DMN Blog: Jenkins learning

[WoodysGirl]

9:29 AM Fri, May 23, 2008 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Albert Breer E-mail News tips

I mentioned the other day that Cowboys first-round draft pick Mike Jenkins showed plenty of progress from rookie minicamp to Wednesday's OTA session.

One thing his South Florida coaches raised to me, when I was researching him prior to the draft, was that the caliber of competition at the pro level would take Jenkins -- who at some points seemed bored playing the college game -- to the next level. And it seems like playing against the Cowboy vets did just that.

Jenkins did get beat badly once, but more often, he looked like he could stick with whoever was out there for most of the morning. The tempo of the practice, while he was splitting time between the first- and second-teams, helped, he said.

"The 1's got three reps and come out, and the 2s jump right in, so you have to know your step," Jenkins said. "I'm learning and playing at the same time. I'm going pretty solid, and I feel like the guys are pushing me."

One thing that's helped Jenkins, to this point, is the presence of fellow USF Bull Anthony Henry. Deion Sanders, who played at Florida State with Jenkins' uncle, has long served as a mentor to the first-round pick. Henry gives Jenkins a voice and sounding board that will be around every day of the week.

"He keeps my head straight," Jenkins said of Henry. "If I'm at practice, and I'm tired, he'll get on me. And if I make a good play, he'll congratulate me. If I'm struggling, he'll help me. He stays on me like another coach."


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[TheCount]

I find it funny that people were doubting him and saying Scandrick is already better based on rookie mini-camps, seems like he's exactly where he's supposed to be.

 

[adamknite]

I find it funny that people were doubting him and saying Scandrick is already better based on rookie mini-camps, seems like he's exactly where he's supposed to be.

Yeah.... you gotta love the "sky is falling" crowd.

A rookie CB gets beat on one on one drills, during his first practice....... so the obvious line of thinking is to trade him away (as somebody actually suggested).

 

[pgreptom]

I find it funny that people were doubting him and saying Scandrick is already better based on rookie mini-camps, seems like he's exactly where he's supposed to be.

Anyone who makes a judgement, basing their conclusion solely on the results of a mini-camp, and/or an OTA practice - is obviously clueless. I don't find it funny, I just find it pitiful.

 

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

You can't make any judgements in OTAs.

I like Jenkins and Scandrick, but for some reason I think that Scandrick will have the better career. Don't know why I feel that way, but I just do.

My hope is that they both have good careers in Dallas, PacMan gets reinstated and stays clean, and Newman and Henry stay healthy. That would solidfy that group for years. Then we can start concentrating on other areas in upcoming drafts as in WR, safeties, OL and such to replace the older guys.

 

[aggiecurt05]

Yeah.... you gotta love the "sky is falling" crowd.

A rookie CB gets beat on one on one drills, during his first practice....... so the obvious line of thinking is to trade him away (as somebody actually suggested).

I suggested trading him away, but it was certainly not because of his OTA play. It was because CB is the most crowded position on our team and if Jenkins can be turned into a first round pick for next year, that would open up the possibility of using the additional 1 for a Roy Williams (or AB or CJ). Basically, it would be taking a position that has too many high potential players compared to available playing time and getting a star player at our current weakest position. The context was that the Browns just lost their CB for the year.

I love CB depth as well as the rest, but it's pretty likely that we start two all pros. Our likely nickel CB would start for any other team in the league. That leaves two high potential rookies that will struggle to see the field except on special teams. I know people get hurt and so depth is nice, but having 4 to 5 starters on your team that you refuse to part with for fear of injury is stupid when we are one injury away from being in MAJOR trouble at the WR position.

 

[adamknite]

I suggested trading him away, but it was certainly not because of his OTA play. It was because CB is the most crowded position on our team and if Jenkins can be turned into a first round pick for next year, that would open up the possibility of using the additional 1 for a Roy Williams (or AB or CJ). Basically, it would be taking a position that has too many high potential players compared to available playing time and getting a star player at our current weakest position. The context was that the Browns just lost their CB for the year.

I love CB depth as well as the rest, but it's pretty likely that we start two all pros. Our likely nickel CB would start for any other team in the league. That leaves two high potential rookies that will struggle to see the field except on special teams. I know people get hurt and so depth is nice, but having 4 to 5 starters on your team that you refuse to part with for fear of injury is stupid when we are one injury away from being in MAJOR trouble at the WR position.

Call me crazy, but I'd consider trading Mike Jenkins to the Browns for a 1st. With all the talk of how well Orlando Scandrick is playing in combination with having Pacman (who is going to get his ban lifted), we are beyond stacked at CB. What if trading Mike Jenkins for a 1st gave us the leverage to trade a 1 and a 3 to Detroit for Roy Williams (or Bolden, or C Johnson)?

My apologies, I must have misread the first time around.

However, it's still a crazy idea.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I find it funny that people were doubting him and saying Scandrick is already better based on rookie mini-camps, seems like he's exactly where he's supposed to be.

Or maybe if Scandrick had been able to participate, he'd have looked even better.

I still have doubts about Jenkins. It's not about his athletic ability, it's about his attitude. I mean, it's his first minicamp with the vets and Henry has to "keep his head straight" and "get on him when he's tired"? Shouldn't he be supremely motivated in his very first action with real NFL players?

I'm not predicting total doom for Jenkins based on this one thing, but when his attitude is already known to be questionable coming out, I don't like reading this kind of thing.

 

[BlueStar II]

If our secondary plays up to the level of what we feel it should now be capable of playing, we should be in good shape. While it's not the only area of concern on our team, but I still can't help but hope that we can find a vet WR to bring in before the start of the regular season. From what I've seen so far of our current young WRs, I am still going to keep my fingers crossed that one of them will step up this year, but...who knows.

