Jenkins emerging as an elite safety. (1 Viewer)

[LickenKittens]

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/po...-jenkins-exceding-safety-regulations#comments

“I don’t know if Malcolm is the second coming of Darren Sharper, but he’s going to be the first coming of Malcolm Jenkins,’’ Sharper told the New Orleans media this week.

Jenkins has become a play-making safety and a legitimate Pro Bowl candidate. When the Saints play the Ravens on Sunday, Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed will be the biggest-name defensive players on the field. But they might not be, at this moment, the best defensive players on the field.

That title might belong to Jenkins, who over the past month or so has played as well as any defensive player in the league. Jenkins' two interceptions against the Rams earned him a second NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award. He also won the award in Week 12, after stripping Dallas' Roy E. Williams of the ball, recovering the fumble and helping the Saints to a victory on Thanksgiving. It's rare for anyone to get an honor twice in a few weeks. The fact that Jenkins did is a sign that this guy can't be stopped right now.

"The ball seems to find him,'' New Orleans coach Sean Payton said Sunday.

There is something to be said for instincts or having a nose for the ball. Those are the traits of great safeties, but Payton was quick to add that there are a lot of other reasons why Jenkins has become a magnet for the football.

“He's tough,'' Payton said. "He’s intelligent. He’s a guy who has good instincts. That mental makeup, along with his skill set, serves him well.''

The physical skills were always there. Everybody knew that when Jenkins was a first-round pick out of Ohio State last year. But what you're seeing now is intelligence catching up to, maybe even surpassing, physical ability.

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/po...-jenkins-exceding-safety-regulations#comments

 

[Bartyboy]

I couldn't believe it but Deon Sanders even said he was an elite safety.
Don't love Deon but he knows an elite safety when he sees one

 

[ironhead]

I agree with this assessment. I still think he takes the occasional poor angle, but it seems like he picks up and corrects his mistakes pretty well. What he is is a playmaker which you really can't coach, you either have those instincts or you don't.

 

[Saints 4 life]

Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis and safety Ed Reed will be the biggest-name defensive players on the field. But they might not be, at this moment, the best defensive players on the field.That title might belong to Jenkins

How SWEET is this?!!!
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee68/WooleverTim/MalcolmJenkins-1.png" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[LickenKittens]

I agree with this assessment. I still think he takes the occasional poor angle, but it seems like he picks up and corrects his mistakes pretty well. What he is is a playmaker which you really can't coach, you either have those instincts or you don't.

He does, but he's already a better tackler than Sharper(who likes to tackle allot with his shoulder). If he continues his ballhawking skills, he's Sharper 2.0.

 

[Innotech]

yes he can play safety!

















but can he kick?

 

[wizard1183]

I agree, he is a playmaker, but elite? No, he doesnt have the stats to back him up nor the yrs of exp. So I wouldnt call him elite until then. Not to say hes not on his way to get them, but you dont jump the gun on calling elite. look at A. Rogers, They claim hes an elite player. Really? He may have played a few games lookign as though he was one but that failed this season. What about Dirty Sanchez? Elite? Hardly. Pittsburghs Troy P. is elite as is D. Sharper, Brady, ect. Put in the years and keep doing well and earn Elite. No speculation on it

 

[jlam]

 

[GoldRush26]

Only thing Jenkins seemed to be lacking before now was confidence and full trust in his abilities. He's now got the confidence and he's going to be a top safety in this league, as early as next year IMO. GW didn't call him our best player on defense to hear himself talk.

I agree, he is a playmaker, but elite? No, he doesnt have the stats to back him up nor the yrs of exp. So I wouldnt call him elite until then. Not to say hes not on his way to get them, but you dont jump the gun on calling elite. look at A. Rogers, They claim hes an elite player. Really? He may have played a few games lookign as though he was one but that failed this season. What about Dirty Sanchez? Elite? Hardly. Pittsburghs Troy P. is elite as is D. Sharper, Brady, ect. Put in the years and keep doing well and earn Elite. No speculation on it

Sharper isn't elite anymore.

 

[LickenKittens]

Only thing Jenkins seemed to be lacking before now was confidence and full trust in his abilities. He's now got the confidence and he's going to be a top safety in this league, as early as next year IMO. GW didn't call him our best player on defense to hear himself talk.



Sharper isn't elite anymore.

True. Micro-fracture surgery is tough for a young guy to come back from. The team knew that, which is why they didn't budge on the contract they offered him. Still glad he's on the team. His leadership and swagger help us out allot.

 

[LickenKittens]

I agree, he is a playmaker, but elite? No, he doesnt have the stats to back him up nor the yrs of exp. So I wouldnt call him elite until then. Not to say hes not on his way to get them, but you dont jump the gun on calling elite. look at A. Rogers, They claim hes an elite player. Really? He may have played a few games lookign as though he was one but that failed this season. What about Dirty Sanchez? Elite? Hardly. Pittsburghs Troy P. is elite as is D. Sharper, Brady, ect. Put in the years and keep doing well and earn Elite. No speculation on it

You could make the case that it's premature to call him elite right now, seeing as players can have a good year and drop off the map. He's certainly playing like it though. On a side note, I'm not going to call the grammar police this time, but shape up buddy

 

[UFCSaint]

Yeah I was just talking to a friend today who is a Bears fan. I told him that it is amazing that just 4 years ago our secondary was a huge liability for this team (and arguably cost them a trip to the Superbowl in '06). Now...it is a strength of the team. Good work by Payton, Loomis, and the Scouts.

 

[superchuck500]

Yeah I was just talking to a friend today who is a Bears fan. I told him that it is amazing that just 4 years ago our secondary was a huge liability for this team (and arguably cost them a trip to the Superbowl in '06). Now...it is a strength of the team. Good work by Payton, Loomis, and the Scouts.

And it makes such sense. After building such a prolific offense, but seeing games go down to the wire because our weak secondary let teams keep up with us - it was just clear that we needed a complimenary defense. That's what they set out to do when hiring GW. If you build a top-notch secondary and work on your pass defense, that alone will help win games because the offense scores so many points. You don't have to be the best defense in the league, you just have to be a defense that doesn't allow points to be scored quickly or in big chunks. Though I think we've moved past that now and do really have a top defense, that basic theory is what rebuilt the defense last year and continues to be a top priority (as evidenced by drafting P Robinson).

I think Payton learned a lot from the 07 and 08 seasons. He now has a complete team and the difference is obvious.

 

[homertone]

And he could have had a third interception last week on a ball that he just missed... I just read an article in espn mag that shows how important safeties are these days versus a decade ago. They are starting to become the best defenders on the field at any position. Kudos to Payton et al. for drafting this guy and knowing what to do with him.

 

[WhoDat9to12]

I love me some MJ