MNF Patriots @ Saints: Malcolm Jenkins' Baptismal by Fire

by Andrew Juge on Nov 28, 2009 6:00 AM CST

I hope rookie first-round draft choice and cornerback Malcolm Jenkins enjoyed the first start of his career, covering a tough receiver in Antonio Bryant and facing a raw and mistake-prone rookie quarterback in Josh Freeman. His second start is about the get a lot harder. Coming into the Dome will be Tom Brady, a first ballot Hall of Famer who probably has a claim as the best quarterback in the league and top ten of all time. He's quarterbacked his team to three Super Bowl victories and a Super Bowl loss on the heals of the first 16-0 season in NFL history. Oh yeah, and one of his receivers happens to be one of the best of all time, too, in Randy Moss. For the Saints' sake, I hope Jabari Greer can make it back in time for this game healthy. He's their best cover corner and the Saints are depleted enough with Tracy Porter assuredly out and Randall Gay probably out as well. If Greer can go, that probably leaves Jenkins to cover Wes Welker. Welker leads the Patriots with 79 receptions and has had over 110 receptions in each of the last two seasons. If Greer can't go, then Jenkins will probably have to man up on Mr. Randy Moss. I'm not going to lie, my first thought is: YIKES. Welcome to the NFL, Malcolm. Either way, it's going to be an enormous challenge for the rookie to take on; one that will likely see him fail a few times.

Patriots vs Saints coverage

There's really no way of knowing what the Saints corner rotation is going to look like Sunday until we see it on the field. The only thing at this point that's certain is that Malcolm Jenkins will start, and Malcolm Jenkins will have his hands full. Beyond that, the following are questions we can ask ourselves:

1. Is there any chance Randall Gay will play? Any at all? Probably not, right?

2. If Jabari Greer can't go, who starts next to Jenkins? Chris McAlister? Usama Young?

3. How much action does Young even see at corner now that McAlister and McKenzie are in the mix? Are the Saints more confident right now in Young, who was converted to safety in training camp, or the veterans they signed?

4. Will McKenzie even be active, regardless of whether Jabari Greer plays or not?

5. If Greer plays, but is still sore, can he even run with Moss? Is a Greer at 90% covering Moss better than anything else we have?

My head is spinning, and part of the problem is that Sean Payton won't reveal how injured his players are or what his rotation plans will be. Nor should he, but that doesn't mean I am capable of sitting and waiting. By God I am going to speculate.

The wild cards in the equation are Pierson Prioleau and Usama Young. We've seen both come in to cover slot receivers in passing down packages. In Young's case last week, he even had to match up against outside receivers because the Saints were so short-handed. I think Chris McAlister is a given active this week. With Mike McKenzie, I'm going to say there's a 40% chance he's active. Hopefully the starters will be Greer and Jenkins. If Greer doesn't play, that's where the equation really gets dicey. I think it's fair to say that whatever rotation the Saints go with, their offense will have to score a lot of points to give them a chance.

So since Jenkins is the only real given, how do you think he'll do? He'll face Moss or Welker, and either way he's in for arguably the biggest challenge he'll ever face in his career. How does he fare?

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Comments

I agree: Yikes!

But that’s just the way it is. We have a lot of division games left and Jenkins must step up the way Porter did in his rookie year. Even if Greer is back I seriously doubt he’ll make it through the game without reinjuring himself. I’d rather Greer sit for 3 more games. THREE! Just make sure he’s ready to come back and doesn’t end up costing us in the playoffs due to the injury.

I actually expect less out of McAlister (is that really how you spell it?) than Jenkins. McAlister is probably slowed up at this point. And he has had a bad attitude in the past. I would put him on a #2 receiver.

BTW, OH MY GOD Welker has a lot of receptions. How many games are left again? Lol. 79 receptions and 6 games to go is just insane.

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 6:11 AM CST reply actions

He missed a couple games too ;)

by Richard Hill on Nov 28, 2009 10:39 AM CST up reply actions

2

I see what you got...Lets rock - Al Bundy

by knucklesmalone on Nov 28, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions

Let's chill out...

It is not doomsday… like it was not a walk in the park vs the Rams…

If Brady has time does it really make a difference who’s covering those two… The battle will be won and lost in the trenches… if GW can come up with enough pressure without going for broke on coverage then it’s on… if he doesnt it will be a long day for Malcolm, Jabari or whoever else is there

Relax dude..

