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

[Buckskin86]

Piscataway grad Jenkins helped Saints
By PAUL FRANKLIN ? STAFF WRITER ? February 9, 2010

Malcolm Jenkins is living the dream, and he doesn't plan on waking up real soon.

"Oh, man, it's been wild. The phone hasn't stopped ringing for two days straight," he said Tuesday morning from New Orleans.

Jenkins, a former football player at Piscataway High School, played in Super Bowl XLIV on Sunday for the world champion Saints.

The noise, the chaos ? all that continued in New Orleans on Tuesday with a victory parade.

"I don't think it's really set in," he said of the accomplishment. "I really haven't had time to sit down and have my own thoughts. I've been running ever since it happened.

"After the game we went out and I didn't get in until around 7 (a.m.) and then I had to get up at nine to get on a plane.

"Probably sometime Wednesday or Thursday it will probably sink in."

Jenkins didn't fly with the team back to New Orleans on Monday. Instead he had to take a flight to Oklahoma City. That night he had to make a presentation at a banquet, honoring the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award. The trophy goes to the country's top defensive back in college football, which a year ago was won by Jenkins following his All-America senior year playing for Ohio State.

This year's honor went to Tennessee's Eric Berry.

None of that of course matches a team championship on the highest level, and for Jenkins, who now lives in New Orleans, the celebrating will continue next Tuesday with the beginning of Mardi Gras.

The same might be said about teammate Jonathan Casillas, another Middlesex County resident who played high school ball at New Brunswick. Unavailable for comment, the linebacker played on special teams with Jenkins.

Although he missed Monday's arrival back in New Orleans to a welcoming committee of thousands of fans, Jenkins did fly into New Orleans on Tuesday morning in time for the parade.

"It's been a roller coaster," said Jenkins, who just recently turned 22. "It's been such a drawn-out season, from the combine, the draft, camp, a 19-game season, I was injured, came back, started four or five games, was injured again, then was able to play in the Super Bowl and then win it, it's unbelievable for me. And that happened in a span of what, six months?"

Piscataway grad Jenkins helped Saints | mycentraljersey.com | MyCentralJersey.com

 

[buckeyes_rock]

Super Bowl Champion! Way to go Malcolm! Buckeye nation is proud of your accomplishment!

 

[Buckskin86]

New Orleans Saints mailbag: Darren Sharper, Malcolm Jenkins and more
By Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
March 25, 2010

Hey everyone. We're back with another installment of the New Orleans Saints mailbag, and I'll come back with another video edition either this afternoon or tomorrow. Keep the questions coming so we have plenty of material for next week and beyond. You can always submit your questions to [email protected].

Scott Threlkeld/The Times-PicayuneThere's no guarantee Malcolm Jenkins would slide to free safety if Darren Sharper leaves the New Orleans Saints.Q: Mike, Looks like if you are playing the role of the Saints GM, you would have to identify your risks and mitigate them. Seems the possibility of losing (Darren) Sharper to a team willing to give him a more lucrative contract than the Saints is such a risk. If this happens, do you feel like Usama Young can move into the starting safety position, move Malcolm Jenkins to the spot, hope Chip Vaughn can do the job, look for a free agent to do so, or look to the draft? Rhett Plash, FloridaLis (Panama City Beach, FL).

Q: We learned this season that there is big drop off at corner after Porter and Greer. With a year of experience, will Jenkins be ready to fill in when needed and play at a starter's level? James Richard, Shreveport, La.

A: Thanks guys. I combined these two questions together so I could talk about Malcolm Jenkins. Even if the Saints lose Sharper, I really don't think it's automatic that they would slide Jenkins over to free safety to fill in for him. It's much harder to find a top-tier cornerback in the NFL, so if Jenkins can develop into a reliable corner, that's where the Saints would like to keep him. Heading into his second year, I think he's already shown enough to prove he's a solid nickel cornerback with a lot of upside, and I think he'll be ready to step in as a replacement starter if the Saints have injuries again. Plus, once you get into nickel and dime defenses, the line between cornerback and safety really starts to blur anyway. ... Jenkins definitely has the skill set to become a free safety, so the Saints will always consider that idea, especially if they decide he can't excel as a starting cover corner on the outside. But for now, I think they'll keep trying him at corner to find out if he can fit there first.

