Jolly had to travel to a Houston court room to collect his diploma for completing the program.  The judge had some great things to say about him.

“I know I’ve seen a change, and I know your family has seen a change, and we are just so darn proud of you today just for the progress that you’ve made,” The Honorable Denise Bradley said. “I didn’t know if we would see this day happen.”

Of course, Jolly is happy with how well things have gone.

“(Judge Bradley) seen something in me. Even though she gave me the sentence, she saw something in me. Today I stand here a free man. My life is going great. I’m back with my team, the Packers. I just want to thank her. She’s done a really good thing for me. That was a blessing,” Jolly said.

Jolly can now start practicing and the Packers are ready to welcome him back.  He’ll attend OTA’s next week.

“I don’t know anyone who sat out three years and was able to go back to the same team,” Jolly acknowledged. “I met with the Packers a couple of weeks ago. They understand my situation and they are willing to be there for me, so I’m just doing everything I can to be in shape and do everything I need to do for my team. They have been there, and I’m going up there to do my best to show them what they want to see this year. So I’ll be doing everything in my power to get ready.”

The post Johnny Jolly will return to the Packers appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

According to police reports, Corey Dajohn Moody, 29, altered checks written by Jones and former Falcon cornerback Christopher Owens, and tried to cash or deposit them.

 

Arrest warrants, filed last week, charge Moody with two counts of theft by receiving stolen property.

 

Moody, police said, used to work at the Preserve at Mill Creek where the two ball players lived, and stole their June rent checks.

 

The checks were filed at the office of the Buford apartment complex after being scanned for electronic deposit, police said.

 

With Jones’ $1,500 check, police said Moody attempted – but failed – to make a deposit using a Chase Bank smartphone app sometime in January.

 

Around the same time, he changed the check number on Owens’ payment from “217” to “1217” and was able to cash the check for $1,243.60 at a Chase branch, according to police reports.

 

Bank officials caught both forgery attempts and alerted police, refunding money back to Owens, who now plays for the Cleveland Browns.

 

Moody remains at large, and police continue to investigate.

The post Police looking for a man who forged a rent check from Julio Jones appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“It’s my job right now and it’s up to me whether I want to keep it or not,” said Dwyer, per SteelCityInsider.net. “That’s what I’m going to do. That’s the decision I made at the end of last year, to make sure that I’m ready and make sure I’m in the best shape of my life.”

Dwyer, who’s had a problem with his weight in the past says this is the lightest he’s ever been during the offseason.

“This is the lightest I’ve ever been in the off-season,” Dwyer said. “I took a disciplinary action on myself. I know what I can do as a player when I’m in the best shape I can be. I know if I am I can get up into that next level as potentially one of the best in the league. So that’s pretty much where I’m trying to get to.”

Dwyer better be ready to try and hold off this year’s second round pick Le’Veon Bell.

The post Jonathan Dwyer is the Steelers starting running back right now appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“I do,” Bush said, per MLive.com. “I feel like our talent matches up with anybody’s in this league.”

I’m not sure if the Lions are more talented than the 2009 Saints that won the Super Bowl.  But the Lions are pretty loaded.  They really under achieved in 2012 because their running game was non-existent.  With Bush now in the fold, it will take a lot of pressure off of quarterback Mathew Stafford.

The post Reggie Bush says this is the most talented team he’s been on appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“Real men cry,” Griffin said, per the Washintgon Times.

Griffin said he then gathered himself and wrote the date of the Redskins first game of the season in his phone as the goal for him to focus on.

I can’t imagine the thoughts that were going through Griffin’s mind after he underwent knee surgery.  I’m not surprised he cried.  I also have a lot of respect for him, for admitting that.

The post Robert Griffin III says he cried when he woke up from surgery appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

The Panthers plan on using DeAngelo Williams along with Mike Tolbert as fullback more often.

It’s amazing that Newton led the Panthers in rushing when they already have three guys that can carry the load.

The post Panthers reportedly plan on cutting down on Cam Newton’s carries appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“I pray about it,” Allen said, per the Star Tribune. “I talk to my wife. And we’ll end up going where the good Lord takes us. But I don’t know where that path is headed.”

Allen turns 32 years-old next April.  He should have a few years left in him.  It will be interesting to see if the Vikings are willing to re-sign him.

The post Jared Allen has no idea where he’ll be playing football in 2014 appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

As I said on Total Access: Tyrann Mathieu enters @nfl in league’s drug test program, per source. Subject to as many as 10 tests per month

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 23, 2013

No additional language needed to be added to Mathieu’s contract since he was willing to attend the program.

