Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Packer Plus
PLAYER PROFILE Rookie Jenkins providing plus protection
Green Bay — Elgton Jenkins surveyed the Packers locker room after Green Bay held on to defeat the rival Chicago Bears, 21-13, Sunday afternoon at Lambeau Field.
The rookie guard from Mississippi State, Green Bay’s second-round draft choice with the 44th overall pick, spit some chew into a locker room garbage can. He turned and smiled as he looked at the vacant lockers of his offensive line teammates.
“You know it was kind of rough at first, but the guys really help make the transition easy,” he said. “We got the win today and that’s all that matters. Wins are hard to come by in the NFL.
“It’s pretty cool to be sitting in this position we are in today, 11-3, and knowing I can contribute to that.”
The 6-foot-5-inch, 311-pound lineman has been a major contributor to an offensive line charged with protecting the franchise quarterback Aaron Rodgers and opening holes for Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
Through training camp, Jenkins proved he could push for more reps and a possible starting berth. Jenkins’ versatility — he played four difference positions (C, LT, LG, RT) across the Bulldogs’ offensive line in college — is an asset, along with his athleticism and football IQ.
“I used to play basketball, track and field, and football,” he said. “I really did the others to stay in shape for football, but when I went to college I had to work hard to get this big. I was about 275 and hit the weights and dedicated myself. And I just keep working hard and learning here in Green Bay.”
When Lane Taylor was placed on injured reserve with a biceps injury, Jenkins took over the starting left guard position in Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. Jenkins has been a solid performer alongside Pro Bowl left tackle David Bakhtiari, but he know there’s plenty of room for improvement.
“He’s (Bakhtiari) helped me a lot with tips and pointers, all the guys on the line and my coaches have,” he said. “I’ve got plenty to work on. My all-around game — the run, the pass, reading defenses — there’s a lot of stuff I can get better at.
“We protect a future Hall of Fame quarterback. Got to keep him upright, knowing if we give him time, he can make the plays.”
The 23-year-old Jenkins is still adapting to life in the NFL and life in Green Bay.
“I haven’t been to a Friday fish fry yet, but the guys have helped me with places around town as I transition into Green Bay,” he said. “I’m just having fun coming to work with the guys and going out there to compete and win. We have Minnesota this week, so it’s time to go to work in practice and then execute next Monday.”
Elgton Jenkins playbook
Name: Elgton Torrance Jenkins, Jr. Nickname: Big E
Residence: Clarksdale, Mississippi Born: Dec. 26, 1995, in Clarksdale College: Mississippi State
Degree: Industrial Technology
My favorite meal: I find myself eating chicken with any kind of side. So I’ll go with chicken.
Movie I enjoy most: My favorite movie of all time is, “Pursuit of Happyness,” by Will Smith. But I like watching a variety of movies.
What I like to read: Right now, I’m reading “The Subtle Art of Not (Caring).” Note: The title contains an expletive and Elgton didn’t want to repeat it.
My first car: My first car was a 2002 GMC Yukon. I was in college.
My ride now: truck.
My first job: I was a fryer in a local restaurant in my hometown, Clarksdale, Miss. I think it was called Ranchero.
Pro athletes I emulated growing up: I was playing center back then. I liked Gabe Jackson (Oakland Raiders) and Terrance Metcalf (Chicago Bears).
Did you watch Brett Favre and the Packers at all? A little bit, but I was more of a Saints fan. The first NFL game I ever went to was when I was in elementary school. The Saints had a losing record at the time, but it was my first game and I just leaned toward them.
If I could dine with anyone: Barack Obama. He set a great example for men growing up. I feel like I could learn a lot of things from him.
I have a 2019 Ram