Kiffin on USF's Jenkins

Monte Kiffin came away from USF's pro day even more impressed by Bulls cornerback Mike Jenkins.

You have to think Kiffin would love nothing more than to have the Bucs pick a defensive player in the first round for the second consecutive year. If that happens, expect Jenkins to be one Tampa Bay considers -- if he's still on the board when the Bucs select 20th overall.

After Jenkins' workout, Kiffin offered before even being asked, "Man, that kid is something else."

Asked to elaborate, Kiffin happily complied, saying, "He's a special guy. He's got great feet and great ball skills. You can see it. And he can help you on special teams, too. But you don't draft a guy in the first round for special teams. You're going to draft him to be a great corner."

Kiffin likes the fact that Jenkins has excelled in both man-to-man and zone coverages, as USF in 2007 mixed its coverages to include more man-to-man looks because of Jenkins' ability to blanket receivers. When a team is renowned for the Tampa 2 defense which utilizes mostly zone concepts, Kiffin said there tends to be a perception that such teams seek only "system" cornerbacks. But Kiffin said the Bucs are looking for cornerbacks with the total package: guys who can stuff the run and play assignment football in the zone but also stick receivers step for step.

The scheme can be taught, Kiffin said. Intangibles can't.

"He can play man and he's got great man skills," Kiffin said of Jenkins. "We always talk about the Tampa 2. But like I said earlier, I can't teach speed. You can't teach a guy who runs a 4.8 (40-yard dash) to run a 4.3. You can work on skills, you can improve on catching the football. . . But the real good ones, they just have the hands."

One other note from the pro day: from the blast-from-the-past department, former Buc Frank Murphy was there to work out for scouts, too. Guess it's never too late for a comeback.

Comments

[Str8BucIn]

Seems like Kiffin loves him as well and I wouldn't be surprised if we see this kid holding up a number one Buc's jersey on April 26th. Pull the trigger on him and we all can sit back and feel good about this guy 5 years from now.

[John P]

Unless he runs somebody over and is filmed winning a drag contest in Ybor shortly after - Jenkins is a guaranteed top 10 pick. They need to move up to get him - and they probably won't want to pay in quality draft picks just for 10 spots. Probably their 1st and 2nd round picks for 10 spots, I'd guess.

Frank Murphy!?! Wow, got to give the guy the nod for having the guts to keep trying.

[Duane]

Hey, it's great to see you out there doing your job and not sitting in an office at the Times waiting for the phone to ring. Thanks for all of your updates.

[Joe]

You can't get Jenkins at 20 but I'm sure Kiffin liked him. Corner should be our first picked because taking one of these Wide outs would be a waste. 2nd or 3rd round for receivers. Ben Troups a monster

[74]

Jenkins won't go top 10. Cromartie and Talib will be off the board before he is. This could very well be the Buc's first selection... or an OT.

[Joe Simmons (Slow Joe)]

I think I see through the smokescreen. Remember, this is predraft time, where teams do nothing but lie, lie, lie.

My gut is telling me that Kiffin knows we don't have a shot of getting Jenkins anyway, so why not talk him up? Believe me, if there was a possibility of him falling to the 20 spot, the Bucs would be pretty quiet about him.

That said, I'd love it if the Bucs got him.

[Daniel]

In most of the mock drafts I have seen, Jenkins goes later than 20. Almost all the experts have the Bucs taking a receiver with this pick. I know, what do the experts know and mock drafts are useless. Yes, that is true. However, the mock drafts from last year were pretty accurate with the first 20 picks. I think receiver and CB are both equally pressing needs, especially after possibly losing Kelly(he could resign if he gets no offers). I think everyone posting here would be in agreement that the Bucs need an offensive playmaker outside of Galloway. We also need Kellys and Barbers eventual replacement and more D-line help.

[Jeff]

Smoke screen. They are drafting a left tackle.

[MikeG]

They should keep an eye on Trae Williams as well in the later rounds--- he would be a good fit for our defense.

[John S]

Mike is a great corner, but I'm always wary of a guy coming out of the draft playing in his college area. Seems there are more off-the-field distractions than usual that can impede his development. Not always the case, but has happened.

NO CHANCE HE FALLS TO 2OTH

[joe]

Now that Brian Kelly signed with the Lions, the Bucs really need a corner. So far we have let some of our best players walk and haven't signed one notable player other than Faine. I really hope the Bucs pull another 4-12 so we can be rid of Alan Thicke as GM and Napoleon as head coach. They really, really suck.

[John P]

A little excessive Joe. They've lost depth, not starters. They appear content to address it in the draft, and probably with a couple of more free agents. Think Kelly was worth over 3 million a year? They certainly appeared not to.

[Kurt]

We lost some of our best players? The only starter we have let go is Wade and we upgraded that position. I'm not sure what you're talking about Joe, but it appears to be no more than an opportunity to bash the coach and GM. They made a major upgrade at C, which will give the QB more time to let Galloway get open. Kelly hasn't really played much the past 2 years and basically looked less impressive than Buchanon of late, so no big deal. We've got quite a few good db's, in case you haven't noticed. I mean we were ranked #1 against the pass and #2 overall in defense last year.

[Rich]

Sorry to burst your bubble Joe, but Ben Troup is most definately NOT a monster. In 4 years in Nashville, he barely saw the field, and when he did, he ran the wrong routes or dropped touchdown passes. It pains me to say it as a UF grad and loyal Bucs fan living in Nashville, but he has ALOT to do before he contributes. Let's hope a return to the Sunshine State, returns his drive to excel on the field.

[Nav gill]

Mike Jenkins is a very physical corner who has experince playing in raymond james staduim. With barber getting old and not knowing who are second string corner is, mike jenkings would be a perect fit at pick 20 to the bucs. H has great height and speed to be a future pro bowler. So with the 20th pick of the draft the bucs select mike jenkings. Second round Mario Manigham.