According to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers have made a deal with the recently re-instated Johnny Jolly to reduce his salary from $2.5 million to $715,000 for the 2013 season.
Jolly signed a 2.5M first round restricted free agent tender in 2010, before getting arrested again and subsequently being suspended by the NFL. Jolly had been released from jail in May after serving six months of a six year sentence, but remained suspended by the NFL until just a few weeks ago.
Despite Jolly’s repeated missteps, the Packers organization have shown considerable compassion for Jolly, believing he is not a bad guy, but more a victim of choosing friends and situations poorly. Many teams would have cut him by now, but not the Packers.
The Packers are certainly hoping their faith in Jolly will be rewarded, especially with the possibility of Jerel Worthy not being ready for the start of next season. Jolly has played well for the Packers in the past, knows their system, and is a much cheaper option than bringing in a free agent like Chris Canty.
Silverstein points out that the Packers could still choose to release Jolly down the road, and it’s not known if the Packers have had an opportunity to work him out to see what kind of shape he’s in.
As it stands, the Packers save $1.8 million on this year’s salary cap and will only owe Jolly 383,000 if he ends up on injured reserve. That’s a win-win for Ted Thompson.
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Jersey Al Bracco is the founder and editor of AllGreenBayPackers.com, and the co-founder of Packers Talk Radio Network. He can be heard as one of the Co-Hosts on Cheesehead Radio and is the Green Bay Packers Draft Analyst for Drafttek.com.
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I hope this turns out well for both the Packers and Jolly.
I don’t mind this signing. I know Jolly F’d-up, but he really only hurt himself(maybe his mom too). It’s when you bring others into it that I have a problem. So I’m Ok with that part of it. Obviously the price tag is about as low as you can go for a veteran, so that’s a plus too.
Seems like a nothing to lose proposition from the Packers standpoint. If he washes out(which I think he will) – no big deal. If not, they may end up with a cheap run-stuffer to spell Pickett and Raji.
I hope he’s turned his life around. But it’s been 3 years since he’s played. That’s the kind of rust that might not come off!
The other side of that coin is that he’s had 3 less years of wear and tear than his peers.
Michael Vick plays a much more demanding position and he missed 3 years IIRC. If Jolly can come back at anything close to his former level of play, he’ll be a great addition to the D. Just what we needed on D! More toughness and physicality…
Really just a no-brainer from the Packers perspective. Glad he’s back in the fold at the league min. I think he could play another 3+ years if he kept himself in shape to some degree. By all accounts he actually worked hard on his conditioning while in prison. Come in at 325 or so and work hard. You know he’ll be very motivated!
And boy, isn’t Vick great!
Vick is same before as after nothing changed. Indicating the time off didn’t affect him. No reason to think Jolly can’t return close to his former level of play. Guess you can’t put 2 and 2 together!
Yep, win win. If he’s got anything left, great… If he has nothing in camp, cut him. He was playing good ball before he went to the clinkus, and… His legs should be fresh!
GBP 4 LIFE
I only wish that Jolly was still eligible for practice squad, just in case he isn’t up to speed for the final roster after 3 years away from football.
I really feel this guy NEEDS pro football to stay right. Practice squad could be the difference between getting his life together or falling right back into addiction and trouble, should he not make an NFL roster this year.
I think Jolly needed football or the team environment to get straight from the beginning. I think w/ all the continuing treatment he’ll be fine from now on. Would have been nice if he could have stayed in touch w/ the Packers from the beginning tho.
Good move
At $750k, there’s no realistic risk for the Pckers. If he comes through and works into the Dline rotation it’s a big win. If not, no big deal for the team.
I’m hoping for the best for a troubled young man. I’ve heard good things about him and I think he has a realistic chance of succeeding. I pulling for him
This scenario was the only situation in which I wanted to see Jolly return.
In my mind, there’s a big question over physical conditioning and motivation. I hope he comes in with a chip on his shoulder wanting to prove he (a) understands the opportunity he has AGAIN(!) and (2)wants to prepare and play in such a way the Packers won’t cut him.
I sincerely hope he understands what he’s been given this time around.