Tyrann Mathieu has welcomed all drug-testing. No additional language in his contract for it. There doesn’t have to be. He’s in the program

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 23, 2013

I really hope Mathieu is able to stay clean.  I really believe hes going to be a heck of a player at the NFL level.

The post Tyrann Mathieu already enrolled in the NFL’s drug test program appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

After spending a year out of football, former Seattle Seahawks receiver Mike Williams resurfaced north of the border, signing a deal to play with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

The post Former Seahawks receiver Mike Williams signs with the Toronto Argonauts appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

The post PFZ Podcast: Geno Smith will be the Jets week one starter appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

The 49ers need wide receiver A.J. Jenkins to step up now that Michael Crabtree went down with a torn Achilles.

The post PFZ Podcast: 49ers need A.J. Jenkins to replace Michael Crabtree’s production appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

FOX Sports.com and FOX Sports South.com has learned that Seymour and the Falcons are currently in contract talks, although the Falcons do not have a great deal of salary cap room at this point.

It seems like Seymour hasn’t gotten much attention this offseason.  If he wants to continue his career, he might have to settle for a one-year contract that’s close to the veteran minimum.  The Falcons could certainly use Seymour’s help along the defensive line.

The post Report: Falcons, Richard Seymour in contract talks appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“I don’t think anything surprises me any more in the NFL,” he said. “I’ve been around long enough to see things happen at different times with the greatest players of all, whether that’s Wes, or Randy Moss being traded from the Raiders, or Brett Favre playing for the Jets and the Vikings. That’s what happens. Like I said, it’s a very tough, competitive business.

“Nobody appreciated Wes more than I did and what he was able to accomplish for our team. But he’s moved on. He’s in a good situation with another great team and a great quarterback. We’ve always kind of kept in touch, we always will. He’s one of my best friends. I certainly wish him the best.”

As much as Brady hated to see Welker go, he knows that those things are out of his control.

“Of course I have feelings. But those feelings are very personal to me,” he said. “I used to get caught up in anger and frustration and disappointment. But I don’t make the decisions. These things aren’t up to me. At some point you’ve got to realize the things that are out of your control. You’ve just got to let go and focus on my job and what I need to do. Because the game moves on, the team moves on. There’s only so long you can dwell on the past. At some point you’ve got to move forward.

“Like I said, my job for my team is to be the best quarterback, and not the general manager and not the coach and not the owner. It’s to try to go out there and bring my own competitiveness to the field so that those guys that I’m playing with this year can really rely on me and count on me to be the best I can be.”

The post Tom Brady doesn’t hold a grudge against the Patriots for letting Wes Welker walk appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Robert Meachem is another receiver to watch. If he has a strong preseason, the Chargers may want to see if there’s a market for him, although that is highly unlikely given his $6.875 million cap number.

After Danario Alexander’s break out season in 2012, Meachem is expendable.  I’m not a fan of trading him.  The Chargers shouldn’t take any potential weapons away from Philip Rivers.

The post Chargers to put Robert Meachem on the trade block? appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Despite signing his deal, Brown won’t be able to take the field for at least a couple more weeks. He underwent sports hernia surgery after rookie minicamp the first weekend of May.

 

“He’s recovering from that,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “It’s a four-to-six week deal, and he should be fine soon enough.”

The post Ravens sign 2nd round pick LB Arthur Brown appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“I never doubted it,” Mathieu said of getting the chance to sign an NFL contract. “I knew it was a long shot and it would be a process, but to finally sit down and sign my name on the dotted line means a lot to me.”

 

Terms of the contract were not available – including what Mathieu and the team agreed upon in the quest to keep Mathieu away from any further issues with any illegal substances – but Mathieu had said previously he was ready to work with the team to make sure that happened.

 

“Not that difficult,” Mathieu said with a smile. “It was kind of a walk in the park.”

The post Cardinals sign rookie Tyrann Mathieu appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Davis says Trent and Brandon Graham have been “outstanding” in transition to OLB. Both have also taken reps in 3-point stance.

— Geoff Mosher (@GeoffMosherCSN) May 23, 2013

Practice is one thing, we’ll see how they do when the regular season rolls around.

The post Trent Cole, Brandon Graham doing very well in their transition to outside linebacker appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Raiders fans have to be some of the most passionate fans in the NFL.  

The post Raiders fans welcome home Charles Woodson with a special video appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Griffin told Albert Breer of the NFL Network that he’ll begin “explosive sprinting” soon.

