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Five Questions About Kris Jenkins

By Brinson | March 4, 2008

When your team swings one of its star defensive players for two draft picks, you have questions you would like to have answered. I know I did. And who better to ask than Brian Bassett at The Jets Blog? TJB has been slammed this off-season, what with the Jets picking up every free agent D and O-Lineman in site. Well, that and they run the Mock Draft Muncher, which is particularly sweet, especially if you’re interested in comparing how essentially every expert out there feels about NFL prospects.

It’s also worth noting that when I asked the questions re: Jenkins, I somehow still wasn’t aware that there’d been a reporting flub on his 20 million guaranteed, as you will see, TJB has the scoop on the full contract status of Jenkins, including guaranteed money and all the incentives that the Jets apparently piled onto his contract to make sure that they didn’t have to deal with a 400 McRib doing his best to “stop the run” (read: standing still and clogging the lane). Answers from Bassett after the jump. Oh yeah, and check out my answers to his questions.

1. Mister Mittens: I know you guys are busy catching up on/breaking the news on the Jets next offseason expenditure, so we’ll make this fast. Give me a gladiator style thumb up/thumb down on the overall Jenkins for draft picks trade. Explain if needed.

The Jets Blog: Thumbs up. The Jets have been dying for proper interior linemen be it 3-4 or 4-3 for more than three years. I know that Kris Jenkins might not be the nose for the next 10 years, but he’s a guy who seems to be solid at taking on two blockers (a key in the 3-4) and that’s just what the Jets need to allow their OLBs to get free on rushing the QB.

2. MM: The part that got me wasn’t the trade itself (Jenkins wanted out so I thought we needed to move him, and #5 in 3/5 is a decent return) but the contract. Are you guys nervous at all about handing a guy who played only five total games over 2004-05 20 million in guaranteed money?

TJB: It seems that the rumors of the death of GM Mike Tannebaum’s sanity were greatly overrated. The deal turned out to be closer to $18 million in guarantees, with only $9 million in first year bonuses … (roster and signing). So basically the other incentives are roster, and more importantly weight contingent. You can read more about the deal here in this post on TJB.

3. MM: Jenkins is a pretty well behaved guy, but he’s mentioned that he gets “bored” in Charlotte, and he wants to be in a bigger city where there’s more to do. Any personnel worries about him having too much to do in a city that has given plenty of professional athletes fits? Or alternatively, him staying in shape now that he just got paid (the PCats obviously had issues with his weight prior to 2006)?

TJB: I don’t think that John Fox and Eric Mangini’s coaching styles are all that dissimilar. The good news is that Mangini will keep Jenkins busy and in shape due to his weigh ins worth $25K a pop. Yes there’s a lot to do in New York and I think he will enjoy the city some, but my hope is that it will provide him a proper “work-life balance.”

4. MM: I’m convinced they felt like they could deal Jenkins because of the available free agents and the depth at defensive line in this year’s draft. Any young DTs you guys had your eye on that you think Fox and Hurney could pull on with those third or fifth round picks?

TJB: Honestly, Jenkins and Rogers were the two that would have fit the Jets’ needs best. They needed the big fat 350 pounder to clog the middle and take on two blockers in passing and to two-gap in run defense … that’s the real question to whether Jenkins can adjust. I was pleased with Jenkins, as I think he’s the be a good player for what the Jets need over the next few years.

5. MM: Over/unders - Jenkins’ 2008 sacks at 5.5

TJB: Under … DTs in a 3-4 rarely get to sack the QB, that’s the LBs role. I’d guess he’ll have 3 sacks if he’s lucky.

Jenkins 2008 tackles at 32.5

Over … Noses are asked to pivot on the center, and then swing the direction the runner goes and try to make or assist in the tackle. 50 is a pretty fair season, but I think it will take some time for Jenkins, so I will say 43.5

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Thanks again to Brian for taking the time out of his busy offseason schedule to answer my questions. Mittens readers are, of course, advised to check out TJB for actual NFL blog journalism everything you need to know about the Jets, the Jenkins trade and NFL mock drafts.

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