Cullen Jenkins wanted to be a leader of the Eagles defense last year but he didnt know how to go about it.
Sure, he had been in the league seven seasons before joining the Eagles. And, sure, he won a Super Bowl with the Packers in the 2010 season. But Jenkins was in a different situation, with a new team, new teammates and didnt know how to take over the locker room or defensive meetings.
Its tough because you dont know everybodys attitude, Jenkins said on Wednesday, the first day of the teams second round of organized team activities. You dont know how people react to certain ways. Some people, you didnt even know if they wanted to be helped or not. It took time to build relationships and get to know everybody.
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Now, Jenkins said things are different. Hes coming into his ninth season in the league, but more importantly, his second in an Eagles uniform. Jenkins said hell be able to become more of a vocal leader in the locker room and on the field because of it.
Yeah, its a lot easier coming back, he said. You know everybody. You have time to get to know the younger players and learn them, working with the young guys. This is a lot better feel for me after having a year under my belt.
Jenkins missed the teams first voluntary OTA last week because his wife needed minor surgery. He said everything is fine and he just had to play Mr. Mom for the week. Jenkins missed the first OTA along with Jason Babin, who was bear hunting in Alaska (see story).
But Jenkins is back with the team and said his first practice with his teammates went well. Jenkins will be a veteran voice for the Eagles but he wont be alone. Newly acquired linebacker DeMeco Ryans is expected to handle a majority of the leadership role as well.
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Thats big-time, just listening to him talk, his intensity level, Jenkins said of Ryans. The fact that hes done it in the league at a high-level for a while. I think hell bring a lot, especially in the leadership category.
But Jenkins stands to bring a lot in that category, too. The defensive tackle started all 16 games last season and recorded 5.5 sacks with 61 tackles
Jenkins was one of the signings in late July last summer. You know, the signings that led to Vince Young's calling the Eagles a dream team. Jenkins heard that comment and he noticed a sense of entitlement in last years team.
Its nice to see it in everybody this year, that they know we have to really work for it this year instead of thinking because we have a lot of players, that its gonna come. Its a good feeling, he said.
I knew the second I got here and I heard the phrase dream team floating around, it was something like ahno, no, no. Hopefully, we dont have anything like that floating around this year. We have to work for it.
And this year, theyll have plenty more time to work. Jenkins didnt want to blame the shortened off-season (no OTAs or minicamps) for the teams struggles, but admitted this year will be much easier.
He said the team wont have to waste training camp time learning simple parts of the scheme theyre learning now. Instead, he said, training camp will be used to fine-tune things to get ready for the season. This time will be particularly invaluable for rookie linemen Fletcher Cox and Vinny Curry.
After just one day of practicing with both players, Jenkins can already see their potential. He especially sees it in the Eagles first-round pick, Cox, who might end up being the other starting tackle along with Jenkins.
I think he can come in and apply a lot of pressure and really fit into this system here right away, Jenkins said. I think hes going to be a contributor this year. For him, I think its just going to be him learning to perfect things because hes got so much ability and raw talent. Well just help bring him along because he wants to learn. He wants to get better and thats a good thing to have.
Fellow defensive lineman Darryl Tapp said that he sees Cox and Curry wanting to learn. Cox can be special. Cox and Curry can be extremely special if they set their mind to it, Tapp said.
Most likely, itll be Jenkins doing a lot of the teaching. After all, now hes ready to be a leader.
Just a lot of determination, Jenkins said. You can see it in everybody. Its a much different feel than last year.
E-mail Dave Zangaro at dzangaro@comcastsportsnet.com