Ubi maior minor cessat

by bondcrash on Nov 28, 2009 6:47 AM CST reply actions

Yea thats what I don't get

lots of teams have got great yardage against us but its never enough and though I think Brady will make some plays it won’t be enough so far every week some analis give some wy to beat the Saints.Then its all most like they were game planning from that statement.
Get to Brees
keep your hands up
run the ball keep offense off the feild
win the turnover battle
win the time of possion battle
that is the winning recipe WELL GUESS WHAT WE COOK THINGS A LITTLE DIFFRENT ROUND HERE AND THAT RECIPE ANIT WORKED YET SO KEEP IT COMEING IT STILL TASTE PRETTY GOOD

by darshiva420 on Nov 28, 2009 9:18 AM CST up reply actions

Here's my take

I have confidence in Jenkins, but whether he does well or not, consider this..

1) we pretty much all agree he’s almost assuredly going to be a good corner in this league and if he struggles in
this game it will be understandable and he’ll just continue to improve.

2) He had a great debut and when one long completion hapened against him (and for the record it was the best
possible coverage one could expect) – he responded with a great play and more great coverage

3) If Jenkins struggles more likely it will be the defensive line’s fault- a QB can’t throw a com pletion on his butt

4) Jenkins seems to have a great attitude and the kind of attitude that a DB needs- he seems like a winner

5) We will have Mc Alister and I am predicting also Mc Kenzie waiting in the wings to help

6) Jenkins will have help- not just Sharper but Harper is playing well too.

7) Regardless how many points they score, we can match them. Can they match us??

8) The pressure is on GW the most, he probably like that, and he will find a way!!

9) If we lose, we still have either the best record in the NFL or 2nd best

8) 10-1 is still better than 8-3 esapecially from a playoffs perspective

9) We won’t lose!!

"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking

by Philinwood on Nov 28, 2009 7:54 AM CST reply actions

Dolphins fan here. I hope the Saints totally demoralize the Patsies Monday.

I want to see the Bradys (since there IS only one player on that team, according to the media) have to take 2 or 3 weeks minimum to get back to a “team” again.

Further, I hope the Saints only lose 1 game this year (can’t have you going all 1972 on us now can we?) and of course had wished it was our game.

I hope that the Saints get to the big party in JRS (you know, beer stadium).

You fans and the team deserve it! Those of you who came over to Phinsider are welcome anytime!

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
Driver of the draft Brandon Spikes bandwagon

by PhinsTifosi on Nov 28, 2009 8:14 AM CST reply actions

Thanks nice to see

someone other than a Saints fan clear their mind of there team and relize were the best team in the NFL right now.All though I feel some of your biasedness (if thats a word) cause you hate the Pats more being from Miami but thanks still

by darshiva420 on Nov 28, 2009 9:12 AM CST up reply actions

hate the Jest more cause their fans, coach & players are flat ignorant. Hate the Bradys cause they are arrogant.

And yes, I AM a total homer. – Phins, Marlins, Heat & Canes (still gotta pull for the Gators again this year though – both parents grad from UF in 1950) Mom’s sister worked in UM admissions for 25 years. I am from Coral Gables (home of The U)

Saints are the ONLY other team I will root for (except anyone playing against Bradys and Jest, but only for that game!)

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
Driver of the draft Brandon Spikes bandwagon

by PhinsTifosi on Nov 28, 2009 9:53 AM CST up reply actions

Yea I only like the Saints and LSU

I think when ya’ll beat us we gave up (lsu)and yea we had few jets fans that we delt with
here and our News paper site actually we had the Bills Jets and Giants fans in row and Philliys on top of that so we ve had some pretty annoying ones but the ones i disliked the most where the lions fans.They had nothing to back any statements they made and where just plain dumb, but whats kinda cool about SB is most of the other teams fans from SB are pretty cool. there where way more at Nola.com

by darshiva420 on Nov 28, 2009 10:01 AM CST up reply actions

I love that PhinsTifosi posted this on CSC

That’s some fun rivalry! I love the Dolphins but Ronnie Brown’s situation is very sad. Not only because he got injured but it really hurt my fantasy team. :(

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 12:25 PM CST up reply actions

Hey, your fans who came over to Phinsider were exceptional. So it is only fair to psot in the same manner.

Especially since it is truly how I feel about the Aints, oooops I mean Saints!

Ronnie will be back next year! And look out, he will be meaner than ever! And he will STILL have RunRickyRun! Ricky is STILL an elite RB!

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
Driver of the draft Brandon Spikes bandwagon

by PhinsTifosi on Nov 28, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

What about anybody v.s. The Crygirls? LOL

You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever will.-Jim Mora Sr.

by metryman on Nov 28, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions

Jest and/or Dallas?

