PACKER UPDATE

JOLLY'S NO GENIUS, BUT HE CAN PLAY

Johnny Jolly’s personal foul penalty in the first quarter of last Sunday’s loss to the Vikings was dumb, and even worse, it was incredibly selfish. In the biggest game of the season, the fourth-year defensive end was thinking only of himself when he head-butted Chester Taylor, and in the process, allowed Minnesota to continue a drive that would ultimately result in a touchdown. The former Texas A&M standout compounded that gaffe by not showing even the slightest bit of remorse following the game. Jolly has been skewered in the press ever since. And deservedly so. But he also deserves something else - a heck of a lot of credit for his play this season. 

Jolly has been surprisingly effective in his first season at a new position. “The kid’s already one of the better 3-4 ends in the league,” opined a scout for another team. “He’s strong, quick and powerful and his motor is always running. He and [Ryan] Pickett always stand out when I watch video. Those two big guys are why Green Bay has been so tough to run against in the past four or five weeks.” Drug arrest and stupid penalties not withstanding, Jolly is a quality young player at a position that’s extremely difficult to fill. You can be sure that GM Ted Thompson will be weighing the pros and cons when he sits down with his entire staff after the season and decides what to do with the [maybe] unresticted free agent-to-be.

'BRETT DIDN'T WANT TO RETURN'

It was almost a throwaway line at the end of a long broadcast, but what Troy Aikman said late in the fourth quarter on Sunday should’ve received a lot more attention. The former quarterback turned FOX broadcaster stated - rather emphatically - that Brett Favre didn’t want to return to the Packers after his brief “retirement” in March 2008. If that’s accurate - and there’s little reason to believe that Aikman would make up stories on national television - then Favre is even more disingenuous than we all thought. Remember, the future Hall of Shamer spent the summer of ‘08 telling anyone who would listen just how much he wanted to return to the Packers. All the while you have to believe that he had area code 952 on his speed dial.

Why wouldn’t Favre want to return to Green Bay? Let’s count the reasons. He didn’t like GM Ted Thompson. He didn’t like the fact that neither Thompson nor head coach Mike McCarthy got down on their hands and knees and begged him to return. He didn’t like having to show up for trivial things like minicamps and OTAs. In short, Favre wanted to be with an organization that would cater to his every whim. And while it took him about 12 months longer than he wanted, he finally found his utopia in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Desperate franchise. Check. Subservient offensive coordinator. Check. Spineless coach. Check. It was a match made in football heaven.

Why does any of this really matter? Maybe it doesn’t, but all those “Packer fans” who cheered for Favre at Lambeau Field should know the truth. Their hero never really wanted to play a 17th season in Green Bay. He wanted out, and he wanted to exit stage west. Sure, Thompson and McCarthy were ready to move on. But apparently so was Favre. The only difference is that No. 4 didn’t have the balls to say so.

O-LINE WILL BE BETTER THIS TIME

If Chad Clifton, Mark Tauscher and Jason Spitz are ready to play on Sunday, Green Bay will go into Brett Favre Bowl II with eight capable offensive linemen on its 45-man game day roster. That’s a far cry from how things were for Brett Favre Bowl I. Back on Oct. 4, Clifton was out with an ankle injury and Tauscher was still a former Packer. Plus, T.J. Lang (for some reason) was taking all of his snaps at guard and right tackle Allen Barbre’s head was still spinning from watching Adewale Ogunleye use him as a human turnstile on opening day. “That group had no chance against Minnesota’s fast and physical front four,” said a former scout. “Two Daryn Colledges couldn’t block Jared Allen and left guard is Jason Spitz’s third-best positon. I know it’s only been about four weeks, but I expect the results to be different this time around.”

Things have changed quite a bit in the 25 days that have passed since Allen & Co. sacked Aaron Rodgers eight times in the Metrodome. Lang proved against Cleveland that he’s a huge upgrade over Colledge at left tackle. The prideful rookie won’t allow himself to get embarrassed by Allen should he start in place of Clifton. Colledge is now back at left guard, a position that suits his skill set much better. And Barbre, while still prone to the occasional brain fart, keeps improving. “I like the offensive line’s chances this week - regardless of which five players start,” said the scout. “That group will be better at left tackle, left guard and right tackle. And don’t forget, the game will be played at Lambeau Field, so noise won’t be an issue and the grass should slow down the pass rush.”

T.J.'S FUTURE ISN'T AT LT

With Chad Clifton out again with an ankle injury, T.J. Lang will make his first start on Sunday at Cleveland. The scrappy rookie from Eastern Michigan has looked pretty good in brief relief appearances at left tackle against Minnesota and Detroit. So is tomorrow’s game a glimpse into the post-Clifton era? Probably not. “I doubt that Lang is the heir apparent at left tackle, but he should do a better job than Daryn Colledge,” said a former scout. “Lang is bigger and much more physical than Colledge and he hasn’t been away from the demanding position for almost four years. That gives him a chance to be successful.” 

So why isn’t Lang the left tackle of the future? “I don’t think he has the measurables for the position,” opined the scout. “He lacks great size (6-4 315) and great feet. You might be able to get away without one of those two attributes, but overcoming both would be difficult. In my opinion, Lang is better suited for right tackle. That’s his natural position at this level. In fact, I was very surprised that the coaches didn’t give him a chance to compete with Allen Barbre and Breno Giacomini during training camp.” 

Clifton’s long-term replacement isn’t on the current roster. “[GM] Ted Thompson would’ve drafted Michael Oher at No. 9 had B.J. Raji not been available,” said the scout. “I don’t think that type of option will be available next April. Unless Thompson signs a stud free agent, he'll almost have to select the best available tackle in round one. You can’t count on Clifton in 2010, and while Lang can probably hold his own for a few games, he’s not the player you want protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blind side for the next 10 years.” Maybe so, but adequately protecting the QB for a few games would do just fine for now.

SHHH...HERE'S WHAT WE'RE HEARING

It’s awfully early, but we already hear rumblings that running backs Ryan Grant, Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn won't be around in 2010. Grant is overpaid, Jackson is unreliable and Wynn is a nonentity..... Mike McCarthy made it clear to Dom Capers that he wanted Green Bay to be a pure 3-4 team in 2009 - even though his new defensive coordinator had impressive results running an under 4-3 scheme in his inaugural seasons with Jacksonville in 2000 and Miami in 2004. Those teams, like the current Packers, had personnel better suited to play with four down linemen..... While Ted Thompson probably won’t pull the trigger on any major trades before next Tuesday's deadline, he’s at least testing the waters. Green Bay is willing to move either Nick Barnett or A.J. Hawk, but there’s little interest in either player. Fellow linebacker Aaron Kampman is far more appealing to other teams, but he doesn’t appear to be on the block..... Expect VP of Player Finance Russ Ball to initiate serious contract negotiations with center Jason Spitz in the next few weeks. The former Louisville star, along with guard Daryn Colledge, are the team’s top targets for in-season extensions..... And finally, former Packer Jamon Meredith had far more fans in the front office than he did on the playing field. Coaches and even some of his linemates had lost faith in the rookie left tackle after watching him drop out of numerous practices during training camp for a variety of reasons. The ex-South Carolina star is currently a backup in Buffalo.