Free agent defensive lineman Johnny Jolly has medical clearance to resume his football career, according to his agent. Now the question is whether the Green Bay Packers or anyone else will sign him.
Jolly’s agent, Jack Bechta, told Press-Gazette Media on Friday his client has been cleared by his doctors from his C-5/C-6 spinal fusion surgery and is just waiting for a call.
If history tells us anything, it’s that the Packers probably won’t be calling. Coach Mike McCarthy has said the door isn’t closed on Jolly’s return. Earlier in the offseason, it was suggested that the Packers were just waiting to see if Jolly would be medically cleared before making a decision on whether to re-sign him.
But Jolly suffered a neck injury that ended his 2013 season after the Dallas game. He then had spinal fusion surgery. The only guy the Packers have brought back after an injury similar to that is safety Sean Richardson, who was hurt in 2012 and missed the first part of last season.
Richardson didn’t have any problems, but that doesn’t really mean anything for Jolly.
Even though he was the heart and soul of the Packers defense in 2013, the Packers offseason moves suggest they’ve moved on. They signed two defensive linemen as free agents — Julius Peppers and Letroy Guion — and drafted another in the third round — Khyri Thornton.
Every sign seems to point to youngsters Mike Daniels and Datone Jones taking over as starters, as well.
In other words, Jolly would have to fight for a roster spot even if he were re-signed.
We’d still like to see the Packers make the move. Jolly brings something to the team few others do and frankly, what do they have to lose if there’s no risk of further injury?
We have our doubts it will happen, though.
12 Comments
Recent Posts
I think that he would add a lot of experience and depth at a position where we need it. Leadership as well. I am rooting for the guy! GO PACK!
If we re-sign him I’d feel a lot better about our chances of returning to the promised land. Finding quality D Linemen is the toughest position to fill.
I hope they bring him back. Intangibles count. Plus he could help Lyerla with his addiction recovery.
Addiction recovery? First I’ve heard of this. Theres no reason to make shit up just because he got caught with something.
I hope they resign him and release that fat fuck bj raji
I think they don’t want to sign him because he will be hard to cut if he beats out some of their drafted linemen. TT has never liked to cut draft choices and prove he was wrong in taking them. What else do they have for a reason??
I would like to see Worthy and Boyd get the touches, not to mention Thornton. So, I am ambivalent about bringing the Purp Drink back.
On the plus side, the Packers do have a roster spot since they cut Franklin.
If Jolly’s healthy I would take him over Worthy any day, but with Thompson’s “I can never be wrong about a high draft pick” syndrome in addition with the age difference we all know that it will never happen.
Richardson had to start the year on the PUP list even though the injury happened the previous season. If Jolly’s injury was similar to Richardson’s I do not see how you sign a player and then hold him out for half the season. Maybe if there are injuries during the season you could sign Jolly if he is not playing elsewhere.
Twenty bucks hes in Viking camp by Mid August. The ship has sailed in Green Bay.
Jolly stands a better chance of staying on the straight and narrow in Houston than he does with the criminal element in Minnesota on the Vikings.
OMG, the Vikings have lead the league in arrests since 2000, with 40 arrests. I think the coaching staff includes a parole officer.