The secondary might be the strength of the New Orleans Saints defense this year, and veteran security Malcolm Jenkins has a good idea why that could be the case. He's seeing it each day in practice when cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore and Janoris Jenkins are making his job easier.
"For me, and without knocking anybody I've played , I don't think I've played with a tandem who're equally as talented as Marshon and Janoris," Jenkins said in his media conference telephone following Thursday's training camp session.
That's high praise from a participant entering his inaugural season in the NFL, who won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles. But he stands by it, continuing:"Janoris being a veteran who will run with anyone, can alter direction and cover anyone, who is completely motivated at this time, simply to see him against our recipients in clinic has been remarkable. It's nearly consistency and bringing that out of him."
"Jackrabbit" handled the same responsibilities in policy as Lattimore last year, covering opposing No. 1 recipients while playing with the New York Giants. However, with Lattimore lining on the other end of the formation, Jenkins is squaring up more often from the next - or third-ranked recipients on the depth chart. And he is excelling in that role. In case the youngster (Lattimore turned 24 back in May) is fighting in his matchup with, say, Michael Thomas, then the Saints can swap him with Jenkins to see if his greater experience can help find a border. However, having the ability to trot out of them at will is a significant boost for those safeties.
Jenkins re-signed together with all the Saints after six years in Philadelphia, and New Orleans is becoming creative in their use with him. He conducted every policy under the sun with the Eagles and brings excellent communication skills to the rear end, which should help eliminate errors. Together with him and rangey free safety Marcus Williams patrolling the deeper stretches of this field, it enables Lattimore and Jenkins to press a little more physically with their competitors, knowing they're covered if they make a mistake.
On paper, that's a winning combination. We'll see whether it passes its first test in a couple of weeks when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit, together with Tom Brady throwing early and frequently to wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
"For me, and without knocking anybody I've played , I don't think I've played with a tandem who're equally as talented as Marshon and Janoris," Jenkins said in his media conference telephone following Thursday's training camp session.
That's high praise from a participant entering his inaugural season in the NFL, who won a pair of Super Bowl rings with the Saints and the Philadelphia Eagles. But he stands by it, continuing:"Janoris being a veteran who will run with anyone, can alter direction and cover anyone, who is completely motivated at this time, simply to see him against our recipients in clinic has been remarkable. It's nearly consistency and bringing that out of him."
"Jackrabbit" handled the same responsibilities in policy as Lattimore last year, covering opposing No. 1 recipients while playing with the New York Giants. However, with Lattimore lining on the other end of the formation, Jenkins is squaring up more often from the next - or third-ranked recipients on the depth chart. And he is excelling in that role. In case the youngster (Lattimore turned 24 back in May) is fighting in his matchup with, say, Michael Thomas, then the Saints can swap him with Jenkins to see if his greater experience can help find a border. However, having the ability to trot out of them at will is a significant boost for those safeties.
Jenkins re-signed together with all the Saints after six years in Philadelphia, and New Orleans is becoming creative in their use with him. He conducted every policy under the sun with the Eagles and brings excellent communication skills to the rear end, which should help eliminate errors. Together with him and rangey free safety Marcus Williams patrolling the deeper stretches of this field, it enables Lattimore and Jenkins to press a little more physically with their competitors, knowing they're covered if they make a mistake.
On paper, that's a winning combination. We'll see whether it passes its first test in a couple of weeks when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit, together with Tom Brady throwing early and frequently to wideouts Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.