With trading for the 3 time pro bowl defensive tackle from the Carolina Panthers, the Jets did something they should have done two years ago. There isn't a more important position to a 3-4 D as the nose tackle spot. Ideally this player obtains multiple blockers and paves the way for his teammates to make plays. But to me something more defines the nose tackle as a special player. More than most players on the football field, he can put fear into the minds of his opponents. When he walks up to the line of scrimmage they have to sense that nasty demeanor paired with the brute force of a gigantic body. If you would look up the word "nose tackle" in a dictionary, you might very well find a picture of Kris Jenkins. A physical speciman at 6-4 and 345 pounds, he just is what you call dominant on the football field.But let us just wait a second. Didn't the Carolina Panthers run a 4-3 system? Isn't it true that Jenkins has never played in a 3-4 defense before? That is certainly true, yet in Jenkins' case that doesn't matter. "I've played quite some zero technique before in Carolina, too, and the coaches here told me it won't be much different", says the 28-year old Jenkins, who was second round pick back in 2001 out of Maryland. "I'm definitely looking forward to the challenge." Jenkins isn't a system player like the Jets' most likely former defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. Standing at the line of scrimmage you can be sure that opposing linemen are thinking about Jenkins. And in the back of their head there might even be a little bit of fear, knowing they could very well be stomped to ground by that massive giant in a couple of seconds. Robertson never had that kind of impact or force for that matter, especially not in the 3-4 where he was a complete misfit. The only fear he put into the minds of opponents then was that they could stumble over Robertson and hurt their ankles after pushing him five to ten yards upfield.
There are concerns with Kris Jenkins, too, that's out of the question. His weight has been rumored to be an issue and he missed basically two years in 2004 and 2005 with injuries. Yet this is the past and a change of scenery might just be the right thing for the longtime Panther. "Nothing went wrong in Carolina and I'm very thankful for everything they did for me. But now I'm a Jet and I will do everything in my power to be in the best physical condition I can be and help the team win." Words you like to hear, especially coming from a player with the ability and the raw talent that Jenkins possesses. In terms of judging the trade you have to compare the risk to the reward, as always. Not only did the Jets only give up lower draft picks, the contract (5 years, about 30 million) they gave the big man is also heavily in the team's favor as it includes a lot of money upfront and certain clauses concerning durability. So the risk is limited. And the reward of having a motivated monster anchoring your defensive line can only be described as "gigantic".
Jenkins for his part is happy that he has found a new home. And a new task. "You know, I actually get really excited about the opportunity to play here in New York and in a new system. I'm anxious to show what I can do as a true nose tackle. I'm very passionate and proud about what I do, not only as an athlete but also as a man and you can be sure I will be up for the challenge."
Looks like the Jets finally have found their nasty man in the middle...
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