DB Malcolm Jenkins (All B1G, All-American, Thorpe Award, All-Pro, 2x Super Bowl Champion)

[xcrunner]

My opinion:

Jenkins was absolutely one of the safest picks in the draft. I think it is VERY unlikely that, in 2 years, you'll be thinking "darn, was worth at most a 3rd round pick". At worst, I'd say he'll be a "bust" and worthy of a 2nd round pick. And even that I don't think is likely. If he doesn't end up being a great cornerback- which is possible (he's gotten beat a few times in college, although very rarely)- I must say he would make a great safety. He has just so consistently been a great tackler, great in coverage, great hands, great at returning INT's, a great leader, great on special teams, honestly is a do-everything kind of guy. He has honestly NEVER disappointed.

His only knock was his 'slow' 40 time (4.55), but he had a stunning shuttle time (I don't know exactly what), which in my opinion, is typically more useful for determing how he'll run on the field. So maybe he'll be a liability in coverage when the guy is running 50 yards down the field in a straight line (not too common), but I think he will excel when his receiver is actually running a route. Plus, most of the guys who will beat him deep (I'm thinking Ginn-like guys here) will have real trouble getting off of jams. He's very strong and physical.

In general I think you got a great pick. He will provide fire, physicality, and overall a great football player. Very low risk.

 

[OregonBuckeye]

MJ is on NFL Network. One of the questions he was asked is who was the best player at Ohio St. he played with. He said Whitner was #1 and Laurinaitis #2, mostly because they were so smart.

 

[JohnLSU]

hello Johnny. been a while, hasn't it?

dude, if you want someone to tear MJ down, and proclaim that he won't be "all that" in the NFL, I'm thinking a Buckeye board is the wrong place to look.

But this is the perfect spot to look for his strengths mostly. These guys are pretty good posters, and very knowledgable. Not too biased, but they're gonna support the hell outta their guys, and not just throw them under the bus.

Um, I'm the guy that posted the post you see quoted below. I thought I made it pretty clear that I'm not looking for people that just want to praise MJ or tear him down.

Obviously, I came to an Ohio State forum because nobody knows MJ better (his pros and cons) than Buckeye fans, just like I went to the Bills forum to see what they thought about Jabari Greer, the Jags forum to see what they thought about Paul Spicer, the Pats forum to see what they thought about Heath Evans, etc, etc.

For Buckeye fans curious about how Saints fans feel about us taking Jenkins at #14...

At the Saints internet forum that I like to go to, everybody is at least pleased (many are ecstatic) with the decision to take MJ at #14, because all the experts agree that Jenkins was the best DB available in this draft and because apparently the Saints weren't able to find a trading partner that would allow us to trade down (which at least half of us hoped we would do).

Among Saints fans on the street, the only person I've gotten to ask so far was a guy wearing a Saints shirt that was in line with me at the store... I told him the good news about how we got Jenkins and he told me he wasn't happy about it. He caught me off guard so I told him that I haven't really got to watch him play, and then he told me "Jenkins does not impress me at all."

As for myself, I plan on reading this entire 75-page thread on Jenkins that has been following him since the time he was in high school in 2004. I figure by the time I am done with that, I will be in love with MJ.

[Admins: Please don't merge with the MJ thread in the "Buckeye Alumni" sub-forum, it doesn't get near the posts that this main forum gets, as I note below...highlighted in crimson]

Malcolm Jenkins is the third Buckeye to join the New Orleans Saints current roster (along with Will Smith and Kevin Houser). That gives the Saints just as many Buckeyes as we have LSU Tigers, Tennessee Vols, Miami Hurricanes, Oklahoma Sooners, and USC Trojans.

Personally, I'm not yet "thrilled" (but I would like to be) about getting Jenkins, because I don't know a lot about him and I heard this was a down year for DBs in the Draft, and I was hoping we would trade down and get someone like DB Sean Smith of Utah if any DB this Draft. In the off-season, we signed two NFL-proven DBs in young up-and-coming-stud CB Jabari Greer and veteran 4x Pro Bowl free S Darren Sharper so we've already filled our needs in the secondary... but yeah, Sharper is getting old and will need a young replacement ready to take over at safety in the next couple years.

I came here to see what you guys thought about Jenkins (there are intelligent posters here that impress me with their opinion).

Yesterday afternoon, just after the Saints took Malcolm, a fellow LSU/Saints fan went to Malcolm's thread in the "Buckeye Alumni" sub-forum (67,477 posts), and asked:

"ok, someone give me a breakdown/projection for Malcolm (strengths/weaknesses). Will he be a Safety or a Corner? ... What can Saints fans expect?"

Despite the fact that the NFL Draft is a hot topic right now, he only got three replies: two making it sound like it was great the Saints got Jenkins, and one making it sound negative.

So I'm coming here to the main board (310,842 posts) to see what you guys think.

On the Saints forums, I saw that some of our fans are hoping that Jenkins is like Ty Law and/or Charles Woodson.

