packers11
08-27-2007, 11:13 PM
Jolly tackles issues on and off the field
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 27, 2007
Green Bay - When camp began it appeared there wasn't a bigger long shot to become an opening day starter for the Green Bay Packers than defensive tackle Johnny Jolly.
Overweight and unable to finish the fitness test all players are required to take before the start of camp, Jolly had to sit out four practices, along with fellow defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, in order to improve his conditioning.
All along, however, the coaches knew there was a reason Jolly fell behind in his workouts and they weren't down on him about it. And almost as quickly as he passed his conditioning test, Jolly was zipping up the depth chart, so far that he might supplant veteran Corey Williams at the starting right tackle position.
"There's a chance Johnny Jolly may run out of the tunnel as a starter on opening day, that's what I think of him," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's a tough guy, a very instinctive player for a defensive tackle. He intercepted that screen (pass) the other day in practice. My God, that was an impressive play. So, I cannot be more pleased with him."
From outside the building, Jolly looked like a slacker when he was unable to finish the run test, but the truth of the matter was that after returning home from off-season workouts, a close member of his family was shot to death. The woman, Jolly's god-sister, left behind young twins in whom the Packers' second-year pro had been taking a strong interest in helping raise.
McCarthy, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn and assistant special teams coach Shawn Slocum flew to Baton Rouge, La., to attend the funeral.
"He went home and had a lot of things he had to deal with," Nunn said. "That's part of it; you have to learn to deal with it and still take care of your job. He got behind a little bit, but it didn't take him any time to get back in shape. You're seeing the gains he made in the off-season. You can see it out there. I'm excited about Johnny Jolly."
It was because Jolly had attended all of the team's off-season workouts that he was able to bounce back so quickly. A year earlier, Jolly was downgraded coming out of Texas A&M because of a bad ankle, which some thought might require surgery.
The Packers thought he was a steal in the sixth round and after one practice were sure of it.
"I remember the first minicamp Robert Nunn saying this guy might be starting by opening day," McCarthy said. "They were raving about him. Then he got this injury and that injury. He just has to get over that injury thing."
The ankle bothered Jolly almost all of last season, but at the end of the year an opportunity was created when Cullen Jenkins moved to end, and Jolly proved ready for it. Playing as a backup behind Williams and Pickett, Jolly saw action in the last four games, and flashed some of the ability that he had displayed in college.
At 6 feet 3 inches and 312 pounds, Jolly possesses a good combination of speed and size. His strength leaves something to be desired at this point, but one thing that has been clear during camp is that he can be a disruptive player either by penetrating the backfield or getting his hands up to deflect passes.
He isn't someone you necessarily want on the field against 340-pound guards, but he does offer the athleticism the Packers want inside. So far, his biggest plays have come in practice, but when you break down tape of the exhibition games, you see someone active in the middle.
According to Nunn, Jolly's best games in college came against teams like Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas. His worst games came against the weaker teams in the Big 12. When the regular season starts, the Packers expect to see him take a major step forward.
"He is athletic," Nunn said. "Johnny Jolly is a football player. He loves to play. It doesn't take much to push his hot button out there. It gets pushed quick, and he'll bite somebody. He's fun to coach and fun to watch."
The exhibition finale Thursday night against Tennessee will be Jolly's last chance to prove he deserves to start ahead of Williams. After every exhibition game, Williams has lined up the next day in practice with the No. 1s, but even he knows nothing is set in stone.
The way things were done last year, the Packers started either Williams, Jenkins or Colin Cole based on the opponent and they plan to do the same with Williams, Jolly, Cole and rookie Justin Harrell this season. Jolly has the potential to be the most complete player of the group, which is why he's being considered for a starting spot.
"When we see certain things and breaking tape down we may want a match-up with a bigger guy, a quicker guy, a more athletic guy," Nunn said. "We have the luxury of throwing different combinations out there.
"As far as starters, who knows? I don't know, but I'm not really concerned about it. I think we have a healthy situation in there."
