Bucs (Hopefully) Aching For Cornerback Depth
March 17th, 2014
Mike Jenkins visits
Joe is very excited to learn, via Yahoo! Sports, that veteran free agent cornerback and former Pro Bowler Mike Jenkins is visiting the new Bucs regime today.
It just scares Joe too much to know half of the 2012 fearsome foursome, “E.J., Leonard, Danny and LeQuan” still lurks among the Bucs’ defensive backfield.
Sorry. Joe still has some post-traumatic stress after enduring the worst secondary money didn’t buy back in 2012.
One thing about former rockstar general manager Mark Dominik, he had a nasty habit of leaving the Bucs very thin at cornerback, despite publicly subscribing to the philosophy that you can’t have enough good cornerbacks.
Josh Alper, of ProFootballTalk.com, summed up Jenkins’ career after being a first-round pick out of the University of South Florida in 2008.
Jenkins played in Oakland last year after finishing up a five-year run with the Cowboys that started when Dallas made Jenkins a first-round pick in 2008. Jenkins started 15 games in [2013], making 65 tackles, picking off two passes and forcing a fumble for the Raiders. He has 63 starts in the NFL overall and, at 29, still has the ability to be a helpful player if not quite the one the Cowboys thought they were getting in the first round.
Joe doesn’t know what Jenkins has left in his tank, but Joe has learned the hard way that cornerback depth is critical and having Leonard Johnson on the field regularly is a risky proposition. It seems Lovie Smith isn’t ignoring these facts, either.
March 17th, 2014 at 1:58 pm
I am comfortable with Banks as the number 2 going into the season. He did. A good job as a rookie and should only do better his second year in the league as well as a better pass rush. But DJ Moore will probably win the nickle job. Only played a few games last year but was productive with lovie and the bears the previous two seasons in Chicago. I think a lot of people tend to forget about Moore.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:00 pm
This guy was burnt on a regular and had a crap load of pass interference penalties. Hopefully he improved since then.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1VBcrpCAaI
March 17th, 2014 at 2:02 pm
South Florida actually….not Florida.
I was hoping for him as he was a USF grad, but we took Aqib Tabib instead. This would move towards potentially righting that wrong of not taking the home grown crowd favorite.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:14 pm
I rather have crappy players with experience instead of crappy players with little experience.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:21 pm
What happend with Tillman, any news? Seems like hes dropped off the radar not with just the Bucs, but everyone
March 17th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Tillman resigned for a year with the bears. You mustve missed it.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
Tillman resigned w/ the bears
March 17th, 2014 at 2:24 pm
I think mark Dominick said you can’t have enough CB depth in that he thought you literally weren’t allowed to have enough good corners. Silly man.
I actually liked mark despite this apparent misunderstanding.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Tillman went back to Chicago on a one year deal, BucsfanNJ. As for Jenkins, I was never a fan of the guy, even during his Pro Bowl season. He gets burned way too oftern. Having said that, if Jenkins is willing to sign a one year deal for cheap he could at least provide depth.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:25 pm
Tillman resigned a 1yr contract with the bears for a max of 3ish million.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Jenkins could be acceptable for some depth, but he is not a quality starter
March 17th, 2014 at 2:30 pm
Tillman has re-signed with the Bears for a contract valued at somewhere in the neighborhood of $3 million.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:34 pm
What about Antonio Cromartie ? Or however you spell his name.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:36 pm
Ok I guess some just see the Tillman comment and just post not seeing that 4-5 people already answered the same question. Not trying to be a jerk about it, but please refresh your screen before commenting.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:39 pm
I think Mike Jenkins would play good in this scheme. it plays to his strength’s.
He would be very effective in Ronde’s nickel role as well. He’s become much better at talking since he came into the league, jmo.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:40 pm
Tackling***
March 17th, 2014 at 2:41 pm
He played good last year until he got hurt in Dallas versus Raiders game.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:46 pm
He sucks. I’d rather see how Deveron Carr and Rashaan Melvin develop. I’m not sure Jenkins is any better than Leonard Johnson either. They also have DJ Moore who was an effective nickel player for da Beeeaaarrrssss.
March 17th, 2014 at 2:52 pm
941 guy. Come on home Mike!
March 17th, 2014 at 2:55 pm
Interesting prospects are still available
• DE Robert Ayers
• CB Antonie Cason
• KR/PR-Trindon Holliday
March 17th, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Just listened to the Ron and Ian podcast from the other day and I’ve gotta say, I was at a loss. Joe almost sounded like a fan of the team. There was actually a hint of, dare I say, optimism in his voice. I would accuse the team of doctoring the feed but it’s an am station so I’m pretty sure there still using dos based computers
March 17th, 2014 at 2:59 pm
Good luck with this guy. We’ve got young CBs that can be developed. This sounds like a desperate move. Jenkins has never performed. What do we expect to get from him?
March 17th, 2014 at 3:02 pm
“Glennon Mob Says:
I rather have crappy players with experience instead of crappy players with little experience.”
Your name and the comment are to crazy to ignore. Very hypocritical.
March 17th, 2014 at 3:06 pm
“Ok I guess some just see the Tillman comment and just post not seeing that 4-5 people already answered the same question. Not trying to be a jerk about it, but please refresh your screen before commenting.”
I’m going to let you in on a little secret… the joke only works if repeat the answer again.
March 17th, 2014 at 3:08 pm
Value in FA….lets hope so….its a buyer’s market now….maybe we get the hometown discount….and, I agree, you can’t have enough CBs.
