Jenkins: 3-4, 4-3 defense...whatever
Spent some time with Kris Jenkins today at the league offices on Park Avenue.
The big nose tackle was there cooking in the cafeteria, alongside Marc Payero, the chef with whom Jenkins will be paired Super Bowl week in Tampa for Taste of the NFL, which raises money to battle hunger. (I can cook, too, just so that info is out there. Jenkins does it as a hobby; for me it's more the case of no one else will do it for me).
Now, first things first: Jenkins' said his hip was feeling fine and he wouldn't need any kind of procedure in the offseason. He still plans to fly (his favorite thing to do) to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl.
Jenkins, who has been in the DC area since the season ended, said he has been paying attention to the coaching search. He wisely declined to name a favorite (hey, I had to ask), and he said it was inconsequential to him what kind of defense - 4-3 or 3-4 - the new guy wants to play.
"Now, I know I can do both,” Jenkins said with a smile. “If it’s 3-4, it’s 3-4; if it’s 4-3, it’s 4-3. Whatever, I’m up for the challenge."
Brian Costello from the Post was there and we covered a few different things with Jenkins. Costello asked Jenkins about some of the comments a few Jets players made recently about Brett Favre.
"I’m not going to get into the tit-for-tat thing," Jenkins said, but added some interesting flavor.
“I’m never going to ever say anything bad about anybody that goes out to war with me, and goes out to bleed with me and I hope that everybody else that has seen what he’s done on the field, will accept the good and the bad. Let the guy go out with his head up high. At least honor him for what he’s done and what he’s accomplished.”
Jenkins also said he planned to stay in touch with Eric Mangini, whom he called, "one of the best men that I’ve met in my time on Earth."
“Just because we don’t work together doesn’t mean that I can’t keep in touch,” Jenkins said.
And shortly after that, Jenkins was off, headed later in the afternoon to Chelsea Piers for a fundraiser benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
“I made the commitment before the season,” said Jenkins, who has a home in the Washington area. “I know they got a little nervous because I went back to DC but if I tell someone I’m going to do something, I try to go out of my way to do it.”
* No, I wasn’t derelict in my duties regarding the coaching search today, though, granted, I’m posting late tonight. As you’ve no doubt already read, Jeff Jagodzinski interviewed this morning with the Jets and Woody Johnson, along with sitting in on that interview, also talked to Brian Schottenheimer, whose interview he missed Friday. Johnson will meet tomorrow with Bill Callahan, who also interviewed Friday.
Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum head to Arizona Thursday to interview Russ Grimm and they can congratulate the Cardinals assistant as late this afternoon the guard was named as one of 17 finalists for induction to the Hall of Fame.
On Friday, the Colts Ron Meeks will visit Florham Park for his interview. Brian Billick is still on the team’s radar but no interview has been scheduled. Rex Ryan, of course, will be interviewed but he has a playoff game to prepare for Saturday. The Jets could talk to the defensive coordinator Sunday but that has not yet been determined. A couple of you have asked about Ryan and the fact that he's interviewed before and not gotten jobs. Can't tell you what went wrong on those; only that you never know exactly what the teams doing the interviews are looking for. Ryan also has a bit of an edge to him in terms of supreme confidence (a good thing, I think) that maybe was read as cockiness. Who really knows? But remember: It took Tony Dungy and other guys quite a few interviews before they finally landed jobs. Guys not getting hired their first few go-rounds in terms of interviewing is, to me, irrelevant.
Finally, we can cover all of this and more in tomorrow’s live chat, scheduled for 11 a.m. Back with you then, though maybe sooner. Can't predict these things.
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Comments (24)
Jenkins appears to be the polar opposite of his prior reputation.
Erik, at some point could you explain how he fell so out of favor down south?
Every quote out of his mouth now is pure class.
So far, I haven't really heard any negative comments about Mangini from any of the players. Obviously can't say the same about Favre.
It's hard to believe that just five months ago, the biggest story about the Jets was Chris Baker being unhappy with his contract.
Dear Erik,
The more that I hear from Jenkins, the better I like him.
I must echo njQB and Wayne's comments about Jenkins. He has been nothing but total class in his time with the Jets.
Also, it is interesting how the players still really respect Mangini. We know this is old news to you Erik, but I think you are right about Mangini becoming a good coach down the road. He probably didn't step in enough, especially with Sutton's D the last few weeks. That is something he probably learned.
Anyway, I am sold on Ryan and would love to see his hard-nosed approach as head coach. Russ Grimm isn't a bad choice either, although I think he should be an OC first. Maybe the two paired together or keep Schotty on O if need be. There could be much worse.
I think are-tee and StuckinReno are right: I've heard almost nothing but praise for Mangini from the players. And yet, I'm reading a lot of columns in newspapers and online from sports reporters saying that Mangini was not well-liked. Someone has to be wrong. Or is it that the players liked Mangini, but the front office and his own coaches didn't? Can you clear that up, Erik?