 

[sago1]

The reality is that in today's NFL you better have 4 quality CBs if you have SB aspirations. The first 3 CBs are starters & the 4th plays a lot when teams use their 3-4 WR packages. So if we keep 6, we don't need to resign Henry after his 09 contract expires cause we still got 5. We also can't bank on Pacman for at least 1 full season if not more; so, we down to 4 just there. Sorry but I doubt there any way we trade any of our CBs; they fill too much of a need for at least the next 4-9 years.

 

[adamknite]

Or maybe if Scandrick had been able to participate, he'd have looked even better.

I still have doubts about Jenkins. It's not about his athletic ability, it's about his attitude. I mean, it's his first minicamp with the vets and Henry has to "keep his head straight" and "get on him when he's tired"? Shouldn't he be supremely motivated in his very first action with real NFL players?

I'm not predicting total doom for Jenkins based on this one thing, but when his attitude is already known to be questionable coming out, I don't like reading this kind of thing.

I took that to mean they were helping him adjust, it's a big leap going from College to pro workouts and practices. Keeping his head on straight, could mean helping him with the butterflies, or encouraging him after he gives up a play if he starts getting down.

Of course, this is just me trying to read between the lines.... I won't be putting too much stock into what's said until Training Camp comes around, because right now he still has a lot of stuff to learn and going pro is a steep learning curve.

 

[Romo2Dez4six]

jenkins will be where he needs to be. With T-New, Henry and when Adam comes back we do not need to rush him in

 

[superpunk]

Or maybe if Scandrick had been able to participate, he'd have looked even better.

I still have doubts about Jenkins. It's not about his athletic ability, it's about his attitude. I mean, it's his first minicamp with the vets and Henry has to "keep his head straight" and "get on him when he's tired"? Shouldn't he be supremely motivated in his very first action with real NFL players?

I'm not predicting total doom for Jenkins based on this one thing, but when his attitude is already known to be questionable coming out, I don't like reading this kind of thing.

You are reading WAY too much into his expressions of gratitude for Anthony Henry's veteran influence.

 

[cowboyfan4life_mark]

I took that to mean they were helping him adjust, it's a big leap going from College to pro workouts and practices. Keeping his head on straight, could mean helping him with the butterflies, or encouraging him after he gives up a play if he starts getting down.

Of course, this is just me trying to read between the lines.... I won't be putting too much stock into what's said until Training Camp comes around, because right now he still has a lot of stuff to learn and going pro is a steep learning curve.

Totally agree. This is a big adjustment for all rookies. If all rookies were as fast, the NFL would have over a hundred teams. Only the best make it here.

By the way, nice sig. On a side note, Does this draft class really impress anyone else? I mean, I think that this class has a great chance as being one of the best in a long time. With Jenkins, Scandrick, Jones, Bennett, and Choice, these guys could be Cowboys for a very long time.

 

[Velvet Jones]

I doubt Henry will have his contract renewed (as a corner) with the talent behind him. You need a short leash and long foresight with Pacman. And corner is such a hit and miss in this league. If you have a chance to develop a starting cornerback, you do not trade that away. I agree our corner depth is fantastic right now, but it is deep with ?'s.

 

[braw]

Or maybe if Scandrick had been able to participate, he'd have looked even better.

I still have doubts about Jenkins. It's not about his athletic ability, it's about his attitude. I mean, it's his first minicamp with the vets and Henry has to "keep his head straight" and "get on him when he's tired"? Shouldn't he be supremely motivated in his very first action with real NFL players?

I'm not predicting total doom for Jenkins based on this one thing, but when his attitude is already known to be questionable coming out, I don't like reading this kind of thing.

Don't you ever get tired of judging people you don't know. Especially from the words of people you don't know.

Logic usually states that people who judge more often are usually the ones that need to be judged.

 

[Doomsday101]

I'm looking forward to seeing Jenkins. He played in a system where he was constantly playing man coverage and showed himself to be one of the top CB in college. I think like any other college player he will have to adjust to the pro game but he has all the physical skills to play the position.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Don't you ever get tired of judging people you don't know. Especially from the words of people you don't know.

Logic usually states that people who judge more often are usually the ones that need to be judged.

LOL at this post on a message board.

 

[adamknite]

Totally agree. This is a big adjustment for all rookies. If all rookies were as fast, the NFL would have over a hundred teams. Only the best make it here.

By the way, nice sig. On a side note, Does this draft class really impress anyone else? I mean, I think that this class has a great chance as being one of the best in a long time. With Jenkins, Scandrick, Jones, Bennett, and Choice, these guys could be Cowboys for a very long time.

Thanks.

I enjoyed it. I wanted Cason instead of Jenkins, and I didn't really understand the Bennett choice, but they are (or seem to be) good players so I'm fine with them.

The Choice and Scandrick picks, were fantastic IMO. I think what we did best in this draft was picking up players in good positions, no reaches.

 

[aggiecurt05]

I doubt Henry will have his contract renewed (as a corner) with the talent behind him. You need a short leash and long foresight with Pacman. And corner is such a hit and miss in this league. If you have a chance to develop a starting cornerback, you do not trade that away. I agree our corner depth is fantastic right now, but it is deep with ?'s.

very true. The suggestion I made just comes from whether we have more ?'s at CB or WR even if we lose one CB. Any trade is built on the assumption that the 1 turns into a Vet star WR. You are probably right though. I am optimistic that Pacman can stay on the field, which is what most of our depth hinges on.