Jolly Applies For Reinstatement
Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly has applied for reinstatement to the NFL after a year long suspension.
By PackerAaron
From Rob Demovsky of the Green Bay Press Gazette:
Green Bay Packers suspended defensive end Johnny Jolly has begun the reinstatement process and hopes to play in the NFL next season.
His agent, Brian Overstreet, told the Press-Gazette this morning that they are in the process of filing paperwork with the league and were optimistic that Jolly’s suspension will end.
“We’re in the process of doing it now, and we’re hopeful of that,” Overstreet said.
What is interesting about the Jolly situation is that earlier this season his representatives told Cheesehead TV point blank that, once reinstated, Jolly would be set to become a free agent. Their contention was that his status would be the same as any other suspended player. (For example, when a player is suspended four games in-season, he is considered a suspended member of the team.)
However an NFL source told Bob McGinn that, once reinstated, Jolly would be considered Packers property with one year remaining on his contract. Effectively, his suspension would have put his contract "on hold".
If Jolly's representatives want to fight this, I'm pretty sure they would lose. The difference between an in-season suspension and Jolly's situation is pretty obvious. When a player is suspended during the year, he is still counting toward the 53 man roster limit. Jolly was never part of the 53 and indeed spent the entire season away from the team.
All that said, the quotes from Jolly's agent to Demovsky certainly make it seem like they are hoping the Packers bring Jolly back.
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Comments (17)
February 11, 2011 at 01:58 pm
To be honest -- I would certainly welcome him back. If Jenkins walks, I think our dline will be fine when Mike Neals comes back (who I'm very high on) and having Jolly who had a CAREER year as a started before that stupid off-the-field crap. Everyone makes mistakes!
February 11, 2011 at 02:17 pm
What's the status on his charges? Last I remember, they seemed to be in a holding pattern of sorts.
February 11, 2011 at 02:21 pm
I would say this -- if Jolly did decide to make a stink about being a free agent, TT should just cut him loose. One of this team's best assets is its strong locker room, and if he is going to feel wronged and b miserable here, better to just let him go.
That said, I hope he wants to come back and gets his shot here. I've always liked Jolly. It will be interesting to hear if has taken any steps to get his life together in a positive way during this past year once we get more details.
February 11, 2011 at 05:40 pm
Wouldn't you think that he'd want to be on a team that has a very good chance of repeating? If I were him I would.
February 11, 2011 at 06:39 pm
If Jolly wants to go somewhere else, there's still no chance that TT would just cut him- The Packers have the rights to Jolly, and that's leverage.
We all know Ted better than that- He'd never simply cut Jolly. He would trade Jolly in a player swap, or try to get a mid to late round pick for him.
That said, I think Jolly will be welcomed back into GB next season (assuming he's in shape), and Jolly will be happy to be back.
February 11, 2011 at 02:57 pm
Maybe missing a freaking Superbowl and a HUGE second contract because of stupidity might have matured him up a bit. Imagine the coin he'd be getting as a FA if he played as good as he did in 2009 and won a ring?!! Regardless, I'm sure TT will do his due diligence with Jolly and if there is any doubts about Jolly's physical condition after more then a year+ off or lingering questions about his maturity he won't be back. If I have learned anything the past year it is to trust TT with player personal and MM to manage a locker room. If they let him go or keep him it will because of good reason.
February 12, 2011 at 12:05 am
I don't know, I think this guy is Ben Rothlisberger stupid (he had a big party planed for Super Bowl week before someone with 2 brain cells advised him that might be a bad idea). Jolly was busted hosting night club parties with his picture on the flier while under court order not to drink.
I still doubt his maturity.
February 11, 2011 at 07:40 pm
Neal, Jolly, Jenkins, Wilson, Wynn, Green, Raji, Pickett + someone TT drafts.
If you had to pick one to go, who would it be?
Oh, almost forgot....Justin Harrell. :)
February 12, 2011 at 08:32 am
I love Jenkins, but think he'll pursue financial (more) security; Wynn and Green were brought in off waivers, either one is one strike from going back there; Harrell is good, just injury-prone. Jolly will either be out-of-shape/immature and cut, or fired-up to get a ring, could go either way.
That leaves Raji, Pickett, Neal, Wilson, 1 of Jolly/Wynn/Green, and a draft choice. TT isn't running scared, neither am I.
February 12, 2011 at 03:43 pm
And it may be better than that.
February 12, 2011 at 01:22 pm
Here's where I'm going to sound like a fickle and/or jilted ex. Already debated a little with Brian on twitter about Jolly.
Short leash or not, I think he's too toxic of a personality for that locker room right now. And I'm setting the odds at 20:1 that he is currently at his playing weight now or at the beginning of training camp. I wouldn't be surprised if he's fifty over playing weight.
The guy is promoting parties with is face on fliers as noted above when he should doing the exact opposite: rehabbing his image and showing some sort of public act of contrition.
And then there are the felony charges. If he's got any market value in a trade, then do it before he heads to court so the losses are someone elses.
Not sold on his maturity or his list of priorities (team vs. self) at this point.
February 12, 2011 at 08:06 pm
Our last three presidents were recreational drug users when they were Jolly's age. Bush stopped getting wasted when he was FORTY! Obama is an admitted pot and coke user.
Let's keep this shit in perspective people. Is he immature? Probably. He's in his twenties. Let's stop expecting professional athletes to live like monks.
At the end of the day, what Jolly was accused of was just not that bad. It is an indictment of our justice system that something this stupid can derail a young man's career.
February 13, 2011 at 10:17 am
3D, I'm not concerned about the off-field issues as much as I am his uncontorllable propensity to be a dumbass on the field. He lackes discipline. Is he worth losing a guy like Jenkins for? That's my concern.
February 13, 2011 at 04:56 pm
Agree with D.D. Driver. What Jolly did was dumb, but not unforgivable. Certainly not as bad as what Roethlesberger was accused of. If he's in shape, bring him back!
February 13, 2011 at 03:22 am
Would be nice to have Jolly back if he can play to the same level he did in 2009. He was probably the best lineman that season, and a key to the run D.
The run D wasn't as effective this year, I wonder if he can improve it for next year.
February 14, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Jolly was a beast in 2009, but stupidity can't be under estimated. I really grew to like Howard Green this last 1/2 season. Humble, hungry , hard-working & grateful for the opportunity. May not have the talent of Jolly, but intangibles might fit better in locker room. An off season to really learn the defense and who knows what the guy could do.
February 18, 2011 at 02:43 am
Yeah, I hear what you're saying about Jolly's character and locker room impact.
Might not be the best thing for Raji either. But I still hope they give Jolly another shot. Especially with his stock down--that's the way TT likes to sign em!