The good news: There was reason to wonder when the team made the switch to Dom Capers 3-4 scheme in January 2009 whether the defensive linemen on the roster would fit the bill. Among the biggest question marks was the 340-pound Pickett, whod always played defensive tackle in 4-3 defenses and would be asked to be even more unselfish in eating up blocks and double teams something he did exquisitely while leading the NFLs No. 1-ranked run defense. But Pickett wasnt the only one who turned out to be well-suited for the scheme. Jolly was a one-man wrecking crew at times, starting all 16 games and leading the defensive line with 75 tackles (33 solo) to go along with batting down 11 passes at the line of scrimmage and four turnover plays (one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries) while playing in both the base and sub packages. Jenkins, too, had success after bellyaching about the limitations he faced in the new scheme, although he was somewhat justified in his complaints because he clearly was more productive in the 4-3 scheme. Nonetheless, he kept his mouth shut the rest of the year and helped lead the NFLs second-best defense to a 7-1 finish.
The bad news: While Pickett, Jolly and Jenkins turned out to be better fits than initially thought, the depth is an issue. Raji, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, got to camp late because of a contract dispute, suffered an ankle injury in the preseason finale and did not have the kind of impactful season the team expected from him as a rookie. That figures to change in his second year, but after Raji, who started for an injured Pickett (hamstring) as the regular season drew to a close, the rotation was lacking. The tall, lanky Montgomery is obviously better suited for the 4-3, Wynn had a decent training camp as a rookie sixth-round pick but did next to nothing once the season started and Harrell gave his critics still more fuel for their cries of Bust! when his troublesome back flared up after a solid start in camp.
The big question: What does Jollys future hold?
Based on his performance on the field, theres no question that Jolly deserves a long-term deal. But the drug possession case from July 2008 in his hometown of Houston continues to hang over his head, and until the situation is resolved and the NFL decides whether it merits a suspension based on the leagues personal conduct policy his future will remain uncertain. Jolly was the driver of a vehicle in which police found cups of a codeine mixture, and he was subsequently charged with possession of at least 200 grams of codeine in the form of cough syrup commonly mixed with soda to form a mind-altering drink called "lean." The charge was dropped in July, then refiled on Dec. 15, and he was due in court Thursday for a pretrial hearing. Despite the legal entanglement, Jolly not only figures to receive a one-year restricted free-agent tender, hes likely to get one higher than the minimum offer because he entered the league as a sixth-round pick and the Packers would only get a sixth-rounder as compensation if he signed with another team and didnt match the offer. The low tender would cost the Packers $1.176 million; a second-round tender $1.759 million; a first-round tender $2.521 million; and a first- and third-round tender $3.168 million. Look for Jolly to get the second-round tender at minimum.
Offseason outlook: Re-signing Pickett, an unrestricted free agent, is one of the teams top offseason priorities, while bringing back Jolly, despite his legal issues, should be a slam dunk as well. With fewer defensive linemen needed on the roster in the 3-4 scheme, theres only two or three open roster spots after Pickett, Jolly, Jenkins and Raji. Dont expect the Packers to make a play for the biggest-name unrestricted free agents (defensive tackles Vince Wilfork of New England and Casey Hampton of Pittsburgh or defensive ends Julius Peppers of Carolina and Richard Seymour of Oakland), and they may only draft one defensive linemen in April, depending on how their draft board falls.