Janoris Jenkins must play in a larger role in 2014
Through his first two seasons in the league, Janoris Jenkins has been a stable force at cornerback for the St. Louis Rams. Jenkins coming out of North Alabama was seen as a total package defensive back that possesses elite cover skills, quick feet, unique athletic ability, great body control and above average ball-skills. However, he did have two knocks against him with his tendency to gamble for the big play, and more importantly, his off-the-field issues that grew to the point of him being kicked off the team at Florida after he was charged with marijuana possession in April 2011.
Following his dismissal from Florida he was able to play his senior season at North Alabama on an athletic grant-in-aid. He played quite well in his lone season at the university as he had 53 tackles, and six pass deflections. For his entire collegiate career, he was at times dominant his position by shutting down top receivers in the SEC, such as former South Carolina wide out Alshon Jeffery and Georgia’s A.J. Green, by holding them to low yardage outputs in their meetings.
He also had a dominant showing at the Senior Bowl in 2012 as he displayed the ability of a player worthy of a high draft selection. This in turn led the Rams to take a chance on Jenkins by taking him in the second round with the 39th
overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft despite all the off-the-field concerns. Jenkins also received a ringing endorsement from his new head coach Jeff Fisher, who stated that the cornerback will be “a really good player really soon.”
Jenkins, in his rookie season, recorded 73 combined tackles and four interceptions, that included tying the NFL rookie record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He followed it up in his second campaign by recording 61 combined tackles in all 16 regular season games played, but he struggled with giving up big plays to the opposing team because
of his propensity to go for the interception.
Entering his third year in the league, Jenkins will have to continue to improve as he will be looked upon to carry a bigger role as the Rams’ top defensive back with Pro-Bowler Cortland Finnegan no longer a member of the team. The 25-year-old ha the ability to fulfill that responsibility, but it will be a matter of him furthering his maturation process as a player and minimizing his habit of gambling to make the game-changing interception.
Jenkins has the potential to be one of the league’s best cornerbacks. The Rams will need him to play at a high level in order to compete in arguably the toughest division in the NFL that had three teams finish with at least 10 wins last season. The NFC West also features a crop of some of the league’s best receivers with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Crabtree, Percy Harvin, and Anquan Boldin.
It will be tough for Jenkins next season, but with his promising playing ability he has what it takes to be what the team needs and possibly more in 2014.
Following his dismissal from Florida he was able to play his senior season at North Alabama on an athletic grant-in-aid. He played quite well in his lone season at the university as he had 53 tackles, and six pass deflections. For his entire collegiate career, he was at times dominant his position by shutting down top receivers in the SEC, such as former South Carolina wide out Alshon Jeffery and Georgia’s A.J. Green, by holding them to low yardage outputs in their meetings.
He also had a dominant showing at the Senior Bowl in 2012 as he displayed the ability of a player worthy of a high draft selection. This in turn led the Rams to take a chance on Jenkins by taking him in the second round with the 39th
overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft despite all the off-the-field concerns. Jenkins also received a ringing endorsement from his new head coach Jeff Fisher, who stated that the cornerback will be “a really good player really soon.”
Jenkins, in his rookie season, recorded 73 combined tackles and four interceptions, that included tying the NFL rookie record with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. He followed it up in his second campaign by recording 61 combined tackles in all 16 regular season games played, but he struggled with giving up big plays to the opposing team because
of his propensity to go for the interception.
Entering his third year in the league, Jenkins will have to continue to improve as he will be looked upon to carry a bigger role as the Rams’ top defensive back with Pro-Bowler Cortland Finnegan no longer a member of the team. The 25-year-old ha the ability to fulfill that responsibility, but it will be a matter of him furthering his maturation process as a player and minimizing his habit of gambling to make the game-changing interception.
Jenkins has the potential to be one of the league’s best cornerbacks. The Rams will need him to play at a high level in order to compete in arguably the toughest division in the NFL that had three teams finish with at least 10 wins last season. The NFC West also features a crop of some of the league’s best receivers with the likes of Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Crabtree, Percy Harvin, and Anquan Boldin.
It will be tough for Jenkins next season, but with his promising playing ability he has what it takes to be what the team needs and possibly more in 2014.