New Orleans Saints mailbag: Darren Sharper, Malcolm Jenkins and more | - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Position change for Saints CB Jenkins unlikely
Posted March 31, 2010
By Dan Parr

While the Saints might have to replace FS Darren Sharper next season, we hear the team is not eager to move CB Malcolm Jenkins to free safety in order to fill the void. New Orleans drafted Jenkins to play corner and would like to see the 2009 first-round pick continue to focus on that position, even though he was billed by some as a corner-safety hybrid coming out of Ohio State and has the tools necessary to play either position.

Jenkins, who started six games at cornerback last season, is expected to compete with Randall Gay to be the Saints' nickel back in 2010, and some insiders say there's still a good chance Sharper, who is seeking offers from other clubs, will re-sign with the Saints later this offseason. New Orleans could spend an early draft pick on a free safety or, if Sharper were to move on, another veteran free agent could be brought in to compete for the role.

ProFootballWeekly.com - Position change for Saints CB Jenkins unlikely

 

[Buckskin86]

Piscataway's 2004 championship team poised to make NFL history during draft
By KEITH SARGEANT ? STAFF WRITER ? April 21, 2010

PISCATAWAY ? Dan Higgins sits on his couch, watching the NFL Network's ticker scroll by and suddenly the proud coach in him starts to beam.

"Here's (Mike) Mayock's Top 5 at each position, and he has Anthony Davis listed as the third-best offensive tackle and then Kyle Wilson is ranked as the second cornerback," Piscataway High's football coach says, citing two of his former players who are expected to be first-round picks in tonight's NFL Draft.

"It's just surreal. And I still haven't come down from the cloud of watching Malcolm Jenkins play in the Super Bowl and win a ring. I'm so proud, and I'm not taking this for granted."

From his new home in New Orleans, Jenkins reflected back on the 2004 campaign, his final season before heading off to star at Ohio State. A former All-Big Ten defensive back, who was picked No. 14 in last year's NFL Draft, Jenkins was a starter on the New Orleans team that upset Indianapolis in the Super Bowl last February.

"If you would've told me we would've been first-rounders, I would've laughed," said Jenkins, an All-Greater Middlesex Conference performer who set a Piscataway High record with eight interceptions in '04. "If you would've told me I was going to be a first-rounder I would've laughed in your face. To think about going to the NFL was a far-fetched idea. We just focused on the moment and didn't worry about the future."

For Jenkins, two games stand out from the Chiefs' run to a third straight state title. The first was a 21-14 win over Sayreville in early November, a matchup of the top two teams in Middlesex County that lived up to its billing.

Jenkins scored two touchdowns, including the game-winner off a 55-yard pass from Robert Rose with 1 minute, 26 seconds remaining to keep the Chiefs unbeaten heading into the playoffs.

"Awesome play, an awesome game," said Jenkins, who hauled in the game-winning TD in between double coverage down the left sideline.

http://www.app.com/article/20100421...-team-poised-to-make-NFL-history-during-draft

 

[Buckskin86]

When Sharper's status was uncertain, the Saints had expressed confidence in the potential of young backup Usama Young and indicated that second-year pro Mallcom Jenkins could be moved from cornerback to free safety if needed.

Loomis said Monday that the team has not yet decided where Jenkins will line up to begin the offseason, but the team likes his versatility and the depth at the position

Darren Sharper said he wanted to stay with the New Orleans Saints all along | - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

What do you see as Malcolm Jenkins? role this season?

?I think with Malcolm we have flexibility. I said at the end of last year, going through the season he?s someone that has great toughness, good range, exceptional ball skills and he loves the game. So we have flexibility with him and he?s going to get work at safety. But he can come down and play over the slot, he can come down and play outside. We were pleased with his first year and his progression into what we?re doing here. He?s a quick study and that along with his physical traits are good things to have and have helped him.?

Sean Payton at Rookie Minicamp | WJTV.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Saints' Jenkins officially moved to free safety
Credit: The Associated Press
wwltv.com
Posted on May 27, 2010

New Orleans Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins (27), the club's first round draft pick, participates in the morning practice session at the club's NFL football training camp in Metairie, La. , Monday, Aug. 10, 2009.
by Bradley Handwerger / Eyewitness Sports
at 3:19 PM

METAIRIE, La. ― With Darren Sharper sidelined this offseason as he attempts to recuperate from knee surgery, the free safety position is open for takers.

