Cowboyszone Report Card...Mike Jenkins...GPA = 0.99

[laythewood28]

Mike Jenkins gets an F from me. In my opinion, his position was the absolute weakest in the secondary - yes, even moreso than Alan Ball.

Jenkins makes another cardinal sin as a CB, and he made it all the time - standing flat-footed. Defensive backs are taught, unless you're playing Cover 2 with the safety helping over the top, to NEVER break out of your pedal unless you're making a break on the ball or the player. Jenkins would stand flat-footed, not even on the balls of his feet to react, and watch the action in the backfield, leaving his zone completely uncovered.

His tackling was not so good, and very inconsistent. One play he's making an amazing open-field tackle for loss, the next he's escorting a guy up the sideline for a huge gain. I don't get it, considering how well he played in 2009, although the Cowboys played a lot more press man coverage in 2009 than they did this year -- which is probably to cover up for our deficiency at free safety. A lot of people were happy to see Ken Hamlin get released, but I maintained then and maintain now that it was a pretty big bungle by the organization to let him walk, considering his ability at FS allowed our corners to play more in the WRs hip-pocket and use instincts and not sit in zones chasing guys over the middle.

The pass interference calls were absolutely inexcusable. If he were moving his feet, he wouldn't need to reach and grab in order to defend. League-high penalty numbers for that category. Deplorable.

At any rate, he's got a ways to go if he's to be considered a continuing member of the Cowboys, in my opinion. I think releasing Terence Newman right now in favor of Patrick Peterson/Mike Jenkins would be a huge mistake. Newman is still the best corner we have, both in coverage and in tackling. While he may be entering the twilight of his career according to some (I don't see it) he still gives us the best defense in the backfield. Couple him with Peterson for a few years and continue to look for a replacement for him if/when he decides to move on to greener pastures is what I would do as a GM.

Jenkins has a lot of work to do this off-season.

Agree with everything you said

 

[big dog cowboy]

Bad play last year. Huge drop from '09. Looked like he was only out there to collect a paycheck.

 

[perrykemp]

33 people so far have given Jenkins a C or higher in this Poll.

This very fact explains a lot to me about some of the opinions I occasionally see aired on CZ that I puzzle about....

For anybody who isn't either A) Completely uninformed and/or B) A complete Cowboys homer to give the 77th or so ranked (last season) cornerback in the NFL anything but a failing grade for his performance last season is absolutely beyond me.

I'd love for any of the 30 or so folks who gave him a C or higher to explain what they saw in Mike Jenkins 2010 performance that made you think he had an average season or better.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

What does Mike Jenkins not give?

Oh that's right. An F.

 

[CCBoy]

Mike Jenkins gets an F from me. In my opinion, his position was the absolute weakest in the secondary - yes, even moreso than Alan Ball.

Jenkins makes another cardinal sin as a CB, and he made it all the time - standing flat-footed. Defensive backs are taught, unless you're playing Cover 2 with the safety helping over the top, to NEVER break out of your pedal unless you're making a break on the ball or the player. Jenkins would stand flat-footed, not even on the balls of his feet to react, and watch the action in the backfield, leaving his zone completely uncovered.

His tackling was not so good, and very inconsistent. One play he's making an amazing open-field tackle for loss, the next he's escorting a guy up the sideline for a huge gain. I don't get it, considering how well he played in 2009, although the Cowboys played a lot more press man coverage in 2009 than they did this year -- which is probably to cover up for our deficiency at free safety. A lot of people were happy to see Ken Hamlin get released, but I maintained then and maintain now that it was a pretty big bungle by the organization to let him walk, considering his ability at FS allowed our corners to play more in the WRs hip-pocket and use instincts and not sit in zones chasing guys over the middle.

The pass interference calls were absolutely inexcusable. If he were moving his feet, he wouldn't need to reach and grab in order to defend. League-high penalty numbers for that category. Deplorable.

At any rate, he's got a ways to go if he's to be considered a continuing member of the Cowboys, in my opinion. I think releasing Terence Newman right now in favor of Patrick Peterson/Mike Jenkins would be a huge mistake. Newman is still the best corner we have, both in coverage and in tackling. While he may be entering the twilight of his career according to some (I don't see it) he still gives us the best defense in the backfield. Couple him with Peterson for a few years and continue to look for a replacement for him if/when he decides to move on to greener pastures is what I would do as a GM.

Jenkins has a lot of work to do this off-season.

Thanks for the post...and this is one player that I want Rob Ryan to take AWAY from Campo and put his foot knee deep and directly up his posterior.

Lazy work habits take time to eliminate and then replace with stronger habits. Look at Roy Williams and Marseleus Bennett...so, if Rob gives him no breathing room, in two years the Cowboys might again have a positive upwards area with this player. Trying to be realistic here, with his demonstrated tendencies...lazy, poor technique, and selective in hitting.

 

[Sarge]

He was a complete failure last year and I lost ALL respect I had for him when he whiffed on that one tackle.