Just think how stupid the average Jest fan is, and then realize that half of them are even stupider! ( a parody of a George Carlin line)

Attorney General of the Matty I Fan Club
Driver of the draft Brandon Spikes bandwagon

by PhinsTifosi on Nov 28, 2009 6:54 PM CST up reply actions

i say this

I don’t care who it is as long as we get to Brady like weve done ever week he’ll make mistakes even the best Drew Bress make mistakes.I say if we get to him its no deffrent then getting to a rookie sure sometimes brady will make us pay,but we are the number one pass defense in the NFL sure our corners are part of that reason but they get alot of help,from our pass rush.everyone scared but i say A team that throws as much as they do we’ll get more ints from this game than any. mark that down put it in your pipe and smoke it. Brady throws 5 ints this week

by darshiva420 on Nov 28, 2009 9:03 AM CST reply actions

Front Four

is going to determain the outcome of this one. As Philinwood said you can’t complete passes laying on the dome floor. This is a prime time game we need to have our best on the field. Is McKenze active if so can he cover Moss one on one ? I doubt it. I don’t Jenkins is ready for Moss either. So, if Greer can go he should with over the top help. We can’t allow the deep ball . Making the Pats drive down the field will give our defense an oppertunity to make plays. Put Brady on the ground we win by 14 points.

by Lyle Lirette on Nov 28, 2009 9:10 AM CST reply actions

I agree with you, LL.

Need to knock the crap out of Brady bunch.

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions

I think Jabari goes on monday and he'll be covering Randy Moss

by AKAY47 on Nov 28, 2009 10:02 AM CST reply actions

I think Greer matches up better with Welker than Moss. They are both quick and agile. I think Jenkins matches up better with Moss since he’s taller and more physical.

by ctalati32 on Nov 28, 2009 11:01 AM CST up reply actions

But do you really think the Saints are going to put a rookie

with very limited experience on a Hall of Fame receiver like Moss?

Seems to make more sense to have Greer, who had to play against Moss twice a year in Buffalo, cover Moss. No?

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by Dave Cariello on Nov 28, 2009 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

I don't think Greer is all the way healthy yet...and I'm worried that if he's rushed back into the lineup b/c of this tough game

he’ll reinjure and then miss the playoffs.

"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray

Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.

by HansDat on Nov 28, 2009 12:04 PM CST up reply actions

Well if Greer's injury is a worry

then they might consider putting McAlister in there. I know everyone loves Jenkins, and I agree with them, but I really don’t think he’s ready for the likes of Moss. Not yet. But someday.

Wanna say something? Sign up! It's free!

by Dave Cariello on Nov 28, 2009 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think Moss has amazing moves

He’s just big and fast. He catches a lot of balls because of dropped missed assignments, people falling down, or him just being about a foot taller than opposing cornerbacks.

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions

he goes over the middle a lot, exploits the coverage just like welker does, which is why many think there are blown assignments, because if your facing randy moss, 96% of the time blown assignments will not happen due to the fact that i’m sure the coach WILL not let a blown assignment happen when covering moss.

But yeah, no amazing moves, but he’s really deceptive.

by patriotguy2 on Nov 28, 2009 2:20 PM CST up reply actions

agreed, Saintsational

"In the end, the bread was in the pudding." -- Bobby McCray

Shop as usual, and avoid panic buying.

by HansDat on Nov 28, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

I think Jenkins could be the call for Moss

but there’s no way we’re going to know before the game.

WHODAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by nofear on Nov 28, 2009 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

I'm not hearing much about our Hall of Famer

I guarantee you Darren Sharper is PUMPED for this game. His help over the top is really going to take a ton of pressure off whoever is covering Moss. Scott Fujita, Jon Vilma and Roman Harper can cover down inside if Welker gets lose.

I agree though, it starts and ends with the D line. I look for a big game from Will Smith.

by 10up on Nov 28, 2009 2:54 PM CST up reply actions

Darren Sharper is our secret anti-Moss weapon

From 1998 to 2004, Sharper faced Randy Moss twice a season. Moss won’t be any mystery to Sharper.

Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston

by MtnExile on Nov 28, 2009 6:44 PM CST up reply actions

I'm sure GW

has been working on something special for Tommy. He’s been adding new dimensions each week and probably won’t stop now. Probably something no one has seen yet. Like how the Phins waited until their game with the Pats last year to launch the wildcat and blew them away. Something like zone over man – where you play a two deep zone and have your fastest cover cornee shadow Welker man-to-man. Whatever it is, if it works I’m sure others will copy it.

WHO DAT !! ROCK THE DOME !!

by WhoDat_OH on Nov 28, 2009 10:07 AM CST via mobile reply actions

I would be worried about GW "working on something special" against the Pats...

..here is a quick breakdown of the amount of points GW’s defense allowed the Patriots during his Head coaching career at Buffalo and as a DC with the Skins.

