The Las Vegas Raiders have a good defensive tackle in veteran John Jenkins. His most valuable asset might be his leadership.
They used the offseason to build upon the arsenal through free agency. Add a player like defensive tackle Christian Wilkins. There is no guess as to why the defensive line is the Raiders' best unit. Only answers. They are -- All-Pro Maxx Crosby, Wilkins, double-digit sack candidate Malcolm Koonce, blossoming versatile defensive lineman Tyree Wilson, and big, space-eating interiors like John Jenkins and Adam Butler.
The latter of the two interiors might be the better one in regard to production. But the former is one of the team's most vocal leaders. What Jenkins provides is a decade of NFL experience at the position. With a head coach like Antonio Pierce, who wants a winning environment on the field and in the locker room, Jenkins' mentorship of young players is vital.. Jenkins told reporters that Young was "like a little brother.
"It was like a little brother, this is a brotherhood. I was extremely fortunate to have the guys who cultivated me when I came into the league, like the Broderick Bunkley's, Akeem Hicks, Jonathan Vilma, all those guys when I got drafted by the Saints in 2013," Jenkins said. "So I just pretty much try to take that with me wherever I go. Treat everybody like a brother, little brother, and just whatever game I can give them to do better.
"Those guys, they really want it, they're hungry for it, and they got a lot of potential. They are on this stage for a reason, so if I can do whatever I can I'm not just a vet, as far as a player, but also as helping a coach. I love , , all those guys. So it's up to me to give them a player's perspective instead of a coaching perspective."Perhaps the most succinct way to describe the motivation behind Jenkins' leadership.
It might just be that the most valuable aspect of the defensive line is it's brotherhood. Call it chemistry, unity, whatever the term you fancy. The Raiders want to dominate and they want to do it together.
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