DMN Blog: Who should start at cornerback?

[WoodysGirl]

Who should start at cornerback?

11:14 AM Thu, Jan 08, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

Terence Newman, if he can stay healthy, obviously will start at left cornerback. The best candidate to start on the other side is up for debate.

That's been Anthony Henry's spot (when he's been healthy) for the last four seasons, but a move to free safety might be the best thing for him and the Cowboys at this point of his career. That's a decision that must be made this spring, allowing him a full off-season schedule to make the adjustment.

My hunch is that's what will happen. Let the 2007 draft picks -- first-rounder Mike Jenkins and fifth-rounder Orlando Scandrick -- compete for the starting job during training camp and the preseason.

Scandrick, who a perfect combination of speed and swagger for a cornerback, played well as the slot guy in sub packages as a rookie and appears to be one of the draft's top second-day steals. Jenkins was up and down as a rookie, but the Cowboys believe he has the talent to develop into an outstanding cover man.

Jenkins arrived in the NFL with questions about his practice habits. Perhaps a position battle against Scandrick will bring out the best in Jenkins.



http://www.***BANNED-URL***/images/ice3/icons/blog.gif Comments (6) Leave comment | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail entry

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I think that's exactly what will happen: Scandrick and Jenkins compete for the starting job. If Scandrick wins, he goes inside to the slot and Jenkins plays outside in the nickel.

And it'll be a great thing. Henry is a true pro, but these guys are just too talented not to start.

 

[JonJon]

Even though Scandrick may be the better shutdown corner, I think Jenkins will create more turnovers. Whoever is opposite Newman will be targeted a lot, so I think Jenkins is the better man for the job. Scandrick will eventually replace Newman and start along with Jenkins.

 

[lqmac1]

Scandrick All Day/night. Mark My Words Scandrick Will Be One Of The Best Shutdown Corners In The League In A Few Years. Jenkins Is A Dud And A Waste Of First Round Pick.

 

[Romo2Dez4six]

Jenkins will and Scandrick in the slot.

 

[masomenos]

Scandrick All Day/night. Mark My Words Scandrick Will Be One Of The Best Shutdown Corners In The League In A Few Years. Jenkins Is A Dud And A Waste Of First Round Pick.

I think that both of those are pretty significant overstatements.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I'd like to see Scandrick start.

 

[theogt]

Newman and Scandrick. Easy choice.

 

[lqmac1]

maso SCANDRICK IS BETTER THEN JENKINS MY FRIEND its an easy choic go with newmen and scandrick

 

[Doomsday]

If Henry is back next year I will be really disappointed. If he is back and starting I might get sick.

 

[lqmac1]

hell i'll go head and say scandrick WILL be a better cb then Terrence "i get burnt" newmam

 

[the kid 05]

Newman and Scandrick. Easy choice.

i concur. Put the shut down capable corners on the out side and the speedy corner on the slot (Jenkins)

 

[Stash]

Two rational, thought-provoking posts from Timmy Mac in the same day?

"That's unpossible!"

But a welcome change.

I agree with what he's said, I expect an open competition between Jenkins and Scandrick - with Scandrick winning out.

But moving Henry to safety, coupled with cutting Pacman, opens up a need at cornerback.

 

[kmp77]

Based on this years performance, Newman and Scandrick easy. Let's see what Jenkins does in the offseason and preseaon this next season.

 

[Givincer]

I'd be really disappointed in Scandrick and Jenkins if Henry was still a starting corner for us next year.

I don't see Henry starting next year though.

 

[HanD]

maso SCANDRICK IS BETTER THEN JENKINS MY FRIEND its an easy choic go with newmen and scandrick

scandrick has shown to be better than jenkins in their limited playing time 1st year but that doesn't mean jenkins is a dud and a waste of a pick, nor does it mean scandrick is a lock to be a great shutdown corner. i think that's all maso was referring to with his overstatement comment, and i agree. but at this point...newman and scandrick would start for sure.

 

[BAT]

There is no mystery here. Both will start .... because Newman will go down with some injury again. If Scandrick does not get the starters nod, he will see plenty of action as the slot corner.

The bigger issue is who will be the 4th corner, b/c that guy is going to see a significant amount of playing time when Newman gets injured, again.

 

[NeonNinja]

You're clueless mac1, just stop trolling or gain some football knowledge please.

 

[Joe Realist]

We will need to draft another CB as I don't think you can depend on Newman and we will need the depth for losing two cormers (Pacman and Henry - to safety)

 

[jterrell]

maso SCANDRICK IS BETTER THEN JENKINS MY FRIEND its an easy choic go with newmen and scandrick

He was a bit better mr capslock but it wasn't night and day.

Jenkins simply doesn't get beaten badly because he has great raw tools. He needs to play with better technique and lord knows he could a lesson in tackling from the pop warner guys but he can flat out cover. Scandrick struggled a bit late in the year when he was asked to cover better WRs.

... but this is the kind of problem you welcome. Which 2nd year guy to start....