Echoing above comments, I've heard a lot of praise from the players about Mangini as a coach and as a person. Jones, Washington, Cotchery, Coles, Keller, Revis and Jenkins seemed to all be fond of him. Something worries me: he seemed to form a very strong bond with these players that might allow him to attract them during their respective contract endings to the Browns (should he end up there). I think it's important we find a new coach that will win over these players. Losing a player like Leon (whose contract is up in 2010, I believe) would hurt a lot.
Erik:
Agree with you about Robert Caro's 'The Power Broker" -- 1,300 riveting pages, a great read.
The biggest disappointment in all this is Tanenbaum -- his inane assertion that the Jets want Favre back in 2009 just shows how deep into Johnson's nether region his nose is. He knows better.
Tanenbaum is a bean counter and not a football guy. I think he is not enthused about the Jets getting an older, well-known established coach who might not be especially respectful of Tanenbaum. He'd probably prefer an obscure lesser light over whom he could exercise more control.
Damn I love Jenkins. And nice vocabulary, Boland. Derelict. I like it.
I agree with all the comments above about Jenkins.
If he is healthy, probably the best defensive player in the leauge.
Good Point "Eastside", either way when a new coach comes in he will
always bring his own guys in...be prepared for a new look to this team again.
I agree with all the comments above about Jenkins.
If he is healthy, probably the best defensive player in the leauge.
Good Point "Eastside", either way when a new coach comes in he will
always bring his own guys in...be prepared for a new look to this team again.
Trust me after Jenkins got hurt late in the Titans game thats what hurt his preformance for the rest of the year. He was the best addition Mr. T made last year. And if the new HC plays a 3-4 or 4-3 Jenkins will be a key to the D.
Trust me after Jenkins got hurt late in the Titans game thats what hurt his preformance for the rest of the year. He was the best addition Mr. T made last year. And if the new HC plays a 3-4 or 4-3 Jenkins will be a key to the D.
Trust me after Jenkins got hurt late in the Titans game thats what hurt his preformance for the rest of the year. He was the best addition Mr. T made last year. And if the new HC plays a 3-4 or 4-3 Jenkins will be a key to the D.
it's very tough for a NT in a 3 4 to stay healthy the whole year b/c they take such a beating getting double and triple teamed.
I'm really hoping they get Rex Ryan as HC. if you look at the teams that won last weekend, Eagles and Ravens, they both had pressure defenses that kept the QBs on their heels to make bad throws.
Hire IRA as HC
Those poor guys are the ones who end up crippled after they retire, because the human body isn't designed to take that kind of abuse for anything more than a short period of time.
ARI,
You're too funny but it would be a challenge for sure.I could bring in Joe B for the OC and Somers as the DC.
Erik, any word on whether the Jets are interested in Jason Garrett?
IRA, would take you over some of the the candidates mentioned.
In fact, they should have the final three, along with you, play a final four in Madden NFL.
The Final Four candidates would have to play next years schedule, without Farve, with the two best records meeting in the JNJ Bowl, streamed live on this blog.
Winner gets the job.
More valid than letting Mr. T make the call, and a lot more fun than all this speculation crap.
Wayne, Yes that would be fun but cut Mr. T some slack. ESPN gave him kudos for exploring all his options. And i do too. The Cowher story who knows what really happened. If he really wanted to coach i guarantee you Woody would have spoke with him.With all that said i am available for an interview. GO JETS!!!!
I am not buying all this love and respect of Mangini now that he is gone. Even if true that he was well liked, that is irrelevant. They failed to play for him. The way they imploded and layed down the last 5 games speaks volumes of how they felt about their beloved coach. It's better to be respected than liked when leading a team. That said, I do believe that a few players (Jenkins) did play for him but the veteran "leaders" on the team didn't care about him enough to get in someones face and demand all out effort.
Rex Ryan...bring that attitude to our team!!! Would love to see Rex Ryan on the sidelines next year. I have been impressed with this guy for years! Score 24 pts with him and you probably win 9 out of 10 times!
Go Rex Go. We want Rex!!!! Everybody is worried about 4-3 or 3-4! Rex doesnt play either despite what you hear (that he is 3-4). Ever watch the Ravens??? they do it all. Last week they had 2 DT's in a 2pt stance with 4 LB's moving all around the line. They were able to pressure handoffs, get sacks, INT's. Outsmarted a smart QB.
"JETVET" & "Daniel" I echo your comments
Daniel. Right on about coaches needing to show flexibility and creativity! Heck, my High School team 25 years ago played 4-3, 3-4, 5-2 and 6-1 all the time-That's called situational football! This Jets team seemed more interested in second guessing and over thinking themselves rather than trying to confuse and keep off balance the opponents!