Post by MizzouTiger on Feb 29, 2008 21:31:23 GMT -5
www.kansascity.com/456/story/511263.html
Panthers trade Jenkins to Jets
By MIKE CRANSTON
AP Sports Writer
The Carolina Panthers traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the New York Jets on Friday for third- and fifth-round draft picks.
The Jets then came to terms with Jenkins on a new five-year contract worth $35 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money.
"Kris is a productive player who is stout at the point of attack and has the ability to rush the passer," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "We are looking forward to adding him to our defense."
The deal on Friday ends a tumultuous year for Jenkins. He was also placed on the trading block last year and had angered the coaching staff for being overweight and missing offseason workouts.
"I am excited about continuing my career with the Jets," Jenkins said. "I am thankful for my experiences in Carolina and am looking forward to working with my new teammates and coaches in New York."
Jenkins played in all 16 games last season, but had only 2 1/2 sacks. Near the end of the season he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to return to Carolina.
At 6-foot-4 and listed at 349 pounds, Jenkins could move to nose tackle in the Jets' 3-4 defensive scheme.
"Kris is extremely excited to be going to New York," said Jenkins' agent, Tony Paige. "He leaves Carolina with no malice or anything like that and is grateful they drafted him and gave him a chance to play. He had a lot of great memories there."
The Jets also shored up their defensive line by signing tackle Sione Pouha to a three-year contract extension. Pouha, who showed marked improvement last season after coming back from a knee injury in 2006, had one year remaining on his rookie contract.
With Jenkins' arrival as a possible starter and Pouha's extension, it's unclear what's in store for veteran Dewayne Robertson.
The former No. 4 overall pick in 2003 has been a starter most of his career with the Jets, but at 6-1 and 310 pounds, seems to be miscast as a true, space-clogging nose tackle - as Jenkins appears to be. Still, Robertson had a career-high four sacks last season and has 14 1/2 in his five seasons. Jenkins had 20 1/2 in his seven years with the Panthers.
The Panthers, looking to fill several needs after two straight seasons out of the playoffs, coveted extra draft picks. The Panthers had given up their fifth-round pick last summer when they acquired safety Chris Harris from the Chicago Bears.
"Draft picks are extremely valuable," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "A high third and a high fifth along with raising our total to eight, it adds some flexibility."
The Panthers moved quickly Friday to start looking for Jenkins' replacement.
Former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rod Coleman was in town and took a physical. He missed most of last season with a variety of injuries and was released by Atlanta two weeks ago.
"He's an extremely talented player and he has 58 sacks in his career," said Hurney, who declined to say if Coleman passed his physical. "He definitely applies pressure from the inside."
Damione Lewis, who was re-signed recently and has served as Jenkins' backup, could also move in as a starter next to Maake Kemoeatu.
The Jenkins trade continues a busy offseason for the Panthers, who are retooling their roster after consecutive seasons out of the playoffs. Jenkins joins veterans Dan Morgan, DeShaun Foster, Mike Wahle and David Carr who have been let go in the past month.
By sending Jenkins to New York, the Panthers avoid paying a $1 million roster bonus and clear about $3 million in salary-cap space. Jenkins was scheduled to make about $6.7 million in base salary over the next two seasons under his old contract.
The Jets hope Jenkins can regain the form that made him one of the NFL's top defensive tackles before missing most of the 2004 and '05 seasons with injuries.
Jenkins came back in 2006 and made the Pro Bowl, but his constant weight problems disappointed the coaching staff.
After the Panthers failed to trade him during last year's draft, Jenkins was the only starter to miss June's voluntary workouts and his agent said he wanted a new contract.
The 28-year-old Jenkins didn't get a new deal, but he showed up at training camp and was the best player on a disappointing defensive line. Still, Jenkins irritated some in the organization when he questioned his teammates' passion after a loss to Tampa Bay early in the season.
Paige said he was allowed to try to broker a trade for Jenkins since the end of the season. He said Cincinnati, Buffalo and Denver also showed interest.