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
tsilverstein@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 27, 2007
Green Bay - When camp began it appeared there wasn't a bigger long shot to become an opening day starter for the Green Bay Packers than defensive tackle Johnny Jolly.
Overweight and unable to finish the fitness test all players are required to take before the start of camp, Jolly had to sit out four practices, along with fellow defensive tackle Ryan Pickett, in order to improve his conditioning.
All along, however, the coaches knew there was a reason Jolly fell behind in his workouts and they weren't down on him about it. And almost as quickly as he passed his conditioning test, Jolly was zipping up the depth chart, so far that he might supplant veteran Corey Williams at the starting right tackle position.
"There's a chance Johnny Jolly may run out of the tunnel as a starter on opening day, that's what I think of him," coach Mike McCarthy said. "He's a tough guy, a very instinctive player for a defensive tackle. He intercepted that screen (pass) the other day in practice. My God, that was an impressive play. So, I cannot be more pleased with him."
From outside the building, Jolly looked like a slacker when he was unable to finish the run test, but the truth of the matter was that after returning home from off-season workouts, a close member of his family was shot to death. The woman, Jolly's god-sister, left behind young twins in whom the Packers' second-year pro had been taking a strong interest in helping raise.
McCarthy, defensive tackles coach Robert Nunn and assistant special teams coach Shawn Slocum flew to Baton Rouge, La., to attend the funeral.
"He went home and had a lot of things he had to deal with," Nunn said. "That's part of it; you have to learn to deal with it and still take care of your job. He got behind a little bit, but it didn't take him any time to get back in shape. You're seeing the gains he made in the off-season. You can see it out there. I'm excited about Johnny Jolly."
It was because Jolly had attended all of the team's off-season workouts that he was able to bounce back so quickly. A year earlier, Jolly was downgraded coming out of Texas A&M because of a bad ankle, which some thought might require surgery.
The Packers thought he was a steal in the sixth round and after one practice were sure of it.
"I remember the first minicamp Robert Nunn saying this guy might be starting by opening day," McCarthy said. "They were raving about him. Then he got this injury and that injury. He just has to get over that injury thing."
The ankle bothered Jolly almost all of last season, but at the end of the year an opportunity was created when Cullen Jenkins moved to end, and Jolly proved ready for it. Playing as a backup behind Williams and Pickett, Jolly saw action in the last four games, and flashed some of the ability that he had displayed in college.
At 6 feet 3 inches and 312 pounds, Jolly possesses a good combination of speed and size. His strength leaves something to be desired at this point, but one thing that has been clear during camp is that he can be a disruptive player either by penetrating the backfield or getting his hands up to deflect passes.
He isn't someone you necessarily want on the field against 340-pound guards, but he does offer the athleticism the Packers want inside. So far, his biggest plays have come in practice, but when you break down tape of the exhibition games, you see someone active in the middle.
According to Nunn, Jolly's best games in college came against teams like Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas. His worst games came against the weaker teams in the Big 12. When the regular season starts, the Packers expect to see him take a major step forward.
"He is athletic," Nunn said. "Johnny Jolly is a football player. He loves to play. It doesn't take much to push his hot button out there. It gets pushed quick, and he'll bite somebody. He's fun to coach and fun to watch."
The exhibition finale Thursday night against Tennessee will be Jolly's last chance to prove he deserves to start ahead of Williams. After every exhibition game, Williams has lined up the next day in practice with the No. 1s, but even he knows nothing is set in stone.
The way things were done last year, the Packers started either Williams, Jenkins or Colin Cole based on the opponent and they plan to do the same with Williams, Jolly, Cole and rookie Justin Harrell this season. Jolly has the potential to be the most complete player of the group, which is why he's being considered for a starting spot.
"When we see certain things and breaking tape down we may want a match-up with a bigger guy, a quicker guy, a more athletic guy," Nunn said. "We have the luxury of throwing different combinations out there.
"As far as starters, who knows? I don't know, but I'm not really concerned about it. I think we have a healthy situation in there."