The Final Countdown: Kris Jenkins
Position: Defensive Tackle
Player: Kris Jenkins
Summary:
It’s hard to state just how big a difference he made for the Jets in 2008. His anchoring of the defensive line and stopping the run was one of the reasons of the Jets defense so dominant, getting so many chances to attack QBs on third downs. As the season ground on, so did Jenkins ability to command push back his defenders. Just shy of 30 years and at over 360 pounds, Jenkins was a force to be reckoned with.
Jenkins plays is reminiscent of Celtics’ player Kevin Garnett. In that when healthy, Jinx gives his all and his play is phenomenal. But worn down or with injuries, Jenkins wanton abandon can become something that opponents use against him. Although Jenkins admirably only blamed his own play and didn’t take the easy way out and complain about injuries at the end of last season, it’s clear that he had a tough time playing with the same dominance with which he started 2008.
Moving Forward:
Jenkins has to be better protected by his line mates, rather than carry the water for them earlier in the season if the Jets plan to keep him fresh for the second half of the season. Beyond conditioning, the only solutions I can think of for a two-gapping nose like Jenkins to stay fresh are to (1) limit the numbers of plays that Jenkins participates in and/or (2) limit the number of blockers he’d see on a play by play basis.
It’s a damning predicament; throttle back the one player that who has had arguably the greatest impact on this defense in the last five years, to save him for the later parts of the season, hoping that the team is competitive at that time.
I guess this is why they pay head coaches the big bucks.
Questions:
Can Jenkins maintain his level of play across the season? How does the scheme help to give him more of a rest? Can the backups even begin to approach Jenkins level of production?
9 Responses to The Final Countdown: Kris Jenkins
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SackDance99 says:
Assuming the Jets will blitz more, it’s likely that Jenks will 1-gap more, which will also help to keep hime fresh. Also, when Ryan gives the Jets a “46″ defense look, Jenks will likely play weak side DT, like against the Pats in Foxboro when he abused Logan Mankins. Also, let’s hope that the Jets ball-control offense keeps him off the field longer.
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fonzie says:
Sorry Guys:
After everything is said and done, I don’t believe Ryan ( we should all have fun !!) will have the discipline to be in shape and last all year, Sorry !!
It will be ALL up to his self proclaimed defensive prowerss!!. -
ramble914 says:
Fonzie,
As the son of Hank/Naples, nothing you say suprises me. What is really sad is that you try to sell yourself as a Jets fan when really you are a Dolphins fan. Everything you write is BS!
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ramble;
If you recall Jenkins was available last year because he was “lazy, out of shape, and a ‘problem” in the locker room. That is the only reason Carolina traded him. Guess what? Mangini brought him over, got him in shape (lost about 30 lbs) and got him to “tow the company line”. Guess why he accomplished such a changeover? I know you would say it’s because of Tannenbaum, but you and I know it was because of Manginis discipline !!. this is why I’m saying that football is NOT all about fun. I don’t think Ryan can make his players tow the line when it becomes a matter of self discipline. He doesn’t have the CHARACTER !!!!
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Bent says: So, it had nothing to do with the weight clauses that Tannenbaum smartly put in his contract then?
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Bent:
Ofcourse those clauses helped keep him on the straight and “narrow’. Do you really think it was that smart for a GM to include the weight clause in a contract of a player with a history of over-weight problems? He would’ve been derelict in his duties not to do so. I will not give him much credit, however, i alslo knew Tannenbaum would be given credit for that.
Jenkins had lost respect for the Carolina coaching staff, and some of the players in the locker room. He was known to express his opinion regardless of effect.
One thing is to be within target weight and another to be in physical condition, and tow the company line. Mangini was responsible for the latter, NOT Tannenbaum.
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Bent says:
I know, I’m just messing around. We know that Jenkins (and Woody, who has similar clauses) will probably make weight this year, but we’ll just have to wait and see whether Ryan will do as good of a job as Mangini as motivating them (and everyone else on the team) to go the extra mile. So far, it seems like the team is fired up, but that often happens with a new coach, but let’s see if he can sustain the until the games start.
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Bent:
Absolutely, and I think that Ryan will/has done a good job motivating his players. After all, he IS known as a players coach. I was one of the first TJB’s fan to support Rex and state that he would be the only one I would consider an upgrade to coach the Jets defense after Mangini. However, I never expected him to be soooo outspoken AND sometimes careless with his mouth, specially comming from a coach, and this worries me.
One thing is is to be the president of a wild frat house, another is to be the president of the college. I have not seen any other direction, leadership from him (so far) other than his rah, rah stuff.
I mean, what is going to happen when/if the offense or the special teams sputters, fire Schotty, Westhoff?Ryan reminds me of Obama (with lots of rah, rah), where the bias media, AND fans, blame the past administration for the mistakes of this administration.
Brian,
As you touched on, conditioning, IMO, is the key to keeping Jenkins on the field throughout the season. I really hope he can trim at least 20 lbs. and build up his stamina. If he’s in top shape he can dominate a game like he did against Buffalo in the first game against them. He was ragdolling Edwards all game.