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NFL draft: Jenkins says tape tells his tale
Friday, April 24, 2009
By Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Malcolm Jenkins says NFL teams have not criticized his speed in evaluating his performance before the draft.
Malcolm Jenkins' resume in pursuit of employment as an NFL cornerback used to be impeccable.
He started for 3 1/2 seasons at Ohio State. In 52 games, he made 11 interceptions (returning two for touchdowns), forced four fumbles, sometimes blitzed from the edge (14 tackles for loss) and was a standout on special teams. In 2008, he was named an All-American, won the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and was a team captain.
Then came the smudge. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.55
seconds at the NFL scouting combine in February and in a consensus of 4.52 seconds at Ohio State's pro day in March.
"Sub-4.5, he's a top 10 pick; 4.55, he's a late first-round pick," ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said. "Some now think he's the third corner behind (Illinois' Vontae) Davis and (Connecticut's Darius) Butler.
"I still have him as the top corner. I like the kid."
The questioning entering the NFL draft Saturday is this: Is Jenkins fast enough to be a cornerback or should he be considered a safety?
Yet Jenkins smiled like a man with inside knowledge as the noise swirled.
"I've learned that that part of it is all media," he said. "The teams, a lot of the coaches don't put a whole lot into the numbers. They see the film. They know what kind of guy they're getting as far being smart and playing the game.
"Maybe I didn't run the fastest 40, but when you turn on the tape, you see that I play fast, I know the game, I'm smart and I use my size (6 feet 1, 201 pounds) to my advantage."
BuckeyeXtra - The Columbus Dispatch : NFL draft: Jenkins says tape tells his tale
Jenkins speeds to his defense
Corner says he?s fast enough to stay at position
By JOHN MCCLAIN Copyright 2009
Houston Chronicle
April 23, 2009
Kiichiro Sato AP
Malcom Jenkins could end up with the New Orleans Saints, who have the 14th pick and need a cornerback and a free safety.
In the weeks leading up to this weekend?s draft, few players have been scrutinized more than Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins ? all because he ran a slow time in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.
Jenkins, 6-0, 204 pounds, was electronically timed in 4.56. There were immediate reports he would have to move to free safety in the NFL because he lacked the stop-watch speed scouts demand in corners.
?I?m more comfortable at corner,? said Jenkins, who grew up in New Jersey and selected Ohio State over Rutgers. ?That?s where I?ve been playing the last four years.?
Give game films a look
At Ohio State?s pro day, some scouts timed Jenkins in the high 4.4s. They say an accurate time would be 4.51.
?If you look at my film, I might not look as fast as some other guys, but I make plays,? he said. ?It?s funny to me because you play and they have four years of film on you, and you?re playing corner and you think you?re doing well, and none of that means anything.
?But everybody has something to prove.?
If Jenkins could put on tape of an Ohio State game for NFL scouts, what would he point out to them?
?I do what every other corner does,? he said. ?If you put on a film of a guy that?s 5-10, 185, I?m doing the same things he?s doing at my size.
?In the (NFL), you?ve got receivers that are bigger and more physical, and that?s what you need ? a guy that can do it all. With my size and speed, it?s something rare that you don?t find a lot.?
If Jenkins had come out after his junior year, he would have been the first defensive back drafted. He stayed in school and won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation?s top defensive back.
Now Jenkins is still expected to be the first defensive back selected.
?I gained a lot,? he said about returning for his senior year. ?Last year, everybody was talking top 15 to late first round. My stock definitely rose a little bit. I made a smart decision.?
Jenkins could end up with the New Orleans Saints, who have the 14th pick and need a cornerback and a free safety.
?I?m a big corner,? Jenkins said. ?Whenever you have a guy as big as I am, the question is always is he going to move up (to safety) at the next level? Don?t get me wrong. I want to do whatever it is I have to do to play. Playing safety is something I can definitely do. My preferred position would be corner.?
Ohio State's Jenkins speeds to his draft defense | Top stories | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
Cut from the cloth of Butler - JSOnline
Official Site of the San Francisco 49ers - PR News
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