Panthers Jenkins could be available

Gibbs · Post #1 » by **Gibbs** » Sun Apr 8, 2007 1:55 am

The Carolina Panthers have told other teams Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins could be available in a trade.

According to multiple personnel sources from other teams, it has been made clear the Panthers would be willing to trade Jenkins if the price is right.

When asked if Jenkins was on the trading block Friday afternoon, Panthers general manager Marty Hurney declined comment. The Panthers have a long-standing policy of not commenting on potential personnel moves.

Jenkins and his agent weren't available for comment Friday.

Talk around the league about Jenkins' availability has been growing stronger since the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix in March.

If the Panthers were to make a deal, it's likely they would want an extra pick in the upcoming NFL draft as compensation. It's unclear which teams might be interested, but plenty have been told of the potential for a deal.

Jenkins, who has a salary-cap figure of about $4.5 million for this season and is under contract through 2009, was named to his third Pro Bowl last season. It capped a triumphant comeback after he missed most of 2004 and 2005 with shoulder and knee injuries. Jenkins could be expendable because the Panthers have depth at defensive tackle.

Ma'ake Kemoeatu was a high-priced free agent signing last year and fills the same type of run-stuffer role as Jenkins. Damione Lewis, another free-agent pickup, spent last season as the top backup, but was a starter earlier in his career and could return to that role. Jordan Carstens, a part-time starter while Jenkins was injured, has signed the restricted free agent tender for this season.

Jenkins was a second-round pick in 2001 and went to the Pro Bowl after the 2002 and '03 seasons. His weight has been an issue. The coaching staff likes Jenkins to play at about 340 pounds, but he has weighed more than that at times -- he has said he approached 400 pounds while sitting out during the injuries.

At the owner meetings, coach John Fox said Jenkins had not taken part in the first two weeks of the team's offseason training program, which began in March.

Jenkins has a clause in his contract that pays him a $175,000 bonus if he takes part in a specified number of the workouts.

This would solve our DT problem, I was thinking a 4th maybe a 3rd for this guy.

milehigh · Post #2 » by **milehigh** » Sun Apr 8, 2007 2:07 am

im not sure the numbers but can we even take on this guys salary???

Gibbs · Post #3 » by **Gibbs** » Sun Apr 8, 2007 7:27 pm

If not we could always deal Al for another 3rd/4th to clear some room

Even though I'm a huge fan of Al he's on the decline and DT is a much bigger need.

Elway=GOAT · Post #4 » by **Elway=GOAT** » Mon Apr 9, 2007 5:50 am

Yeah, but Jenkins is definatly on the decline. On top of that he always seems to be injured, and we dont have the kind of line that the Panthers have to take pressure off him.

EMB6903 · Post #5 » by **EMB6903** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 4:15 am

Jenkins is in his prime 28 years of age.. just needs a new situation. but other then that.. this guy is arguably the best DEFENSIVE TACKLE when hes healthy... DJ wouldnt get touched if we had warren and Jenkins up front.

Gibbs · Post #6 » by **Gibbs** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 6:22 pm

I still really like Jenkins to take up room upfront.

Unless Branch falls to us at 21, I would love to see Shanny pick this guy up for a 4th rounder

Elway=GOAT · Post #7 » by **Elway=GOAT** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 7:03 am

^^^Highly disagree with you guys. He is passed his prime, an NF prime is not the same as a baseball/basketball prime. He has lingering injuries and if we did pick him up, will be all be pissed a year from now, because he wil be nothing more than an overpaid, injury plaged, lineman like I view him now.