Sniff Mike Jenkins Carefully
May 3rd, 2012
After the Cowboys leap-frogged the Bucs in the first round of the NFL Draft last week to snatch Morris Claiborne, a hot rumor from credible outlets had the Cowboys shopping former first-round pick and 2009 Pro Bowl cornerback Mike Jenkins.
And one would think the Bucs would have their antennae out, given that rockstar general manager often says a team can’t have enough quality cornerbacks, penciled-in starter Aqib Talib is fighting a felony charge, and the Bucs’ depth at the position is suspect.
But the Cowboys’ desire to move Jenkins is a red flag, so former Bucs defensive end Steve White said on WHBO-AM 1040 yesterday. White was an assistant coach at USF when Jenkins played for the Bulls and is a longtime Cowboys fan.
“There’s a reason why they’re trying to shop their former first-round pick,” White said. “Mike Jenkins has been hurt. He has a ton of potential but he’s only really loved up to that potential for one year a couple of years ago. I like the kid personally. I was a [coach] at USF I think his junior year. So I think he’s a really good kid. I just don’t know that you throw a whole lot of money at him or a whole lot of high draft picks to get him, because if he was that good, I’m pretty sure Dallas would want to hold on to him.”
Jenkins is coming off shoulder surgery and is in the final year of his contract. Joe was intrigued that White gave Jenkins a “good-kid” endorsement, not something he would toss out there for anyone.
Is he worth a sixth-round pick, if Dallas would make such a move? Joe’s not sure. But the Bucs can surely afford him, and it’s a safe bet he’s a better player than E.J. Biggers and Myron Lewis. At 27-years-old and from the Tampa Bay area, Jenkins is an interesting thought.
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:17 am
How is worth a 6 when Asante Samuel was worth a 7?
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:18 am
If Jenkins can be had for a 6th rnd pick or lower, you make the trade.
Granted, I don’t know why Dallas would make that trade, as I don’t see how a 6th round pick would make up for the loss of a quality back up, with starting experience, at a very affordable price (I hear Jenkins is set to make about $1.5 mil next year, a bargain for a player at his age and with his experience).
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:22 am
@ Adam
The Eagles were more looking to move Samuel’s Salary. If Samuel was set to make what Jenkins is going to make (heck, even if Samuel was set to get paid $4.5 mil, 3 times what Jenkins makes), I doubt they would have entertained anything less than a 2nd for him.
Net-Net the Eagles didn’t want to pay $10 mil for their 2nd corner, when they feel their 3rd corner is almost as good (their thought, not mine) for much less.
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:23 am
Agreed. Samuels was a salary dump. Also interesting that Schiano’s probably seen plenty of him at USF and there are probably good contacts on Jenkins who trains/rehabs down at IMG.
Better than trading a sixthrounder for Reggie Brown.
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:23 am
He’s worth taking a chance on for a 7th round pick, nothing more. I was never a fan of the guy, thought he was overrated in the NFL and he’s soft, not to mention we don’t know how recovered he is from injury.
Yeah, when healthy he’s better than multiple CB’s already on the team, but we don’t know if he’s healthy, he’s in the last year of his contract, and for all we know he could be finished as a pro. Approach with caution on this one, Dom.
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:37 am
I believe he is worth a 6th round pick, if his excuse for avoiding contact is a shoulder injury, I could buy that. If he returns to his pro bowl form, it’s an acceptable risk.
Sometimes, a change of environment, is great for some players.
May 3rd, 2012 at 11:44 am
I live in Dallas and watch the Cowboys more then I’d like to admit. Jenkins is extremely soft in run support (his ole of Brandon Jacobs is one of the softest NFL moments I can recall) and is extremely inconsistent in the passing game. Think Deion Sanders… if Deion was just an average/inconsistent cover corner. Been a big disappointment for Cowboys fans after that one promising year.
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Your two weeks too slow on this Joe.
I’ve been pounding Jenkins name to the bucs since before the draft.
Last year of his deal. Soon to be free agent. There is a lot of potential value in a player in that position.
I have a feeling Dallas will keep him around now until the final cuts. Then either trade or release him.
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:20 pm
BUCS RELEASE MCARGO
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Would be interesting to see him and Talib play together, I wanted to draft Jenkins over Talib when they both came out, however I am happy with Talib’s production ON the field and glad we took him. Just wish he wasn’t such an ass off the field.
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:30 pm
He would be worth a 6th round pick if Dr. James Andrews checks him out and declares him physically fit. Jenkins had 3 shoulder separations last year.
The Cowboys need CBs. They got Brandon Carr in FA, but is considered a 2nd tier CB. That is why they gave up a 2nd round to move up to get Claiborne.
There is a reason Dallas was shopping Jenkins before the draft not knowing for sure they were going to get Claiborne and unlike Asante Samuel, it’s not about the money. I’m not saying he’s not worth a look see, but buyer beware!
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Dude doesn’t tackle
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:40 pm
I remember that Mike Jenkins was on the board when the Bucs grabbed Aqib Talib. I thought for sure they would have taken Jenkins because of the USF connection, but I was wrong. Hard to say who has been better/worse.
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:50 pm
In other breaking news late….Bo Jackson has elected to play baseball over signing with the Bucs.
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
The reason he’s possibly worth while Samuel was only worth a 7th is because the Cowboys aren’t desperate to dump his huge salary.
I don’t quite agree with the “well, if the Cowboys are getting rid of him, then he must not be good” logic.
Dallas has 1 playoff win since 1996. I think talent evaluation isn’t exactly their specialty.
Plus, they’re also the organization dumb enough to trade up to draft a guy who scored a 4 (and quit) on the Wonderlic… without even interviewing him (Claiborne’s words).
May 3rd, 2012 at 12:52 pm
Not a tackler means not a consideration: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sTnMrWx2Iw
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Reading is Fundamental!
http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/4673/mike-jenkins
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:55 pm
When projecting what players the team might be interested in picking up from here on out, think you gotta look at the “tough, smart football players who love the game” motto Schiano and Dominik seem to have adopted. Don’t know if the team thinks Jenkins fits that role or not, but based on a lot of the comments here, seems he may be lacking a little in the “tough” department.
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:57 pm
@Marques,
Shouldn’t be raggin’ on people being too slow with news, McCargo was released YESTERDAY.
May 3rd, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Tampa released Raymond Webber, and Mcargo.
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Drew Coleman was released by the Jags today, curious if the team takes a look at him.
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Simmer down Flboy84
Jenkins story has been out there for two weeks.
Margo less then 24 hrs
Big difference.
May 3rd, 2012 at 2:16 pm
Just givin’ ya friendly grief bro, nothing more.
May 3rd, 2012 at 3:02 pm
Bucs 10-6 this year.
Tampaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
If ur with me give me a tampa bay.
May 3rd, 2012 at 4:35 pm
Pound that rock to victory.
Can’t wait to see the mayhem extended on behalf our SICK O-Line, and the two headed monster out of the backfield.
May 3rd, 2012 at 7:15 pm
Dude only makes $1.6M this year. Get him if we can for a 5th or 6th and if he stays healthy and plays well, offer him a new contract at the end of the season.
May 25th, 2012 at 11:33 am
If we can get Jenkins for a 6th or 7th rounder I would do it in a heartbeat. Name a better corner back you could draft with a 6th or 7th rounder. He could step in as our Nickel corner right away, giving us a MAJOR upgrade over E.J. Biggers who cant tackle to save his life. I dont want to hear about how he can’t tackle when Biggers couldn’t hit someone to save his life last year. Imagine Talib, Wright, and Jenkins as our top 3 corners. Now that is how you slow down Brees.