Jackrabbit promises no repeat of 2017 disaster
STARTING with a clean slate seems to be a popular talking point in East Rutherford lately, but Janoris Jenkins was willing to take that point one step further.
Tuesday, the Giants cornerback, known as “Jackrabbit,” made a promise at voluntary minicamp that none of the things that derailed last season would happen again.
“I promise y’all that Jackrabbit says it won’t happen this year, what happened last year,” he said. “There won’t be any animosity between players, no disrespecting the coach. There will be none of that. New York Giant football is back.”
It is a hefty promise coming from Jenkins, who was more of a cause to the problems than a solution during last year’s embarrassing 3-13 season.
Jenkins, 29, was suspended for one game after he failed to report to the first practice following the bye week and was unapologetic when reinstated.
His effort was also questioned following a Week 10 loss to the then-winless 49ers, which was his first game back from the suspension.
Jenkins mentioned his suspension among the things that made last season a critical learning experience for him.
“I learned a lot. Just facing adversity. Whether it’s me not showing up to practice or us losing, everybody not on the same page,” he said. “Just ready to kick off and pile energy all year.”
Jenkins is not the only player returning who faced a team-sanctioned suspension last year.
Eli Apple is also back, but with a cloud of uncertainty following several incidents last year, which culminated with Landon Collins calling him a “cancer.”
Jenkins believes Apple can still figure it out, though.
“You have to understand that he was young,” Jenkins said. “It’s a clean slate, new coaching staff and for him it’s guys like me that have to push him and help him out because I’ve been in the league so long and just help him understand that adversity is going to hit you and when it hits, you’ve just got to keep it going.”
Jenkins and Apple were on the field Tuesday as the starting cornerbacks. It was the first time the two were on the field together since November, before Jenkins’ season was cut short by an ankle injury that required surgery.
“I’m back to work,” he said. “Just ready to be out here, excited and I’m just ready.”
l While Jenkins has mostly shutdown Dez Bryant, the corner still would not mind seeing the former Cowboys receiver with the Giants. “He’s a great player. It’s not that I want him here, I just feel like depth is key in the NFL,” he said.