Andre Rison was brought on with the Packers for the last half of the 1996 season.

Though he caught that Brett Favre bomb on the second play from scrimmage in Super Bowl XXXI – a play that set the tone and helped the Green Bay Packers to their first Super Bowl Championship since 1967 – I was never a big Andre Rison fan.

My feelings about him were cemented today when I read about his sentencing in federal court of five years probation for failure to pay child support between 2008 and 2011. He was also ordered to pay $300,000 in restitution for his transgression.

To pay off the debt, he will have to pay $2,350 in monthly payments along with $1,000 to pay off the restitution.

Not being responsible enough to pay for his children says a lot about him.

My only hope is that he learns from the penalty and mans up to his responsibilities.

Sad, sad, sad.

Johnny Jolly intercepted this pass against the Chicago Bears in the teams' meeting at Lambeau Field in 2009. Raymond T. Rivard photograph

Former Packers defensive lineman Johnny Jolly was sentenced this fall to six years in jail on drug charges stemming from his addiction to codeine.

An updated interview with Jolly conducted by KTRK-TV out of Houston, Texas, provides a short, inside look into the hell that the addiction has caused the former Packer who was on the rise toward stardom in the NFL.

That was until he was caught with several hundred grams of codeine not once, but twice over the past couple of years. His conviction landed him in jail where he is cleaning up his act.

Take a look at the video produced by the Houston television station:

Former Green Bay Packers running back Dorsey Levens is one of several claimants in a set of lawsuits filed Wednesday in an Atlanta federal court.

The former player’s part of the suit claims the National Football League has hidden the dangers of brain injuries in football.

Jamal Lewis, Fulton Kuykendall, Ryan E. Stewart and Levens had the suits filed Wednesday in Atlanta on their behalf.

The suit states, “Despite overwhelming medical evidence that on-field concussions lead directly to brain injuries and frequent tragic repercussions for retired players, the NFL not only failed to take effective action in an attempt to protect players from suffering, but failed to inform players of the true risks associated with concussions.”

Levens, who said he suffered many concussions and has brought the issue of brain injuries to light through his filmmaking, played in 102 games, including 53 starts, for the Packers from 1994-2001. In an 11-season career overall, he amassed 7,289 yards rushing and receiving.

Levens said that he suffers from multiple past traumatic brain injuries with symptoms including, but not limited to, memory loss, headaches and sleeplessness.

Erik Walden

Erik Walden, the Green Bay Packers‘ outside linebacker who spent three days in jail over the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend but then released with no charges, was back in court this morning where he pleaded not guilty to a disorderly conduct charge.

With his not guilty plea, Walden will be back in the Brown County Court Dec. 27.

Walden was arrested the morning after Thanksgiving when his live-in girlfriend went to St. Vincent Hospital with injuries allegedly suffered from a scuffle with Walden.

See more about Walden after the jump …

and don’t forget to Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

(more…)

The question has been posted across the Internet: Should Erik Walden play for the Green Bay Packers Sunday?

My answer: Absolutely.

The Packers’ outside linebacker who sat in jail last weekend after being arrested for suspicion of domestic abuse was released Monday without being charged … And until he’s charged, he has to be presumed innocent.

If he’s charged between now and Sunday, that’s a different situation.

However, until then, he’s still slated as the Packers’ starting outside linebacker and should be allowed to play. Let the system run its course and if he’s innocent … No harm done. If he’s guilty, then you let the courts do its job.

But right now, Packers’ head Coach Mike McCarthy should do what’s right and play the man.

Walden led the team in tackles in their last game against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day and given that it’s probable that both inside linebackers, Desmond Bishop and AJ Hawk, may not see the field, then it’s even more important that the experienced Walden should play.

At this point, even Brown County police and the district attorney can’t figure out if Walden committed a crime. If he did, they will charge him. If he didn’t, then he should be allowed to move on with his life.

In the meantime, the answer is yes, Erik Walden should play Sunday against the New York Giants.

Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Erik Walden, the champions’ player arrested last Friday after an alleged altercation with his girlfriend, apologized today to the organization, coaches, fellow players, and fans as he was questioned by a throng of reporters at his locker.

“I want to apologize to the entire organization, my teammates and the fans,” Walden said. “You know, it’s an ongoing process, I respect that process, and it’s just unfortunate that I brought something negative from so much positive that’s going on with this organization.”

He didn’t say anything about the specifics of the incident and indicated he was accepting of the need to let the process run it’s course.

Walden’s girlfriend had originally told police that as she argued with the Packer player that he struck her.

However, she later changed her story to say she hit him first.

The conflicting story has prompted Brown County District Attorney John Zakowski to initiate a more thorough probe of the incident.

Brown County District Attorney John Zakowski said Monday that Walden’s girlfriend originally told police they were arguing and he pushed her but she has since changed her story to say she hit him first.

It’s unclear as to his playing status for Sunday’s game in New York against the Giants, but he did say he’s ready to move ahead.

“I feel terrible about the situation. Just ready to move on and play football.”

Whether he plays Sunday will be up to Coach Mike McCarthy. He is scheduled to talk to the press about it tomorrow. While the league is still looking into the case, it’s not out of the question that the Packers would sit him.

