Jenkins Key to Helping Defensive Line Dominate

Cullen Jenkins probably won’t get much more than cursory consideration, if any at all, for the Pro Bowl in large part because 3-4 defensive ends don’t get the playmaking opportunities that 4-3 ends get.

But Jenkins has been everything defensive coordinator Dom Capers could have hoped for — and more — when he implemented his scheme with the Green Bay Packers. If Capers needs some teaching film for future 3-4 ends, he need only throw in the tape of last Sunday’s game at Pittsburgh, where Jenkins was borderline dominant.

Forget what the official game stats said — merely one assist on a tackle — Jenkins wreaked havoc. Unofficially, he had nine quarterback pressures, three of which set up sacks for outside linebackers Brad Jones, Clay Matthews and Brady Poppinga.

Jenkins hit Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger six times. That was the second most hits by a Packers’ player this season, according to the team’s individual defensive stats. Only linebacker Aaron Kampman, who had seven against Detroit on Oct. 18, recorded more this season.

About the only thing Jenkins failed to do against the Steelers was wrap up the elusive Roethlisberger for a sack on the game’s second-to-last play, which might have ended it before Roethlisberger could throw the last-second, game-winning touchdown pass.

Though he has just 4½ sacks, Jenkins leads all Packers’ defensive linemen in quarterback hits this season with 21. The next closest lineman is Johnny Jolly with nine. Jenkins also has an interception and three forced fumbles this season.

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