Now The Packers Are Missing Cullen Jenkins?

Once the terms of Cullen Jenkins's contract with the Eagles (it could be for as little as one-year, $4 million) were announced, I've been thinking the Green Bay Packers made a mistake. Last week, I wrote again about how the departure of Jenkins has bugged me.

On the other hand, what are they really missing without Jenkins? He never provided a lot of help in run support, and now he's part of another lousy run defense in Philadelphia where the Eagles currently rank No. 30 overall according to Football Outsiders. The Eagles have more sacks (22) this season, but the Packers aren't far behind (19).

And those are good points. Overall, the Packer defense is only marginally better with Jenkins. But I really noticed his absence while watching B.J. Raji against the Chargers. Raji didn't record a single stat against Chargers, but it seemed like he was always on the field. Tyler Dunne did a very good job of providing several quotes on Jenkins from Raji because he's the one player who really misses Jenkins. Raji only has 2 sacks on the season, and his sack a couple weeks ago against the Vikings was only a coverage sack. He hasn't made a big impact in a game over the past few weeks.

So the question now is what to do with Raji? He's playing too much, and it seems to be making him less effective. Howard Green and Ryan Pickett aren't better players, but they aren't much worse if Raji's playing on fumes. Maybe instead of having him play on nearly every down, the Packers need to play him less and get more from him when does take the field.

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So I'm a Soothsayer now?

I’ve been saying since the first time I heard it that letting Jenkins go was a boneheaded move. Mike Neal’s fat ass is still in the training room not on the field, and he probably misses his buddy JT Harrell who also never played a meaningful down in the NFL. Jarius Wynn was playing this weekend, though you couldn’t really tell. I couldn’t tell if Wynn or CJ Wilson was out there half the time. I hope there’s a halfway decent DT/E available from the Tide or LSU by the time our turn comes in the draft. They say defense wins championships, let’s hope this is one time they’re wrong.

by biggun33 on Nov 10, 2011 7:38 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

our defense can still help us win the championship in the same the Saints D helped them win theirs…opportunistic defense. Causing turnovers and clamping down when it counts the most.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 10, 2011 8:19 AM CST up reply actions

Wow, we haven't had this argument before.

Look down a couple of posts to the green post by Stroh.

I already told you! I deal with the god damn receivers so the linebackers don’t have to! I have coverage skills; I’m good at covering people! Can’t you understand that? What the hell is wrong with you people?!

by msc32887 on Nov 10, 2011 9:36 AM CST up reply actions

I don't remember the moral of the Chicken Little story being....

that he was a soothsayer.

In Every Climb and Place....

by PhoenicianPakFan on Nov 10, 2011 1:41 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

It isn't Cullen Jenkins we're missing.

It’s Mike Neal.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

Skol is a four-letter word.

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Nov 11, 2011 3:15 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Keeping Fingers Crossed

I was one who wanted Jenkins to stay, but I understand we gambled on Neal..and lost (to date). However, we must move on…not all decisions are going to work out. Luckily, the O has been hot, and we’ve managed to win. I am keeping my fingers (and toes) crossed that Neal is available by Thanksgiving and that he doesn’t become Harrell2. [CM3 is enough, we don’t need Harrell2!]

If Neal does not come back, we need to find someone who can collapse the pocket. I don’t think just spelling Raji for a couple plays is going to be enough. He and CM3 are doubled on most plays meaning the other rushers are facing one blocker, and not making any impact. Someone has to step up, or we need to find someone, but as far as I know no one is available. Is there anyone out there???

by GregR on Nov 10, 2011 7:54 AM CST reply actions

Albert Haynesworth

A samurai sword collection. If you can do it. I don’t know if you’re allowed.

by TwoShoesMcGooze on Nov 10, 2011 10:17 AM CST up reply actions

Hell, why not sign T.O. and bring back Warren Sapp from retirement.

All we need is a loudmouth cancer.

by msc32887 on Nov 10, 2011 10:59 AM CST up reply actions

Nope.

~~Chuck Testa.~~ He was already claimed by Tampa Bay.

by mike_o on Nov 10, 2011 12:20 PM CST up reply actions

Old News!!!

Already been discussed ad neaseum… Let a dead horse die! We all know Jenkins was a good player but for the Packers to have signed him would likely have been to a 4 year contract for 30+M w/ about 15M guarenteed. So trying to say we should have signed him for the contract Philly signed him for is ridiculous. The only pertinent question is was he worth anywhere near the contract, and for that amount for a 30+ yr old DL would not have been smart! Live in the present and focus on fixing whats in front of you. Not dwelling on whats in the past!!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Nov 10, 2011 8:07 AM CST reply actions 9 recs

I am going to set up a few phony accounts

to make sure this gets greened!

Another Stroh’k of Genius!

by PackFaninFL on Nov 10, 2011 8:12 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs

Should I get you some wipes?

There’s something on yer nose bruh.

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Nov 10, 2011 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 3 recs

Honestly though, I liked it too.

