“We Kinda Of Start From There”
March 27th, 2014
The Cowboys may have a “personal vendetta” against new Bucs veteran cornerback Mike Jenkins, but Lovie Smith has no such issues.
Joe asked Lovie about what Jenkins has to offer yesterday at the NFL Owners Meetings in Orlando, and Lovie explained his enthusiasm for the basics in Jenkins’ game.
“I watched Mike a little bit, you know, this past year and I remember when he came out of USF, his pro day and thought he had a lot of talent. I remember the All-Pro year that he has. What we’re looking for from defensive backs, you know, ball skills. I think he’s had six interceptions one year. I think he has all the skills, you know, excellent speed, quickness. He’ll tackle – with ball skills; we kind of start from there,” Lovie said.
“He was excited about coming back home. There’s something about coming back home and playing in front of the people that you grew up with, you know, that you owe an awful lot to. He’s excited about that. Gil Byrd, who coaches our cornerbacks, Gil has played the game at the highest level can’t wait to get his hands on Mike and it’ll be a good match.”
Joe’s not making excuses for the tail-off in Jenkins’ game after a Pro Bowl season in Dallas, but in addition to battling a major shoulder injury, it seems that Jenkins fell into the category of “needing a change of scenery.” He was solid in Oakland as a starter last year, but it’s a bit odd he wasn’t retained by the Raiders, given that they have loads of salary cap room and did not change regimes.
Clearly, Lovie, Byrd and Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, a former NFL cornerback and secondary coach, believe they can resurrect greatness from Jenkins. That’s good enough for Joe. The Bucs needed more depth at the position, and Jenkins at least provides that.
March 27th, 2014 at 8:13 am
Jenkins will be our 4th CO when the season is over with
March 27th, 2014 at 8:21 am
pablo,
3rd and 4th corners play a lot, when you have atlanta and new orleans, the bucs will need all the corners the bucs have
@ Joe
I thought you were going to try to sneak into Johnny Football”s Pro-day. please tell me you did not chicken out.
March 27th, 2014 at 8:54 am
MJ is still our third best corner and can’t see us drafting anyone early enough to beat him out. With only five picks and no 4th round a Cb would be late if not an UFA. I still believe our first three will be OL WR and QB. Not necessarily in that order.. But how about a trad down and pick up Zack Martin a QB at no.2 WR at 3 and CB at 4 (via the trade down)
March 27th, 2014 at 8:54 am
Changes of scenery make a difference many times….look at Talib for evidence….lets hope Mike ends his career on a high note at home where he should be….as a Buccaneer!!!
March 27th, 2014 at 9:14 am
Seems like a solid pickup by Lovie-Licht at the price paid. CB depth has been very thin on the Bucs for the past few seasons
March 27th, 2014 at 9:23 am
When is the last time we were 3 deep at corner, so thats a positive. I know the bucs were high on a few back-ups we had last year that they resigned.. never know maybe johnson skills will stand out in different scheme..
March 27th, 2014 at 9:59 am
Jenkins was both wanted and wants to be here.
The scheme is even similar to what USF was running. We have coaches who are credible. He’s on a one year deal so a contract/career extension is in play. Little risk and high reward scenario.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:10 am
Don’t sleep on Melvin…..surprise pick to slide up the roster to #4.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:23 am
If we can get pressure on qbs I think we will all be surprised by how good our corners look.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:59 am
I am sooo worried about that Dallas vendetta – – – that is gonna cost us a win or two !!!
Haaa
March 27th, 2014 at 11:23 am
We needed CB depth and he’s solid.
March 27th, 2014 at 11:47 am
“There’s something about coming back home and playing in front of the people that you grew up with”
It could be said as well that being home means he hangs out with a bad crowd from his past as well, IF there was one.
I know I would not want Talib to play in his home town.
March 27th, 2014 at 3:35 pm
I’m really happy with the addition of Jenkins to the Bucs. Hopefully Dallas will meet the Bucs in the playoffs, the Buc fans and Jenkins would get revenge.
March 27th, 2014 at 3:39 pm
I forgot to add that Jenkins redone right shoulder injury raises a bit of a red flag. I hope he has adequate healing and range of motion.
March 27th, 2014 at 3:43 pm
If they can get him back to near his pro bowl level of play this will be a great pickup, if not he at least he will provide depth and if he’s a bust, well it’s only a 1 yr. deal.
March 27th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
one year filler that they’re trying to talk up. they don’t want to be forced to push a rookie or maybe even leonard johnson into the limelight, but they probably won’t be too disappointed if somebody outplays him in training camp & preseason
March 27th, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Leonard Johnson is tough and plays with great heart, and showed the first time he began to start he soon had three interceptions–he is a playmaker and a half–and that is what excels in Tampa Two. His one disability is he is no faster than Rhonde Barber. So how did Rhonde Barber do Buc’s Fans in the Tampa Two? Yes, Leonard will impress in this different scheme, but he should not be covering a fast slot receiver, because he will get burned by that speed. Our Coaches will see his talent and where to use him. You watch, he will make this team, and I still believe he is better than our 2nd round draft choice who is not as good a tackler or as good a playmaker as Leonard and they both have the same speed. Mike Jenkins should be the starter opposite Verner, and when they need a nickel corner, bring Leonard in to play Jenkins’ spot and let Jenkins with his experience and speed play the nickel role. That is putting your best three CBs on the field together. We are going to be really good on defense this year just as soon as everyone learns the new defense well and does not have to think about it anymore. I also believe the Tampa Two as Lovie will use it will have wrinkles that make it much more effective than the Tampa Two Dallas played last year without the proper players for that system. That is why Licht was so important this year to us.
March 27th, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Jenkins is a great pickup and will make a good 3rd corner or much needed depth.