Jenkins among early favorites for comeback honors

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, June 26, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Carolina Panthers
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At the conclusion of every season in the National Football League, one particular athlete earns the league's prestigious Comeback Player of the Year Award. The honor is bestowed upon a player who either rises from nothing to become a star, or a well-known pro who rebounds from a serious injury.

With the new season looming large, Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins should be considered the leading candidate to win the award. The five-year veteran arose as, perhaps, the game's top tackle in 2003, the Panthers' NFC title-winning season, but has appeared in just five games since.

It all began in 2004 for Jenkins, when he hurt his shoulder early in the season and missed the Panthers' last 12 games. Jenkins was expected to be a key part of a big year for Carolina, but that was derailed for the ex-Maryland standout. The injury hurt the Panthers' entire team, too, as they finished a disappointing 7-9.

Jenkins came back last season with high hopes, much like this year. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL in a Week One loss to the New Orleans Saints, and missed the entirety of the season because of it. The Panthers still managed to make the playoffs with the league's third ranked defense, but Jenkins would have gone a long way in putting their unit at the top.

In last January's NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, running back Shaun Alexander ran roughshod over the Panthers' defense, gaining 132 yards and scoring twice. Had Jenkins been in the lineup, Alexander probably wouldn't have been able to dictate play.

Once again, the Carolina Panthers are among a few teams with Super Bowl aspirations for 2006. Regaining Jenkins will be enormous for the Panthers, as he'll add an incredible presence to their already brilliant defensive line. Essentially, no offensive line in the league will be able to dominate play up front, when playing the Panthers. Other than Jenkins, defensive ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker, and the new addition, 350-pound tackle Ma'ake Kemoeatu, will make up Carolina's dreaded starting front four.

The last time Jenkins was healthy, the 335-pounder piled up 45 tackles (39 solo) and five sacks. He went to the Pro Bowl that season, emerging as a top-flight defender.

As long as Jenkins can, for once, stay healthy, the 26-year-old should be among the favorites to win the aforesaid Comeback Player of the Year Award. The tribute went to his teammate, receiver Steve Smith, last season. Can the Carolina Panthers have two in a row? There's a very good possibility.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on Kris Jenkins at Realfootball365.com
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