Kris Jenkins: I can play another 5-6 years Posted by Bob Glauber on May 8, 2009 11:24 AM The Jets' massive defensive tackle, acquired last year in a trade with the Panthers, admittedly wore down as the 2008 season went on. But back problems that limited his play down the stretch have healed up (no surgery required), and Jenkins now believes the switch to head coach Rex Ryan can help extend his career by several years. "I’m about to be 30 in August, and I think I can squeeze another five or six years out," Jenkins told me. "I’m excited. I want to win, so we can keep this man [Ryan] here." Jenkins said the technique required of him in Ryan's 3-4 defense will not be as physically demanding as it was in Eric Mangini's system. "I was in a situation last year where I didn't know everything I was getting myself into until I went out and did it," he said. "It's funny. Now that I know everything that's needed, I won't be in that 3-4 again. I'll be in a different type of defense. It’s a 3-4 in philosophy, but there are roles and responsibilities that different people have. It’s a 3-4 variation." Jenkins also hinted that less rigorous off-season requirements might also help to extend his career. "It'll be less demanding on my body," he said. "A lot of the guys [in Baltimore] that played under Rex last long. Now you see why. They do it a little differently. I think I might get a couple more years out of this." So, is it because of less work in the off-season? Working smarter? The technique that is asked of him? "Well, I’m not going to say, because I don’t want other people to pick up on it. You want to have your edge on the field. You don’t want everybody to know your business."
so mangini would have forced him into early retirement due to the toll on Jenkins body.... nice. The best D Linemen this team has had this decade, and he would have been here until he's 33 not 36. NTs are known for playing until they are 36-38 anyway. Ted Washington, Sam Adams, Grady Jackson are all old people in NFL years.
Exactly...Look at all of the great D Lines in the league (NE, Min, Pitt, Balt, Giants) and they have multiple studs. Expecting Jenkins to do it on his own will shorten his career by a good number of years. Surround him with some talent and he will continue to thrive.
NT's can play into their late 30's but they have to have had a healthy career. I thnk Jenkins' career has been fairly injury free outside of one season.
if we can get another 5-6 years out of Jenkins...and he continues to play at a high level. Tannenbaum should get a street named after him for swinging that trade.
Eh. There's something a bit unsettling about Jenkins' attitude. It's almost like, "Well, last year I really had to bust my butt. This year I can kind of coast." I find it hard to believe that a new system or "variation" can so severely lessen the contact/effort/toll required of a nose tackle. I'd prefer he just said that he's feeling healthy and ready to rip.
If we would of stayed with mangini Jenkins would of retired next year. Getting Ryan is better then we think , Jenks will be a force at NT for us for atleast the next 3 years.
Plus he had to shed a lot of weight last year. After stressing that out he had a great start but like the article said he faded. This year besides the new scheme it should be easier for him. He is already at playing weight and seems to already have confidence in his coach. That's a huge plus. But I agree, he does need another MAC eater to spell him.
Jenkins is absolutely critical to our team. If Rex can extend his ability to play 1 or 2 more seasons it will help the Jets tremendously. I have never seen one person make such a positive impact on a defense. He is a beast that is essential to our team's success.
I can't find the quote right now, but Dan Hampton once said the 3-4 defense is like adding nitro to your car, you will go faster but you will break down more often.
Some 3-4's just require the NT to stand there on 70% of the downs and not get moved out of the middle by the double-teams they face. It's a tough job but it's not as bad as the 3-4 systems that want the NT to take on a double-team and try to drive it into the backfield or alternately the really bad 3-4's that want the NT to pick a gap and try and shoot it, that's the kind Eric Mangini runs and it's why his 3-4 sucks.
its moreso about the fact that some coach's try to work their lineman as skill position players as far as cardio and other drills are related. each coach runs his show differently, one of the biggest things that determines success for a coach is how you construct your practice routine.i know exactly what jenkins means when he says this. as far as the system goes. rex ryan runs a 1 gap defense thatr will have more blitzing and multiple fronts. our old defense literally relied every play on Kris Jenkins being a double gap NT and if he makes his block, people make their reads and react. ryans defense is more aggressive and theres more stunts and variations of fronts that Jenkins wont be able to be the sole focus of the OL every play.
I was thinking the same thing...5 or 6 years, how about starting with one full year? Still, the Jets really are to blame for failing to invest in some adequate young talent/backup for this position. Jenkins was a good pick up but not the total answer. There needs to be some young blood working in behind him, and not Pouha. Somebody with real potential. If I knew the Jets were going to trade up to 5, I would've preferred they pick up a Raji to solidify the middle of their defense. Steep price to pay, but these NT are hard to come by. Jenkins is the lynch pin to this defense, especially with no significant upgrades at DE. He goes down, and you can forget about having a dominant defense.
