Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Jenkins in unfamiliar spot: Watching playoffs on TV
reach what you set out to do earlier in the spring.”
You can feel the pain resonate not only in Jenkins but some of his teammates, all of them forced to play out the string Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Cowboys (13-2) already are due bonuses for winning the division and clinching the top seed in the NFC. Jenkins remembers how that was while he toured with the New Orleans Saints.
“I recognize how fortunate I was as a young player to be in a situation where four out of the first five years I played in the league we were in the Super Bowl and in the playoffs,” said Jenkins, a first round pick of the Saints in 2009. “Obviously the last three years we haven’t been. But that’s on par for a guy who’s played eight years in the league. It’s a hard thing to do. Winning in this league is not easy, and I recognize that. So although I was frustrated I do understand there’s a process to building a team. There’s a process to winning. Right now we’re going through that.”
With three interceptions, Ohio State product Jenkins is tied for the team lead with safety Rodney McLeod and linebacker Jordan Hicks.
With two pick-sixes this season, the last one sparking the Eagles to a win over the New York Giants, Jenkins is tied for fourth on the club. The lack of firepower is an obvious issue the Eagles must address.
While Jenkins was only kidding when he said he used to play wide receiver, running just go routes and bubble screens, the Eagles need help at receiver and running back to take the next step. And the offensive line could use another upgrade. Think Cowboys where the debate is who makes that club better, rookie quarterback Dak Prescott or rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott, who leads the league in rushing.
“If you want to argue it’s the chicken or the egg first, you can go in circles about that,” Jenkins said. “But at the end of the day he’s performed. And that’s what we’re getting ready for is a quarterback who’s played well all year, who has a strong running game, has the best offensive line in the league in front of him. He’s got receivers and he’s got a tight end. And then he’s a hell of a player himself. So I wouldn’t waste my time arguing what’s the key to his success. I’m trying to figure out how to stop his success.”
Though the Eagles are in the NFC East cellar, Jenkins is confident they’ll be able to climb out. It could take awhile to catch the Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, who have the Eagles’ number. But the Giants always are beatable.
“I’m hopeful because I see the pieces we have, which direction this team is trending and I like where we’re at,” Jenkins said. “So with that in mind it’s just a game of patience.”