You know the story of Johnny Jolly. He had his best season for the Green Bay Packers in 2009 and then got suspended by the league for violating the substance abuse policy, arrested multiple times for codeine possession, spent time in the slammer and then reappeared a new man with another chance this offseason.
Jolly is thankful he’s been given that chance.
“I’m so happy. I mean, I don’t know many guys that get a second chance. But a second chance back to the same team that you were drafted to? Man, that’s a blessing from God. The whole time I was suspended, I had faith I would be back in this position, and I just kept trying to do the right thing. Not saying it was perfect, the way I’ve done it, but I’ve done most of the right things and I’m back in this situation. I thank God for that.”
Jolly also told Jason Wilde he knows he let the team, among others, down.
“I let my team down before, I let my family down before, I let myself down before, and I’m just trying not to go back down that road,” Jolly said. “I’m just going to keep doing what I do. Practice hard, work hard. I’m one of 90 men (on the roster). I’m going to keep pushing to be here for the season.”
That attitude is quite a bit different than the last time Jolly was with the team. He seemed almost defiant at times, especially about his legal problems. Time in the clink will do that to a guy, though.
The question now is can Jolly make the team? He’s currently on a snap count in training camp because he’s been away from the game so long. It would be a hell of a story if Jolly did make the final roster and early reports have been positive.
“You can tell that he’s still working out some kinks, but at the same time you can tell that he’s still got it,” said Packers right guard T.J. Lang, who has been facing Jolly in practice. “I think he’s just trying to still work through all that to get back to where he was. It definitely looks like he’s on pace to do that. I like having him back in this locker room.”
We won’t really know what’s realistic until we see Jolly in action, but it would seem like he has a shot to at least make the defensive line rotation. Back in 2009, Jolly made his biggest impact by knocking down 10 passes. He also had an interception, two fumble recoveries and 39 tackles.
I hope this is a straight out of Hollywood type success story
+1
Great. Don’t blow it….
Thanks and gig ’em.
I have a good feeling about Mr. Jolly.
For me, this is just business. This guy is a dumb bubba par excellence. But he fills a position the Packers need (rather desperately). For that reason alone, I hope he meets with wild success.
No its a game and I wish him luck
It’s actually neither. But to say ‘this is just business’ is to say it is nothing personal.On a personal level Jolly is far from the brightest bulb, but we need this position. If he can play anything close to his 2009 form, he fills a needed role. And for that I will overlook my feeling about him as a person.
Many times,I simply salute the uniform alone (not the man). This is one of those instances.
Personally, i think he’s practically solely responsible for the DongSlinger’s victory at Lambeau. That 15 yard head butting penalty was just stupid and turned 3 into 7 and gave them all the momentum. That he was completely unapologetic afterwards “that’s the way I play” pissed me off to no end. So, yeah…I think I understand your opinion.
I don’t know how much of that was the thug/codeine mentality from before. If he’s truly turned the corner, and the quotes above are an indication that he has, I’m more than willing to revise my assessment of his mental capabilities.
Abe, I was thinking of that same play when I read this article. But, Hey, I’m all for second chances, and if he stays off the purple drank maybe we can get a couple of good years from him. I hope makes it.
We would have lost that game anyway. Not sure if you recall but our speial teams kept putting the Vikings at midfield or worse.
The defense needs to be more physical. I’d rather have a physical defense that takes an occasional 15 yarder than what we have seen the past couple of years.
Anyway, I think I have stated my position pretty clearly. I am not too fond of ghetto thugs and codeine feinds–but if someone like that helps our Packers win, I overlook all that.
I predict he makes it and contributes. He’s making the veteran league minimum so as long as there’s steady improvement, they’ll keep him and hope he rounds back into form.
Look for Johnny to be highly motivated. That 3 hours alone on the couch watching his teammates win the Super Bowl, followed by some good time in prison did something to him. If he’s still got it, as TJ Lang says he does, then our D-line could be very solid (when you think about Datone Jones in the mix). Throw Nick Perry in there and (if they stay healthy, and that’s a very big if) you have the makings of a seriously stout defense. Gig ’em Johnny.
It all depends if he can get in shape. Can he hold up over a whole season. One good indicator is he hasn’t been shy about getting into it with the O-linemen during drills. Apparently, like Datone Jones, he is ready to kill some motherfuckers. Hopefully that starts to sink in to the rest of the team.
“Apparently, like Datone Jones, he is ready to kill some motherfuckers.”
This pleases me.
not a huge CJ Wilson fan. it’s not terribly hard to envision Jolly beating him out.