Dallas Cowboys Presents the Main Event: Jenkins vs. Scandrick 2

Jenkins vs. Scandrick 2

 For most football fans, the battle between Orlando Scandrick and Mike Jenkins for the Dallas Cowboys’ starting right cornerback spot is quite insignificant.  They are both second year players attempting to replace a second tier veteran in Anthony Henry.  They are two of the fastest players on the team and they have shown flashes of their potential over the duration of last season, this off-season, training camp, and pre-season.  To the casual fan, the only difference between Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick is their draft position (Jenkins a 1^st rounder, Scandrick a 5^th Rounder) and their height.  Actually Jenkins and Scandrick are about the same height but Jenkins has freakishly long arms so I give him the advantage by default…work with me people.  But for me, Mike Jenkins’ comes up short (no pun intended) in this competition for a starting position on the most high profile team in the National Football League. 

If I were the coach of the Cowboys’ I would start Orlando Scandrick opposite of veteran Terrance Newman.  Everything that I have seen, heard, or read about Mike Jenkins suggests that he thinks the job is his to lose.  Although Jenkins appears to be more physically gifted than Scandrick, his performance to this point has been underwhelming.  For one, Jenkins spends way to much time with his eyes in the backfield.  He might get a few more picks, but he’ll get burned a lot.  He got smoked by Kenny Britt (4.5 40 yard dash compared to Jenkins 4.38) in the pre-season and the only thing that kept it from being a touchdown was the fact that Vince Young terribly under threw  the ball giving Jenkins a good couple of seconds to catch up to the ball and break it up.  To make matters worse, he let Justin Gage run free down the sidelines for a touchdown the next drive and then immediately started pointing fingers. (Can anyone say Roy Williams?) And who can forget about this play.  That’s my problem with Jenkins.  He’s so athletic that he’s not playing hungry and he’s not playing smart.  He’s trying to be Deion Sanders, and there is only one Deion. 

Scandrick has far exceeded anyone’s expectations.  He is the underdog’s dream: a fifth round pick that was criticized heavily because he left school early.  People questioned his maturity and the influences around him.  From what I’ve seen on the field he is a very humble and focused young man.  Sure, he talks a little bit when he makes a play, but what cornerback doesn’t.  Scandrick hasn’t been flashy in his time with the Cowboys, but he hasn’t given up much either. And the kid can hit!  The interceptions will come with time, but you have to have the discipline to keep yourself and your team out of bad situations.  Scandrick has that discipline.  Jenkins does not.  When Scandrick is on the field he plays with the hunger of a fifth round pick.  When Jenkins is on the field he plays with the entitlement of a first rounder.  Scandrick is the right answer, at least for right now. 

In my opinion, Mike Jenkins has the physical tools to be one of the top cornerbacks in the league.  He can be Champ Bailey.  He can be Nnamdi Asomugha.  He can be Charles Woodson (with speed!).But he does not have the discipline to be in that class right now.  Starting Scandrick in his place will humble Jenkins and potentially bring him to that level.  Scandrick is more like Fred Smoot, but at least he’s Fred Smoot right now!  Jenkins is the future but he needs to mature and get his work ethic together.  He’ll get plenty of opportunities this season and in the future, but if you hand it to him on a silver platter he won’t get any better.  That’s a guarantee.  I look forward to how things unfold in Big D, but don’t underestimate the importance of this decision.