John Jenkins – September 1, 2021
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Wednesday, September 1, 2021
DT John Jenkins
(So it turns out there’s only two guys on the 53-man roster over the age of 30 – you and DB Jason McCourty. Obviously a young team. As a veteran, what are some things that might not be so obvious that you can kind of help guys with here or there?) – “Building a routine to be consistent. Everybody knows that this is a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ type of league, so the thing obviously us being at this age – we’re being the old guys in the locker room – we obviously know what it takes to be consistent and be available so that’s a big thing that we can teach the young guys to develop a routine and how to be a professional. That way when your number is called, the ones who are not playing but have an opportunity – one injury or whatever the case may be – that they’re ready. So that’s one thing I can bring to the table.”
(Do you remember when you started your career your first couple of years, was there a particular veteran who was very helpful to you?) – “I was blessed. I was with the Jonathan Vilmas – rest in peace, Will Smith – Brodrick Bunkley, the Malcolm Jenkins’, the Roman Harpers and those guys, right? And Brodrick took care of me. He made sure all I needed to do was just bring breakfast sandwiches and anything else I was good because all I did was wanted to get better. And by ‘Bunk’ (Brodrick Bunkley) being the starting nose tackle – this was in 2013 with the New Orleans Saints – I just watched him. And by watching him and wanting to get better, he taught me how to be a professional. A couple years later, then I had the opportunity to play with Kevin Williams. So I was blessed to have legit vets who made a name and established themselves to a greater standing and pedestal in this league. I’m trying to be that to these guys coming in and the guys who are here now.”
(Are there any guys you can point to that you can try to take under your wing like that?) – “To be honest with you, this D-line group is very unique. We all have our own personalities, but everybody knows that – Christian Wilkins and (Adam) Butler, Zach (Sieler), Raekwon (Davis) – but the thing is we came together and developed a bond so quick. That’s not the norm sometimes, especially with the things we’re dealing with – this whole pandemic and everybody trying to be safe and not being able to do the dinners outside of football or hang out with each other because of everything that’s going on. We managed to develop a bond and not even with just the D-line group, but just the team itself. The D-line is joking with O-line, linebackers joking with O-line, quarterbacks. And I’ve been on teams where that’s not the case. It’s the league; some guys, they feel like they’re better than others and the things they accomplish, they have the right to feel that way, I guess. I don’t know. But this group is different and I can honestly say that it’s tough to try to take somebody under the wing because we’re all taking each other under each other’s wings if that makes sense.”
(Speaking of your relationships in the D-line room, do you at DT Christian Wilkins have any kind of wager – any kind of bet for this weekend?) – “Aw man, I don’t gamble. I don’t gamble. I learned a long time ago, 14 years old being from Connecticut playing Three-card Monte in the Bronx. Saved up all summer – my work all summer to save up money. I lost it. Ever since then, it’s not even in me. (laughter) I prefer bragging rights or hey, we’ll go out to eat. But other than that, I stay away from that.”
(What’s your prediction for Saturday?) – “We’re going to win. I guess people – I don’t even know. I hear things about, I don’t know, spreads and whatever. I don’t know. I just – I’m a Bulldog. Bulldog for life so that means more to me than anything.”
(Were you given a heads up prior to the last preseason game like, “Hey, you’re safe. Plan to be on the roster?” So cut day I guess was yesterday, right? So were you sweating it out at all or you knew you were good?) – “I never felt that way. I always try to play to my last game and I enjoy the process and that’s the one thing that’s allowed me to play this long because if you don’t enjoy the process, then why do it? So if that was ever the case, it didn’t bother or I didn’t care for it because I enjoy the process. Practice, whatever I’ve got to do. I’m always telling (Austin) Clark, I’m hovering; because him and I – we’re developing a relationship so I’m always there. So I’m enjoying the process. All that stuff doesn’t mean anything to me.”
(As a veteran who’s been on many teams…) – “Wow, ‘many teams.’” (laughter)
(What stands about to you about this roster?) – “The fact that we gelled so quick. My rookie year – being able to make the playoffs and seeing how the playoffs develops, what happens in the playoffs and how quickly the sense of urgency, you know? That year, we had a great team. We gelled. Being on ‘many teams,’ (laughter) when I was in Seattle, it was the same type of vibe and chemistry and this is the same type of vibe and chemistry that I experienced and we’re just going to ride this wave. We enjoy one another so I like that.”
(What was your reaction when the Patriots said that Mac Jones was going to be in and Cam Newton was out?) – “I don’t even pay attention to that. And that’s not me being politically correct; I don’t even have cable. I don’t know. I just – whoever I play, whoever is up that week – I just try to keep it real simple so I can do my job.”
