Mike jenkins article: I'm Now No. 21

[DR.WARE]

http://www.playerpress.com/articles/i-m-now-no-21

I'm Now No. 21

Written by Mike Jenkins, Friday April 03 2009

I’m changing my jersey number from 31 to 21. It’s a long story, but at first Roy Williams had told me not to take 31, it was bad luck. Then I pulled my hamstring in practice. I also really admired Sean Taylor, so I’m switching to 21 this season.

My rookie season was definitely harder than I expected. I went in and thought I knew all the rules, but I learned the hard way. I learned real quick that the speed of the game is way faster and the game is much harder.



I would rate the season a 6 or 7 from 1-10. There’s a lot of room for improvement and I’m my own hardest critic.



It helped a lot to have Anthony Henry here. We both played at South Florida and from day one he took me under his wing. He sat me down and showed me everything, how to look at game film, how to be prepared. Terence Newman did the same things for me but I spent more time with Anthony because I knew him from South Florida and he took on the big brother role, took me out a couple nights, let me borrow his car when I didn’t have one.



With Anthony in Detroit now I think I have a good chance to move into the starting role. I have to be focused, go in in shape and be mentally tough. It should be a good camp competition between me and Orlando Scandrick to start at cornerback. I haven’t heard anything from the coaches about starting but I talked to our secondary coach and he said he wanted me to be a big part of the defense, that they are expecting me to grow into a big role.



I’m definitely going to come in and make a big impact on our defense this year. I want that starting role, I feel like I’m ready for the starting position. I want to make as many plays as I can with the goal of at least being an alternate for the Pro Bowl.



I want my name at least being mentioned somewhere when people are talking about the Pro Bowl.



Mike Jenkins is a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys. His blog for www.playerpress.com runs at www.mikejenkins31.com.

 

[Pottsville Maroons]

I like this guy's attitude, as conveyed in the article, and hope he remains determined and focused as the year/career goes along.

 

[superpunk]

Aim high!

 

[Oh_Canada]

Yup...he is pretty thoughtful in his assesment.

 

[pgreptom]

If you can dream it, you can do it.

Now, go do it.

 

[BAT]

Nice individual goals. I hope his team goals are just as nice.

 

[Faerluna]

Too bad his surname isn't Jones. I could have an active player's jersey to wear again.

Alas, poor Julius. I knew him, Horatio.

 

[CoCo]

I like this guy's attitude, as conveyed in the article, and hope he remains determined and focused as the year/career goes along.

Actually, he sounds immature to me. And I don't mean that as an insult. Shoot he's only in his early-mid 20's I'm sure. Immature is the norm at that age.

There are certainly some things to like about what he says but it still has an air of naivete to it IMO.

Roy had bigger problems than his jersey number. If Jenkins wants to wear 21, fine, whatever, I don't care. But don't think its going to magically make one iota's difference in on field performance.

I suspect his comment isn't a totally serious one, but again, it makes him sound a bit immature. And as I said he should be according to the calendar.

I hope Newman picks up where Henry left off with this kid and Scandrick too. I'm thrilled to have their talent on the team but it often takes time to learn to the point of impact. The sooner thats recognized the quicker you can get there.

 

[NeonNinja]

I don't see how he sounds immature. Jenkins has all the tools to be a great corner, he just needs to put in the work and have the desire to get better and be one of the best.

 

[proline]

Actually, he sounds immature to me. And I don't mean that as an insult. Shoot he's only in his early-mid 20's I'm sure. Immature is the norm at that age.

There are certainly some things to like about what he says but it still has an air of naivete to it IMO.

Roy had bigger problems than his jersey number. If Jenkins wants to wear 21, fine, whatever, I don't care. But don't think its going to magically make one iota's difference in on field performance.

I suspect his comment isn't a totally serious one, but again, it makes him sound a bit immature. And as I said he should be according to the calendar.

I hope Newman picks up where Henry left off with this kid and Scandrick too. I'm thrilled to have their talent on the team but it often takes time to learn to the point of impact. The sooner thats recognized the quicker you can get there.

I couldn't disagree more. I think his self assessment shows maturity and honesty. Where did you get that he said a new number was going to make a difference in his on-field performance?

 

[TellerMorrow34]

Sounds really good to me. I really hope the kid is able to keep this attitude of working hard and improving and does so each and every year of what I hope to see be a very long Cowboys career.

I'll be rooting for you Mike.

 

[adamknite]

I couldn't disagree more. I think his self assessment shows maturity and honesty. Where did you get that he said a new number was going to make a difference in his on-field performance?

Because he made a joke about Roy Williams saying number 31 was cursed, so that obviously means that Jenkins thinks changing his number will make him a better player.... duh.

 

[ddh33]

I love his potential. I know potential gets a lot of people fired, but still. That young man has a world of talent.

 

[the kid 05]

http://www.playerpress.com/articles/i-m-now-no-21

I'm Now No. 21

www.mikejenkins31.com.

poor dude

 

[starfrombirth]

Aim high!

Tackle low!

This was the premise of a message I asked him on his "Ask Mike" section. I don't know if he'll respond but that play against the Giants was the one knock I had and heard about him last year. Here's hoping he can improve.

 

[Deep_South]

If Jenkins is a pro bowl candidate it will mean that our defense has improved so I wish him luck.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Sweet! He has a message board on his website.

~logs off of cowboyszone forever~

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Hey shoot for the stars and land on the moon. I'm glad Jenkins hasn't lost his confidence!

 

[DeaconBlues]

Actually, he sounds immature to me. And I don't mean that as an insult. Shoot he's only in his early-mid 20's I'm sure. Immature is the norm at that age.

There are certainly some things to like about what he says but it still has an air of naivete to it IMO.

Roy had bigger problems than his jersey number. If Jenkins wants to wear 21, fine, whatever, I don't care. But don't think its going to magically make one iota's difference in on field performance.

I suspect his comment isn't a totally serious one, but again, it makes him sound a bit immature. And as I said he should be according to the calendar.

I hope Newman picks up where Henry left off with this kid and Scandrick too. I'm thrilled to have their talent on the team but it often takes time to learn to the point of impact. The sooner thats recognized the quicker you can get there.

So having a favorite number and believing in curses makes you immature, eh?

Tough room.

 

[RoboQB]

So having a favorite number and believing in curses makes you immature, eh?

Tough room.

No doubt. Yet another case of someone taking something spoken/written in jest and making a big deal out of it.

I appreciate that the young man took the time to invite us into his life, so to speak, and let us know he is determined to do better.

At least he didn't write a book about how great he is Right Meshawn? Heehee.