Thursday morning during the Saints? third OTA (organized team activity), Usama Young and Malcolm Jenkins both took snaps at free safety, keeping the position warm while the reigning All-Pro sits out.

While Young was moved to safety prior to the 2009 season, Jenkins was drafted in 2009 with the idea that he?d eventually move to safety.

That transition is taking place this offseason.

?Gregg (Williams) and those guys will do a great job of utilizing his skill set, but he?s doing well and working primarily at free safety,? Payton said.

Jenkins finished his rookie season with 51 tackles, five passes defensed, six special teams tackles and two forced fumbles on special teams.

It?s his versatility that has stood out to Payton thus far into his young career.

?We?ll move him around,? Saints Head Coach Sean Payton said. ?He?s working at free. He?s a guy that has good versatility. He can come down and play in the box. He can play in the safety position (and he can play) in the nickel packages.?

Saints' Jenkins officially moved to free safety | wwltv.com | WWL Sports

 

[Buckskin86]

Jenkins ready to move to safety
By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Jun 6, 2010

METAIRIE ? In the time leading up to the 2009 NFL draft, it seemed like there was no consensus on which position All-American Malcolm Jenkins would play at the next level.

Jenkins was a cornerback at Ohio State, but some scouts said free safety was a better fit for the 6-foot, 204-pounder.

When the New Orleans Saints made Jenkins the 14th overall pick in the draft, starting strong safety Roman Harper understood the indecision when he saw a little of both positions in Jenkins.

?You look at him and think he?s a big corner, or he?s a very fluid and fast, athletic safety,? Harper said. ?It?s almost like a big running back who looks big enough to be a fullback, but he has the speed of a halfback.?

So the Saints may have gotten the best of both worlds with Jenkins, who, as a rookie played mostly as an extra cornerback in the nickel and dime packages in helping the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV.

But in the NFL, it?s all about need. The Saints needed cornerbacks last season when they revamped their secondary. When they chose Florida State cornerback Patrick Robinson in the first round this spring, they suddenly had a surplus of capable players at the position.

Robinson joined a group that already included starters Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter, veterans backups Randall Gay and Leigh Torrence ? and Jenkins. That made Jenkins? move easier for Saints coaches to make before the start of organized team activities last week.

In the first three OTAs, Jenkins worked with the second-team defense at free safety behind Usama Young in the absence of All-Pro Darren Sharper, who is sidelined after having knee surgery in March.

When the Saints opened their three-day minicamp on Friday, however, Jenkins was working with the No. 1 defense before being sidelined Saturday with a bruised knee.

Still, the switch has suited him well.

?I?m just happy to be on the field,? Jenkins said between Friday?s two workouts. ?I mean, the depth chart has shifted to where we have a lot of depth at corner. To be honest, it?s a lot easier to get on the field at safety right now.

?A lot of people anticipated this move, but it?s something I?m comfortable with. I played it in college, so I?m happy with it.?

While other players might have balked at being moved from cornerback, Jenkins, who had 51 tackles and five passes defensed in 2009, embraced it.

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Jenkins ready to move to safety — Baton Rouge, LA

 

[Buckskin86]

Jenkins adjusting well at free safety for Saints
Glenn Guilbeau ? [email protected] ? June 7, 2010

BATON ROUGE ? Five-time All-Pro safety Darren Sharper has done little with the New Orleans Saints since helping them win Super Bowl XLIV, but his presence continues to be felt even when he's not around.

Sharper, who continues to nurse a minor knee injury and missed the team's mini-camp over the weekend, is a coach on the field for newly converted free safety Malcolm Jenkins even when he's not on the field.

A first round pick of the Saints out of Ohio State in 2009 as a cornerback, Jenkins moved to free safety just recently as the cornerback position of the Saints is among the strongest in the NFL with Jabari Greer and Tracy Porter and suddenly crowded with the addition of first round pick Patrick Robinson of Florida State last April. Jenkins has been practicing with the first team at free safety, which will be Sharper's position when he returns to health this summer.

"I've been watching a lot of film of him from last year and seeing what it is that he did and what he saw to make all the plays he did," Jenkins said after a mini-camp practice Friday. "He gets a lot from his study, his ability to read quarterbacks and then just his overall experience."