If he doesn’t play, Frank Zombo, who has had injury problems this season, would be his replacement.

Walden’s teammates have been supportive.

“I think everyone’s just behind him on the team, supporting him,” right tackle Bryan Bulaga said. “I don’t know much of the details of the whole thing.”

“…that’s why this team has been so good getting past adversity, whether it’s injuries or whatnot, being able to move on just because of the great leadership.”

Walden has played well this season and has started all 11 games this year. He had a team-leading 10 tackles against the Lions on Thanksgiving.

No formal charges have been filed against Walden though prosecutors are still investigating. Zakowski said he needs more time to interview others to see if this is a case of miscommunication or if the woman is trying to protect Walden.

Walden is scheduled to return to court Dec. 7.

Erik Walden

So, Erik Walden spends the weekend in jail, but is released today with no charges filed against him …

Wow, not a glowing illustration of a great system of justice.

Two questions come to mind at this point: Is there enough evidence to charge Walden, the Green Bay Packers linebacker, with battery against his girlfriend? and what do the Packers do at this point as to whether to play him in the next game against the New York Giants?

Walden’s girlfriend, the woman who was treated for injuries at St. Vincent Hospital early last Friday morning, now claims that she started the fight with Walden.

The district attorney has said that until police determine who initiated contact in the conflict, charges are pending.

It will be interesting to see what transpires in the next few days.

Stay tuned.

Like Lombardiave.com on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Just when all the talk is about what a thug Ndamukong Suh is, we get news that Packers outside linebacker Erik Walden is arrested for battery in an incident with his girlfriend.

Of course we accept that a person is innocent until proven in a court of law to be guilty. However, this doesn’t look good for Walden or the team.

We can only hope there is some sort of misunderstanding here, but even so, it is time for the team to make adjustments on the field.

Early reports were conflicting. It was originally reported across the Internet that Walden was arrested early Friday morning after an altercation around 2:30 a.m. at the couple’s apartment on Scheuring Road in the town of Lawrence, south of Green Bay.

Those first reports indicated that Walden’s girlfriend was the one who called police about 6:10 a.m. That was after police said she was treated at St. Vincent Hospital for a cut and bump on her head and an injured right hand.

Later reports said hospital personnel were the ones who called the police and that the woman said it was a misunderstanding. Later reports have the woman saying that during an argument with Walden she had accidentally fallen and hit her head on the bed.

Well, this is a story we’ve all heard before … from victims after the fact in an attempt to cover the truth and to protect the perpetrator.

But again, we won’t pass judgment … We’ll let the courts do that.

Regardless, Walden will sit the weekend in jail because of the fact that the Brown County Courthouse won’t be open until Monday.

On the field, Walden hasn’t been dominating at his outside linebacking position, but has been steady in his role.

The position has been manned mostly by Walden this season, but Frank Zombo has also played some downs when he has been healthy.

Right now, the hope is that Zombo can play and stay healthy because of the uncertainty raised by this situation with Walden.

The Packers organization issued a brief statement yesterday saying they were doing more investigation before commenting any more about Walden.

We’re sure the Packers will simply let the system run its course, as they should. Unless some other details come forth and Walden is exonerated in this case, it’s most likely that we’ve seen the last of Mr. Walden readying to rush the quarterback.

He’s most likely going to be readying his own defense.

Judging from past history, Ted Thompson and Mike McCarthy won’t stand for this type of behavior and Walden will be packing his bags sooner than later.

Former Packers defensive end Johnny Jolly was sentenced to six years in prison today.

Green Bay Packers former defensive end Johnny Jolly was sentenced today to six years in prison, according to reports by the Associated Press.

Despite the tearful pleas by the defendant for another chance Judge Denise Bradley sentenced Jolly in her Houston courtroom.

Phyllis Jolly, mother of suspended Green Bay Packers defensive end collapsed and screamed after her son was sentenced to prison.

Jolly was sentenced for violating the terms of his probation on a drug charge. He was charged with possession of a compound containing codeine and tampering with evidence after a traffic stop in October. It was his third drug arrest in three years.

(more…)

The Packers gave up a touchdown to the Colts after an interception very late in the game that appeared to be the final nail in the Packers’ coffin, but Graham Harrell led Green Bay on a game-tying 73-yard drive in the final four minutes, first hitting Ryan Taylor for an 11-yard touchdown with 35 seconds remaining, then connecting with Taylor again for the two-point conversion.

But that was just the beginning of the fun. Coach Mike McCarthy called for the onside kick that was executed to perfection.

Harrell then led the offense 20 yards as the clock ran out on his 50-yard kick to win the game, 24-21.

The win … An improbable one given the ineptitude of the backups throughout the second half, the poor play of the offensive line, four sacks of Aaron Rodgers, and a nonexistent running game … was as sweet a preseason victory as anyone can remember … Though like all preseason games it will be forgotten by tomorrow.

However, if there was an opportunity for evaluation of players, McCarthy will probably have to rely heavily on the film because there was just too much excitement at the end to pay attention to individuals. 

And if this is a harbinger of the coming season, it’s going to be a humdinger. 

Frankly, I can’t wait for it all to begin …