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Jolly makes big push
Defensive tackle impresses in camp
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 6, 2007
Green Bay - It sure seemed that Robert Nunn was guilty of temerity when, a few days before the start of training camp, he made the rather startling observation that Johnny Jolly wasn't far off from being a starting-caliber player for the Green Bay Packers.
Today, the team's co-defensive line coach looks neither rash nor bold after Jolly's terrific performance in the first week of practice. On Monday, Jolly was rewarded with a berth at right defensive tackle on the No. 1 defense.
Jolly had a big scrimmage Saturday night and another good day in practice Monday afternoon. The Packers are five deep at the position and the rotation isn't even close to being settled, but Jolly's ascension isn't without significance, either.
Given that Ryan Pickett and Corey Williams return as solid starters, Justin Harrell was drafted in the first round and Colin Cole played 327 more snaps than Jolly in 2006, isn't it ridiculous to think that Jolly could be starting Sept. 9 against Philadelphia?
"That's not ridiculous at all," said Reggie McKenzie, the club's director of pro personnel.
Despite the fact that Harrell's name was listed No. 1 at right tackle on the camp-opening depth chart, Williams and Cole actually ran first string for most of the first nine practices and the intra-squad scrimmage. Jolly and Pickett were second string, with Harrell and rookie Daniel Muir third string.
Neither Jolly nor Pickett was allowed to practice until the fourth day of camp, one day after they passed a conditioning exercise that they flunked July 27.
Pickett did and still does look somewhat out of shape. Jolly's weight was fine and his conditioning seemed OK, but for some reason he fizzled on test day.
That's ancient history now. Pickett was back starting Monday alongside Jolly, with Williams and Cole No. 2 and Harrell and Muir still No. 3.
Barring a trade, five tackles are expected to make the 53-man roster. Barring injury, one of the five probably won't be active on game day.
"That's a strong position for us," McKenzie said. "To tell you the truth, in this situation the (exhibition) games will separate that. Just let them all battle."
On Saturday night, Jolly opened at right tackle for the No. 2 defense against the No. 1 offense. On three of the first four plays he flashed exactly the improved play that the coaches have been seeing daily.
Brandon Jackson's 2-yard gain on a draw play would have been more if Jolly hadn't shed the block by center Scott Wells to make the tackle.
Then, after Greg Jennings came down inside to make a 5-yard reception, Jolly showed outstanding hustle and charged back to help on the tackle.
On the next play, Noah Herron burst for 5 away from Jolly, who once more got off Wells to make the stop.
"Very active," McKenzie said. "He's not a situational guy. He is complete."
Having missed the first four practices, Jolly did have fresh legs when allowed to practice last Tuesday. But that can't begin to account for how well he has fared in the one-on-one pass rush drill.
In the span of a week, Jolly has taken 12 turns against a total of nine different offensive linemen. By subjective judgment, Jolly has beaten his man nine times, lost two and had one draw.
Now compare Jolly's production against his fellow competitors. Harrell owns a 4-10-5 record, followed by Muir (3-11-6), Pickett (1-3), Cole (1-6) and Williams (0-4-2).
Even end Cullen Jenkins, regarded as the team's best inside rusher, is just 4-7-1. And the majority of Jenkins' repetitions have come against the same people trying to block Jolly.
Jolly has displayed a new spin move, much like Jenkins'. He has the size (6 feet 3 inches, 325 pounds) to bull rush but also the skill to get on the edge of blockers.
"He's got quick feet and he's got quick hands," McKenzie said. "That's why he's pretty good there (rushing the passer)."
Jolly wasn't first on this watch list or that All-American team, nor was he even all-state as a prep in Houston. He made all-district three times, backed up nose tackle Ty Warren as a freshman at Texas A&M before starting the next three seasons (6½ sacks) and was drafted by Green Bay in the sixth round.
"I've never been on top," Jolly said. "I'm always the underdog, so I'll never stop fighting. I'm going to keep working until I get it (starting job). I mean, that's the only way to go. I'm trying to help my family."
McKenzie loves what he has seen of Jolly's energy level and temperament this summer. This Jolly is better than the Jolly of '06, he says.
"Good kid," McKenzie said. "Real good kid. Very likeable. I like his progress. He's more comfortable with his technique and his responsibilities. Without a doubt."
By next week, McKenzie acknowledged that teams will have looked at exhibition tape and some might inquire about the Packers' interest in dealing a defensive tackle.
"I'm sure other teams might come knocking," he said. "But I don't want to let any of those guys go."