A 14-year veteran and member of the NFL's All-Decade team for the 2000s, the 34-year-old Sharper is No. 1 in the NFL among active players with 63 interceptions, a total that is sixth in league history. His 11 touchdowns on interception returns is No. 2 in NFL history. His 13 career touchdowns, counting two fumble returns, has him tied for No. 1 among defensive players in NFL history.

"He knows splits and things like that, and he trusts his instincts," said Jenkins, who has one career interception after backing up at cornerback last season with six starts. "A lot of times, he'll tell us to jump something if we see it and to not be afraid to pull the trigger."

Jenkins adjusting well at free safety for Saints | theadvertiser.com | The Advertiser

 

[Buckskin86]

Malcolm Jenkins wants to be on field
June, 7, 2010
By Pat Yasinskas

Derick E. Hingle/US Presswire
Considering the Saints' quality starters and depth at cornerback, moving Malcolm Jenkins to safety was the quickest way to get the 2009 first-round pick into the starting lineup.

METAIRIE, La. -- As the New Orleans Saints talk about Malcolm Jenkins' move to free safety, they repeatedly talk about his eyes.

“He just needs time to learn to believe in his eyes and learn to trust his eyes when it’s time to make a break," starting strong safety Roman Harper said.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/10511/malcolm-jenkins-wants-to-be-on-field

Can Saints' Jenkins make the switch to FS?
A look at how the former first-round CB can make the transition.
Matt Bowen
June 08, 2010

How easy ? or difficult ? will it be for Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins to transition to free safety down in New Orleans for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams?

Too often we let this pass over as an easy switch, thinking that athletic ability alone of a CB will allow a player such as Jenkins to slide into the middle of the field and start making plays all over the place. Even a player who was talented enough to line up all over the field in college.

AP
Jenkins is making the move to free safety down in New Orleans.

But it?s not easy at all, as there will be a learning curve for the former first-round pick despite what he was projected as coming out in the 2009 draft. With Darren Sharper rehabbing a knee injury, Jenkins can take advantage of the multiple reps he will get this summer and in training camp as well as the live action he will see in the preseason games. According to reports over the weekend, Jenkins got to see some action when he ran with the first team on Friday during the Saints minicamp.

Just the beginning of the process.

I have no doubt that Jenkins has the range and skill set to become a very productive player and an everyday starter at the free safety spot once Sharper runs through his current one-year deal for the 2010 season, but let?s look at the adjustments that the former Buckeye from Ohio State will have to make in order for this process to happen ? and for Jenkins to make plays in Williams? scheme.

Angles

When you break it down on defense, football is just a game of angles. You make plays and work within the scheme of the defense if you take the proper angle to the ball carrier, to a receiver and in your run fits. For a corner, these are much different than that of a middle-of-the-field free safety. Jenkins will need work in camp and in the preseason coming from the middle of the field to over the top of vertical routes outside of the numbers and when he fills the ?alleys? (between the corner and the core of the formation) in the running game. Instead of playing outside-in on the ball carrier, he will have to learn how to play from inside-out. Sounds simple, but taking the proper angles is the difference between a guy who shows up on film and a guy who looks lost.

Blitzing

If you play safety in Williams? defense, you will blitz and he will send you multiple times in his various pressure schemes. Contrary to beliefs, blitzing is a practiced skill. Anyone can run through a gap and either get stood up by a running back or clotheslined by a center or guard turning his protection at the last minute. Jenkins will have to learn how to cut the edge of a tackle, set up blockers and use his hands to beat a running back. DBs who blitz are undersized to start with, and the technique to make a play on the quarterback has to be learned and practiced.

Gregg WilliamsAPGregg Williams

Run/Pass reads

The toughest thing for any player moving to the middle of the field is his run/pass reads. From film study, Jenkins will be able to learn the tendencies of a certain offense and use his pre-snap reads to anticipate run or pass. But, that still doesn?t discount what he sees at the snap of the ball. Instead of reading the WR in front of him at the CB position, Jenkins will now have to read what is called the ?triangle.? This consists of the center, both guards and through the QB into the backfield to know whether he is seeing play action (high-hat by O-Line) or run (low-hat by O-Line). May sound boring and trivial, but it is the first key to doing anything correctly at FS. You have to trust your eyes.

