said he tipped the scales at 340 yesterday, about 10 lbs more than his playing weight.
2009 roster listed him at 320, not that its accurate.
Here is McGinn's report card on Jolly from 2009
Johnny Jolly: By far his best season. Under the expert tutelage of Mike Trgovac, Jolly became much more cognizant of gap control as a 3-4 DE than he had been as a 4-3 DT. A hard charger, Jolly resisted some of Trgovac's attempts to rest him and ended up leading the D-line with 835 snaps (78.9%). He was third on the unit in tackles per snap. Jolly wore down late in the season, especially as a pass rusher, and finished with merely 12 pressures. To compensate, he stood at the line and batted down a club-record 11 passes. Jolly also had four turnover-producing plays, most by a D-lineman since Aaron Kampman had four in '06. Now the team will await a disposition of Jolly's felony drug charges in Houston before proceeding with contract negotiations. Grade: B
.
Raji, Pickett, Jones and Neal (I consider him a DL) are locks to make the 53. That leaves Jolly to compete with Wilson, Daniels, Boyd and a bunch of free agents for most likely 2 spots. It won't be easy, but it's hardly a daunting task.
quote:Packers: Why the love for Johnny Jolly?
espn/nfcnorthblog.com
So I wanted to know: What makes Johnny Jolly so special to the Packers?
From what I can tell, Jolly's low-key but direct personality appeals to McCarthy's Pittsburgh roots and has spurred him to extend every opportunity he can.
"The thing I've always appreciated about Johnny," McCarthy said, "and don't get me wrong because he's obviously a good football player, he was a starter for us and had his best year here his last year. But I always loved his toughness and passion. He has that 'it' when it comes to being a good teammate.
"He was respected in the locker room. He is different than most guys. Comes from a tough background and a tough upbringing, but you always knew where you stood with Johnny. I like direct people. I like the personality where there is no BS and you know where you stand. I always felt that he was an element that fit into our locker room and our culture. There are a lot of good people and good fits that don't fit in certain places. But he was good for us.
"We committed to him as a draft pick [in 2006] and I felt that it was just real important for us to keep our eyes wide open and watch and support him from afar. He got the first part done [court-ordered treatment], but the second part, this is a whole different challenge for him."
To be sure, McCarthy made no commitment on Jolly's future after watching Tuesday's practice. Jolly looked heavier than his listed weight and was held to a predetermined limit of repetitions. But it's clear that the most influential people in the Packers' hierarchy have at least an open mind on -- and in some cases are openly rooting for -- what would be a remarkable comeback.
"If anyone can do it," McCarthy said, "it's him."
"This is a tough way to make a living and he's got hills to climb. I'm just trying to make sure he has the tools to make that climb."
That explains the "why." It's up to Jolly answer the remaining questions. continue
quote:Originally posted by heyward:
Raji, Pickett, Jones and Neal (I consider him a DL) are locks to make the 53. That leaves Jolly to compete with Wilson, Daniels, Boyd and a bunch of free agents for most likely 2 spots. It won't be easy, but it's hardly a daunting task.
I'd call Daniels a lock as well... I think his future is bright.
Let the best man win.
The last few are marginal and unproven. Hopefully one of them makes this a non-discussion.
The last few are marginal and unproven. Hopefully one of them makes this a non-discussion.
Could putting Worthy on the IR list open up another spot?
I guess when the pads go on we'll see about JJ but I do agree with McCarthy Jolly liked to play football and he reveled in the physical side of the game, this bodes well for GB if as Grave Digger points out he hasn't lost too much of his quickness. He obviously has a few cheeseburgers to get rid of but big guys can drop a lot of "jiggle" in a hurry if they are disciplined
Pack88
Pack88
Worthy is almost certainly PUP for the start of the season. Maybe he can make the 53 mid-season, but that will probably depend on who is still standing at the time. Age does make a difference with Jolly. The older you get, the harder it is to get back in shape just like the harder it is to heal from injuries. It helps that he hasn't been getting all banged up by being out so long, but that may not help getting back into shape and getting back that edge we saw in 2009. It would be a great story if he does come back, and GB really needs the 2009 Johnny Jolly. There are guys who played his position into their mid-30s, and maybe he's one of those guys. I'll bet just being in camp is something that puts a sparkle in his eye and fire in his belly.
