The Dallas Cowboys' biggest problem in 2011 was their secondary giving up too many big plays. With everyone hoping that Terence Newman gets released, that idea took a hit when Jason Garrett said Newman was playing injured, almost making an excuse for him. Another player who was playing hurt, and didn't deny it in 2011, was Mike Jenkins.
The chance of getting rid of Newman just took another hit because Jenkins underwent surgery on his right shoulder and is preparing to begin six months of rehab. That should get him back in time for preseason to start but he will miss the start of training camp and that might force Dallas to hang on to Newman as insurance.
Jenkins opened the 2011 season injured, missing almost all of preseason with a stinger. He hurt his left shoulder in the season opener to the New York Jets and missed four games later in the year with a hamstring injury. His right shoulder injury occurred in the first loss to the New York Giants and he re-injured it in the season finale against the Giants.
From his past history, Jenkins has what it takes to be a star. In 2009, it looked like Dallas found a winner when he finished the season with 49 tackles and five interceptions. However, in 2010, he was burned continuously and committed way too many defensive pass interference penalties. He did finish with 55 tackles but only picked off one pass.
In 2011, despite the injuries, Jenkins finished with 23 tackles in 12 games for the Cowboys and had one interception and eight pass defenses. However, he also finished the season with nine pass interference penalties, an old Achilles heel that returned late in the season.
Dallas has to overhaul their entire secondary. Newman needs to go and it looks like Jenkins can't be relied on either. I believe the Cowboys need to keep Jenkins because of his upside but if he can't stay healthy, he doesn't do Dallas much good. Jenkins should get one more year to prove himself before Dallas needs to cut ties if he becomes injury prone once again.
Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and has been a Dallas Cowboys' fan since he was a child. His favorite players range from Roger Staubach and Tony Dorsett to the Triplets of the 90s and he enjoys talking about all Cowboys' related news, good or bad