This is THE ONE GUY who really needs to step it up next year. With Newman being older and Jenkins playing like a tool, the CB position is in serious trouble if Jenkins does not improve (which is why I think we are drafting Prince at #9). My confidence in the guy is nil.

 

[fortdick]

The only player I have given an F. He digressed so far from 09 to 10 that it had to have been a lack of effort, preparation, or both.

You have to try!

 

[firehawk350]

I'd love for any of the 30 or so folks who gave him a C or higher to explain what they saw in Mike Jenkins 2010 performance that made you think he had an average season or better.

I don't see it so much as glossing over the failures of a player as placing the blame on the coaching staff. I don't know if its misguided, but to me, it points to a desire to think that Jenkins will play better next year. My real question is whether Jenkins is working on his game now that he doesn't have to. No coach can make him truly want it, so does Jenkins want it?

 

[perrykemp]

I don't see it so much as glossing over the failures of a player as placing the blame on the coaching staff. I don't know if its misguided, but to me, it points to a desire to think that Jenkins will play better next year. My real question is whether Jenkins is working on his game now that he doesn't have to. No coach can make him truly want it, so does Jenkins want it?

If we were laying the odds of whether or not Jenkins is working hard to reverse his disaster of last season right now via his off-season workouts and film study, what do you think those odds are?

 

[Ren]

When you consider how good he was in 09 it's hard to put anything but an F to the disappointment that was his 10 season.

Looking at his 2010 season without the expectation from 09 i guess we can up it to solid D occasionally he did cover someone and/or make a tackle, that's got to be good form something

 

[perrykemp]

When you consider how good he was in 09 it's hard to put anything but an F to the disappointment that was his 10 season.

Looking at his 2010 season without the expectation from 09 i guess we can up it to solid D occasionally he did cover someone and/or make a tackle, that's got to be good form something

I hear what you are saying Ren, however, he gave up more yards than any other CB in the NFL last season -- and overall was ranked as the 77th best CB in the NFL last season.

77th best when there are 64 starting CBs in not a place you want to be. Giving him a "D" is a absolute gift.

 

[Doomsay]

I can't fathom how he can receive a passing grade for his performance last year. There is great hope that he can improve given his performance in 2009, but it begs the question of why he fell off the face of the earth last season while experiencing no major injuries and having the same position coaches as the prior year. Guy has a crap attitude IMO, not sure if that changes.

 

[perrykemp]

I can't fathom how he can receive a passing grade for his performance last year. There is great hope that he can improve given his performance in 2009, but it begs the question of why he fell off the face of the earth last season while experiencing no major injuries and having the same position coaches as the prior year. Guy has a crap attitude IMO, not sure if that changes.

This is exactly why I hope the coaching staff that has a plan that basically assumes that he'll won't be much different next season. To plan for anything else is probably unreasonable. There isn't a lot of recent history in the league of guys who basically were the worst player at their position in the entire NFL (looking at starters only) and coming back and being a dramatically different player the next season (or ever) UNLESS injuries played a role in that player's suckiness.... which isn't the case for Jenkins.

If he does rebound -- that's great... however, to home/assume/plan for that scenario isn't going to do anybody any good.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

F without a doubt. He stunk. I think the GB game was the absolute low point. He and Newman were the two worst players on defense and a share a large percentage of the blame for the abysmal 2010 dallas Cowboy season.

 

[Clove]

I gave him a "D". He went from a Hero to a Zero in one year. Maybe Rex can resuscitate his talent.

 

[Doomsay]

This is exactly why I hope the coaching staff that has a plan that basically assumes that he'll won't be much different next season. To plan for anything else is probably unreasonable. There isn't a lot of recent history in the league of guys who basically were the worst player at their position in the entire NFL (looking at starters only) and coming back and being a dramatically different player the next season (or ever) UNLESS injuries played a role in that player's suckiness.... which isn't the case for Jenkins.

If he does rebound -- that's great... however, to home/assume/plan for that scenario isn't going to do anybody any good.

Agreed, good thing we changed the position coaches for one of the most under-performing units in the league.......oh, wait. :

 

[casmith07]

Thanks for the post...and this is one player that I want Rob Ryan to take AWAY from Campo and put his foot knee deep and directly up his posterior.

Lazy work habits take time to eliminate and then replace with stronger habits. Look at Roy Williams and Marseleus Bennett...so, if Rob gives him no breathing room, in two years the Cowboys might again have a positive upwards area with this player. Trying to be realistic here, with his demonstrated tendencies...lazy, poor technique, and selective in hitting.

He's not going to all of a sudden learn to hit. His best bet is to become a shutdown cover guy. In that regard, he has A LOT of work to do.

 

[Hostile]

GPA is 0.99.

 

[TD-33]

That ole' in Green Bay was unforgivable. Almost as bad as Fat Albert laying there on the ground.
It will always follow him and I doubt he has the character to make people forget.