By the Way, Cullen Jenkins was Released

For those of you nostalgic for old Green Bay Packers, you’ll be happy to know defensive lineman Cullen Jenkins was released by the Philadelphia Eagles today.

Now the Packers can re-sign him!

Before you wet your panties with excitement, consider that Jenkins is 32 and the Eagles had no intention of paying his salary. Jenkins was somewhat productive in his two seasons in Philadelphia, but his play dropped off in 2012.

Jenkins finished his last season in Green Bay with a career-high seven sacks, but had just 18 tackles in 11 games. Too old, too injury-prone, Ted Thompson said as he showed Jenkins the door. A motivated Jenkins registered 40 tackles and 5.5 sacks, while playing all 16 games for Philly in 2011. Those numbers decreased to 26 tackles and four sacks in 16 starts in 2012.

Would the Packers have any interest in a 32-year-old defensive lineman? Maybe for the veteran’s minimum and little-to-no signing bonus.

They obviously need to address the defensive line again after that unit was a sieve against the run in 2012. Plus, Jerel Worthy seems likely to miss the first part of his second season, so the Packers will need at least one more warm body.

The team has already scheduled a visit for another recently-released defensive lineman — Chris Canty. That proves they’re looking at improving that area. Still, we’re going to call it a long shot for Jenkins to return.

The Packers don’t have a history of signing players who are considered old and on the decline. And after last season, that’s what Jenkins appears to be.