Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments

Safety says conversations following QB's controversial statements brought team together

The New Orleans Saints said they’ve worked to get past the controversial comments made by quarterback Drew Brees this offseason regarding protests during the national anthem.

On Thursday, Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins said he thinks that controversy actually helped bring the team together.

“I think, if anything, the team was probably closer for it, because we've had to have tough conversations and oftentimes, those adversities or those intimate kind of engagements, bring people closer, and I think this is no exception,” Jenkins said.

Brees was asked about players protesting during the national anthem in a June interview, and said he would “never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States.”

That comment drew strong reactions from fans as well as Brees’ teammates, including Jenkins, who said the comments ignored and distracted from the purpose of the protests.

Brees has since apologized for the comments multiple times and vowed to fight for social justice.

Jenkins said he and Brees have personally spoken about the issue and that he considers the quarterback a longtime friend.

“I feel like me and Drew were friends long before 2020. And obviously, the dialogue that he and I had to have publicly, but also privately, I think was important for the country to do and important for us to do,” Jenkins said. “And I think that even moving past that moment, it's going to be ongoing, but as far as a friendship and the willingness for both of us to engage in that dialogue has been cooperative and been encouraging.”

Jenkins has been one of the NFL’s more vocal players with regards to fighting for social justice throughout his career, and the former Philadelphia Eagle said he’s excited that more players and U.S. citizens are calling for changes.

“I think where we are right now as a country, as a league and peers and players, I'm definitely proud of kind of being a part of that initial groundwork,” he said. “But I'm also energized because of how many other people have obviously joined kind of this movement and fight for social justice and demanding that things change significantly and rapidly.

“Myself and a lot of other people sacrificed a lot to kind of lay that groundwork and it really stood on the shoulders that came before us. And I think we're at a moment right now where we can significantly push that agenda forward.”

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Malcolm Jenkins is a douche.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Have you ever met him and talked with him?

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

That clown blows up something Brees says and Brees kicks out millions to save face over something taken out of context, why would anyone in their right mind want to think he's anything other than what jnormand called him.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Do you honestly believe there wasn't some pot stirring going on by third party sources? Someone had to have brought the Brees comments to Jenkins' attention and you can bet the context in which it was presented was in hopes of that type of reaction from Jenkins. Do I think Jenkins went overboard? Yes. But I also believe there was instigation. It's the way "news" media works these days. They create stories. You cannot deny that. I try to avoid passing judgments on people based solely on what I am presented through that media.

Everything I have heard or read about Jenkins prior to this episode has shown a person of high character. But, once again, I have never met him myself so I withhold final judgment on that, as well.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

That is an interesting theory...but still it's just a theory. The fact is that POS called Drew out in public rather than trying to find a resolution privately. I seriously doubt that Drew feels like they are friends no matter what he says in public. Drew is an honorable man while Jenkins is not.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Once again, what do any of us know about Jenkins' honor or what Drew feels about him. Both have said they are "lifetime friends" recently. We've discussed this before, how you, or anyone else, feels does not matter. If Drew and Jenkins have moved on then that is all that matters and both have said they have repeatedly. The fact is that they HAVE found a resolution privately, but you remain unsatisfied that their private resolution was not done publicly. Where's the logic in that, Rugs?

And it is more than just a theory on how Jenkins got word of what Brees said. It is today's media's modus operandi. It is how they operate. It happens time and time again. The interview that Brees did was so obscure and directed to a very narrow audience that Jenkins would have never come across it without someone else bringing it to his attention. Someone involved with the interview had to have seen the potential for controversy if they presented it in the right manner. They did just that and took it to someone they knew would react under those circumstances.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

I get your point Guido. However, that man would never be my friend. I've had disputes with team mates that got ugly. One in particular comes to mind. We never got along but I did not allow it to split my team even though he was an instigator who seriously tried to divide the team I backed him up on the field and was polite in public. But that was it. We'll never be friends.

And I'll never like Jenkins. I didn't like him here the first time around and I like him even less the second time around. Jenkins had damn well better ball out in a major way or I'll spit every time his name is mentioned.

Basically, I never really respected him and I lost any respect that I did have built up for him while he was with the Eagles.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

We should’ve kept Vonn Bell. Read a training camp report from the Bengals the other day that said Bell was getting chastised from the coaches for hitting too hard in practice.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Bell was just coming into his own. I totally agree with you. He knew the system and was thriving, he had chemistry with the other players. I really think we let one of the best up and coming SS slip away.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

I totally agree. And I knew when we resigned that clown he was going to be a divisive ****head.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

But, has he been divisive in the long run? Can you share access to that crystal ball? Every indication by those not prejudiced against him believe what both he and Brees say. I understand your displeasure with social justice. I take that back. I understand you experience a displeasure with it, but do not understand it.

