“To Me, He Looks Like A Starter”

August 29th, 2014
Ronde Barber talks cornerback play

Ronde Barber gives a reference

Lovie Smith signed inconsistent veteran cornerback Mike Jenkins this offseason and has never once wavered on the importance of Jenkins, who was atop Lovie’s cornerbacks depth chart all summer.

But the problem is Jenkins hasn’t been on a field since July because of an undisclosed leg injury.

Joe chatted with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier roughly three weeks ago about the cornerbacks and Frazier referenced how it’s been more challenging with “our top guys out,” referring to Jenkins and Alterraun Verner.

Returning starter Johnthan Banks, however, has played and practiced and looked pretty good. He’s never gotten a “starter” label from Lovie, but he got one from a Bucs icon last night.

During the WFLA-TV broadcast of the Bucs-Skins preseason game, Ronde Barber seemed to dismiss colleague Chris Myers’ chatter about Jenkins and wanted to talk about Banks. “To me, he looks like a starter,” Barber said.

And Joe must agree. Banks is the second best cornerback on the roster. Jenkins can’t be in any kind of football shape, and his career has been suspect at best since 2009. In his last 45 starts, Jenkins has four interceptions, and it’s not because teams haven’t thrown in his direction.

Joe can’t imagine a scenario that ousts Banks from the starting lineup in nine days.

19 Responses to ““To Me, He Looks Like A Starter””

  1. DB55 Says:

    Banks is a star and if lovie can’t evaluate that then we’re in big trouble.

  2. Macabee Says:

    MACABEE’S BUCS PROJECTED ROSTER

    QB – 2

    Josh McCown
    Mike Glennon

    RB – 5

    Doug Martin
    Charles Sims
    Mike James
    Bobby Rainey
    Jeff Demps

    FB – 1

    Jorvorskie Lane

    WR – 6

    Vincent Jackson
    Mike Evans
    Louis Murphy
    Chris Owusu
    Robert Herron
    Russell Shepard

    TE – 3

    Austin Seferian-Jenkins
    Brandon Myers
    Luke Stocker

    OT – 4

    Anthony Collins
    Demar Dotson
    Kevin Pamphile
    Jamon Meredith (I would cut him)

    OG –

    Rishaw Johnson
    Kadeem Edwards
    Patrick Omameh
    Logan Mankins

    CENTER – 2

    Evan Dietrich-Smith
    Josh Allen

    DE – 4

    Michael Johnson
    Adrian Clayborn
    William Gholston
    Larry English (could be Scott Solomon)

    DT – 4

    Gerald McCoy
    Clinton McDonald
    Akeem Spence
    Da’Quan Bowers

    LB – 5

    Lavonte David
    Mason Foster
    Jonathan Casillas
    Dane Fletcher
    Danny Lansannah

    CB – 6

    Alterraun Verner
    Johnthan Banks
    Mike Jenkins
    Leonard Johnson
    Rashaan Melvin
    Quinton Pointer

    Safety – 4

    Dashon Goldson
    Mark Barron
    Bradley MacDougald
    Keith Tandy

    Special Teams – 3

    Connor Barth – K
    Michael Koenen – P
    Andrew DePaola – LS

  3. RachelWatson'sthong Says:

    As a non-season ticket holder who has decided to sit on the home team side, club seat level @ the 40, I just want to see our season start with no delay of games and two time outs. That is how hard it will be to surpass our last season opener. I’m very hopeful from what I have seen this off season. Excited to see how our NEW team looks. Glad that Cam, the pouty whiner, decided to play. Only two cracked ribs? That leaves plenty more for the stout defense to crack.
    WHo knows what we have, but our team is building. Don’t think the bitch teams in our division (all of them) haven’t been watching. PLAY BALL!

  4. Harry Says:

    @Macabee Says:
    “MACABEE’S BUCS PROJECTED ROSTER

    OG –
    Rishaw Johnson
    Kadeem Edwards
    Patrick Omameh
    Logan Mankins

    Where is Richie on your list? LOL

  5. Sneedy16 Says:

    @Macabee

    That look spot on with how the preseason games have gone. Yeah I would cut Jamon Meredith too for a younger FA. I know there is a kid who will get cut that has the talent, but the team is log jammed at Tackle. I would consider Patton Solomon in the WR mix, since he has shown promise in the Return unit.

  6. JMN Says:

    Can’t wait to see McCoy taking down Cam in the opener!

  7. Macabee Says:

    Sneedy16,

    I did this about a week ago and added Mankins of course. But I think you’re right about Solomom Patton. I think he makes it. But at whose expense? Demps maybe? Had fun playing with it but it can go several ways.

  8. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    @ Macabee

    I didn’t count but Charles Sims IR will probably free up a roster spot….&

    No Major Wright?

    Otherwise….I think you are on target….

  9. Macabee Says:

    TBBF,

    Pretty sure I missed some, but this started out as fun but after so many iterations i just quit. Not easy to do. Glad I don’t have to really decide. lol

  10. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    @Macabee

    Here’s how I think the actual roster will differ:

    Remove Shepard and add Patton since he’s our KR/PR and also a WR.

    Remove Jeff Demps as I believe he’s going to the practice squad.

    Add Magee to your list of LB’s.

    Remove English and add Means at DE.

    You’ve got 10 o-linemen where it’s rare for teams to keep more than 9. I’d remove Allen since Johnson can also play center.

    You’ve got 8 d-linemen where many 4-3 teams keep 9. I’d add Talley or Masifilo.

    Of course it’s just opinion and we’ll know by tonight.

  11. LUVMYBUCS Says:

    Scour the waiver wire (Possible cuts)

    Denver’s

    • #32 Tony Carter CB (28yrs) 5-9 (175lbs) Florida State
    • #63 Ben Garland OG(26yrs) 6-5 (308lbs) Air Force

    Tennessee’s
    • 97 Karl Klug DE 26 6-3 278 4 Iowa

    The big question I have is can L & L pull off a trade for Philly’s DT Fletcher Cox.

  12. jb Says:

    Frankly, I can’t understand how Jenkins even makes the roster. Wasted roster spot, imo.

  13. FLBoyInDallas Says:

    I think there’s a good chance Murray beats out Barth, too. They look pretty evenly matched but Barth takes up too much cap space.

  14. Mark from the Block Says:

    Nate Askew was released, hopefully he’s a practice squad

  15. Kramer Says:

    Macabee – is the “prototype” DE Means injured? Or just not cutting it?

  16. meh Says:

    Banks needs to improve his tackling, but yes, I agree, he looks like a starter to me.

  17. Macabee Says:

    Kramer,

    Jenna Laine/STF said that Tampa Bay Buccaneers second-year defensive end Steven Means got off to a fast start this preseason, sacking quarterback Blake Bortles and finishing with two tackles for a loss in the first preseason game. But a groin injury slowed him and in this fourth and final preseason game against Washington, he hoped to get back on track and clinch a spot on the 53-man roster.

    It’s a toss up between Means, Solomon, and English. I picked the former 1st rounder. Could be either of them.

  18. owlykat Says:

    Good Job, Maccabee! Of course if I was doing it, Glennon would be the first cut. Kafka has outperformed him, but that doesn’t mean Lovie will do the right thing there. Glad you also did not keep Warhop’s pet, Cousins! LOL. I do think Major Wright will still be there, as well.

  19. Legarrettes Blunt Says:

    Hate to say it Joe but Lovie and Leslie Frazier have talked about Jenkins as the starter the whole offseason. While he might not be in shape to start week one don’t be surprised to see Jenkins starting down the road