Rg3 says he has two steps left in rehab. He’ll start “explosive sprinting” in “a few weeks”. And then start cutting a few weeks after that.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) May 23, 2013

The post RG3 will begin “explosive sprinting” in a few weeks appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

H/T Next Impulse Sports

The post Eli Manning plays catch with Manchester City soccer team (Video) appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

I believe Crabtree will be back, but the question is whether that will be this year or next year.

The post Michael Crabtree posted a Terminator photo of himself claiming “I’ll be back” appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“I still like the guys we’ve got,” Rodgers said, per ESPNWisconsin.com. “We have a lot of talent at that position. I think Randall Cobb is a guy who could be a 100-plus catch guy every year. James Jones led the league in touchdown receptions last year. (And) Jordy has had some real big years for us.”

I agree with Rodgers that Cobb could catch 100 balls a season, but he won’t because of how much Aaron spreads the ball around.  The Packers offense isn’t designed to feed the ball strictly to one player.

The post Aaron Rodgers: “Randall Cobb is a guy who could be a 100-plus catch guy every year” appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Good news from One Buc: Top draft pick Johnthan Banks has signed his first contract! 4-year deal. Only one rookie left to sign.

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@TBBuccaneers) May 23, 2013

The post Bucs announced they signed 2nd rounder Johnthan Banks appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

In one month, I will climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money and awareness for clean water projects in East Africa. I am so FIRED UP for this adventure, but until then, I need your help to bring clean water wells to thousands of children and families. Show your support by following my TackleKili journey, spreading the word, and donating to TackleKili. Each action you complete below earns you more entries to win my autographed helmet! Thank you for your support and good luck!

The post Ray Lewis announces he’s going to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Shanahan: Pierre Garcon had “chest” surgery. He’s working back quickly.

— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 23, 2013

As explosive as Garcon is, he’s had some injury problems since signing with the Skins.

Update:

To clarify, Pierre Garcon had minor labrum surgery in January. He’s healthy now. Not participating in team drills as a precaution. #Redskins

— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) May 23, 2013

The post Pierre Garcon underwent chest surgery appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“Everyone on the team likes Mark personally but there’s a general feeling among some of the players that maybe it’s time to give someone else a chance.” The player went on to say that he estimates that 80-90 percent of the team feels the same way he does.

This isn’t a surprise at all.  Especially when you think about what happened below.

The post Anonymous Jets player: 80-90 percent of the team wants Sanchez benched appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“Of course, and those conversations are going on right now,” said Sanders, per NFL.com.

Sanders said he never stopped thinking of himself as a Steeler while the Patriots tried to lure him away with an offer as a restricted free agent.

“The whole time I was thinking, I’m still a Pittsburgh Steeler, I was still out here in Pittsburgh,” Sanders said. “It definitely came down to the wire around about (that) four o’clock, five o’clock area (on the April 14 deadline). I really started thinking like, ‘OK, maybe they won’t match the tender, I’ve got to be out in New England tomorrow, so should I start packing? Should I not start packing?’ ”

Sanders insists he’s not worried about getting a new contract right now.

“You guys keep talking about the contract,” he said. “You guys won’t let the contract go, but you know, at the end of the day, I’m telling you that I’m honest when I say I’m not worried about a contract. The contracts will come.”

The post Steelers, Emmanuel Sanders engaged in ongoing contract talks appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Carter contributed in a small way during last season.  Right now it looks like Vick Ballard will be the Colts lead back going into this coming season.

The post Colts’ Delone Carter recovering from shoulder surgery appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

Ramses II is official. Barden has officially signed back with the Giants, according to a source. #NYG

— Ralph Vacchiano (@RVacchianoNYDN) May 23, 2013

Even though Barden is now back, it doesn’t mean he’ll make the Giants final roster.

The post Giants bring back Ramses Barden appeared first on Pro Football Zone.

“I just know that based on what I know Robert can do, he doesn’t have to be a runner as much as I saw last year,” Griffin Jr. said. “To me, you’re paying these [receivers] a lot of money to catch the football. I’m his dad — I want him throwing that football, a lot. A lot.”

Griffin Jr. says the Skins need protect RG3.

“I think for [Griffin III], he likes some of the things that they do. And he feels any area where he had a concern, he addressed it. And I think [the Shanahans] have concerns, too. We want to have a united community,” he said. “That first year everybody was just, ‘Wow.’ And now we have to look at sustainment. It can’t be a ‘Wow’ again.”

RG3′s father is a very smart man and the Redskins would  be wise to listen to him.  If they really think they’re going to run the read-option and Griffin III won’t get hurt again, they’re fooling themselves.  His career will be over before you know it.

The post Robert Griffin III’s dad says his son needs to throw more, run less appeared first on Pro Football Zone.