I also understand that with some "his type" can become very irritating when they get "uppity".

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Bell was a hard hitter and played well at SS. But I believe that DA wants two FS to split the field. I see why they brought Jenkins back. He is a rangier player with better coverage skills I believe. He also has been around long enough to see it all and be better prepared when a play breaks down. I'm not saying that I like Jenkins. I'm saying his skill set is different and therefore more attractive to DA.

We've still got Duce who can play SS and two other top tier safeties. I can see a lot of three safety sets on the field again this year. Three safeties should help out our LBer's if Anzalone or Alonzo are injured....again. Baun is being moved to Sam I believe and the team hasn't had time to properly prepare him to be a starter. So, I'm not expecting much from his early on in the season while he becomes accustomed to playing a new position in the NFL.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Indeed. Duce made Bell expendable. He’s the up and coming star at strong safety, not Bell.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

If losing Bell gets Ceedy on the field more, then this is addition by subtraction.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

They've been running the Malcolm Jenkins deep thrust all summer, how are they not closer after that?

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Agreed. A racist douche.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Mr. Pot ... meet Mr. Kettle.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Probably looking for veteran leadership and familiarity with DA's defense. From all indications he is very respected in the locker room. He was a team captain for the Eagles each of the past four years and was the same with the Saints before going to the Eagles. He is also a VP of the NFLPA Executive Committee. Regardless of what some fans think of him, he is a positive force among the players. He's also a pretty damned good safety.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

We're obviously going all in this season, as we should in my opinion. Too much worrying about the future can negatively affect the current. I say do everything you can to win today because you never know what the future brings. Don't forget that Jenkins has more Lombardi wins than any other player on the roster.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

That was last year too and the year before, remember that was why they kept giving up draft picks and extra draft picks. Davenport, 2 first round picks

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

And we were good enough to go all the way. Bad breaks stopped all three runs, not lack of talent on the field. We've gone all in and still were able to go all in again and again. That's my point. Stop worrying so much about next year and the next. There's always a way to go "all in" then.

Gil Brandt has said the exact same thing. He said you need to do everything you can to win this year and wait to worry about next year next year. His Cowboys had a pretty decent run with that philosophy. They also had a good deal of luck. You need both to win it all.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

If we could just stop choking in the offseason we may be alright.
Tired of seeing us having great regular seasons only to choke when it’s clutch time.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Purty sure Drew's gonna be choking on something all season.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Like I said , could be a short season for him. He’s got crosshairs on his back.
He better hope we aren’t losing when the time comes for the Dome to reopen. Fans are going to start turning on him.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

True... He bungled the last three opportunities to make the big dance.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Offensive line didn’t help but you guys have a solid point. Stick with the hot hand.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Or too much power perhaps?

Sean P doesn't answer to anyone really ... I mean no one will really questions (except the Butcher at Whole Foods :rolleyes:) his decisions. Not even his assistant coaches.

There is no way Brees, a soon to be first ballot Hall of Famer should exit left with only 1 Lombardi on his mantle. As Saints fans, do we want to win 11, 12 regular season games again this year or compete for titles in late January?

It has become apparent that we aren't closers.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

31 teams EVERY year aren't closers. It take a great deal of luck to win it all. We have competed for a championship each of the past three seasons and should have another chance this year. Where's that coach that will guarantee us the championship? Belechick hasn't won it every time even when handed to them on a platter.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

We can't get Belechick. Name the coach that you feel would be an immediate upgrade to Payton and give us continued future success including guaranteed Lombardi's. If you can I'll jump onboard right away.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

How do you know Payton doesn't win a Super Bowl with Brady? The Patriots have been given a free ride to the Bowl for the past two decades. With that weak assed division they were guaranteed a first or second seed every year.

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

Re: Malcolm Jenkins thinks Saints are 'closer' after Brees' comments
 

So. Where do you rank the Saints as a roster from top to bottom compared to all the other teams in the league? Most pundits have them at or near the top. That doesn't sound like too bad of a job in personnel acquisition, does it? Once again, is Payton perfect? Hell, no. Are there better options out there? I seriously doubt it. We've become extremely spoiled, JP. We are not that far removed from a lifetime of mediocrity and total suckage.