New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

If the New Orleans Saints hope to salvage this wayward 2012 season, they need everyone on their roster to pick up their games after such a sluggish start. But one guy in particular that really needs to shine brighter is safety Malcolm Jenkins.

The fourth-year pro hasn't necessarily been the defense's weakest link. Like everyone else, he's had a few good plays and a few bad ones this year. But the Saints don't just need Jenkins to be adequate - they need him to be great.
They need the former first-round draft pick to finally start delivering on the immense potential he flashed during his first two NFL seasons.

Maybe it's unfair to single out Jenkins. But it's his own fault, really. He raised the bar for himself in 2010, when he was twice named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week down the stretch of his sophomore year, after he made a smooth transition from cornerback to safety.

Heading into last season, coaches and teammates raved about Jenkins' star qualities. Former defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was obviously enamored with Jenkins, talking all the time about his desire to be a truly "great" player. And former Saints defensive end Alex Brown once heralded Jenkins as one of three "special" players he's played with, along with former Chicago Bears teammate Brian Urlacher and former Florida Gators teammate Jevon Kearse.

This year, teammates voted Jenkins as one of their two defensive captains, along with safety Roman Harper. So it's clear the admiration and respect is still high.

But over the last two seasons, that lofty potential hasn't translated consistently onto the field for Jenkins, who hasn't had an interception since 2010. He has no forced fumbles or fumble recoveries this year after having one of each last year.

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Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

That's true but just getting to adequate would be a good start.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

A little D-line pressure and LB help would be a great start too. The DB's are the only part of the defense that has been playing. They are behind the eight ball from the start when the opposing QB has all day.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

You're right, just getting to adequate would be a step up for several of the guys on this defense.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

he needs to take pressure off of himself, trying to be superman is not helping him. just needs to stay focussed, its still a learning experience for him. it will come together just DO YOUR JOB.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Can anyone help an old man remember when these flashes were?

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Forcing 2 fumbles on special teams in 2 consecutive weeks, vs eagles and bills

Stripping the ball away from Roy Williams when reggie bush had pretty much lost the game for us, brees gets the ball and wins the game

2 picks vs rams, one for a 99 yard TD return

Wish he played like this more often

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

I mentioned this in the game time chat last week.... I have a Malcolm Jenkins jersey, starting to wonder why now. Anyway, last year, he was my pick for breakout defensive player, and boy was I wrong. Funny thing is, for Christmas, I received not one but Two Jenkins jerseys, both black. I had always thought about what I was going to do with the second one (it still has the tags on it). I knew I was going to do something relative to our forum, such as start a thread w/ trivia or something, eventually giving it away to one of our members. Now I really don't know what to do with it. I hope his stock rises because I do want to give it to someone when it's actually desired. It would be a nice thing to do, IMO. But I don't want to give it away if it's just going to be burned, lol!!

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

True but this has nothing to do with him tackling. He sucks at it! I LMAO when in the article he said he "might" miss a tackle here or there..are you kidding me..you have missed almost as many as you have made.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

The play of the D-Line and LB's is certainly part of the problem but come on, Malcolm screws up so much on his own. A lot of the time he's completely lost out there.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Lost is the key word, from cornerback without speed to cover receivers to safety play that is terrible, lost,yes, LOST CAUSE at FS, possibly he has enough speed and snap to cover a TE or RB coming out of the backfield, a SS he might make a FS he will never ever be!!

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

We'd probably get more trade value for Mark "two yard wonder" Ingram.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Hey! You lay off ole "Two Yard"! He gonna try to average 3 ypc by seasons end.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

And another thing. "Two Yard" is actually on 2.9 ypc. If only he could gain an extra 1.2 ypc and run as move as slowly as Ironhead did. He would be a useful weapon if we were leading with 2 minutes to play.

p.s. God Bless Ironhead

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

If his O-line continues to open zero holes, he won't come close.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

It's a vicious circle. The offense can't open holes for Ingram because when he is in there, the D knows we are going to run. No element of surprise.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

But we're seeing the same results when Pierre Thomas runs too, and he's one of the best RB's in the entire league.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

remember everything but the reggie bush part

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Reggie dropped a pass that likely would've gone for a sure touchdown and fumbled a punt eventually causing an 11 point swing in the game

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Speaking of holes.... Who watched the NYG/49ers game?

