Pickett is starting NT

[Scott Campbell]

I'd put Jenkins over Harrell against the run.

Healthy, I'd put Jenkins in over anyone on our D-line. He looked amazing until he got hurt last year.

[Partial]

Again the scheme demands three wrecking balls to stop the run on first and second down. The top three are: Pickett, Raji and Harrell. On passing downs Jenkins and maybe Jolly are inserted.

Position titles are meaningless for the d-line.

I'd put Jenkins over Harrell against the run. He's plenty big enough and run support has always been his strength. It's why he started over KGB. I can't put Harrell as a starter until he shows he deserves that spot.

Yep, but if he's healthy and in the fray thats a huge improvement to the line.

[rbaloha1]

Again the scheme demands three wrecking balls to stop the run on first and second down. The top three are: Pickett, Raji and Harrell. On passing downs Jenkins and maybe Jolly are inserted.

Position titles are meaningless for the d-line.

I'd put Jenkins over Harrell against the run. He's plenty big enough and run support has always been his strength. It's why he started over KGB. I can't put Harrell as a starter until he shows he deserves that spot.

Jenkins strength is swim moves and interior quickness for pass rushing.

KGB was undersized and was started to physically breakdown. Earlier in his career KGB was able to get stalemates against the run against lts. This delayed the play long enough for the backer(s) or a d-line man to make the play.

Jenkins was a huge upgrade against the run but to play inside on a consistent basis remains to be seen. Yes the jury is still out on Harrell but once he gains confidence watch out.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Jenkins was a huge upgrade against the run but to play inside on a consistent basis remains to be seen. Yes the jury is still out on Harrell but once he gains confidence watch out.

Not sure what you mean by playing inside on a consistent basis. He'll play 3-4 DE. He may go inside when they go to 4 man fronts, but that's not we're talking about here. 3-4 DEs need to be bigger than 4-3 DEs, but Jenkins is already at the size that several DEs on good 3-4 teams are at.

[Partial]

When healthy, you've got to look at Jenkins as one of the better 3-4 ends in the league. He will still be able to generate pressure imo.

[rbaloha1]

Jenkins was a huge upgrade against the run but to play inside on a consistent basis remains to be seen. Yes the jury is still out on Harrell but once he gains confidence watch out.

Not sure what you mean by playing inside on a consistent basis. He'll play 3-4 DE. He may go inside when they go to 4 man fronts, but that's not we're talking about here. 3-4 DEs need to be bigger than 4-3 DEs, but Jenkins is already at the size that several DEs on good 3-4 teams are at.

Inside means in the 3-4 the de plays over the guard and tackle. The 4-3 de often times plays over the lt left shoulder in space.

In the 3-4 the de may have 2 big guys hitting you on every play as opposed to the 4-3 in which only one big guy is engaging you.

[Partial]

Our DEs will line up helmet to helmet with the tackles.

[rbaloha1]

Our DEs will line up helmet to helmet with the tackles.

If this is a two gap with de lining up over the tackle then Jenkins may be fine. My concern is Jenkins taking on double teams on a consistent basis. IMO Jenkins in to physically equipped.

[RashanGary]

I don't think it's a guarantee that Raji will start at DE.

They were not very good on the line last year.
He is as sure of a starter as Hawk was as a rookie.

I wouldn't be so sure. He's too valuable as an inside rusher. I think his primary job will be as either NG or DT in the nickle/dime situations (where they can utilize his quickness and strength as a pass rusher). After that, he's too good to have on the bench, so they'll fill in his remaining snaps at NT and then some DE if there are any left. He'll play as much as a starter, but I don't think he'll start the first snap of most games unless there is an injury. (not because he's not good enough to start, but because he's too good as a pass rusher right now to wear him out as a run plugger)

I think it'll be Jolly and Jenkins starting or Jenkins and Harrell if he makes a magical recovery from that back injury. I think there is an outside chance he starts at DE, but that would be if Jolly doesn't have his head straight and Harrell stinks. Maybe it's not a complete long shot, but I don't think they want him to start unless they have to. I think they want to use his unique skills in the sub packages and have more of a rotation than a strict starting 3.

[rbaloha1]

I don't think it's a guarantee that Raji will start at DE.

They were not very good on the line last year.
He is as sure of a starter as Hawk was as a rookie.

I wouldn't be so sure. He's too valuable as an inside rusher. I think his primary job will be as either NG or DT in the nickle/dime situations (where they can utilize his quickness and strength as a pass rusher). After that, he's too good to have on the bench, so they'll fill in his remaining snaps at NT and then some DE if there are any left. He'll play as much as a starter, but I don't think he'll start the first snap of most games unless there is an injury. (not because he's not good enough to start, but because he's too good as a pass rusher right now to wear him out as a run plugger)

I think it'll be Jolly and Jenkins starting or Jenkins and Harrell if he makes a magical recovery from that back injury. I think there is an outside chance he starts at DE, but that would be if Jolly doesn't have his head straight and Harrell stinks. Maybe it's not a complete long shot, but I don't think they want him to start unless they have to. I think they want to use his unique skills in the sub packages and have more of a rotation than a strict starting 3.

This is my point -- not the current 3-4 end type which calls for anchoring against the run.

IMO is an effective situational pass rusher in Caper's schemes.

[SnakeLH2006]

It's funny to see Partial and JH scrap, but nonetheless....BJ will start. Who care's where's it at? He's gonna get major reps as a starting DL. Hopefully Jenkins plays, but back to many of Snake's Topics/Posts....BJ upgrades our starting DL by either at NG or DE. He plays significant snaps. Nuff said.

[DonHutson]

When healthy, you've got to look at Jenkins as one of the better 3-4 ends in the league. He will still be able to generate pressure imo.

I agree. He still has to prove it of course, but I think he's got the tools.

He's got the size, strength, and some experience playing inside. All of this will benefit the transition. Most of the big 3-4 ends out there just occupy blockers and stuff the run. They don't rush the passer in part by design, but largely because they wouldn't be effective at it anyway.

Jenkins should be able to play the run and occupy blockers AND generate pressure. He's also athletic enough that he could be reasonably effective dropping into coverage on the occasional zone blitz. He's a multi-faceted weapon that Capers should have a lot of fun with.

Now let's just hope he can stay healthy for a change...