I was all set to jump in with a discussion that would just have dragged up more memories of the past few seasons personnel choices (none involving QB’s though), but why bother?

There are great examples for and against the idea of letting a player leave one year too early as opposed to a year too late, but right now we can point to a 13th championship and an 8-0 season, let’s enjoy it and see if the defensive trend of the past two years (Caper’s D improving in the second half vs the first) continues on! Sometimes it’s alright to just enjoy the moment, and while discussion is fine I won’t blame a guy for wanting to avoid dwelling on things that can’t be helped.

by pharom on Nov 10, 2011 11:12 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

I heard

Sean Jones is available…maybe we should sign him, or bring back Leroy…

by Acme on Nov 10, 2011 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

Gilbert's still in the MKE area...

"I'm here to talk about the economy today -- about the need to get four quarters of strong, consistent performance. That wasn't another Jay Cutler joke, I swear. It could be, but it's not."

by Kuhl on Nov 10, 2011 3:14 PM CST up reply actions

Not sure where you got those numbers

Philly got him for 5 years at $25 million and can cut him after one year (at $4 million). I’d take the one-year option, personally. Maybe he’s not great against the run, but it’s a passing league and I’d rather have a guy that can push the pocket.

"I'm a relatively respectable citizen. Multiple felon perhaps, but certainly not dangerous."
— Hunter S. Thompson

by I voted for Kodos on Nov 10, 2011 6:38 PM CST up reply actions

Jenkins contract w/ Philly...

Was signed AFTER the market was dried up and Jenkins had NO other options! Yeah the numbers I put out there are estimates, but the Packers would have had to signed him last year or early in the offseason, not after the market dried up! Jenkins was expecting a LARGE contract as a FA, but it didn’t materialize. Look at the financial numbers for the top pass rushing DT in the NFL. Bet you’ll find that my numbers probably aren’t too far off. And thats taking into account that Jenkins MIGHT have signed w/ the Packers for 1M less than another team before FA started. That Philly contract is garbage and part of the reason Jenkins signed it is becuz he might become a FA again after one year and still get that Large contract he was looking for!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Nov 10, 2011 10:23 PM CST up reply actions

Why couldn’t we have talked to him after the market had dried up though?

Initially, we didn’t seem to interested in signing Jones. If I’m remembering correctly, we didn’t get in talks with him until he had been talked to by the Vikes and someone else. Could very well be that we realized he wasn’t going to be expensive as maybe initially thought, and then decided to jump back in.

What I didn’t like is that Thompson seemed hell bent on not bringing him back. Period. According to Jenkins, we didn’t even ever talk to him about a contract. That tells me that this wasn’t only a decision made due to financial circumstances. Seems like we just thought he was expendable or that he no longer had a use which seems wrong to me — granted, I’m no GM.

At the very least, imo, we should have at least talked with Jenkins to see what he was looking for. If what he wanted was too high (probably woulda been) — tell him just that. He’s a pro, I’m sure he gets that this is a business and that we’ve got a lot of up and coming guys to re-sign in the near future. That way, he feels respected, and if the market happens to dry up on him (like it did), maybe we can re-sign him to a favorable contract.

If he woulda got some big contract that paid him $7-8M a year with a bunch guaranteed, then fine. Like you’ve said, signing him to that doesn’t make sense. But if we had played our cards differently, who’s to say we couldn’t have swooped in and signed him for a discount like we did with Jones?

And just because it’s old news doesn’t mean it can’t be brought up. Up to this point, letting him walk looks like a mistake.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Nov 11, 2011 12:01 AM CST up reply actions

At that point...

I don’t think Jenkins would have any interest in talking to the Packers. Once the season ended and the offseason started, and he wasn’t signed I think his feelings were too hurt or whatever that he wouldn’t talk to them. Pride, feeling whatever you want to call it. I know the Packers had moved on but that doesn’t mean that Jenkins would have talked to the Packers at that point either. Players are usually funny about that… They take it as an insult if you don’t make them feel wanted. It was clear Jenkins wasn’t really wanted by end of last year. The packers not talking to him the entire year before about a new contract made that abundantly clear.

Its an old subject and has been discussed AD NAUSEUM already… It a moot point now. Move on… Dwell on the here and now!

You've been Stroh'd™!!!

by Strohman on Nov 11, 2011 8:18 AM CST up reply actions

Probably right. I think the bridge was burned at that point.

The Green Bay Packers...Putting bad coaches out of their misery since 2010

by TrevorR on Nov 11, 2011 10:31 AM CST up reply actions

Right, which is why I said I think it would have been beneficial to at least talk to him — even if there weren’t intentions of signing him at the contract he wanted. Had we done that then who knows, he might be willing to listen to an offer from us after he discovered the market wasn’t what he had hoped for.

Its an old subject and has been discussed AD NAUSEUM already… It a moot point now. Move on… Dwell on the here and now!

And it probably will continue to be talked about for as long as the pass rush struggles.

Fire Slocum

by packallday555 on Nov 11, 2011 11:47 AM CST up reply actions

This was Jay Cutler

Players are usually funny about that… They take it as an insult if you don’t make them feel wanted.

as soon as word leaked out that his name had come up in a trade discussion when he was a Bronco.

