Jenkins Nonsense Dying Down
June 30th, 2015
Bank on Johnthan Banks, says ESPN.
Joe just wants to beat his head against the wall when he hears these rumors pop up — fueled by Lovie Smith — that journeyman Mike Jenkins is in the running to usurp Johnthan Banks as a starting cornerback.
Joe has replayed countless games in his mind (not advisable) and can’t think of why Lovie seems irked that Banks is a solid young corner and a darkhorse for the Pro Bowl the way he played the second half of last season.
Shoot, if any corner should be concerned it should be good guy Alterraun Verner, not Banks. Verner struggled in his first year in the Lovie version of the Tampa-2.
Pat Yasinskas of ESPN seems to think, barring injury, Banks is safe, too. In fact, Yasiskas believes Banks is one of the few things the Bucs can bank on in the secondary.
[Secondary] is going to be one of the most competitive areas in training camp and the preseason as the Bucs are likely to carry 10 or 11 defensive backs. The only thing that seems certain is that Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks will be the starting cornerbacks. Beyond that, everything else is up for grabs.
Of course, when it comes to Banks, Lovie never drafted him and he sure didn’t sign him to a four-year, $25.5 million contract like he did Verner. In a way, Verner is lucky fellow free agent signees last year like turnover-prone Josh McClown, Ghost Johnson and Anthony Collins were so wretched, it took people’s attention away from how much Verner struggled.
Look, Rod Marinelli washed his hands of Jenkins. And if Jenkins was so polished, how come he couldn’t hold a job with the rotten Raiders, huh? Can we please let go of this notion that Jenkins should start over Banks.
Here is another thing about Banks: This season will mark the first time since high school that Banks has had the same defensive coordinator and same defensive system in consecutive years. If Banks was able to pick up Lovie’s defense quicker than others, imagine what he will do with a second year under his belt.
June 30th, 2015 at 9:32 am
Jenkins will never be a full-time starter…only a backup / insurance policy for starters.
– he’s never lived up to the hype after being drafted
– he can’t stay on ONE team and that speaks volumes to his playing abilities
– teams are just hoping the “light bulb” turns on for him
He’s nothing more than a quality backup now
June 30th, 2015 at 9:49 am
It took Barber FIVE YEARS to become good. 5 YEARS!!!!!
Tampa fans are too impatient. Banks is actually more advanced than Barber was at the same point.
June 30th, 2015 at 10:03 am
It would be insane for banks verner and moore not to be starting……
June 30th, 2015 at 10:03 am
I also think Banks is the real deal. I didn’t follow Jenkins that closely except always wanting a stud USF Bull playing for the hometown Bucs. That team is now struggling to beat anybody so the past success there may as well have been long ago. Jenkins did make the pro bowl with Dallas. Perhaps the Bucs consider him to be a half way decent backup, you have mentioned somebody likes him in Bucsville.
June 30th, 2015 at 10:07 am
The good news is that we have some depth…but as long as LJ is on the team…our secondary isn’t as good as it could be.
June 30th, 2015 at 10:36 am
I agree Bonzai. Except I’d put it as Tampa fans are VERY impatient!
June 30th, 2015 at 11:45 am
I’ve been saying this since we signed Moore he should start on the other side of banks. Vernier just seems to get lost when the ball is in the air
June 30th, 2015 at 11:51 am
So impatient they can’t even let a QB get 2 years under the same OC and system. But at least we have Winston. Wonder if they will be impatient with him too if he has a couple bad seasons in their eyes?
June 30th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
In 2013 Alterraun Verner was ranked 4th best CB in coverage behind Rivas, Sherman and Rodgers-Cromratie. He can be that player this year. He just looked lost in the Tampa2 at times last year. The CB should be Banks/Verner and Moore in the slot. If the Bucs are going to ever make a run in the playoffs defense is going to need the CB and Safety’s to really step it up or need to address those positions in FA or the draft.
June 30th, 2015 at 2:43 pm
No one made more out of the Jenkins nonsense than Joe. Non story.
June 30th, 2015 at 2:51 pm
The only person Mike Jenkins has a chance of beating out is Leonard Johnson…
June 30th, 2015 at 9:44 pm
our db were bad last year,banks to.
July 1st, 2015 at 1:34 am
Mike Jenkins has elite speed and he’s a former Pro Bowl player.