When Ty Law and Charles Woodson were at Michigan, I thought they would be great in the pros (All Pro/Pro Bowl), and I was right. But that was back when I mainly watched TV/ESPN. Now, with the internet, I get to focus my "sporting news" time on learning more specifically about LSU and Saints players so I've never gotten to hear about Jenkins like I would had he played back in the day that ESPN was my primary sports news source.

So what can y'all tell me about Jenkins? Is he as much of a sure thing as Ty Law and Charles Woodson, or is it more likely that he is "just" going to be a solid NFL starting DB (which is still great) or is there a chance he might be a 1st Round "bust"? Remember that we took Antonio Pittman in the 4th, and then we cut him at camp in favor of the guy we got as an undrafted free agent--Illinois' Pierre Thomas (who was on fire at the end of last season and is a big fan favorite). What is the chance of Malcolm being a 1st-Round "bust," not living up to expectations?

For example, just looking at the 1st Round picks out of LSU since the 2005 Draft:

Had you guys come to an LSU forum to ask about 1st Round pick (1st overall) QB JaMarcus Russell, I would have told you that I big doubts about him, and I'm glad the Saints didn't have to take him. But, if you asked me about 1st Round pick (6th overall) S LaRon Landry, I would have told you that I was insane with jealously that the Saints didn't get him. Same with 1st-Round pick Marcus Spears. As for 1st-Round picks WR Dwayne Bowe and WR Craig Davis, I wasn't sure (turns out Bowe is really good in the NFL). As for 1st-Round pick RB Joe Addai, I would have given him a "B" (because he never got to be a primary back for a whole season while he was here at LSU, although he was great whenever he did play). As for 1st-Round pick DE Tyson Jackosn, I'm not sure about him.

To help jog your memory of how good/bad you have been at predicting what Buckeyes were good 1st Round draft picks...

RECENT FIRST ROUND PICKS OUT OF OHIO STATE:
2009 - MJ (NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!!!!!!!)
2009 - Beanie Wells
2008 - Vernon Gholston
2007 - Ted Ginn, Jr
2007 - Anthony Gonzalez
2006 - AJ Hawk
2006 - Donte Whitner
2006 - Bobby Carpenter
2006 - Santonio Holmes
2006 - Nick Mangold
2004 - Will Smith (NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!!!!!!!)
2004 - Chris Gamble
2004 - Mike Jenkins

National Football League: NFL Draft History Full Draft - by School

 

[BUCKYLE]

I told him the good news about how we got Jenkins and he told me he wasn't happy about it. He caught me off guard so I told him that I haven't really got to watch him play, and then he told me "Jenkins does not impress me at all."

Fuck that guy.

 

[JohnLSU]

[censored] that guy.

Yeah, I would have liked to set him straight... I would have liked to been able to confidently give him some input that would encourage him to be more optimistic about the Saints and our players like MJ. But because I know so little about MJ, I was defenseless. That's why I'm here. Who Dat Nation!!! Geaux Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[BUCKYLE]

Yeah, I would have liked to set him straight... I would have liked to been able to confidently give him some input that would encourage him to be more optimistic about the Saints and our players like MJ. But because I know so little about MJ, I was defenseless. That's why I'm here. Who Dat Nation!!! Geaux Saints!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just know his type. The majority of fans he's came accross were happy, so he shits all over it. "I'm not impressed"? Really? How much film have you watched, fuck head? You don't have to watch all that much to come away impressed with Malcolm. He most likely hasn't watched anything.

 

[JohnLSU]

I just know his type. The majority of fans he's came accross were happy, so he [censored]s all over it. "I'm not impressed"? Really? How much film have you watched, [censored] head? You don't have to watch all that much to come away impressed with Malcolm. He most likely hasn't watched anything.

What do you think about Malcolm Jenkins?

 

[generaladm]

There was way too much hype about MJ's 40 times, in addition to the current vogue of dismissing Buckeye players by ESPN talking heads. Straight line speed doesn't mean shit if a player has deficiencies in spacing, route recognition, ball awareness, tackling, making cuts, reading the QB, etc. Malcolm excels in all of those areas, and that makes up for any perceived speed issues. After watching MJ's entire OSU career, I'd say his best asset is his recognition. There were many times where you could tell he had the route read after only a few steps, and was able to get in better position than the WR. Sometimes when it looks like he's a step behind, it's really because he's trying to bait the QB. He very rarely misses an assignment.

After his recognition and awareness, I'd say his size gives him the best chance to be successful in the pros. He shouldn't have any problem jamming NFL WRs, and he never shies away from contact. Add to that his confidence and competitive attitude, and it's hard to find any reason not to want him on your team. There were several games in his senior season where he was the best player on the field, making plays in coverage, helping out on run defense, making plays on special teams. That all may sound like homerism, but trust me it's not. He's simply an outstanding player. He's already built a reputaion for learning different defenses (man and zone), and spending a ton of time studying film. I can't guarantee he'll be the next Deion Sanders, but I doubt you'll ever be disapointed with his heart or effort. I'm sure there's some youtube highlights of MJ somehrere in this thread, those should tell you all you want to know.

 

[utgrad73]

Can't give you rep until I spread around some. Your post is nicely worded. ESPN is clueless about how good MJ is. The Saints have a winner here.