Also, it was QB4, as soon as the Packers drafted Aaron Rodgers.

"Perfection is not attainable,
but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."

"It's a great day to be great, baby!"

Skol is a four-letter word.

The Munsters of the Midway still suck!

by NorthStarr on Nov 11, 2011 8:53 PM CST up reply actions

I am going to set up a few phony accounts

to make sure this gets greened!

Another Stroh’k of Genius!

by PackFaninFL on Nov 10, 2011 8:11 AM CST reply actions 5 recs

incidentally

jenkins last 3 games: 2 tackles no sacks no QB hits. Last game 0, 0 and 0

ZERO POINT ZERO POINT ZERO

His age, his injuries. He’s dropping fast to the ocean bottom.

I’ll work with the young guns Wynn, Wilson and Neal.

by PackFaninFL on Nov 10, 2011 8:23 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

Or he could just be in a slump. We shall see.

by msc32887 on Nov 10, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

Money saved

I don’t know how you can argue that Jenkins made sense at the kind of money it would have took to sign him. It wasn’t a huge amount by NFL standards, but you spend 25-30 million on him and have to make hard choices elsewhere. Look at what Jenkins has done on the “Dream Team”!

At least Neal is supposedly practicing today – it’s a start.

I also think the D will play a lot better over the next few weeks and is good enough to win with our offense – they give up a ton of yards, but toughen up in the red zone and create turnovers.

by H3ller on Nov 10, 2011 8:50 AM CST reply actions

I think the problem I've seen with Jenkins

Is that 5years/30 million dollars is a big difference from 1year/ 4million.

I really hope we get some good news from Neal’s practice, but isn’t this a situation where he may be practicing this week and next to get back into the grove before he takes the field?

by pharom on Nov 10, 2011 11:15 AM CST up reply actions

That's why the Pack should have went after Haynesworth!!!

[/troll]

"Show me a good loser, and I'll show you a loser." - Vince Lombardi

by AdamA on Nov 10, 2011 9:52 AM CST reply actions

Intriguing

Have to say the thought did cross my mind when he was dropped by the Pats at seemingly the perfect time for GB. Then reality sat in and I said to myself:

1) Ted thompson is our GM. Ain’t gonna happen, and
2) If Belichek can’t resurrect this dudes career ,then nooone can

Good luck with this head case, Tampa Bay. Maybe he’ll suit up when we play them in 2 weeks.

by Icebowler on Nov 10, 2011 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

Can we get Raji back to the gap he was playing in last year

Abd stop the Jenkins talk, please? Seriously, they switched him and Pickett to try and make him more effective and it hasn’t worked, just switch them back

"IF CARDS CAN SIGN SUPPAN THEY CAN GIVE ME A HOME"

by Buddhasillegitimatechild38 on Nov 10, 2011 11:36 AM CST via mobile reply actions 5 recs

Are we missing 2010 Cullen Jenkins on the 2011 Packers?

Absolutely.

Does 2010 Cullen Jenkins still exist?

No idea. He has 5 sacks on the season (which is great), but a total of 4 tackles over the past 3 games combined. If he’s falling off already, Ted Thompson is smarter than I am, because I thought letting him go was dumb.

by Archibaldcrane on Nov 10, 2011 1:12 PM CST reply actions

it's was a long-term decision, not a right-now decision

in the long run, they didn’t want to overpay a 30+ year old 3-4 defensive end. They either feel they can get someone in there through the draft or FA, or they were satisfied with what we had, and knowing he’s playing next to Raji aren’t as worried about it.

Our run dense is playing great, so I don’t know about the complaints about Raji’s effectiveness, since that’s where his presence is most felt. True, a better pass rush would help the pass defense, but that’s not Raji, and in fact its’ not really about Cullen Jenkins either. Our main sack guy is Clay, and he hasn’t been getting sacks. Jenkins had 7 last year, true, but’s that’s only 0.4/game and is largely due to the attention on on Matthews and Raji (just like his 5 current sacks are largely because of attention to Trent Cole and Jason Babin). He’s effective as a 2nd or 3rd pass rusher, but is paid like a main guy.

I do think we need to get a 3-4 DE opposite Clay that can wreak havoc off the edge, or an OLB opposite Clay that’s also a great pass rusher, because teams are devoting all their attention that direction and have been effective doing so. I think those are big needs now, as well as FS

by rip_city_swagger on Nov 10, 2011 1:49 PM CST reply actions

What if ...

They what if arguments get pretty tiresome after awhile. The reality is that we have no idea even if the defense would be performing at some much more exalted level if Jenkins were still on the team.

I agree with Brandon that it would be a good idea to rotate Raji a little more, especially on obviously running downs when a front 3 of Green, Pickett and Wilson would do a good job. Finding a solution in the present is much more needed than wishing that the past had happened differently.

by MikeDB on Nov 10, 2011 3:49 PM CST reply actions 2 recs