Giants' Cullen Jenkins Impressed With Linval Joseph; Feels He's A Pro Bowler Quote
Cullen Jenkins hasn't been with the New York Giants very long, but he didn't need a lot of time to recognize the talent around him. And it wasn't the much talked about pass rushers that have impressed him the most, but rather it's been the often overlooked and under appreciated Linval Joseph.
“From looking at Linval in all the practices you wonder why he is not a Pro Bowler. He’s got a tremendous amount of ability, the strength he possess, quickness, speed. He’s had a couple dings here and there that have hampered him, but if he can stay healthy I think he’ll be a Pro Bowler," Jenkins told The Star-Ledger.
On a defense that ranked near the bottom of the league, and along a line that did anything but play up to their potential, Joseph was a rare bright spot in 2012. Unfortunately overshadowed by the unit's struggles, Joseph merely went out and handled his business each and every week … quietly. In fact, he played so well a season ago that he triggered several escalators in his contract, earning him an additional $55,000.
Of course, $7,875 of that went to the NFL after he was fined for "unnecessary roughness" following a skirmish against the Washington Redskins in week 13 (we maintain that it was a bogus fine).
In 16 games a season ago, Joseph collected 59 tackles and recorded four sacks. He'll look to improve on that here in 2013, which also happens to be a contract year.