Tackling

I would have loved to tackle from the corner position in my career because of the ability to use the sideline and the free safety (or inside pursuit in general) as my help. But, when you are playing in the middle of the field, you can?t take a side on a run that breaks from the line of scrimmage. Jenkins will have to square up running backs or wide receivers and find a way ? any way ? to get them on the ground. Miss a tackle at FS and they will strike up the band for the fight song.

Ball skills

They are different at FS. Instead of playing from the wide receiver?s hip and going through the ?pocket? (DBs are taught to go through a receiver?s arms at the point of the catch), Jenkins will make plays on the ball coming downhill on routes such as the deep 15-yard dig, the slant, etc. And, when he is coming over the top of a 7-route (flag route) or 9-route (fade), he will have to take the proper angle so he can make a play on the football.

Can Saints' Jenkins make the switch to FS? | National Football Post

 

[Buckskin86]

Posted: Saturday, 19 June 2010
Geller: Jenkins embracing the move to safety
Steve Geller / [email protected] Reporting

Switching jobs is always a challenge. A new position often comes with added responsibility and pressure. Even though he is just entering his 2nd year in the NFL, the Saints' Malcolm Jenkins is ready to take on the challenge of moving from cornerback to safety to get some more playing time this season.

"You know it's deep over at corner, where at safety; it's an easier way for me to get on the field. It's been a smooth transition so I'm excited about it," Jenkins said.

The move really comes as no surprise. When the Saints drafted him with the 14th pick in the 1st round last year, there was immediately talk about converting Jenkins to safety. At 6'0"and 205 pounds, Jenkins has excellent size and is very physical. Another huge asset is his football I.Q. and coach Sean Payton acknowledged that.

"He's doing well. Malcolm is an intelligent player, so a position move for someone like him who is a thinker on the field can become mentally easier. I think he is handling it and handling the snaps that he's getting. The one thing we know is he's a pretty good football player, so he's working hard and handling the adjustment."

In today's game safeties need to be able to cover receivers and athletic tight ends that can be just as dangerous in the passing game as wideouts. Jenkins' pass coverage skills add to his value in the middle of the field. There is also a lot more responsibility involved with playing safety.

Jenkins says, "It's more of a leadership position. You're in charge of not only what you do but everybody else in the secondary. Sort of like the QB of the secondary. The safeties make all the calls to the corners. The verbal communications all come from the safeties so that's something I've had to learn and do, and I'm totally a natural with it. That's a role I enjoy, and it definitely helps having Darren (Sharper) in front of me to learn from him and see how he sees the game."

Geller: Jenkins Embracing The Move To Safety - WWL - AM870 | FM105.3 | News | Talk | Sports

 

[Gatorubet]

New Orleans Saints defensive back Malcolm Jenkins is taking on gun violence | NOLA.com

Instead of attending ESPN's annual awards bash, where the New Orleans Saints were nominated for six awards, Jenkins, the second-year Saints defensive back, made an appearance at a community meeting for CeaseFire, a Chicago-based anti-gun and violence program trying to start a branch in New Orleans.

For Jenkins, attending the town meeting at the Ashe Cultural Arts Center in Central City was more important than recelebrating memories of the Saints' Super Bowl victory. "We've got enough accolades already as far as the Super Bowl, " Jenkins said. "The ESPYs was just not something I wanted to be a part of."

Jenkins is a partner in CeaseFire's New Orleans efforts. The program began in 2000 in Chicago as a part of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention. Jenkins said he doesn't have any personal connections to shootings or violence, only that distant family members and friends have been killed by guns. But an April incident in which seven people were shot in the 700 block of Canal Street raised heart-felt concerns for the future of the city. Jenkins spoke out about the event on Twitter, and he said a friend in politics saw the messages and asked him how serious he was about the issue.

"He introduced me to the CeaseFire program and what they were trying to do, " Jenkins said. "I sat in a few meetings when they were trying to get it implemented. I really liked what they were trying to do, and it really intrigued me."

Really good guy. Our city is lucky to have him.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Greatest quote ever:

The ESPYs was just not something I wanted to be a part of.

 

[Frohlich]

New Orleans Saints defensive back Malcolm Jenkins is taking on gun violence | NOLA.com

Really good guy. Our city is lucky to have him.

I have a lot of respect for athletes who can see beyond their own stardom and take an active role in helping people. Not just saying this because he is a
Buckeye. Too many athletes or celebrities get tied up in their own self importance and never really give back to the community.