"We are glad to finally get it done," Paige said.
Panthers trade Jenkins to Jets
By MIKE CRANSTON
AP Sports Writer
The Carolina Panthers traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins to the New York Jets on Friday for third- and fifth-round draft picks.
The Jets then came to terms with Jenkins on a new five-year contract worth $35 million, including $20 million in guaranteed money.
"Kris is a productive player who is stout at the point of attack and has the ability to rush the passer," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "We are looking forward to adding him to our defense."
The deal on Friday ends a tumultuous year for Jenkins. He was also placed on the trading block last year and had angered the coaching staff for being overweight and missing offseason workouts.
"I am excited about continuing my career with the Jets," Jenkins said. "I am thankful for my experiences in Carolina and am looking forward to working with my new teammates and coaches in New York."
Jenkins played in all 16 games last season, but had only 2 1/2 sacks. Near the end of the season he said he wasn't sure if he wanted to return to Carolina.
At 6-foot-4 and listed at 349 pounds, Jenkins could move to nose tackle in the Jets' 3-4 defensive scheme.
"Kris is extremely excited to be going to New York," said Jenkins' agent, Tony Paige. "He leaves Carolina with no malice or anything like that and is grateful they drafted him and gave him a chance to play. He had a lot of great memories there."
The Jets also shored up their defensive line by signing tackle Sione Pouha to a three-year contract extension. Pouha, who showed marked improvement last season after coming back from a knee injury in 2006, had one year remaining on his rookie contract.
With Jenkins' arrival as a possible starter and Pouha's extension, it's unclear what's in store for veteran Dewayne Robertson.
The former No. 4 overall pick in 2003 has been a starter most of his career with the Jets, but at 6-1 and 310 pounds, seems to be miscast as a true, space-clogging nose tackle - as Jenkins appears to be. Still, Robertson had a career-high four sacks last season and has 14 1/2 in his five seasons. Jenkins had 20 1/2 in his seven years with the Panthers.
The Panthers, looking to fill several needs after two straight seasons out of the playoffs, coveted extra draft picks. The Panthers had given up their fifth-round pick last summer when they acquired safety Chris Harris from the Chicago Bears.
"Draft picks are extremely valuable," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said. "A high third and a high fifth along with raising our total to eight, it adds some flexibility."
The Panthers moved quickly Friday to start looking for Jenkins' replacement.
Former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Rod Coleman was in town and took a physical. He missed most of last season with a variety of injuries and was released by Atlanta two weeks ago.
"He's an extremely talented player and he has 58 sacks in his career," said Hurney, who declined to say if Coleman passed his physical. "He definitely applies pressure from the inside."
Damione Lewis, who was re-signed recently and has served as Jenkins' backup, could also move in as a starter next to Maake Kemoeatu.
The Jenkins trade continues a busy offseason for the Panthers, who are retooling their roster after consecutive seasons out of the playoffs. Jenkins joins veterans Dan Morgan, DeShaun Foster, Mike Wahle and David Carr who have been let go in the past month.
By sending Jenkins to New York, the Panthers avoid paying a $1 million roster bonus and clear about $3 million in salary-cap space. Jenkins was scheduled to make about $6.7 million in base salary over the next two seasons under his old contract.
The Jets hope Jenkins can regain the form that made him one of the NFL's top defensive tackles before missing most of the 2004 and '05 seasons with injuries.
Jenkins came back in 2006 and made the Pro Bowl, but his constant weight problems disappointed the coaching staff.
After the Panthers failed to trade him during last year's draft, Jenkins was the only starter to miss June's voluntary workouts and his agent said he wanted a new contract.
The 28-year-old Jenkins didn't get a new deal, but he showed up at training camp and was the best player on a disappointing defensive line. Still, Jenkins irritated some in the organization when he questioned his teammates' passion after a loss to Tampa Bay early in the season.
Paige said he was allowed to try to broker a trade for Jenkins since the end of the season. He said Cincinnati, Buffalo and Denver also showed interest.
"We are glad to finally get it done," Paige said.