Malcom Jenkins making a difference for Birds
Already displaying leadership skills Eagles were lacking
PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles knew they had to change the culture in their secondary.
They’re mildly surprised veteran safety Malcolm Jenkins has helped them do so without playing a down.
Unwanted by the New Orleans Saints, who upgraded to Jairus Byrd, Jenkins brought a powerful yet understated professionalism to the Eagles energizing the defensive backs meeting room.
Guys who used to sit in the back of the room and didn’t think about taking notes have moved to the front and are taking notes.
Guys who couldn’t wait to get off the NovaCare campus are getting there early and staying as late as allowable to watch fifilm.
Eagles defensive backs coach Todd Lyght, a starting cornerback for the St. Louis Rams in their Super Bowl XXXIV win over the Tennessee Titans, doesn’t think the growing attention to detail is a coincidence.
“I love what he’s brought to the room,” Lyght, the fourth overall pick in the 1991 draft said of Jenkins. “His intelligence, his tenacity, his intensity in practice and I love his leadership qualities because he doesn’t really get on the players. The way he leads is he turns everything into a competition which elevates everybody’s intensity. He’s just been a great addition.”
Jenkins, 26, has a presence transcending a five-year career that began when the Saints took him off the board with the 14th overall pick in the 2009 draft. Originally a cornerback, the Ohio State found a home at safety. Last year Jenkins registered two of his six career interceptions and 2 1-2 of his career 4 1-2 sacks.
There were no hard feelings when the Saints made it clear they wanted Byrd, who got a contract more than three times the $15.6 million deal for Jenkins.
Nothing Jenkins wanted to speak about anyway.
In the actions-speaklouder-than-words category, Jenkins has brought a swagger to Philly; Byrd, on the other hand has undergone minor back surgery, if there is such a thing as minor back surgery.
“I definitely wanted to bring some confidence,” Jenkins said. “Last year we finished 32nd in the league in pass defense. My mentality going out is that’s not OK. I think we should be great. And that’s how I try to go about practice. That’s wjat I try to instill confidence in other guys is that we should be the best secondary in the league and that’s what we’re preparing to do. So, I guess if that brings confidence, it brings confidence. But that’s what I believe. Every time we step on the field we want to be the best. And I think guys are starting to buy into that.”
Earl Wolff, who started six games at safety in his rookie year, only to fall off the map with a knee injury, has been a new man since the arrival of Jenkins. Coincidence?
“I know that Earl Wolff has really taken to him,” Lyght said. “Earl’s moved out of the fourth row in the back of our meeting room up to the second row and he’s sitting by Malcolm. So already he’s having a positive effect in our room and in our unit. And I really, really like that.”
Jenkins credited Wolff’s hard work for Wolff’s improvement. At the same time, Jenkins senses Wolff didn’t have a mentor as he had when he learned the game from such veteran Saints as Jonathan Vilma, Darren Sharper and Roman Harper.
“I don’t think he’s really had that role model, I guess, to really teach him how to study or teach him how to watch film,” Jenkins said of Wolff. “And that’s where he is right now. He’s got all the physical attributes you need from a safety. He’s young, fast, he can cover. He’s just got to learn the game and really take over the safety position where he can make all the calls, see things before they happen and get guys lined up. Once he gets there I think he’ll be a good player.”
Among other issues plaguing the Eagle defense last year was the tackling, particularly at safety. Veteran Nate Allen was steady. He was re-signed. Patrick Chung was released.
Allen’s fans, by the way, will find Jenkins assessment of Allen fascinating.
“Nate, he’s one of those guys who you just want to cut it loose,” Jenkins said. “He knows what to do. He knows the defense. He’s always in the right spot. He’s just got to cut it loose when he sees it because he does see it. You can see it on tape. He just needs to let it go. He plays a little cautious at times. But that’s the good thing about having a vet. You know he’s going to do the right thing and he’s going to be in the right thing at the right time.”
Rookie safety Ed Reynolds could be Jenkins’ next pupil. Reynolds missed all but a day of OTA’s due to graduation rules and is playing catch-up at the mandatory three-day minicamp.
All of that said, the Eagles have a ton of work ahead.
If, that is, you want to call it work.