DMN Blog: Wade Phillips:Jenkins & Scandrick "gifted as any corners I've been around"

[speedkilz88]

Wade Phillips: Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick 'as gifted as any corners I've been around'


3:36 PM Thu, Jun 04, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
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There are two reasons the Cowboys didn't hesitate to ship former starting CB Anthony Henry to Detroit. Their names are Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick.


Scandrick was a fifth-round steal last season, seizing an opportunity created by Terence Newman's training camp injury and claiming the slot corner role as a rookie. Jenkins had an up-and-down rookie season, but the Cowboys are still high on the first-round pick.
Extremely high.


"They're as gifted as any corners I've been around," Wade Phillips said of Scandrick and Jenkins, "and I've been around quite a few good ones."
Phillips says Jenkins and Scandrick are both outstanding in man coverage and making strides in zone coverages while improving their technique. The competition between the second-year cornerbacks should be one of the training camp highlights, although Jerry Jones is trying to downplay the Jenkins vs. Scandrick storyline.


"I think the competition is very positive and I don't want to get into who's No. 1 and who's going to be the starter," Jerry said. "That really is not how it's going to go. It's going to take seven or eight guys back there the way we're going to play it. They're going to play a lot. Equally, I think."

 

[cobra]

I think we could see this last year.

It was noticeable how good those two were as rookies. If they are improving (and it sounds like they are) we could have 3 very good to great CBs.

 

[Rampage]

If that's the case than we better be blitzing like crazy next season.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

The competition between the second-year cornerbacks should be one of the training camp highlights, although Jerry Jones is trying to downplay the Jenkins vs. Scandrick storyline.


"I think the competition is very positive and I don't want to get into who's No. 1 and who's going to be the starter," Jerry said. "That really is not how it's going to go. It's going to take seven or eight guys back there the way we're going to play it. They're going to play a lot. Equally, I think."

Good job, Jerry.

It almost seems like he's learning this offseason.

 

[AsthmaField]

Good job, Jerry.

It almost seems like he's learning this offseason.

I think he's been learning for a few years now. Bringing in Parcells was probably the single biggest positive that has happened since the super bowl years. I honestly feel like Jerry learned a great deal from Big Bill and has implemented several things that Parcells showed him.

I truly, truly think the franchise now knows how to draft. They have been getting too many things right for it to be just dumb luck. Not only have most of the high picks been good... but they have been nailing a whole bunch of mid to late round picks.

I think last year showed him a lot about a football team and what it takes to win.

Time will tell... but I really think Jerry has learned a LOT the last few years.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

We should be blitzing non stop and putting Newman and Jenkins/Scandrick on islands.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

we keep hearing about man-coverage, so hopefully we'll be playing alot of it

 

[AsthmaField]

We should be blitzing non stop and putting Newman and Jenkins/Scandrick on islands.

Agreed. We finally have the athletes to do it (including Sensabaugh)

we keep hearing about man-coverage, so hopefully we'll be playing alot of it

I think you're right. We've been hearing much more than we did in either of Phillips first two seasons here.

 

[Doomsday101]

we keep hearing about man-coverage, so hopefully we'll be playing alot of it

I think we will see quite a bit of man. I think with Jenkins, Scandrick and a Pacman Jones who had been out for a year as well as having an injured Newman the staff was reluctant to go to a lot of man coverage early on last year.

 

[Big Country]

we keep hearing about man-coverage, so hopefully we'll be playing alot of it

I hope so. I used to get a kick out of K. Smith knocking Jerry Rice around... ohhh the good ole' days

 

[Chief]

Good job, Jerry.

It almost seems like he's learning this offseason.

Good point.

A few years ago, it would have been this:

"When you see those two young men in the shower together, you can't help but notice their bubbles. On the field, they can cover like Deion and hit like Darren Woodson."

 

[Bob Sacamano]

well guys, my voice is hoarse from screaming the past 2 years for us to play more man coverage

so hopefully I am vindicated

 

[Big Country]

Good point.

A few years ago, it would have been this:

"When you see those two young men in the shower together, you can't help but notice their bubbles. On the field, they can cover like Deion and hit like Darren Woodson."

 

[sonnyboy]

"I think the competition is very positive and I don't want to get into who's No. 1 and who's going to be the starter," Jerry said. "That really is not how it's going to go. It's going to take seven or eight guys back there the way we're going to play it. They're going to play a lot. Equally, I think."

This was a real good take by Jerry and I agree. Plenty of snaps to go around for both these guys without taking injuries into account.

If they're both as good as we hope and Wade thinks, then thier's nothing wrong with giving Newman a few plays off here and there.

Keep all three of them fresh.

 

[NextGenBoys]

If that's the case than we better be blitzing like crazy next season.

Oh we will.

We dont have to hide anyone in coverage anymore.

IMO the biggest thing for our secondary is picking up Sensabaugh. I dont know how he'll do, but he will be better than Roy/Killer in coverage, which gives us so much more freedom on defense without having to hide a player.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Good point.

A few years ago, it would have been this:

"When you see those two young men in the shower together, you can't help but notice their bubbles. On the field, they can cover like Deion and hit like Darren Woodson."

Exactly.

He was surprisingly subdued talking about Greg last week, too.

 

[SLATEmosphere]

Can't wait till we go zone coverage on 3rd and 11

That crap drives me nuts. Happened all last year. We are ballin the first two downs and got them in a tough position..we go to a zone and the QB's have all the time to throw it and find the holes. We could have been off the field, instead they score 7.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Memo to Jerry Jones:

Stay away from the microphone!

 

[Aikbach]

If DeAngelo Smith and Mike Hamlin can play then the nickel and dime defenses will be beasts.

 

[stilltheguru]

Maybe the defense will probrably be elite. I wont count on it anymore though. Show and prove