Tag Archives: john rehor

Johnny Jolly Gets A Second Chance at Life and Livelihood

May 23, 2013   jrehor   No comments
johnny jolly

One of the amazing things about life is the opportunity for second chances.

That is what Johnny Jolly is hoping to get this season-another chance to prove he can still play professional football. And a chance to prove he has changed his life forever.

Jolly is far removed from where he left off his playing career following the 2009 season, a season which saw him finish with one sack, one interception, and a knack for knocking down passes at the line of scrimmage.

And that is where his story begins to change.

Suspended by the NFL indefinitely prior to the 2010 season, he was ultimately sentenced to six years in prison for violation of his probation for a prior drug conviction.

Even as he pleaded with the judge, “I want to go to rehab to get help” his fate had been sealed.

He was a felon. Multiple arrests on his rap sheet, jail time on the horizon.

The spacious Packers locker room Jolly previously roamed had been replaced by a 6×8 jail cell. A $2.5 million salary traded for an orange jumpsuit, a life of promise replaced with regret.

While his former teammates waged their battles on the playing field, including a victory in Super Bowl XLV, Jolly waged his own battles against drug demons, hoping for another chance. Somehow, someway.

A short period of time after entering prison, Jolly’s path toward a second chance began.  Read more... (700 words, 1 image, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Johnny Jolly Gets A Second Chance at Life and Livelihood. Read the full post (700 words, 1 image, estimated 2:48 mins reading time)
RedditDiggStumbleUponEmailShare
Read More

Aaron Rodgers: “It’s Time to Let the Healing Process Begin”

May 22, 2013   jrehor   4 Comments
brett favre jersey

The distance between the Packers and Brett Favre continues to shrink.

In the past few months, Aaron Rodgers and Favre have appeared on stage together, the first time the two were seen together since their final battle against each other in 2010.

Mark Murphy has spoken about the inevitable retirement of Favre’s number 4.

He has also spoken about how he would one day like to have Favre on the Packers Tailgate Tour.

Today, the distance might have shrunk a little more.

Speaking on the Jim Rome Show, Rodgers came out and said he would like to have Favre back in the Packers family before his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2016, including having his number retired.

“I’m excited about it. I really am. It’s been too long. I think our country and the state of Wisconsin, these people are people of second, third and fourth chances, and I think it’s time to let the healing process begin for those who are still upset about what went down.”

“I was totally OK with being out front of that and I’m very secure of the things I’ve been able to accomplish with the team and individually here in Green Bay, and excited about the chance to see him again and get his number retired here before he goes into Canton.”

Whatever distance there was between Rodgers and Favre seems to have dissipated greatly over the past few months. While they may never be best friends, there does seem to have been a burying of the hatchet between the two sides.  Read more... (339 words, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Aaron Rodgers: “It’s Time to Let the Healing Process Begin”. Read the full post (339 words, estimated 1:21 mins reading time)
RedditDiggStumbleUponEmailShare
Read More

Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: If Only They Had a Defense

May 19, 2013   jrehor   No comments
dickey lofton jefferson

If only they had a defense.

That is the puzzle that will sadly never be solved regarding the 1983 Green Bay Packers.

By the end of the 1983 season, goo gobs of points would be scored, records would be shattered, and the team would finish a mediocre 8-8 and out of the playoffs despite scoring 429 points.

If only they had a defense.

Long before Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers appeared on the scene, the Packers had a very, very good quarterback in Lynn Dickey. He was the definition of a gunslinger, and in the wild and crazy season of 1983, he did not hold back one bit.

Throwing for a then team record 4,458 yards and 32 touchdowns in 1983, Dickey benefited from having arguably the best receiving corp in team history. Wide receivers James Lofton and John Jefferson combined for over 2,100 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tight end Paul Coffman chipped in with over 800 yards and 14 touchdowns. Running back Gerry Ellis added another 600 yards out of the backfield just to make matters worse for opposing defenses.

Dickey might have also thrown 29 interceptions during this season, but let’s not discuss that.

It was an exciting offense to watch, scoring points at a record pace throughout the season. Optimism was high among the green and gold faithful, and rightfully so.

Sadly, as good as their offense was, their defense was the polar opposite.  Read more... (452 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: If Only They Had a Defense. Read the full post (452 words, estimated 1:48 mins reading time)
RedditDiggStumbleUponEmailShare
Read More

Mark Murphy’s Actions Need to Speak Louder Than Words Regarding Brett Favre

May 17, 2013   jrehor   1 Comment
mark murphy

To borrow one of Mike McCarthy’s quotes from the Summer of 08, Packers President is in a tough spot.

He currently holds the distinction of being in charge of the team during the most tumultuous off season in Packers’ history. The divorce between Brett Favre, arguably the most popular player in team history, and the Packers divided fans then, and continues to do so.

The decision to part ways with Favre was in hindsight the correct move for the team. Aaron Rodgers has proven to be equal if not better as a signal caller. A Lombardi Trophy and an MVP trophy are among the hardware Rodgers has already acquired, with many years still to come to add to his already impressive resume.

Regardless of the success the team has on the field, Murphy is still haunted by the spectre of Favre, and his absence from the Packers family. Which is why number 4 is a fairly consistent topic of conversation from Murphy.

