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

[Buckskin86]

New Orleans Saints rookie Malcolm Jenkins sets out to prove he's worth $19 million
by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday August 11, 2009

Ted Jackson/The Times-Picayune
Head athletic trainer Scottie B. Patton helps Saints first-round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins cool off on the cornerback's first day of practice after signing a five-year contract worth $19 million. Said Jenkins: 'I just think I need to get a couple of practices under my belt.'

Armed with a new, five-year, $19 million contract, Saints rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins got down to business Monday after ending his 11-day contract dispute.

Jenkins struggled noticeably during the morning workout when the heat index approached 110, admitting afterward that he was not in football shape. But he pronounced himself fit at 204 pounds and vowed to do whatever it takes to crack the starting lineup.

"I've been down here and working out over at Tulane in the heat trying to simulate things, but coming out the first day and throwing on the pads and helmet with a visor and everything, that adds another element to it," said Jenkins, the 14th overall draft pick. "It's something I'll have to get used to. But mentally, I'm not behind at all. I know the playbook. I studied it day in and day out. They really didn't install anything new since the spring.

"My personal goals are to start. I think I'm good enough to (start). I know there are some good guys in front of me, and everybody is working hard, so it's not going to be something that I'm just going to walk into. But my personal goal is to start. I want to be the best I can be, but if that doesn't happen, I want to contribute as much as I can."

Despite missing the first 14 practices of training camp, Jenkins said he hopes to play in the Saints' exhibition opener against the Cincinnati Bengals at 7 p.m. Friday at the Superdome. That decision ultimately will be made by Coach Sean Payton.

"We'll have to wait and see," Payton said. "I want to be smart about that. There's a chance that we may or may not play him, just with the amount of time that he'll have had going in. That being said, he'll certainly get more work the next week (on Aug. 22) versus Houston.

New Orleans Saints rookie Malcolm Jenkins sets out to prove he's worth $19 million - NOLA.com

Malcolm Jenkins' first practice with New Orleans Saints has ups and downs
by John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday August 11, 2009

Ted Jackson/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins is attended to by trainers during his first training camp practice with the team.

For 20 or 30 minutes Monday morning the thought occurred that maybe -- just maybe -- Malcolm Jenkins wished his holdout had lasted another half a day, past the first of the Saints' two workouts, so he wouldn't have had to participate in drills conducted in the kind of heat that leaves even the strong feeling jelly-legged.

It appeared the rookie cornerback unwillingly would share with teammates and attendees the contents of his breakfast, because smart money said his menu would be splattered on the practice field.

But he trudged off and stayed on the sideline while another player jogged on in his place and took his reps as if nothing unexpected had happened to interrupt Jenkins' first training camp practice.

"I think those 40 up-downs caught up to me early," Jenkins said, laughing. "I had to kind of sit out for a little bit, get used to the heat with the pads, and got back in there and finished practice."

Not a surprising start for a player who missed 11 days and 14 practices before agreeing to terms with the Saints on Sunday to a reported five-year, $19 million contract with $11 million guaranteed money.

Oh, Jenkins is behind and is going to need time to catch up mentally and physically, whether he concedes as much or not.

"Mentally, I'm not behind at all," he said. "I know the playbook. I studied it day in and day out. They didn't really install anything new since the spring. Really, I've just got to catch up physically and get in football shape.

"I think I just need a couple of practices under my belt. I caught my second wind toward the end of practice. The sun (was covered by clouds) a little bit, so that helped me out a little bit. I just think I need to get a couple of practices under my belt."

Malcolm Jenkins' first practice with New Orleans Saints has ups and downs - NOLA.com

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNwLJNASbOM]YouTube - Saints Training Camp Minute Aug 10 - Jenkins in Camp[/ame]

 

[Gatorubet]

New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins is trying to catch up in a hurry

- NOLA.com

Afterward, Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams acknowledged that
Jenkins is a quick study and is working hard to make up for lost time.

Jenkins joined the team Monday after signing a five-year, $19 million
contract that includes $11 million in guaranteed money.

"He's done a great job of staying on top of things,'' Williams said. "Right
now, behind the scenes, there's no such thing as time and a half. He's
making pretty good money. He's meeting us at 6:30 in the morning. When
I have staff meetings with the coaches, one of the DB coaches is in a staff meeting with me, the other is with him.

"They're coming back to me with smiles on their faces, saying he's got it
and is doing a pretty good job.''

Seems to be a credit to the Buckeye coaching received and to the young man's intelligence and work ethic.

 

[dragurd]

At long last a Jenkins sighting. I was starting to give up on him playing this game.

 

[dragurd]

And the first time they target him he knocks the ball away from the receiver and into the hands of a linebacker for an interception.

