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Josh Ellis
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is Jets defensive lineman Kris Jenkins.)
Name: Kris Jenkins
Position: Nose Tackle
College: Maryland
Height/Weight: 6-4/360
Age: 31
NFL Experience: 10 seasons
Availability: After he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) early in each of the past two seasons, the Jets released Jenkins in late February, making him an unrestricted free agent who, given his situation, should come at a relatively low cost compared to other veteran D-linemen.
What He Brings: The last time Jenkins was totally healthy, 2008, his first year with the Jets, he was an All-Pro. That was two surgeries ago, of course, and it would probably be unrealistic to expect him to return to such form. However, the 2010 injury occurred in Week 1, so he's had a lot of time to heal, including this lengthy offseason. A team's medical staff will have to sign off on his knee, which may be better able to handle a rotational role at this point.
Connections: Though he has never played for any member of the Cowboys coaching staff, the team should be able to get some good information about what kind of worker he is. With the Jets he played under Rex Ryan, brother of the Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. And while he had been traded from Carolina a year before defensive line coach Brian Baker arrived there, it's likely Baker heard a few things about him from Panthers head coach John Fox.
Where Would He Fit: At this point in his career, Jenkins may try to chase the opportunity for a starting job, which he would not get with the Cowboys, who have Jay Ratliff as a fixture in the middle of their defense. If such a chance doesn't arrive, though, he could be willing to settle for decreased snaps, which the Cowboys can offer. If he's healthy, the team would probably be more comfortable using Jenkins semi-regularly on running downs as opposed to second-year pro Josh Brent. The extra breathers could keep Ratliff fresher in the pass rush. In a real pinch, Jenkins might even be able to slide out to end, but that shouldn't be viewed as anything more than an emergency solution.
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
(Editor's Note: With NFL free agency still to come, the Cowboys' roster remains very much unfinished. In this summer series, DallasCowboys.com takes a look at a number of veterans who could wind up in Dallas before the season begins. Today's featured player is Jets defensive lineman Kris Jenkins.)
Name: Kris Jenkins
Position: Nose Tackle
College: Maryland
Height/Weight: 6-4/360
Age: 31
NFL Experience: 10 seasons
Availability: After he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) early in each of the past two seasons, the Jets released Jenkins in late February, making him an unrestricted free agent who, given his situation, should come at a relatively low cost compared to other veteran D-linemen.
What He Brings: The last time Jenkins was totally healthy, 2008, his first year with the Jets, he was an All-Pro. That was two surgeries ago, of course, and it would probably be unrealistic to expect him to return to such form. However, the 2010 injury occurred in Week 1, so he's had a lot of time to heal, including this lengthy offseason. A team's medical staff will have to sign off on his knee, which may be better able to handle a rotational role at this point.
Connections: Though he has never played for any member of the Cowboys coaching staff, the team should be able to get some good information about what kind of worker he is. With the Jets he played under Rex Ryan, brother of the Cowboys defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. And while he had been traded from Carolina a year before defensive line coach Brian Baker arrived there, it's likely Baker heard a few things about him from Panthers head coach John Fox.
Where Would He Fit: At this point in his career, Jenkins may try to chase the opportunity for a starting job, which he would not get with the Cowboys, who have Jay Ratliff as a fixture in the middle of their defense. If such a chance doesn't arrive, though, he could be willing to settle for decreased snaps, which the Cowboys can offer. If he's healthy, the team would probably be more comfortable using Jenkins semi-regularly on running downs as opposed to second-year pro Josh Brent. The extra breathers could keep Ratliff fresher in the pass rush. In a real pinch, Jenkins might even be able to slide out to end, but that shouldn't be viewed as anything more than an emergency solution.
