Pro
2009 outlook: The Packers’ playoff hopes went up in smoke when Jenkins went down with a torn pectoral while trying to sack Buccaneers quarterback Brian Griese in the fourth quarter of their Week 4 game. Jenkins was a one-man wrecking crew during his three-plus games, piling up a whopping 2.5 sacks and 19 quarterback hits/pressures. With him, they won two of their first three games and were leading at Tampa Bay — putting them in position to be 20-4 since he was put in the starting lineup late in 2006. Without him, they went 4-8, yielded 23.3 points per game, mounted what can be best described as a feeble pass rush and couldn’t come up with a stop at crunch time in a number of close losses. Jenkins, who was mostly a bystander during offseason practices, will play right defensive end in the new scheme, which isn’t exactly a playmaking position, although the Steelers’ Aaron Smith posted six sacks last year. In nickel situations, he’ll move to his customary position as an inside rusher.
2007: Signed four-year, $15.8 million contract extension with Packers on Feb. 26, including $4 million signing bonus, a $1.28 million roster bonus and a $130,000 workout bonus in 2007, making his first-year compensation $6.76 million. His salary cap number is $3.76 million in '07, $3.41 million in '08, $4.06 million in '09 and $4.6 million in '10. He started 15 of 16 games with one sack and 49 tackles.
2006: Got 3 ½ of his 6 ½ sacks after he took over for Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila on base downs and played inside on passing downs in Green Bay’s final four games of the season. ... Finished with 48 tackles, but missed two games after spraining his ankle Oct. 8 against the St. Louis Rams. ... Started at defensive tackle against New Orleans in Week 2 and at Detroit in Week 3.
2005: Started 12 games in his second season with the Packers and was one of Green Bay's best defensive tackles against the run. ... Finished with 49 tackles, three sacks, seven passes defensed, and recovered one fumble. ... Was not penalized.
2004: Jenkins was one of the pleasant surprises on defense. Short on size, Jenkins makes up for it with quickness. Ability to put pressure on the passer could make him a mainstay. Finished season with 28 tackles (18 solo) and 4 1/2 sacks to tie for second on the team. Played in all 16 games, with six starts. Four of those starts came when Eagle tackle Cletidus Hunt moved to the nose to fill in for injuries there. Against Carolina and brother Kris in the opener, he recorded two tackles. His pressure at Detroit on Oct. 17 led to an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Darren Sharper. Recorded unassisted sacks agianst Washington, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Chicago.
The brother of Carolina Panthers standout Kris Jenkins. Played collegiately at Central Michigan. Was one of 13 players signed shortly after the January playoff loss to Philadelphia. Spent spring in NFL Europe and has opened eyes at training camp.
2003: Spent the season out of football after Green Bay waived him in the first mandatory roster cutdown, Aug. 26. ... Signed with the Packers as a non-drafted free agent on May 2, 2003. |
