A few minutes with Cullen Jenkins
by Frank Tadych
Cullen Jenkins made a recent visit to NFL Network studios in Los Angeles, sharing his thoughts on returning to the Packers, Aaron Rodgers and being shirtless at Lambeau Field:
Lets start with your free-agent status. Do you want to be back with the Packers?
CJ: I do. Obviously thats where Ive been my whole career. In a perfect world, you can finish out your career where you start. Its one of those things you only have so much control over. You have to see how everything plays out and let the system work its course.
Can you make an argument for Rodgers being the best quarterback in the NFL?
CJ: Definitely. Hes still young, too. When you look at a lot of the quarterbacks in that conversation, like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, theyre getting older. Aaron is still on the upside of his career and has a lot more football ahead of him. Hes still getting better, and whats amazing about him is how he turns it up a notch in the playoffs. What hes done the last couple of years in the playoffs is pretty incredible, to be able to have that poise and composure. I think a lot of that comes from being around Brett Favre so much and having the chance to develop mentally before he was thrown in the fire.
Tell me the single biggest reason why you won the Super Bowl.
CJ: I would have to say the one thing that got us back on track was the fumble caused by Clay Matthews and Ryan Pickett. We came out strong in the first half and were on pace for a good game, but then had the unfortunate injuries to Charles Woodson and Donald Driver. Were not the oldest team, so that had a big impact on the mentality of the team at halftime. We got word they were out, and you could see (the reaction) on everyones faces. Things started going downhill during the third quarter. They were surging on us. They could have taken the lead on that drive, but when we got that fumble we got it going again. That was the changing point, right there, to give us the confidence and boost we needed.
Who was the unsung hero of last years team?
CJ: I would say Sam Shields and the job he did as an undrafted rookie. Most guys would be happy to make the team and just be inactive, but he was our starting nickel back, did some returns, and started after the injuries. He even played through an injury during the Super Bowl. The year he had, coming out of the blue like that, really helped us out. He stepped up for us.
Theres been talk of the Packers repeating since that game ended. Thoughts?
CJ: They certainly have the foundation. Its just a matter of guys not getting comfortable, because they definitely have the talent and all the right players and coaching. Guys just cant get complacent and think its going to just come now. You have to know you have to keep working for it.
Theres lots of downtime during the lockout, and I know youre an avid fisherman. Whats the biggest thing youve ever pulled out of the water?
CJ: That would be a 9-foot-1 inch hammerhead shark off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. We were out on a charter boat pretty much the whole day. We werent getting any bites, and the captain was trying to figure out why, so we dropped a line down to see if there were any sharks in the area. Its mounted at my uncles house. My wife wouldnt let me keep it in the house!
Youve been boxing as part of your offseason training. Thats in vogue right now among NFL players any real fights in your future?
CJ: Its funny because my trainer, from the minute I walked in, he saw I could move well and has been trying to persuade me to do it. But I cant risk getting hurt. I have to be smart about what Im doing. But the competitor in you wants to try it, wants to see how you would do. But at the same time, after a few rounds Im so tired, and my arms are so tired after punching. Its a whole different monster.
Last, but certainly not least: What do you think about the shirtless fans at Lambeau Field in the middle of winter?
CJ: Those people are crazy! They have the shirtless fans, the bikini girls, its crazy out there. They get some alcohol in them and dont even feel the cold! Its good, though. Its a great environment. We feed off of it, and the players appreciate it. I dont think youll see me ever doing that.
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