Kris Jenkins Will Make a Huge Difference in Middle for the New York Jets

Kris Jenkins is the biggest acquisition the Jets made in an offseason full of activity. He is generously listed at 335 pounds in various media outlets, but he came into camp at 359, and even that was low, by Jenkins's standards.

More importantly, he is the key to everything the Jets want to be this year. They want to be a more physically-imposing defense.

After all, the 3-4 is driven by size. With only three down linemen, it is imperative that they be big enough to occupy as many offensive linemen as possible.

Linebackers also must be big because with one less lineman in front of them, they will face one-on-one situations with 300-pound linemen.

No. 3-4 position demands size more than nose tackle. In the center of the defense, they must force double-teams from guards and centers who are not big enough to block them.

Jenkins has never played the 3-4, but his size (6'4", 359lbs.) and attitude make him a near-perfect fit.

“A 3-4 nose has a different type of patience than a 4-3 tackle," he said. "In a 4-3, you can just take off and go upfield. In a 3-4, you have to be a little bit more patient,” he said. “But one of the things that I’ve kind of made a name for myself on is not moving, so I think that’s going to stay pretty consistent in a 3-4 as well."

“You have to make it easier for everyone else to do their job. That means holding up blockers or whatever you have to do to make it easier for those linebackers and those defensive backs, and that’s what I take pride in doing.”

"I never did the pretty position. I've always been a grunt. I take pride in being a grunt."

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