Updated Mar 4, 2013 - 11:55 am

Report: Seahawks checking out DT Cullen Jenkins

listen Listen: On the Seahawks' reported interest in Cullen Jenkins

Brock Huard shares his thoughts on free-agent defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, who will reportedly meet with the Seahawks.

By Brady Henderson

In need of a boost to their interior pass rush, the Seahawks are reportedly scheduled to meet with free-agent defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins.

Jenkins, 32, was released by the Eagles last week, two years into a five-year, $25 million contract he signed before the 2011 season. He played in all 32 games and recorded 9.5 sacks during that stretch, playing defensive tackle in Philadelphia's 4-3 defense. The Eagles have a new head coach and a new defensive coordinator, so a potential scheme change could have been a leading factor in their decision to release Jenkins. He was scheduled to earn $5.5 million this season.

The Seahawks should have a level of familiarity with Jenkins. General manager John Schneider was working in the Packers' front office when Green Bay signed Jenkins as an undrafted free agent in 2003. Jenkins recorded 29 sacks, including a career-high seven in 2010, during seven seasons with the Packers before departing in free agency.

The Seahawks will be looking for help up front, especially if defensive tackles Alan Branch and Jason Jones sign elsewhere when free agency begins next week. Branch is more of a run stuffer, so his return would still leave the Seahawks in need of pass-rush help. A knee injury could make the Seahawks reticent about bringing back Jones, who had three sacks last season as an interior rusher.

The Seahawks' stated preference would be to stay young and find the answers to their pass-rush deficiencies via the draft, but a team known for leaving no stone unturned will consider all of its options, including an older free agent like Jenkins.

Jenkins met with the Giants Monday. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, he'll visit the 49ers Tuesday after meeting with the Seahawks Monday.

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RWIII wrote...

2013. NFL Free agency is a buyers market.

March 4, 2013 11:47 am

With so many teams dumping free agents on the market their will be a glut of players available. Most teams are strapped for salary cap space so 2013 promises to be a buyers market for free agents. Jenkins at the moment has six suitors including the Seahawks. However, most of those teams like the Seahawks will be looking for bargains. Jenkins in addition to his 9.5 sacks over the last two seasons had 50 Quarterback hurries. This is something the Hawks were desparately lacking last season. Jenkins was a key component when Green Bay made their Super Bowl run. This enabled him to sign a lucrative deal with the Eagles. Green Bay's defense to be honest was never the same after Jenkins left. The two big questions are 1)How much money does Jenkins want? 2) How much tread is left on his tires? If the Hawks go in another direction they will have plenty of options. But Jenkins ability to collapse the pocket cannot be ignored.

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Johnnymac50 wrote...

Jenkins

March 5, 2013 7:41 am

A question I would have is "Why was the Eagles' defense so bad if Jenkins is so good?" While it is true that it's a team game on both sides of the ball, what the Seahawks really need is a couple of standout players to fill the gaps, not just roster-fill. The pass rush was badly reduced last year when Clemons went down in D.C., Atlanta's freaky lil QB had up to "7-one-thousand" while looking for targets in that playoff game. Seattle needs at least two outstanding pass rushers in case Clem isn't ready to go on week one.

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RWIII wrote...

Generating a pass rush.

March 5, 2013 7:58 am

Seattle needs at least two pass rushers in addition to Clemons. They already have Bruce Irvin. The Hawks will need to generate pressure besides the defensive end position.

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RWIII wrote...

Defensive tackle position a need

March 5, 2013 11:53 am

Right now the Seahawks only have Mebane, McDonald and Jaye Howard under contract. Jason Jones and Alan Branch are free agents. Even if Seattle doesn't sign Jenkins the Hawks will need to look at both free agency and the NFL draft to find two defensive tackles. My guess is that they will sign a free agent and select a defensive tackle in the NFL draft.

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HornyHawk wrote...

Too much time

March 5, 2013 6:36 pm

RWIII has far too much on his/HER hands. Doesn't offer much in the comment department either other than his/HER "Captain Obvious" assessments of needs & wants for the upcoming year.

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Updated Mar 4, 2013 - 11:55 am

Report: Seahawks checking out DT Cullen Jenkins

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On the Seahawks' reported interest in Cullen Jenkins

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