I wonder if Pickett makes the team if Boyd can be as effective at a lower cost. Pickett is starting to drop off some with age anyway. And I do think Worthy will be on IR this season. Will be interesting to see what happens.
Pickett is going to be there at least one more year.
I'd love to believe that Jolly can get it back this year, and play like he did in 2009. But I'm thinking he'll be IRed at the end of camp and they'll work to get him back in 2014. It's a lot to ask to a guy to play at an NFL level after 3 years off. We'll see, but I think it's best to keep expectations low. It'd be huge though, if we got the 2009 Jolly back, as he may have been our top all-round linemen back in 2009.
I'm hoping Pickett can give us one more solid year.
Jolly, not expecting anything. Anything he gives us is a huge bonus in the D-Line rotation.
Jolly, not expecting anything. Anything he gives us is a huge bonus in the D-Line rotation.
What Coach and Boris said.
quote:Originally posted by heyward:
Raji, Pickett, Jones and Neal (I consider him a DL) are locks to make the 53. That leaves Jolly to compete with Wilson, Daniels, Boyd and a bunch of free agents for most likely 2 spots. It won't be easy, but it's hardly a daunting task.
That's it in a nut shell.
Locks:
Pickett
Raji
Datone
Neal
Pick 2 :
Jolly
Wilson
Daniels
Boyd
free agents
If Jolly can be close to his old self, he's got a good shot. Doesn't hurt that Trgo and MM are really pulling for him.
If Jolly gets back to his old self he is a lock. But he won't so his fate depends on how close he can get to that.
He's still got to make it to training camp too. Hope he doesn't find any trouble during the five weeks away from the team.
If you're referring to a relapse, I'm not worried about that. I think he finally gets it. If you are referring to his football shape and conditioning, that's a different bag of donuts. Although I think I read a comment on one of the minicamp reports that MM has a workout regimen set up for him. Even if he doesn't, if he does really "get it", I see him doing everything he can to be ready for TC. My lips to god's ears.
quote:MM has a workout regimen set up for him
As long as its not MM's workout regimen.
Three year older legs. We can't expect him to block quite as many passes.
Can play offensive line in his sleep.
Wow. Now the coach is fat again. The Packers should just fold, it isn't worth it.
Wilde with an lengthy article on Jolly.
http://www.espnmilwaukee.com/c...d=8361&is_corp=1
I think he will make the squad. His impact on the team is obvious from the players' quotes and it sounds as if he is getting his life back together.
Ok, if Jolly makes the roster, who doesn't? OTOH, maybe they keep 7 DL. CJ Wilson seems to be showing stuff this year - but it is still early. Until now he hasn't been as impact-full as I thought he might be. He certainly was an impact player in college. In the pros he has been steady and durable. A lot to be said for that. But when we needed a push from our DL it hasn't come from him if it came at all from the DL. Maybe this is the year we cut "steady and durable" for the hope of something more in Jolly.
I'm wondering if the experimentation of Neal at OLB will create the roster spot. Jolly was/is a solid run defender and pressured the pocket. Jolly was better than Neal ever has been in that regard. Add in the intangibles and if he's anywhere near 2009 form he's a lock. There are still a lot of scrubs in the LB corp, Neal may bump a LB.
I hate to say it, but preseason injuries to some create roster spots for others.
That was a good article. I hope Jolly is able to come back.
On a related note, I still think his punishment was a lot harsher that other NFL players whose crimes were more egregious. I wonder what the hidden story is?
His ability to bat down passes was uncanny. Packers have not had that since he was suspended. I hope he can get that part of his game back.