Is it me or did Bradshaw have huge gaping holes to run through ?

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Exactly how I remember it, Malcolm saved us that day

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Nope, its not just you. I saw the same EXACT thing and thought wow, if our RB's had those holes we'd be near the top of the league. I was tempted to post about that last night but fell asleep.

I'm glad someone else noticed.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Yeah, it seemed obvious to me that the Giants had tremendous success once they abandoned the run completely, early in the game, after 6-7 carries, and went into that panicky jittery pass/pass/pass formation the rest of the game

/sarcasm off

But yeah seriously. One article I read said something like 2.1 yards per carry in the first half, 23 rushing yards in the whole first half, then 120 something in the 2nd half. Even when they were only getting 1, 2 or even zero yards, early on in the game, they kept plugging away and running and then it paid off. They didn't give up on it even if it was stiff going at first, and it finally wore the defense down.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Title could be changed from "Malcom Jenkins" to (insert defensive starter name here)

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

We need to just move on from Jenkins. Move along now......there's nothing to see here.:cool:

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

When there little yellow bus is there make sure they save a seat for Shanle.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

i say i was wrong about the move to FS years ago. Maybe SS is a better position for him. seems like his best plays come close to the line.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

The main reason Malcolm Jenkins looks so mediocre is because he is. He plays a position that requires true play maker ability. Not saying he doesn't have that potential, but he is no where close to Darren Sharper, Sammy Knight, or Tommy Myers for that matter. A FS is a position that needs to pick off passes, bottom line. Jenkins for whatever reason has not learned that art just yet. Moving Jenkins to SS does merit some conversation, but then what to do with Harper? This by itself pretty much tells the tale on why the defense is so bad. Please note I am not solely blaming these guys because they do play hard, just saying the Saints don't have the defensive play makers that are needed, especially in today's game.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Moving Jenkins to SS is a terrible idea. He's not a very good tackler at all. It would be like moving Shanle to MLB. FS is the only position Jenkins will ever play in the NFL IMO.

When our front 7 starts to play better, he will improve.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

He could learn to tackle, SS might be the position he can play, he is not a true FS, no way shape or form. Most times I agree with you, this time I can't.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

I agree Danno.
He, along with the other guys will look a whole lot better with improved front-7 play.
Even Greer is looking rookie-ish. 3-4 seconds is about the limit for any decent DB.
After that you are asking a bit much in coverage. Hanging in after two moves is plenty.
That aside...there is no excuse for letting guys get behind you with 45 seconds left in the half.
Even with no pass rush, and the D-line just keeping the QB coralled, it's just unacceptable.
And I'm not talking about one slip up in one game, this happens every week it seems.
Next years draft has GOT to be defensive; and free agency too.
We have scored enough points every week to be undefeated.
If we kept teams to 20 or less (2 TD's and 2 FG's), we are 5-0.
I'm thinking Spagnuolo doesn't have what he wants up front, or not getting what he wants,
and it's killing the back end. Seems like they should pick run-or-pass and stop ONE of them.
As it is, we ain't stopping SCHLITZ!

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Maybe front 7 play would help him in coverage but again..front 7 play has ZERO to do with tackling. The dude can't tackle for s h i t !!!

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Tackling someone in open field at full speed is not a science. If the front 7 do their job, the guy with the ball is a little slower, a little off balance, not as effective.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

I don't understand why he doesn't like tackling, he's a big physical player and could hit like a truck if he adopted the proper technique, but he just dives at people's feet

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

That is called fear... No two ways about it.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

Because he is crap at it

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

I have to agree with all the bad press Jenkins has been getting because it's well deserved, but today, when everyone else quit on that 95 yard play by the Bucs, it was Jenkins who got our fat out the fire. So, if you bash him for his bad play, you have to give him props for his good plays too.

Re: New Orleans Saints need Malcolm Jenkins to start delivering on star potential
 

He also tackled Blount on that 3rd and 1 goal-line stand, then it was Will Herring who ran Freeman out on 4th down...