DMN Blog: Which Corner Went First?

[Teague31]

You can't tell by watching this weekend's workouts.

Mike Jenkins, who is adjusting to playing off the receiver after primarily being a bump-and-run guy at South Florida, has had his ups and downs. Orlando Scandrick has been pretty darn good on a consistent basis, earning an unsolicited mention from Emmitt, who was impressed with the fifth-rounder's feet and ability to break on the ball.

If the veterans stay healthy and Pacman Jones stays out of trouble, there will only be room for one rookie in the Cowboys' dime package. Scandrick understands that Jenkins has a head start because of draft status and doesn't anticipate any sort of rivalry brewing between the rookie corners, who are rooming together this weekend.

"Mike's my boy," Scandrick said. "The way we look at it is we want to be Cowboys forever. Sooner or later, we'll both be starters and hopefully Pro Bowlers."


why the hell can't we play bump and run????

 

[Sarge]

Good news...

 

[Eskimo]

I was more worried about Scandrick then Jenkins. If he is a serviceable corner then we will be in very good shape. Having too many good players is never a problem. You either keep them or trade them.

 

[reddyuta]

Competition Is Good.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

"The way we look at it is we want to be Cowboys forever. Sooner or later, we'll both be starters and hopefully Pro Bowlers."

That's the kind of attitude I love to see from these rookies. God I can't wait for training camp!

 

[DallasEast]

With or without Adam Jones, I've got a very good feeling about our cornerback situation early on. Both rooks are very aggressive and can cover. That'll prove very beneficial when we're in nickel and dime defenses. Now, if we can get better inside LB pressure on the quarterback up the gut, this defense has a very good chance of being something special this fall.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Like that attitude!

 

[gimmesix]

why the hell can't we play bump and run????

We use a mixture of both bump-and-run and off coverages

Per Wade Phillips:

Corners are usually easy fits, but it depends on the player. If they’re good enough we’ll get them out there. The innate skills of corner relate quickly. Jenkins played bump-and-run in college and did that well in practice but didn’t play off as much, Scandrick played off quite a bit but not bump-and-run, so he played off well.

 

[bayeslife]

I have to say, that's a very good problem to have.

I hope Mike can get adjusted. I've played corner before primarily jamming receivers then floating off into Cover 2 zone. It's much different when you are playing 8-10 yards off the receiver, because that's a whole lot of room for the receiver to make any kinds of cuts he wants. But what we get with Jenkins is amazing athletic ability, and that alone assures me he will be able to get this.

I on the other hand retired after I realized a 5.10 wasn't a good 40 time for a corner. :laugh2:

 

[sago1]

The kid Scandrick is right. Henry turns 33 in 09; will be in last year of his contract & doubt we resign. So soon it will be Newman, a rehabbed Pacman Jones & 2 young developing CBs who eventually become our starters. Hopefully we don't have to examine that position again for at least 5-7 more years.

Same might be true as well at RB. Sure hope we attack the WR position that aggressively in 09 draft.

 

[AsthmaField]

I have to say, that's a very good problem to have.

I hope Mike can get adjusted. I've played corner before primarily jamming receivers then floating off into Cover 2 zone. It's much different when you are playing 8-10 yards off the receiver, because that's a whole lot of room for the receiver to make any kinds of cuts he wants. But what we get with Jenkins is amazing athletic ability, and that alone assures me he will be able to get this.

I on the other hand retired after I realized a 5.10 wasn't a good 40 time for a corner. :laugh2:

No Problem... just become an offensive tackle. Speed won't be an issue at all!

:

 

[Sarge]

Scandrick gettin' lotsa love thus far.....

 

[AsthmaField]

The kid Scandrick is right. Henry turns 33 in 09; will be in last year of his contract & doubt we resign. So soon it will be Newman, a rehabbed Pacman Jones & 2 young developing CBs who eventually become our starters. Hopefully we don't have to examine that position again for at least 5-7 more years.

Same might be true as well at RB. Sure hope we attack the WR position that aggressively in 09 draft.

I still think Henry will be a good FS for us before he's gone. He played FS his first year in the NFL and was terrific (10 INT's).

IMO, as his speed starts to fade a little too much for CB, he can be moved to center field where he won't have to have the suddeness that you need at CB.

If we have Newman, Pacman, Jenkins and Scandrick as our top 4 corner's and Henry at FS with maybe Hamlin at SS... that will be one incredible secondary.

Hamlin is OK at FS, but I think he'd be even better as a SS.

 

[AsthmaField]

Scandrick gettin' lotsa love thus far.....

He's super athletic, so if he has the head and heart for the NFL, he'll be a good one.

We have to remember though that Scandrick played corner much like Phillips asks his CB's to do... so he's going to step right in more quickly than Jenkins. Mike, on the other hand, played things completely differently than we're asking him to do in the mini-camp, so understandibly, it's taking a little bit for him to settle in.

Jenkins is such a terrific athlete though, I can't imagine him being anything but very good as a CB.

No knock on Scandrick, who I think is very good as well... just maybe why he's looked better than Jenkins thus far.

$0.02

 

[Vintage]

This is awesome.

We had a good pass rush last year. Now, we have very good depth at CB. We got better at ILB (where we struggled in coverage) with Zach.

This could be the year the defense FINALLY lives up to its potential. Add that to a damn good offense....things could be really exciting for us next year.

 

[theogt]

Last time I ever say this:

We should have taken Cason.

 

[Mansta54]

This is awesome.

We had a good pass rush last year. Now, we have very good depth at CB. We got better at ILB (where we struggled in coverage) with Zach.

This could be the year the defense FINALLY lives up to its potential. Add that to a damn good offense....things could be really exciting for us next year.

I believe it will. All our CB's have the talent and speed to play tight man which frees up others. Our pass rush will be devastaing this year. I see a HUGE year for WP's D and guys will be more comfortable being in the 2nd year of his system...

 

[jobberone]

Last time I ever say this:

We should have taken Cason.

Dude!

 

[theogt]

Dude!

It was the one and only time I've ever said it post-draft. Just had to get it out of the system.

 

[Temo]

Just a note on these CBs... almost no CB's have been good from the start of their careers in the NFL. I wouldn't say it's as bad as some other positions like QB where no QB really hits their stride until at least their 2nd or 3rd season, but it's something to think about.

A lot of Cornerbacks play off thier superior athletic ability in college and then struggle when they get to the NFL and have to watch film and work on footwork to really succeed. So from that viewpoint, I wouldn't predict either guy to have a Pro-Bowl season right off the bat, so just be patient with these guys.