Jenkins/LB Experiment Off To A Rough Start
As the coaching staff promised during OTAs, Cullen Jenkins has taken a handful of snaps standing up from a linebacker position. The early returns have not been favorable.
By PackerAaron
It's only been a couple of snaps, but the early returns on Cullen Jenkins taking snaps as a linebacker are not good. While he hasn't actually lined up in the traditional outside linebacker spot, he has taken a handful of snaps standing up in a two point stance.
Needless to say, the results haven't been pretty.
Now, they've called for him to drop into coverage more than anything else from a standing position, and maybe they want to get him the reps now to help refine his technique. But one play in particular told you all you need to know about how opposing quarterbacks would take advantage of Jenkins when he drops.
During team drills, the defense came to the line in an amorphous formation, without any linemen except for Jenkins. Basically, it looked like last years fan-fave "Psycho" except that Jenkins, in the middle of the mass of humanity, was standing up. bouncing around, before the snap of the ball. Aaron Rodgers took one look at Jenkins, took the snap, and fired a ball into Finley who Jenkins was trying to cover on a short slant.
It was absurd.
I hope we get a look at Jenkins rushing the passer from the outside sometime soon, because so far, the returns on his linebacker play are less than inspiring.
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Comments (11)
JohnRehor
August 02, 2010 at 01:24 pm
Its only day 3 of camp, so I'm not ready to call this experiment a failure. But I didn't like this when word got out it was being done, and I don't like it now. Disguising in the 3-4 is key to mask where pressure is coming from, but Jenkins dropping into coverage sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
Put him on the outside and let's see what he can do.
August 02, 2010 at 01:34 pm
Honestly, anyone was expecting this to be a sucess?
In another, non-related news, I've heard the brass is thinking about bringing Derrick Frost back. Apparently, their reasoning is that he didn't take enough snaps with the team. And Bush's contract will be extended. Indefinitely.
August 02, 2010 at 01:37 pm
This has fail written all over it.
Kampman didn't work in 3-4 coverage and he was 6'4/260. Jenkins is 6'/300. And while Jenkins can move quickly, I think Kampman probably had the better speed/motor. What are the Packers thinking here? Nagler, you had it right last year (I thought) when you wrote about using Chillar at OLB.
I'm at a loss on this one.
August 02, 2010 at 01:41 pm
Quick correction: Jenkins is 6'2
August 02, 2010 at 03:43 pm
Maybe they are just doing it to throw other teams off and give them another thing to prepare for. Then they won't ever do it in the regular season.
August 02, 2010 at 04:14 pm
go back and watch the tape of the steelers game. jenkins rushed from a two point stance a few times, and looked decent doing it.
him rushing from a two point stance, and him trying to play zone coverage are two totally differnt deals
PackerAaron
August 02, 2010 at 04:37 pm
Yep, remember it well, (Have watched that game more than any other from last season) But rushing from a two point in the middle of the line and from the outside linebacker spot are two completely different animals. Interested to see how he looks.
August 02, 2010 at 05:31 pm
You're guys coverage of training camp has been great. It's hard to keep track it (Good problem to have).
PackerAaron
August 02, 2010 at 05:36 pm
Thanks man.
August 02, 2010 at 07:01 pm
There is no way you can call it a fail just because Finley beat him. Finley beats probowl safeties and LB's and CB's. to a lot of other quarterbacks who don't have that type of TE, they see a body in front him and they probably aren't going to throw it,and that's pretty much the best you can hope for from jenkins.
PackerAaron
August 02, 2010 at 07:10 pm
Its not just that Finley beat him, its that it was so easy for the QB to spot.