I totally agree 100% with you. And as others have pointed out other teams are in the same situation. I have no arguement there. But do you think Pouha would be able to fill a void left by Jenkins? By raising his game if Jenkins were to be removed from the lineup? That is a simple yes or no. That's all I'm saying here. Others have said that he is unproven as well as others on this defense. I agree and by saying we're screwed I'm just echoing that sentiment with added caution. My whole point is if Jenkins gets hurt. And it is here where I leave the articles point. And if some are bothered by this I apologize. I can't help but wonder. I was thinking aloud on a message board. Bad form indeed. Don't get me wrong. I have high hopes for this defense. They look like they will frustrate every opponent they face. I've already said that. I just can't help myself when I see a potential problem admist positive things with this organization. Doom and gloom? Yeah a little. Do you blame me? My worst fear is that the money spent this off season goes in the crapper. There's still old culture in me. Now I know I'm touting Jenkins pretty high. But with the money he received and the weight that he has lost has me thinking he will be worth every penny. I've been waiting for that middle to get sured up for a while and it's finally here. I'd just hate to see it go away. As sure as all of you do too. Hello. My name is Denniyork and I'm a pessimist.
The bottomline is that Pouha showed himself to be capable to handle the NT position to spell Jenkins in a rotation. Should Jenkins get hurt,....well sure, there is a dropoff. But like others have said, any other team's NT goes down, there will be dropoff. I would like to see Mangini utilize D-line rotation a little more often than his track record shows & get Mosley some more time because he's got a great motor.
I brought this up last week, Pouha was and is my break out player this year. While he is no Jenkins, Pouha is still young and learning the pro game. His rookie season was wiped out by blowing out his knee. Last year he was just coming in to his own and starting to pick it towards the end of the year. While Jenkins will be the starter for the next few years, Pouha could be the future and with enough playing time could be and excellent back up as well as starter. As I mention in an earlier post, it's almost a blessing to have him on the roster, he can spell Jenkins without to much of a drop off in talent which of course will kill offensive linemen and make them ripe in the fourth quater for the picking......
i think it's also important - besides resting Jenkins - that Mangini gets Pouha in there as much as possible, and early, so that in the unfortunate event that Jenkins goes down, Pouha will be ready and able to come in and do the job. this is more likely to happen if he's experienced.
I wouldn't worry about a rotation...3-4 teams live and die on a rotation...it's not like these 300+ pound men trying to hold multiple 300 pound men don't get tired...all of our backups (except Brown) saw a decent amount of time on the field last year...
I agree with you about Pouha. He does have to develop a more vicious attitude on the playing field than has been inspired by his serious Mormonism to date.
I've been waiting to hear good things said about Pouha since we drafted him 3 years ago. I had a feeling that he had good promise, and I knew that his character would fit right into the expectations of the organization ever since I heard that story about how he rushed into a burning building to save a complete stranger. I'm glad that he will be giving Jenkins a run for his money, for two reasons: 1. Because it means that Jenkins is going to have to bust his ass and stay consistent if he wants to keep a starting position, and 2. Because Pouha deserves recognition. I look forward to seeing them side by side, closing gaps together, when Eric Mangini desides to drop the defense to a 4-3 setup for a play or two.