 

[Buckskin86]

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive back Malcolm Jenkins puts his versatility on display
by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
Sunday August 16, 2009

Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune
First-round draft pick Malcolm Jenkins (27) covers receiver Paris Warren during morning practice at the Saints' facility on Sunday in Metairie. Said Jenkins: 'If you want to get on the field, you've got to be able to do multiple things. And, you know, we've got some depth at corner, so my first impact on this team might be somewhere else.'Rookie Malcolm Jenkins was all over the field during Sunday's practices, lining up as a safety and a nickel back with the first-string defense, then taking a turn at cornerback with the second string.

The Saints were using a variety of substitution packages during Sunday's sessions, so Jenkins was never technically in the "starting lineup."

But, really, in new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' versatile and adaptable schemes, the old notions of "starters" and "backups" have become as passe as trying to label a guy strictly as a cornerback or a safety.

"I doubt I'll be pegged into one position, " said Jenkins, whom the Saints selected with the 14th pick in this year's draft. Whenever you can be versatile and play at different spots, it helps the defense, because you can put your five best DBs on the field, wherever they may be. If you want to get on the field, you've got to be able to do multiple things. And, you know, we've got some depth at corner, so my first impact on this team might be somewhere else.

"Right now, I'm just trying to learn as much as they're teaching me and just get a feel for the whole defense and see how I can contribute."

Jenkins replaced strong safety Roman Harper in the defensive backfield when New Orleans lined up in one of its pass-defense substitution packages. It's the same formation the Saints have been using when pass-rushing specialists Tony Hargrove and Rod Coleman enter the game at defensive tackle.

Then when New Orleans went to its nickel package, Jenkins moved inside to cover the slot receiver -- the position usually manned by veteran cornerback Randall Gay.

Jenkins, 6 feet, 204 pounds, has been working at all those various positions throughout the offseason, but this was the first time he had been so heavily involved when the starting units were on the field.

"We just wanted to take a look at him with the first group and see what he looked like, " secondary coach Dennis Allen said. "I thought he did good. I think we're going to have a great competition for the nickel position. We're going to have great competition for all the positions."

Williams said Jenkins' ability to play so many positions -- from a physical and mental standpoint -- is one of the main reason the Saints coveted him in the draft.

"He's real physical, long, not afraid of contact, " Williams said. "That's why I think he can play corner, nickel and safety."

New Orleans Saints rookie defensive back Malcolm Jenkins puts his versatility on display - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Pick 6 for New Orleans Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins
by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune
Wednesday August 19, 2009

Chuck Cook/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins returns an interception for a touchdown in a practice against the Houston Texans on Wednesday.

HOUSTON - Score one for New Orleans Saints rookie cornerback Malcom Jenkins.

Jenkins, the team's No. 1 draft pick from Ohio State, returned an interception 70 yards for a touchdown against Houston during practice Wednesday afternoon at the Texans' training facility off the I-610 Loop.

Jenkins stepped in front of intended wide receiver Jacoby Jones for an easy pick and uncontested romp down the right sideline in front of his cheering teammates.

Texans' quarterback Matt Schaub threw into triple coverage and never saw Jenkins, who came off the slot receiver in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' nickel package.

"It was cover 2; I just happened to be in the right place,'' Jenkins said. "I'm pretty comfortable with the defense. Every rep we get, every practice, I'm getting more and more comfortable. Now it's just about getting better.''

Pick 6 for New Orleans Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins - NOLA.com

Think we can make it official: Jenkins is this team's starting nickel. Randall Gay working with the second team, Jenkins the 1s.

about 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry
jeffduncantp
Jeff Duncan

Twitter / Jeff Duncan: Think we can make it offic ...

 

[CentralMOBuck]

That a boy Jenkins!

 

[FrancisSoyer]

Great news. Keep it up Malcolm!

 

[osugrad21]

Link

Saints' first round pick Jenkins catching on quickly

Gannett ? [email protected] ? August 21, 2009

Malcolm Jenkins had a memorable NFL debut in the Saints? preseason opener on Friday night as he worked with the third-team defense late in the contest.
He had one tackle and deflected a pass that wound up in the hands of linebacker Jonathan Casillas for an interception. When the team returned to practice Sunday, Jenkins worked with the first-team defense at cornerback and also got some reps as the first-team nickel package.
?It was an opportunity for me to go against some better competition and show what I?ve got,? Jenkins said, adding that he didn?t read anything into it. ?I?m just looking at it as an opportunity and trying to take advantage of it.

?If you want to get on the field you have to be able to do multiple things. I?m just trying to learn what they?re teaching me and get a feel for the whole defense and see how I can contribute.?

