So, they meet again
Defensive coordinator: ‘No player smarter’ than former Eagle Jenkins
If it wasn’t apparent by the end of the Eagles’ first game how much they miss the leadership of safety Malcolm Jenkins, it certainly has to be nowthat the team has imploded on its way to a 3-8-1 record with a game looming on Sunday against the team with the NFC’s top record, the New Orleans Saints (10-2).
Jenkins, of course, is with that team now, and Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz on Tuesday spoke about how much the Eagles lost when they allowed Jenkins to become a free agent after six seasons(2014-19) in Philadelphia.
“Versatility was amazing with Malcolm,” Schwartz raved. “He played seven different positions in defense here and he knew all 11. He kne wall 11 like a coach. He was a great set of eyes on the field for me. Incredibly honest player. Always did his job.
“I mean, he was so efficient at doing his job, if he made a mistake, it was like once a year. I mean, other players will make a couple mistakes a game. ... He was just that player that always did the right thing. Hewas really good at weathering any storm. Always remained calm. Heknew when to turn it up and when to give his fellow teammates confidence.” The Eagles made the playoffs in four of Jenkins’ six seasons with them and famously wonthe Super Bowl in the 2017 season. Jenkins also won a Super Bowl as a rookie with the Saints in 2009 and could get back there again at age 33, which he will be on Dec. 20.
He made the Pro Bowl three times with the Eagles, and Schwartz knows why. “I’ve thought a lot over the years of all the great players I’ve coached, and Malcolm goes right up there,” Schwartz said. “He’s probably the smartest player I ever coached, and leadership-wise, you take all those players, if he was on that, he would probably be elected team captain.
“I can’t have any more praise. I get in trouble for praising players. I mean, that guy certainly meant a lot to me personally, to our defense, and our team. He doesn’t play for us anymore. I root like crazy for him 15 games a year, but not going to be rooting for him on Sunday.
“... But I would say this: I don’t think I’ve ever been around a smarter player.”
Schwartz then launched into a flashback that perfectly underscored his feelings.
“We were playing Seattle last year,” Schwartz said. “He heard [the Seahawks’] offensive line say something about a look that we had, and it’s the only time I remember him doing this in four years. He came to the sideline and said, ‘Schwartz, next third down, call this. I guarantee we’re going to get a sack.’
“I had so much trust in him that next third down, I called it and it happened exactly the way that he said and we got the sack. But it was all just because of what he heard. He heard the offensive line talking about, ‘Hey, next time we get this look, this is what we have to do.’
“That is rare in a player. That’s rare that a player, No. 1, can understand what the offense is doing so well and can decipher things like that.”
If fans would be allowed into Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, they’d roar loudly for Jenkins, who will have to settle for the sound of silence, save some joyous pregame reunion conversations that will no doubt include messages from his former teammates about how much he’s missed.