Jenkins voices displeasure with defense

GREEN BAY - "At some point you got to take the handcuffs off and let the boys play," Packers defensive end Cullen Jenkins said.

Now in his sixth year with the team, Jenkins doesn't typically voice his opinions. But he's beginning to question the Packers’ new 3-4 defensive scheme and its ineffectiveness of getting to the quarterback.

“When things aren't going the way you want them to go and you've got so many players with so many talents at certain things and you're not letting them do it's frustrating,” Jenkins said. “It makes you think, what is the real goal here?"

Before addressing the media on Monday, head coach Mike McCarthy was made aware of Jenkins' displeasure. McCarthy isn't happy Jenkins made his sentiments public before speaking with the coaching staff.

"I don't ever want to come in here and put specifics of a player's business out in the public, especially before I even had the facts to correct him with it," McCarthy said.

McCarthy points to the Packers defense being ranked fourth-best in the league.

As far as first-year defensive coordinator Dom Capers is concerned, the scheme is working.

"Every decision we make is based on one thing and that's what gives us the best chance to win," he said.

But with a 4-3 record, tied for second place in the NFC North, Jenkins isn't sure if that answer is enough.

"Obviously something's up,” he said. “Is it a lack of talent? Maybe. Maybe we're not as good as we thought we were. Maybe we've taken a step back. I don't know, but obviously we're not getting the job done."