Free agent and former Packers and Eagles defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins has reportedly met with the New York Giants as a possibility to upgrade their interior defense and pass rush. Jenkins was released by the Eagles on Monday, and has apparently wasted no time in finding his next potential landing spot.
That move saved the Eagles $4 million against the cap next season, but Jenkins was still in good shape in 2012, recording 27 tackles and four sacks while playing in all 16 games. Jenkins, 32, has been in the league for nine seasons now after being an undrafted free agent who signed with the Packers out of Central Michigan back in 2004. He played seven seasons in Green Bay before signing a five-year, $30.37 million contract with the Eagles, of which he ended up playing just two years.
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The Giants failed to make the playoffs in 2012 after winning the Super Bowl the previous year and a big reason for the change was the dip in pass-rush. After a monster season by Jason Pierre-Paul two seasons ago when he recorded 16.5 sacks for New York, Pierre-Paul managed just 6.5 in 2012. That number led the Giants, who also released veteran defensive end Osi Umenyiora earlier in the offseason, to pursue Jenkins. The veteran would be a cheaper stopgap who could instantly claim a starting spot on the defensive line, even at his advanced age.
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