Maybe playing in Tampa will get just a bit more out of Jenkins.
March 17th, 2014 at 3:11 pm
How can a guy have ints in 2003 and get drafted in 2008 ?
March 17th, 2014 at 3:13 pm
I agree TB rican I’d like to have EITHER cromartie! There are several good CBs but we could do worse than Jenkins as our 3/4 corner
March 17th, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Since according to Stats the SAM and a nickel play almost an equal amount of snaps it appears we a re VERY weak there. Casillas..Ha..good ST player and we have NO ONE at nickel. Jenkins isn’t the answer. Its great that Lovie has shored up the DL and OL but
the QBs in the NFC South will continue to carve us up
March 17th, 2014 at 3:27 pm
LUVMYBUCS,
The Bucs have a promising slot CB in Marc Anthony. They were high on him last year. Tedford knows him from Cal. Look at his Youtube highlights. Impressive!
March 17th, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Tillman already re-signed with the Bears dufuss… go to ESPN free agency tracker once in a while, will ya?
How’s that Spencer???
March 17th, 2014 at 3:42 pm
Spencer s/b Sneedy.
March 17th, 2014 at 4:03 pm
LOL Ralphy is back?!?!?!
BWAHAHAHAHA
How many posters does it take to tell him Tillman went to Chicago?
March 17th, 2014 at 4:06 pm
@Mumbles
I watched him play at Cal along with the guy Steve Williams-I actually wanted the BUCS to draft him.
REPOST
LUVMYBUCS Says:
April 11th, 2013 at 8:01 pm
Hopefully Director of College Scouting Eric Stokes, can rebuild our secondary in a similar fashion that helped; propel Seattle as one of the better units in the league.
(Examples)
Richard Sherman
Drafted: 2011: 5th Rnd, 154th by SEA
First Team All-Pro (2012)
PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011)
2013 Pro Bowl Alternate
Brandon Browner
Undrafted in 2005
Debuted in 2007 for the Calgary Stampeders
3× CFL Western Division All-Star (2008, 2009, 2010)
3× CFL All-Star (2008, 2009, 2010)
Pro Bowl (2011)
IMO Good late Round Prospects
Terry Hawthorne CB Illinois 6-0 195 (5th Round Pick)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Lmfnt6dREE
Marc Anthony 6-0 196 (6th Round Pick)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juRUxgLVWbQ
Aaron Hester CB 6-2 198 (*”The Great”-Carnell Lake was his position coach) (6th Round Pick) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=un0phrLViCk
*Thinking outside of the Box
Patrick Watkins 6-5 200 (CFL)
switched to corner and made the All-Star Game
March 17th, 2014 at 4:14 pm
Hey PR…..did Tillman go to Chicago? Yankin’ chain.
This hasn’t been a lot of fun since the ole’ Freeman/Schiano days…
March 17th, 2014 at 4:16 pm
Ahahaha 😛
And you couldn’t be more right lol
March 17th, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Who is Spencer?
March 17th, 2014 at 4:33 pm
@Rob
What joke?
March 17th, 2014 at 5:45 pm
As I recall, many fans wanted Mike Jenkins drafted by the Bucs.
March 17th, 2014 at 6:34 pm
Hell yeah, bring Jenkins aboard, good player for a backup. USF Bull when they were relevant, will help defensive backfield. Bulls fan here since the football start. And Go Florida Gators basketball. Can’t you feel the hatred accross media land, wanting the Gators to lose in the tournament? Gator fan since 1964 when their football sucked.
March 17th, 2014 at 7:17 pm
i think tillman got resigned by the bears for aroynd 3 million fyi. check the internet bro
March 17th, 2014 at 7:23 pm
Carr, Moore or Gaitor should be adequate for nickel. Banks really needs to put on 10 pounds of muscle. Hopefully he and Glennon are hitting the weights. First OTA next month!!
March 17th, 2014 at 7:25 pm
we could never have enough CB help. bring him back to Tampa
March 17th, 2014 at 11:58 pm
We need another veteran corner so we can hit the road running from the first game. I’ve watched too many rookie cornerbacks get experience at our expense. It will take awhile for the newbies to get up to speed before they are ready to hit the field. Now Johnson is a playmaker and a good tackler but is not fast, but such a talent blossoms in the Tampa Two.
Remember that Rhonde was no burner either but he was a great playmaker and a sure tackler too. So give Johnson a chance! Our second round CB has good length which helps and can intercept too, but he is not any faster than Johnson, but was only an average tackler. If both he and Johnson are given equal reps I believe Johnson will be the better Tampa Two CB. I am all for the Veteran USF CB to start opposite Verner with the Bears’ veteran nickel back to come in and cover the slot. Let the rest of our corners learn the Tampa Two and fight it out in Preseason to fill in at times during the season.
March 18th, 2014 at 12:59 am
they want Jenkins because he played in Monte kiffs Tampa 2
March 18th, 2014 at 5:51 am
We should have taken Jenkins instead of Talib. I was told at the time I was crazy because Talib is the better player. Talib may be the better player, but I would have rather had a good Jenkins than a great Talib who can’t stay on the field.
March 18th, 2014 at 6:00 am
I swear I say this every time. Leonard johnson “will” start as usual. He works hard in practice and he would be a perfect fit for cover two which he is best at.
March 18th, 2014 at 12:13 pm
jenkins is a good cover 2 guy an a vet,tired of first team player getting hurt a we have to play rookie or a rookie free agent.
March 19th, 2014 at 10:57 am
I thought Tillman resigned with the Bears?????????????? 😉