GREEN BAY – It didn't take long for Elgton Jenkins to settle back in at his old left guard post.
After starting Week 1 at right tackle and then moving back to left guard due to injuries to his linemates, Jenkins proved his versatility is a major asset to the Packers' offensive line.
But so is just his good ol' dominant play at left guard.
The 2019 PWFA All-Rookie selection almost certainly has Pro Bowls and possibly All-Pro recognition in his future. There's practically nothing he can't do.
Here's a sampling, in chronological order, of No. 74's various assignments and execution against a variety of Saints defenders from the Week 3 victory at New Orleans.
Play No. 1: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 35, first quarter, 4:27 left
Result: 5-yard completion to RB Aaron Jones
This is the second play of the Packers' second possession of the game, and it shows how Jenkins can engage, move and stay with his man on a screen pass. The screen doesn't really set up the way the Packers hoped, but the modest 5-yard gain is mostly thanks to Jenkins' work against DT Shy Tuttle (99).
Play No. 2: Third-and-12 from the New Orleans 33, first quarter, 1:18 left
Result: 13-yard scramble by QB Aaron Rodgers
Need Jenkins to pick up a stunt? No problem. Here DT Sheldon Rankins (98) loops around from the right, and once Jenkins locks him up – combined with LT David Bakhtiari (69) effectively steering DE Trey Hendrickson (91) past the pocket – Rodgers has his scrambling lane to convert a big third down.
Play No. 3: Second-and-7 from the New Orleans 17, second quarter, 15:00 left
Result: 2-yard run by Jones
How about an old-school guard pull and kick-out block? Jones doesn't get much on the first snap of the second quarter because LB Demario Davis (56) gets out on the edge and forces Jones to cut back into a fast-closing hole. But Jenkins does his job and absolutely pancakes DE Cameron Jordan (94), who isn't quite ready for the Jenkins' power as a pulling guard.
Play No. 4: Second-and-10 from the Green Bay 35, second quarter, 3:36 left
Result: 2-yard run by Jones
It's simply tough to beat Jenkins at the point of attack. Again, the Saints defend this well and don't give Jones much, but Jenkins is letting DL Malcolm Roach (97) know that every play is all-out from snap to whistle.
Play No. 5: Third-and-10 from the Green Bay 25, third quarter, 14:50 left
Result: 72-yard completion to WR Allen Lazard
Straightforward pass protection might be Jenkins' strongest of many strong suits. This one, the third snap of the second half, is highlighted because Rodgers needs time for Lazard's deep route to develop, and he needs enough room to step into the long throw. Jenkins provides enough of both against DT Malcom Brown (90). The pocket develops nicely because Hendrickson, coming from the left side, trips over the foot of TE Robert Tonyan (85), allowing Bakhtiari to just pin him on the ground. Also, the Saints' best pass rusher, Jordan, is attacking from the inside, and C Corey Linsley (63) and RG Lucas Patrick (62) shut him down with a double-team, as Patrick gets a little creative with his backside to maintain leverage.
Play No. 6: Second-and-5 from the Green Bay 46, third quarter, 4:40 left
Result: 9-yard run by Jones
