As if the Eagles hadn’t already won the title of “free agency champions” with the Kevin Kolb trade and the singing of Nnamdi Asomugha, they kept the pedal to the metal this afternoon with the signing of former Packer Cullen Jenkins to a 5 year, $25 million deal.
Jenkins was a defensive end in the Packers 3-4 look, but that pretty easily translates to a being a pass rushing DT in a 4-3. Especially in Jim Washnburn’s “wide nine” system where the defensive ends split out further than in most 4-3s. Rushing as a 4-3 DT in this system won’t be much different than doing it in the 3-4. However, Eagles GM Howie Roseman did note that Jenkins’ versatility was something that attracted them. He says that Jenkins could see time at DE and DT.
Jenkins is seen as one of the better inside pass rushers in the NFL. He recorded up 7 sacks in 11 games last year and had 4.5 in 2009. He has 29 total sacks in his career. The one drawback with Jenkins could be that he’s had some injury issues in his career. He played in 11 games last year and while he was healthy in 2009, he only played in four games in 2008.
The Eagles have clearly made upgrading their defense a #1 priority this season bringing in Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Jason Babin and of course Nnamdi Asomugha.