Geno Atkins is an interesting defensive line prospect. I think his best fit is in the 4-3 as a defensive tackle, but he's got the athleticism to play end in the 3-4. Atkins certainly isn't long and lanky at 6'1, but he's got an incredibly first step. Like I said, his best fit is in the 4-3, but I can see him being a heck of an end in the 3-4...he's just got great athleticism.
So...How do you replace Jenkins. There are two things you can't coach. Size. Speed. Jenkins plays nose.Jenkins will be 31 when the season starts.He's had two ACL injuries. Are you suggesting passing up his replacement, while he's still here to mentor him?
I know more about this game than you could in ten lifetimes. Peyton Manning doesn't get knocked out of his comfort zone. He's the best quarterback in the league. Kris Jenkins may have pushed the pocket on a few plays, but Manning still had a dominant performance against our secondary. I know it wasn't decided until Shonn Greene got hurt. We also had the lead until Jay Feeley missed that field goal and gave Manning great field position. Jenkins has no effect on our running game. You can bring Leon Washington's injury into this argument, but not Jenkins'. A pass rush makes your secondary better. Yeah, Kris Jenkins at nose improves our pass rush, but when you have Drew Coleman covering a receiver in the playoffs, he's going to lose that matchup, whether Manning is pressured or not.
Sione Pouha wasn't half bad, but I'd like to see him used more as an end. This draft has a lot of nose tackles. I mentioned UNC's Cam Thomas earlier in this thread. I'd rather take him at the back of the second then Cody at the end of the first. There's more value in the Thomas pick. What the hell are you talking about? No, I'm not suggesting that at all. I'd rather go after a more athletic nose prospect later in the draft.
Here's one you can manage..Count the number of ATHLETIC 360+ pound men in the NFL.You'd still have fingers left over on your pizza eating hand.
No. He's not. When healthy, Brady is. Given a comparable supporting staff (including Tom Moore), It's Brady every day, and twice on Sundays. Especially at clutch time.
And yet Casey Hampton still has a job... We need a 3-4 NT, we do not NEED a fast, pass rushing 3-4 NT. This defense can still be dominant without a player of Jenkins' athleticism. It already went 1/2 a season in that role.
