The Packers have blocked two FG's in recent times - both by Johnny Jolly. And contrary to some of the snide remarks directed his way due to impending free agency what does Johnny do??? Gives all the credit to his teammate NT Ryan Pickett for his penetration.

Further, Jolly for the 2nd time in 3 weeks makes one of the most athletic plays you will ever see a big man pull off intercepting a pass at a critical time -- the interception was later ruled a fumble recovery but it does nothing to diminish the effort and athleticism on that play.

GAME BALL to DE Johnny Jolly!!!!!

QUESTION - positive posts are still allowed here aren't they???

Bruce, We all know that you meant Jolly had two int. and not Pickett, but yes he is really playing well. I thought that he started making these strides last year, and then when Jenkins got hurt his performance started to depreciate as well. I believe this was mostly due to having to play more than he was ready to, but he was also less than a year removed from a serious shoulder injury (not to mention the legal issues). If he continues to paly like he has, he should get an extension along with N. Collins before the end of the season.

Thanks for the typo catch - yes, I was still thinking about how impressed I was with his giving credit to Pickett on Jolly's big FG block

I agree, Jolly is playing at a high level, and seems to have found a home a DE. If he continues, I hope the Packers extend him (along with Collins and a couple of other players) before season ends.

As well as he's playing I think the chances they extend him are nil. He's simply going to want more than GB will be willing to pay, and with his legal troubles pushed back again there's still a chance he'll miss significant time. It's not open and shut with him.

But yes, he certainly has been playing well and deserves all the props in the world for it.

The legal issue will play a factor IMO. A dismissal would go a long way toward getting Johnny an extension with the Packers.

If the legal issue is resolved and he is not secured before the beginning of FA I think you are correct that you can kiss Jolly's sizeable behind goodbye.

I've been a huge fan of Jolly since he started playing for us. The 07 season I remember he had a TON of passes batted down at the line. (NFL.com says 4 but I remember him being more pertinent.)) I'm in med school right now with a guy who was the team manager at A&M when Jolly played there. He says Jolly was one of the nicest guys on the team and everytime Jolly does something great in a game we chit chat about him all day.

The legal issues. <shrugs> It's not like he had a car full of pot. He had some pain killers. I'd be surprised if most americans havent had some non prescribed pain killers lying around at some point or another.

Jolly has been rocking this year. Actually Jenkins and Pickett have been doing well also and with Raji starting to play GB has a nice rotation going. Jolly actually gave Jenkins a break on the right side with Raji on the other side so he can play all three spots. It would be nice to lock him up soon.

Mark it down. Jolly is this year Corey Williams. He will be traded this offseason before Ted resigns him. For a 2nd rounder

So he can draft another backup QB?

Maybe Wolfman. But no I just get the feeling that Jolly is the type of player Ted wouldnt be willing to give a big pay day this offseason.

Hopefully we get an OT or something for him. But Jolly screams like that type of player to Ted. That Ted would like to see it two or three seasons straight. If Jolly is willing to be tag or take a lesser deal I dont think he will be a packer next year, but something tells me Jolly will want alot of money if it keeps doing what he is doing.

Bruce, I believe it is you who has often pointed out the fact that many fans seem to undervalue our own players and overvalue other teams players. You know, those who want FA signed at any cost but have no hesitation to cut loose a player like Jolly.

The position Jolly plays is one of the hardest to fill, especially through the draft, and it is also a position that we are a little short at in my opinion. Pickett is also FA after this year. What is the plan to fill these holes if these two, or only one of them, are to be let go? Free agency? Harrell? Rookies? DTs and especially decent ones in the prime of their career are harder to find than hens teeth. Or do we pay Haynesworth type money to get someone good?

If he becomes eligible for FA [ we still don't know because of the CBA being in limbo ] he will get large money ,and we will pay large money to adequately replace him ,so why don't we pay him and keep him here?

This coming offseason should prove to be very interesting as we have many potential FAs and the CBA is up in the air. This must be a real headache for GMs as they weigh resigning or letting go of people. As if that job isn't already complicated enough.

Unless his legal problems threaten to become a larger issue, I can't imagine we wouldn't take steps to re-sign him. Thompson has shown willingness to re-sign our own players if they produce. Corey Williams was simply a case of another team offering us much more than the player in question was worth. And Jolly is already worth far more than Williams ever was.

I think that both Jolly and Pickett will be back. I think that they're worth the investment and have earned extensions. I'm hoping that is the case, as it would allow the team to focus on other positions in FA and the draft.

Is it luck?

You could possibly make that argument IF he hadn't been playing exactly this way in 2007 before he hurt his shoulder. I don't think that it's luck. I think that he's a talented big man who has a great future ahead of him. His legal issues have been my biggest concern about him, but I don't think that will end up amounting to anything based on the circumstances (plus that can be accounted for in his contract). I think that Johnny Jolly is an NFL starter and has been since 2007. He fits this defense well and has only gotten better each year since he was drafted. That reminds me of Aaron Kampman to be honest. I'm hoping that they put together a deal that brings him back after this season. A foursome of Jolly, Jenkins, Raji and Pickett is pretty solid IMO.

He was a huge asset to the run we had in 2007. I don't think he is playing hard just because it is a contract year. I think he is playing hard because he is a good football player.

Jolly always seems to start the season like this, and then becomes invisible as the season goes on. Can he keep it up?

06: Rookie year, 6th rd pick. Pretty much a non-factor.
07: Played very well until the injury put him on IR
08: Coming back from injury, never really got anything going all year.
09: Playing well so far

Not really sure how you'd be under that impression. To this point I don't see where Jolly has had a chance to start hot, then disappear as the season went on. If you count his ending the '07 season on IR then I guess that qualifies, but he played pretty well right up to the injury. Seems like I remember him playing with the injury for a few weeks before they put him on IR, but I could be wrong.

At first glance I was inclined to agree that Jolly could be next years Corey Williams, BUT he is a TT draft pick, whereas Williams was a Sherman pick. So that tells me that TT knew what he was getting in Jolly and barring a major incident will stick with him. As for the offer from Cleveland, I bet there were other similar offers. TT was shopping Williams, he had NO intention of keeping him once it became apparent he could get any sort of mid-high level draft pick for him. I think he would have traded him for a 4th rounder IF that was the best that was offered.