ESPN Dallas: Mike Jenkins shows mental toughness

[WoodysGirl]

Dec 6
9:30
AM CT

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By Tim MacMahon

INDIANAPOLIS -- Consider cornerback Mike Jenkins the poster child for the Cowboys’ vastly improved mental toughness over the last month.

It was Jenkins’ olé in Green Bay that symbolized the Cowboys’ give-up at the end of the Wade Phillips era. He had a lot of reason to put his head Sunday down against the Colts, but Jenkins kept scrapping and came up with a key play at the end of the overtime win.

“We all started off bad this year and our main goal was to finish off strong,” Jenkins said. “No matter what, even though I got beat a couple of times, I just kept telling myself, ‘I won’t give up. I won’t quit.’ And I just kept playing.”

Read more: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4675321/mike-jenkins-shows-mental-toughness

 

[btcutter]

Good to very good player but need someone to get after him to realize his potential.

I worry about this guy if he gets a big contract and a big head. Tuna would be perfect for him.

 

[JonJon]

I'm not worried about him at all. Even the great Charles Woodson had years like these. I can recall numerous times early in his career when he would end up burnt toast. Now he is possibly one of the greatest CB's of all time. His position takes years to master at the pro level with so many talented receivers and opposing QBs to face and so many different routes and schemes to decrypt, but I am confident that Jenkins will "get it" eventually and live up to his potential.

 

[superpunk]

It was nice to see him play a big part in the win because he was getting WORKED all game long.

 

[TheCount]

Jenkins has a short memory which is good as a CB, but he's shown that from day 1.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I think Ball was at fault on the TD, but then again Ball saved Jenkins from getting absolutely toasted early in the game

 

[tomson75]

After he's done eating the cookie people are giving him for "not giving up", maybe he could start playing better too. Just a thought.

Forgive me for sounding harsh, but I've never seen a player so talented become such a liability in such a short period of time. He needs to reevaluate what he's doing...on the field, and perhaps more importantly, on the practice field.

 

[SDogo]

With Jenkins I get the feeling the kid has no idea how great he can really be and needs to be motivated all the time.

Something tell's me the best Jenkins will be the one we see down the road when he realizes he has pissed his younger years away.

 

[Idgit]

That Wayne TD after halftime was brutal. He was literally an inch from making a great play on that ball.

Players like Jenkins with enormous but unfocused talent aren't my favorites, but there's no doubt he can play at a very high level if he keeps his head straight. The competition between him and Spencer for most-regression from a relatively young player early this season wasn't pretty to watch.

 

[Patton]

He's the poster child for players on this team who aren't being properly coached.

 

[TheCount]

I think Ball was at fault on the TD, but then again Ball saved Jenkins from getting absolutely toasted early in the game

I don't really like Ball but he wasn't at fault. Peyton held him with the threat of the slot receiver and just laid out a beautiful pass. Jenkins was playing it safe and relying on his athletic ability to make up the distance to still make the play because he expected Ball over the top.

It was just a well run, well executed play by the Colts.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I don't really like Ball but he wasn't at fault. Peyton held him with the threat of the slot receiver and just laid out a beautiful pass. Jenkins was playing it safe and relying on his athletic ability to make up the distance to still make the play because he expected Ball over the top.

It was just a well run, well executed play by the Colts.

This is so true.

As much as I want to bash Mike Jenkins, sometimes you have to give credit to the other guys. And in this case, the other guys were Peyton Manning and Reggie Wayne.

 

[bbgun]

He's fortunate that Wayne dropped that easy 3rd down pass in OT.

 

[dfense]

After he's done eating the cookie people are giving him for "not giving up", maybe he could start playing better too. Just a thought.

Forgive me for sounding harsh, but I've never seen a player so talented become such a liability in such a short period of time. He needs to reevaluate what he's doing...on the field, and perhaps more importantly, on the practice field.

No kidding. He was roasted all night, constantly caught looking at the QB. The only reason he was there to tip the pass at the end is because he was out of position and shouldn't have been there. Funny.

 

[TheCount]

No kidding. He was roasted all night, constantly caught looking at the QB. The only reason he was there to tip the pass at the end is because he was out of position and shouldn't have been there. Funny.

Not true.

He was on his man, saw Peyton release the pass and came off his man to get the tip.

He actually did a great job on that play, otherwise Peyton would have just thrown it to the man he was covering if he was beat so bad.

 

[Doomsday101]

I will say that I felt coverage was pretty decent and willing to give manning and guys like Wayne their just credit for being quality players.

 

[tyke1doe]

I'm not worried about him at all. Even the great Charles Woodson had years like these. I can recall numerous times early in his career when he would end up burnt toast. Now he is possibly one of the greatest CB's of all time. His position takes years to master at the pro level with so many talented receivers and opposing QBs to face and so many different routes and schemes to decrypt, but I am confident that Jenkins will "get it" eventually and live up to his potential.

Great post.

Unless you're Deion Sanders, it takes time to learn how to play corner. And even Deion got burned by Rice and Irvin.

It's just funny recalling posters wanting Jenkins to be cut or traded. That was stupid.

There's a reason coaching is so important in the NFL. You need a leader who knows how to mold, motivate and get the most out of players.

Garrett seems to be doing that. Good for him and Jenkins.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

I don't really like Ball but he wasn't at fault. Peyton held him with the threat of the slot receiver and just laid out a beautiful pass. Jenkins was playing it safe and relying on his athletic ability to make up the distance to still make the play because he expected Ball over the top.

It was just a well run, well executed play by the Colts.

I think both were a little at fault, a little more Jenkins side though.

Ball didnt get there in time to help, but Jenkins.. im not sure if he was just trying to bait Peyton and make a big play or if he just didn't realize that his man had gotten upfield on him, but Jenkins sat wayy too shallow on that route and then at the end had to use every ounce of athleticism he had just to get back and dive and try to make the play.

Jenkins has got to stay closer to his man in that situation and i think it was just more him being out of position because you don't try and bait a QB like Peyton inside the red zone.

 

[RoyTheHammer]

Great post.

Unless you're Deion Sanders, it takes time to learn how to play corner. And even Deion got burned by Rice and Irvin.

It's just funny recalling posters wanting Jenkins to be cut or traded. That was stupid.

There's a reason coaching is so important in the NFL. You need a leader who knows how to mold, motivate and get the most out of players.

Garrett seems to be doing that. Good for him and Jenkins.

Funny how Ball and Scandrick seem to be playing much better since Garrett took over as well. Jenkins still is getting routinely beat.. but so are all our CB's. As much as i love Campo's intensity, i think we definately need to upgrade the secondary coach next year, as well as the talent we have back there. Having any kind of a pass rush would also help our guys out.

 

[Baileyneverfailey]

We need a better DBs coach for sure.

That being said, every corner gets beaten. As long as Jenkins keeps working hard, he's going to be a good starting corner for a long time. He has a nose for the ball that is better than most corners. I foresee him having several 6-10 INT seasons.