The Jolly Conundrum
Written by John Rehor Saturday, 27 February 2010 09:50
Last season was a transition year for the Green Bay Packers. Even more than the 2008 season, 2009 was a season of change. We had a new special teams coordinator in Shawn Slocum. We had a commitment from Mike McCarthy that there was going to be stability on the offensive line.
But the most important change was in the defense. The Packers were abandoning the 4-3 defense and adopting the 3-4, with Dom Capers running the D. The main focus was going to be pressure, pressure, pressure from the linebackers, with the defensive line becoming players who would take up blockers, rather than force pressure as in the previous scheme.
A great thing happened along the way; Johnny Jolly emerged as a very good 3-4 defensive end. And that's where a big question mark now lies.
Steady Growth
Jolly first came on the scene in 2006, playing in six games total. But by 2007, he was part of the tackle rotation (Jolly, Jenkins, Pickett, Harrell, Colin Cole) that allowed the defensive line constant fresh players. They were a part of the reason for the success of the season and the visit to the NFC Championship game. In 2008, growth continued and resulted in a career high 82 tackles. Jolly's career seemed to be on the up and up. In 2009, Jolly was moved to defensive end as the 3-4 transition took place. The potential for a large learning curve in adopting the 3-4 was erased as the Packers wound up with the number 2 overall defense. The linebackers made plays, and the defensive line stopped almost every running back that attempted to run into the line. Jolly's performance in 2009 was superb. 75 tackles, one sack, one interception, 2 fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and 11 pass defenses. Not bad for a first year starter in a new defense in a new position. Did I mention this was the final year of his contract?
Trouble in Texas
The 2008 season began with Jolly's arrest in Texas for felony possession of codeine. Obviously, not the way to start the preseason, with a starter on defense facing jail time. The thought of Jolly off the team in 2008 was met with trepidation. After all, the Packers did have Justin Harrell on the roster. The first round pick was going to "get his shot." Wrong. Harrell played a total of 6 games, starting the season on the PUP list, and ending the season inactive. Jolly had his best season. No issues, other than the Packers going 6-10.
2009 started with the change to the 3-4 defense, and Jolly was facing charges in the 2008 arrest. Once again, question marks surrounded the future of Jolly. Justin Harrell was coming back from offseason surgery, so even if Jolly was not able to play due to the NFL conduct policy or sitting in a jail cell, the defensive line would be ok. Luckily, the charges were eventually dropped, and Jolly went on to have his most productive season. Harrell would up on injured reserve in the preseason, never playing a down in 2009.
Now its 2010. Harrell is rehabbing (again) and Jolly has a pretrial hearing scheduled for March 8 for new charges stemming from the 2008 arrest. Again, the Packers will head into the new season with questions at defensive line.
Everyone remembers Justin Harrell was a first round pick by Ted Thompson, right?
The Future
The Packers are coming off a successful season. An 11-5 record and return to the playoffs should be considered a comeback year after the disaster of 6-10 in 2008. They are also facing a difficult decision with Johnny Jolly. He is a restricted free agent who will probably receive a second round tender. There are a few factors which weigh into Jolly's future in Green Bay:
- Do the Packers not resign Jolly, as his arrest could bring a suspension from the league as it could constitute violation of the personal conduct policy?
- Do the Packers not resign Jolly, hoping another team will take a chance on Jolly, with the Packers receiving a (potential) second round pick. We know how Ted loves his draft picks.
- Do the Packers not resign Jolly and potentially plug (gasp) Justin Harrell into the starting lineup coming back from injury again? Again, Ted loves his picks, and Harrell was a first rounder.
- Do the Packers resign Jolly, hoping he will avoid suspension and jail for the 2010 season and build on the successes of 2008 and 2009? He is going to want a large payday (another Cledius Hunt?).
- Do the Packers resign Jolly, Harrell is finally healthy, and we have a solid rotation on the d-line again?
Ted Thompson is the mad scientist. Every year, by believing in "his" players and watching their development, the Packers compete and not by hitting free agency with an open checkbook. Only Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy truly know what the future holds for Johnny Jolly considering all the factors surrounding him. I would not want to be in their shoes this offseason.
