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Bob Sturm's Email Bag: Cullen Jenkins at DE?
Bob Sturm / Contributor
Today's email of the day is actually a tweet that I thought I should share with you.
@bigphil32 writes:
Absolutely, Phil. As some of you know, I am a bit of a Green Bay aficionado, a great fan of Cullen Jenkins' work. He was originally an undrafted free agent in 2003 and was known for being the younger brother of Panthers DT (Now Jets) Kris Jenkins.
What you have to love about Cullen Jenkins is his ability to always make plays. The single biggest complaint I have had for the Cowboys 3-4 since its transition is that low number of plays made by the Defensive Ends. Sometimes, that is rationalized by those who will tell you that the 3-4 is designed to have the DEs take up space and occupy blockers and then people come in behind them and make the plays.
Richard Seymour, Shaun Ellis, Aaron Smith, Justin Smith, Darnell Dockett, and Cullen Jenkins would all dispute that concept. They all are DEs in a 3-4 who have consistently put pressure on the QB in their schemes while holding up against the run and causing havoc in the offensive backfield. It can happen. It just requires dynamic DEs who are able to do it in that scheme.
The Cowboys DEs have always been either stout against the run (with no pass rush) like Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears or capable in pass rush but with no anchor in the run game like Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher.
Cullen Jenkins is a combination of the two who is capable against the run and a game changer in pass rush and blowing up plays in the backfield. He also tips passes and occasionally takes over games. 7 sacks last year in 8 starts??? Sign him up.
So, why would Green Bay let him go?
Well, he is 30. He is also looking for one last big contract (his 4-year, $16 million deal expired at the Super Bowl) and the Packers have spent many of their resources on young DE types in the last few drafts. They think they have it covered, but I personally would caution Green Bay in allowing him to exit. At the same time, very few people second guess any decisions Ted Thompson makes these days.
Another reason why they may be ready to let Jenkins go is that his health has been a question in the last 3 seasons. In 2008, he ripped a muscle in week 4 against these same Cowboys and missed the rest of the year. In 2010, he missed plenty of time with a calf muscle strain. So, obviously, you want to be careful to pay a player too much if he has just 28 starts in the last 48 regular season games.
But as far as a player who could really upgrade this defensive line in a hurry, replace some very ordinary DE play with some very impressive play-making from a position where the Cowboys seldom receive anything extraordinary, I think Jenkins would be worth chasing when Free Agency begins again.
He does sound like a player who is going to a new home and although there will be plenty of interest (the Bears are said to be chasing him hard) because he can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3, this is a pursuit I would very much endorse.
[video=youtube;3unm2uQpIgc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3unm2uQpIgc[/video]
Bob Sturm / Contributor
Today's email of the day is actually a tweet that I thought I should share with you.
@bigphil32 writes:
- Any interest in kicking the tires of Cullen Jenkins? Doesn't look like the Packers want him around...your thoughts?
Absolutely, Phil. As some of you know, I am a bit of a Green Bay aficionado, a great fan of Cullen Jenkins' work. He was originally an undrafted free agent in 2003 and was known for being the younger brother of Panthers DT (Now Jets) Kris Jenkins.
What you have to love about Cullen Jenkins is his ability to always make plays. The single biggest complaint I have had for the Cowboys 3-4 since its transition is that low number of plays made by the Defensive Ends. Sometimes, that is rationalized by those who will tell you that the 3-4 is designed to have the DEs take up space and occupy blockers and then people come in behind them and make the plays.
Richard Seymour, Shaun Ellis, Aaron Smith, Justin Smith, Darnell Dockett, and Cullen Jenkins would all dispute that concept. They all are DEs in a 3-4 who have consistently put pressure on the QB in their schemes while holding up against the run and causing havoc in the offensive backfield. It can happen. It just requires dynamic DEs who are able to do it in that scheme.
The Cowboys DEs have always been either stout against the run (with no pass rush) like Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears or capable in pass rush but with no anchor in the run game like Stephen Bowen and Jason Hatcher.
Cullen Jenkins is a combination of the two who is capable against the run and a game changer in pass rush and blowing up plays in the backfield. He also tips passes and occasionally takes over games. 7 sacks last year in 8 starts??? Sign him up.
So, why would Green Bay let him go?
Well, he is 30. He is also looking for one last big contract (his 4-year, $16 million deal expired at the Super Bowl) and the Packers have spent many of their resources on young DE types in the last few drafts. They think they have it covered, but I personally would caution Green Bay in allowing him to exit. At the same time, very few people second guess any decisions Ted Thompson makes these days.
Another reason why they may be ready to let Jenkins go is that his health has been a question in the last 3 seasons. In 2008, he ripped a muscle in week 4 against these same Cowboys and missed the rest of the year. In 2010, he missed plenty of time with a calf muscle strain. So, obviously, you want to be careful to pay a player too much if he has just 28 starts in the last 48 regular season games.
But as far as a player who could really upgrade this defensive line in a hurry, replace some very ordinary DE play with some very impressive play-making from a position where the Cowboys seldom receive anything extraordinary, I think Jenkins would be worth chasing when Free Agency begins again.
He does sound like a player who is going to a new home and although there will be plenty of interest (the Bears are said to be chasing him hard) because he can play in a 3-4 or a 4-3, this is a pursuit I would very much endorse.
[video=youtube;3unm2uQpIgc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3unm2uQpIgc[/video]