GW defense points allowed:

2001:
Game 1 = 21
Game 2 = 12

2002:
Game 1 = 38
Game 2 = 27

2003:
Game 1 = 0
Game 2 = 31

2007:
Game 1 = 52

That is an average of 26 points a game given up. Now GW may have better horses in NO than he did in the other stops, but I am not sure that either team is stopping the other. Being a NE fan I know the Pats cannot stop the Saints, whoever has the ball last with a reasonable amount of time to score is going to win. Dont count on GW to save the day, he’s overrated.

by McGarry on Nov 28, 2009 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

Almost half of those games were pretty damn good!!

0,12,21 pts and those teams were just plain bad with bad offenses and bad QBs. You had a very good team in 2007 (at least until the Super Bowl) but you are a shell of that team.

"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking

by Philinwood on Nov 28, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions

That's fine.

So if we go off averages, the Saints average 36.9 points a game. The Patriots average 26 points a game against Greg Williams. I’ll take Saints 36 Patriots 26 all day long.

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." --Mike Tyson

by vicvega26 on Nov 29, 2009 6:33 PM CST up reply actions

I know they'll copy it

ive watched Teams that play teams we’ve played, they may use deffrnt personel but they attack they same angle or way or D does.GW has put on football clinics on how to beat a team especially after making adjustments.I wonder just in stats what our D is ranked in the 2nd half I bet its in the top 5

by darshiva420 on Nov 28, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions

I'm going to party in Nola today and tomorrow.

Can’t wait til MNF!

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 12:28 PM CST reply actions

MNF?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aVJgoOvvo0

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 12:29 PM CST up reply actions

Because when you get an F on a Monday, there's always an M and an N in front of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2Mt32-kYJo

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 12:30 PM CST up reply actions

Drew Breeeeesssss!!!!

"For us, there is no spring... only the smell of fresh wind before the storm."
-Conan of Cimeria

by tlsk1066 on Nov 28, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

Thank, xen

That was refreshing

WHODAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by nofear on Nov 28, 2009 5:26 PM CST up reply actions

Pats Def not the same

as years gone by, no Bruschi,Vrable,Harrison, and Seymour the D’s that took them to SB’s. The fact that Belichick went for it on 4th & 2 shows he has no confidence in his Def. That was the Colts and Manning but he(#18) had poor game til he was given a short field. They’re Off. is still good with Brady and Co. and they’ll score on us, but we’ll score more…Who-Dat, We Dat !

You think you know, and you don't know, and you never, ever will.-Jim Mora Sr.

by metryman on Nov 28, 2009 12:36 PM CST reply actions

Or...

…he was thinking that if he could gain those 2 yards (which the Patriots were extremely capable of) that would win the game.

by Richard Hill on Nov 28, 2009 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

Hoodie forgot to put himself on the injury report.

by xen-cuts on Nov 28, 2009 7:04 PM CST up reply actions

like i said before

one of the reasons why we went for it was because we lost our pass rushers in banta-cain and ninkonvich(and maybe someone else). And when facing peyton manning, a pass rush is CRUCIAL.

by patriotguy2 on Nov 28, 2009 7:56 PM CST up reply actions

Ninkovitch?

Really? The guy the Saints cut TWICE is a key to your pass rush?

…gonna be a long night for the Patsy defense if that’s the case.

;-)

Irony: An atheist Saints fan.

by GSO Saints Fan on Nov 29, 2009 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

GW is not overrated

maybe he was (but then again he had some awesome defenses in the past) but he is not overrated in 2009. What he has done with our defense is unbelieveable. Go ask the Eagles or any team from NY. Even the one that beat you.

"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking

by Philinwood on Nov 28, 2009 1:00 PM CST reply actions

Why are Pats fans giving NE examples from like 2001 and 2002 and 2003?

Would any of that be relevant now? I think that’s a sign of a fan base trying to hold onto the past!!

"I think we agree, the past is over" - George W Bush
"The greatest enemy of knowlege is not ignorance; it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking

by Philinwood on Nov 28, 2009 1:04 PM CST reply actions

No, those are just the games that GW coached against the Patriots. There’s nothing more recent than 2007…and let’s hope we do a better job than Washington did that year.

Super Bowl 44: "If you play in this league and it's not your goal, there's something wrong with you." -- Marques Colston

by MtnExile on Nov 28, 2009 1:06 PM CST up reply actions

I am not worried

Greg Williams will rally the troops! I believe Sean Payton will have the offense ready as well. Certain people were probably listed on the injury Report for this week simply to psych out the opposition.

Greer will be fine and no he will not get hurt…………why even say that?

by Saintsfan4life on Nov 28, 2009 1:15 PM CST reply actions