Murphy has said for several years the Packers intend to retire Favre’s jersey at some point, even if Favre has said he doesn’t need to have his jersey retired.

He has mentioned the possibility of Favre joining the Packers Tailgate Tour someday.

Murphy has even flat out said “We want to have Favre back in the family.”

Comments like this from the Packers President may seem like sacrelige to some of the faithful, but it makes total sense. Because it is the right thing for the franchise.  Read more... (548 words, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Mark Murphy’s Actions Need to Speak Louder Than Words Regarding Brett Favre. Read the full post (548 words, estimated 2:12 mins reading time)
RedditDiggStumbleUponEmailShare
Read More

Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: One Devine Season

May 12, 2013   jrehor   No comments
1972-Dan Devine

Not much went well for the Packers following the departure of Vince Lombardi.

After five titles in nine seasons, the team from Titletown tumbled into the lower tier of the NFL. The Lombardi Era team had grown old, and could not recapture the glory of earlier years.

A 6-7-1 season in 1968 followed by an average 8-6 campaign in 1969 did little to inspire much confidence in a return to power. Following another disappointing 6-8 record in 1970, Lombardi’s handpicked successor Phil Bengston was fired, and the hopes of the franchise were turned over to former Missouri coach Dan Devine.

Former Packers Coach Dan Devine

Former Packers Coach Dan Devine

Things did not start well for Devine during his tenure, as he suffered a broken leg on the sidelines during his first game as Head Coach in 1971. It did not improve much from there, as the Packers went through another painful season, ending up a less than stellar 4-8-2, and leaving the fans wanting a return to glory.

And for one season, they did. Kind of.

The 10-4 record of the 1972 Packers came out of nowhere. Finishing in first place for the first time since the Lombardi Packers, the green and gold faithful were able to enjoy the postseason for the first time since Super Bowl II. Although their exit was a quick 16-3 loss to the Redskins, the success of the regular season brought renewed hope that another dynasty was in the making.

Unfortunately, this could not be further from the truth.  Read more... (477 words, 1 image, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: One Devine Season. Read the full post (477 words, 1 image, estimated 1:54 mins reading time)
RedditDiggStumbleUponEmailShare
Read More

Mike McCarthy Has Shown His Hand-Will Dom Capers Fold (Again)?

May 06, 2013   jrehor   8 Comments
Dom Capers

The Packers have developed a reputation professional football teams want to avoid.

They have been categorized as being soft.

Since their most recent playoff failure, the Packers have been scrutinized up and down for not being physical enough to compete with the elite teams of the NFL. That their style of play is not capable of winning another Super Bowl, because they lack the ability to punch their opponents in the mouth

Their offense is too dome like, focusing on a down the field passing attack, with little help coming from a substandard running game.

Their defense relying too much on the big play to keep them in games. Giving up goo gobs of yards has become the norm for the Packers defense, only occasionally showing the capability of stopping some of the better offenses in the league.

Being called soft a mere two years after winning the Super Bowl with nearly the entire roster in tact must have echoed very loudly in the halls at 1265 Lombardi Avenue leading up to the NFL Draft. And a definite shift in approach seems to be on the horizon.

The drafting of bruising running back Eddie Lacy gives the Packers they have not had since the Ryan Grant era-a running back capable of carrying the ball 20-25 games. This will take substantial pressure off the passing game, giving the Packers a two dimensional threat, both through the air and on the ground.  Read more... (685 words, 1 image, estimated 2:44 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Mike McCarthy Has Shown His Hand-Will Dom Capers Fold (Again)?. Read the full post (685 words, 1 image, estimated 2:44 mins reading time)
RedditDiggStumbleUponEmailShare
Read More

Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: The 1989 Cardiac Pack

May 05, 2013   jrehor   No comments
Don Majkowski

There was a time when success eluded the Green Bay Packers.

After the Vince Lombardi era ended, a new era began for the Packers. An era of high hopes and unfulfilled promise. One of few highlights, and numerous disappointments.

It seems like ancient history now, because of nearly 20 years of uninterrupted highs by the Packers. But from 1968 through 1988, a successful season was far too often seen as a .500 record for the season.

Two playoff appearances (1972 and the strike shortened 1982 season) were the high points during this twenty year period, a far cry from the 5 championships of the Lombardi era.

Not even former Lombardi heroes Bart Starr or Forrest Gregg could rekindle the success of the 1960′s during  their tenures as Packers head coach.

It was truly a low point in the history of this proud franchise.

And then, seemingly out of nowhere, the 1989 season happened.

Coming off a 4-12 season in 1988, not much was expected from this team. They had Sterling Sharpe on offense, but not much else. They had sack master Tim Harris on defense, but not much else.

It looked like it was going to be a repeat of far too many seasons. But things were going to be different this season.  Read more... (447 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)

This is a preview of Green Bay Packers Flashback Sunday: The 1989 Cardiac Pack. Read the full post (447 words, estimated 1:47 mins reading time)
RedditDiggStumbleUponEmailShare
Read More
« Older posts

    • Support Our Sponsors

    • Archives

    •