Defensive tackle impresses in camp
By BOB McGINN
bmcginn@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Aug. 6, 2007
Green Bay - It sure seemed that Robert Nunn was guilty of temerity when, a few days before the start of training camp, he made the rather startling observation that Johnny Jolly wasn't far off from being a starting-caliber player for the Green Bay Packers.
Today, the team's co-defensive line coach looks neither rash nor bold after Jolly's terrific performance in the first week of practice. On Monday, Jolly was rewarded with a berth at right defensive tackle on the No. 1 defense.
Jolly had a big scrimmage Saturday night and another good day in practice Monday afternoon. The Packers are five deep at the position and the rotation isn't even close to being settled, but Jolly's ascension isn't without significance, either.
Given that Ryan Pickett and Corey Williams return as solid starters, Justin Harrell was drafted in the first round and Colin Cole played 327 more snaps than Jolly in 2006, isn't it ridiculous to think that Jolly could be starting Sept. 9 against Philadelphia?
"That's not ridiculous at all," said Reggie McKenzie, the club's director of pro personnel.
Despite the fact that Harrell's name was listed No. 1 at right tackle on the camp-opening depth chart, Williams and Cole actually ran first string for most of the first nine practices and the intra-squad scrimmage. Jolly and Pickett were second string, with Harrell and rookie Daniel Muir third string.
Neither Jolly nor Pickett was allowed to practice until the fourth day of camp, one day after they passed a conditioning exercise that they flunked July 27.
Pickett did and still does look somewhat out of shape. Jolly's weight was fine and his conditioning seemed OK, but for some reason he fizzled on test day.
That's ancient history now. Pickett was back starting Monday alongside Jolly, with Williams and Cole No. 2 and Harrell and Muir still No. 3.
Barring a trade, five tackles are expected to make the 53-man roster. Barring injury, one of the five probably won't be active on game day.
"That's a strong position for us," McKenzie said. "To tell you the truth, in this situation the (exhibition) games will separate that. Just let them all battle."
On Saturday night, Jolly opened at right tackle for the No. 2 defense against the No. 1 offense. On three of the first four plays he flashed exactly the improved play that the coaches have been seeing daily.
Brandon Jackson's 2-yard gain on a draw play would have been more if Jolly hadn't shed the block by center Scott Wells to make the tackle.
Then, after Greg Jennings came down inside to make a 5-yard reception, Jolly showed outstanding hustle and charged back to help on the tackle.
On the next play, Noah Herron burst for 5 away from Jolly, who once more got off Wells to make the stop.
"Very active," McKenzie said. "He's not a situational guy. He is complete."
Having missed the first four practices, Jolly did have fresh legs when allowed to practice last Tuesday. But that can't begin to account for how well he has fared in the one-on-one pass rush drill.
In the span of a week, Jolly has taken 12 turns against a total of nine different offensive linemen. By subjective judgment, Jolly has beaten his man nine times, lost two and had one draw.
Now compare Jolly's production against his fellow competitors. Harrell owns a 4-10-5 record, followed by Muir (3-11-6), Pickett (1-3), Cole (1-6) and Williams (0-4-2).
Even end Cullen Jenkins, regarded as the team's best inside rusher, is just 4-7-1. And the majority of Jenkins' repetitions have come against the same people trying to block Jolly.
Jolly has displayed a new spin move, much like Jenkins'. He has the size (6 feet 3 inches, 325 pounds) to bull rush but also the skill to get on the edge of blockers.
"He's got quick feet and he's got quick hands," McKenzie said. "That's why he's pretty good there (rushing the passer)."
Jolly wasn't first on this watch list or that All-American team, nor was he even all-state as a prep in Houston. He made all-district three times, backed up nose tackle Ty Warren as a freshman at Texas A&M before starting the next three seasons (6½ sacks) and was drafted by Green Bay in the sixth round.
"I've never been on top," Jolly said. "I'm always the underdog, so I'll never stop fighting. I'm going to keep working until I get it (starting job). I mean, that's the only way to go. I'm trying to help my family."
McKenzie loves what he has seen of Jolly's energy level and temperament this summer. This Jolly is better than the Jolly of '06, he says.
"Good kid," McKenzie said. "Real good kid. Very likeable. I like his progress. He's more comfortable with his technique and his responsibilities. Without a doubt."
By next week, McKenzie acknowledged that teams will have looked at exhibition tape and some might inquire about the Packers' interest in dealing a defensive tackle.
"I'm sure other teams might come knocking," he said. "But I don't want to let any of those guys go."
). Also we have great depth in the trenches (OL last year and now the DL).
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