Jenkinso missed nine days of training camp and 14 practices while his agents negotiated his contract, finally getting on the field for the first of two practices on Aug. 10.

The former Ohio State All-American, picked 14th overall in the draft, eventually agreed to a five-year, $19 million contract.

In his very first workout, he briefly succumbed to the brutal south Louisiana heat about midway through the workout ? but returned to practice and finished strong.
Cont...

 

[Buckskin86]

New Orleans defensive back Jenkins makes up for lost time

BILL HABER/AP
New Orleans Saints defensive back Malcolm Jenkins works out on Aug. 10, the first day after ending his holdout, at Saints training camp in Metairie. Jenkins has made quick strides in the week and a half since signing.

METAIRIE ? New Orleans Saints No. 1 draft choice Malcolm Jenkins has come a long way in less than two weeks.

Jenkins, a cornerback from Ohio State, missed the first 14 practices of training camp before signing a contract and hitting the practice field for the first time Aug. 10.

After succumbing to the heat during his first workout ? ?That was the low moment,? he recalled this week ? he has worked through the soreness of two-a-days, caught up mentally, played a dozen snaps in the preseason opener and helped create an interception, and gotten reps all over the field.

Though the depth chart will remain in flux until the preseason ends, the Saints have given Jenkins some work with the first two units in practice this week and figure to give him expanded work in the preseason game against the Texans at 7 tonight in Houston.

?We?ve put pretty much the whole defense in, and I have a good feel for it,? Jenkins said. ?Now it?s just a matter of taking what I see in the book and putting it out on the field. That?s what I?m working on now: translating it to the field.?

Jenkins is playing cornerback and nickelback. In practice he got some reps with the first team at nickel and the second team at corner.

?We want to look at him against a little bit better quality of competition and see where he?s at,? secondary coach Dennis Allen said.

2theadvocate.com | Sports | New Orleans defensive back Jenkins makes up for lost time — Baton Rouge, LA

 

[Buckskin86]

This Blog
August 23, 2009
Notes and Reaction from Saturday night

?CB Malcolm Jenkins has got to learn to play the ball. He didn't look for the pass in the air. He tweeted last night, "they got me today, i lost my NFL virginity, but it happens we had a great win and thats all that matters". That's fine and funny, but a couple points. One, its preseason, winning doesn't matter, player development does. Two, the last time the Saints spent a first round pick on a cornerback, Alex Molden, they also got a cornerback who wouldn't play the ball. Molden wouldn't locate the ball in the air, instead reacting far too late and often drawing a penalty. Jenkins, learn from history or become it.

New Orleans Pro Football: Notes and Reaction from Saturday night

Twitter / Malcolm Jenkins: Just got back from Houston ...

 

[Magua]

New Orleans Pro Football: Notes and Reaction from Saturday night

Twitter / Malcolm Jenkins: Just got back from Houston ...

Harsh words about a guy who has always played the ball very well, and already has a tipped ball leading to an INT and a pick 6 going 70 yards in like a week+ of NFL activity.

 

[FrancisSoyer]

Harsh words about a guy who has always played the ball very well, and already has a tipped ball leading to an INT and a pick 6 going 70 yards in like a week+ of NFL activity.

He did have a habit of throwing his hand up at the last minute in college rather than playing the ball. It worked then, but, I don't think it will now. He's smart and I think he'll adjust.

 

[Buckskin86]

JENKINS UPDATE: Saints rookie cornerback Malcolm Jenkins said he likely will play only on special teams against the Lions.

"If somebody were to go down in nickel or dime, I'd be the next (defensive back) to go in, " Jenkins said. "I can't read too much in it. I don't think that I'm ready yet, and they also don't think that I'm ready yet. There's no need to throw me out to the wolves early."

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, Will Smith still in limbo even after StarCaps court ruling - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Saints? Jenkins battling for role in secondary
Posted Sept. 18, 2009
By Dan Parr

After alternating with Randall Gay at nickel back for much of the preseason, sources say rookie CB Malcolm Jenkins appeared to be ahead in the competition prior to Week One, which was impressive considering Gay was New Orleans' most reliable corner last season. The coaching staff ultimately opted to start Gay at nickel back in the season opener. Jenkins is still a work in progress, and he had his "welcome to the NFL" moment in Week One when he was sent in to replace injured starter Tracy Porter. Lions QB Matthew Stafford went right after Jenkins, who was matched up with Calvin Johnson, and after breaking Jenkins' arm tackle, Johnson ran for a 64-yard reception. Jenkins brings a tough, physical element that the Saints' secondary has lacked in recent seasons, but he has yet to carve out a niche since arriving in camp after conducting the longest holdout ? 11 days ? by a Saints player this decade.

ProFootballWeekly.com - Saints’ Jenkins battling for role in secondary