 

[3074326]

Among Saints fans on the street, the only person I've gotten to ask so far was a guy wearing a Saints shirt that was in line with me at the store... I told him the good news about how we got Jenkins and he told me he wasn't happy about it. He caught me off guard so I told him that I haven't really got to watch him play, and then he told me "Jenkins does not impress me at all."

Honestly, the only way you can't be impressed with him is if someone made an anti-highlight film, or they hear only about the 40 time. That guy didn't know what he was talking about.

 

[JohnLSU]

6'0''
180
4.5 40 yard-dash
Bench press: 185x3
Vertical: 34''
GPA: 3.0
SAT: June
Piscataway Township HS
(Piscataway, NJ)

JR Stats: Last season, Jenkins tallied eight interceptions, four pass break-ups, 40 tackles, three tackles for a loss, and one forced fumble.

"I'm good at man-to-man coverage and the bump and run. I'm aggressive and I have the ability to recover and stay with the receiver. I want to get stronger and I'd like to work on my cover skills too."

Scout.com: Malcolm Jenkins Profile

Malcolm Jenkins - Football Recruiting

Jenkins lists Virginia Tech, Rutgers, and Ohio State as his top three with Boston College, and Syracuse rounding out his top five. Jenkins grew up a Tennessee fan but no longer lists them as one of his favorites.

Syracuse has joined VT and Rutgers as schools that have offered.

Jenkins will be camping at Rutgers and Ohio State this off-season.

Jenkins is also a standout in the 400 meter dash. He was a member of the record setting 4X400 relay team as a freshman.

Well, Malcolm sure exceeded everybody's expectations from the time when he came out of high school. According to those links, he was a 3-star S recruit by Scout (#28 S recruit in the nation) and a 3-star CB recruit by Rivals.com (#61 CB recruit in the nation). And now Malcolm is the #1 DB taken in the NFL Draft. Outstanding!

 

[leroyjenkins]

Well, Malcolm sure exceeded everybody's expectations from the time when he came out of high school. According to those links, he was a 3-star S recruit by Scout (#28 S recruit in the nation) and a 3-star CB recruit by Rivals.com (#61 CB recruit in the nation). And now Malcolm is the #1 DB taken in the NFL Draft. Outstanding!

Jim Tressel and his staff have done this a number of times.....

 

[Buckskin86]

Malcolm Jenkins Press Conference Transcript
by Saintsational on Apr 26, 2009

Malcolm Jenkins press conference transcript with New Orleans media. Courtesy of the Times-Pic

Q: Did you think you would go to the Saints at 14?
A: Once a couple of things were going on and on, I thought it was looking nice. I'm just happy and grateful.


Q: Where do you think you fit into this defense?
A: Just talking to the coaches when they called me, they said corner. Right now I'm thinking about the outside and we'll see how that goes in camp.

Q: Can you discuss if the prospects of moving to safety would be something you would welcome?
A: Yes, it's definitely something I would welcome. Wherever I would help the team is what I'm going to do. If that's at safety, I'm going to play. If that's at corner, that's where I'm going to play. Regardless, I'm trying to put this team in the best position to win.

Malcolm Jenkins Press Conference?Transcript - Canal Street Chronicles

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWJA1k9dAQ"]YouTube - Malcolm Jenkins[/ame]

 

[JohnLSU]

Jim Tressel and his staff have done this a number of times.....

Well, that makes it sound more like Jenkins was a product of a great system, and is more likely to a be bust, right?

Generally, I'm very suspicious of players that come from juggernaut football programs like Ohio State, USC, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma. Those schools have all been in the Top 10 of recruiting each and ever year this decade and those schools have the best of the best when it comes to coaching staff, facilities, etc. So it is no surprise players from those elite programs do well in college... which is why they are higher risk as pro prospects than players that did well at colleges that weren't an elite Top 10 football program.

 

[PlanetFrnd]

Well, that makes it sound more like Jenkins was a product of a great system, and is more likely to a be bust, right?

Generally, I'm very suspicious of players that come from juggernaut football programs like Ohio State, USC, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma. Those schools have all been in the Top 10 of recruiting each and ever year this decade and those schools have the best of the best when it comes to coaching staff, facilities, etc. So it is no surprise players from those elite programs do well in college... which is why they are higher risk as pro prospects than players that did well at colleges that weren't an elite Top 10 football program.

Jenkins has been an anchor for very good defenses for the last three years. Other teams just stopped throwing at him a couple years ago. He switched on and off at S, and was very solid there too. Kid is a flat-out football player, and the Saints have done a good job. In four years he's had ZERO character issues and is a very good student too. He was by all accounts the best DB in the draft, even recognized by some dudes who Buckeye fans think hate us. Add that the system has produced some high-caliber NFL contributers at DB, and Jenkins seems like a no-brainer for an NFL team to me. I don't know where the Saints will end up putting him, but this is a solid pick. There will always be fans that would rather have picked someone else, but I have yet to hear a single talking-head say anything bad about this pick.

We've got a saying around here, John. Trust the coaches. Ralphie made the right move.