49ers' Kyle Shanahan explains what Vol fans already know about Jauan Jennings
Tennessee Vol fans have a long-standing nickname for Jauan Jennings: dog. It appears the rest of the NFL is just now starting to figure that out. Jennings caught national attention during the 49ers 24-21 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. He was locked up with Packers CB Corey Ballentine and drove him […]
Tennessee Vol fans have a long-standing nickname for Jauan Jennings: dog. It appears the rest of the NFL is just now starting to figure that out.
Jennings caught national attention during the 49ers 24-21 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. He was locked up with Packers CB Corey Ballentine and drove him all the way into the Gatorade table on the sideline, leading to a brief scuffle between the two.
However, that's not at all surprising to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. He spoke with the media on Wednesday and recounted how Jennings angered his own teammates with similar actions against them on the practice field.
"Probably," Shanahan said when asked if Jennings is the most ferocious run blocker he's ever coaches. "I mean, what he did, taking the guy into the Gatorade [cooler] – it's what he does every play out of practice. I mean, our defense tried to fight him all last year because they thought he was going above and beyond and the next day in the meeting, I had to show them what he does every single play. And to say it's not personal, this is just how he blocks. He stops after the whistle. He just drives people, puts his face and hands into people and never stops. And when it's over, he usually goes back to the huddle, but people are taking it personal, but it's not personal. That's just what he does."
That's something to be constantly aggravating your own defense in practice, but that's not an occurrence that's likely to surprise many people in Knoxville. The former UT great was considered one of the most physical and talented wideouts in recent program history. Whether fighting through a crowd to pull down a game-winning Hail Mary, breaking through half a dozen tackles to trot into the end zone, or driving a defender into the turf – or a table full of energy drinks – Jennings is just intense. He has that dog in him, which is why folks refer to him as just that.
Jennings has proven his bite on the field is just as strong as his bark. The Lions' cornerbacks might want to keep that in mind when they line up across from him on Sunday afternoon at Levi's Stadium in the NFC Championship Game.
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