What they're saying about Mike Jenkins ...

Lots of people writing about Mike Jenkins becoming USF's first-ever first-round pick, so I've got a lot of links. Wish I'd been able to make it down to Bradenton for his draft gathering, but I had a prior commitment and couldn't get down there. Lots of local fans surprised and disappointed that the Bucs passed on Jenkins to take another cornerback in Kansas Aqib Talib, and Jim Leavitt was tactful in expressing his surprise Saturday night.

"I kind of thought they might take him," Leavitt said. "I don't know the corner at Kansas. I just know Mike. I'll always be a Bucs fan. I'll just be a real big Dallas fans now, too."

Onto the links ...

-- The Dallas Morning News writes that Jenkins is "as pro-ready as they come at corner," noting that if Adam "Pacman" Jones is reinstated as expected, Jenkins would be the Cowboys' fourth corner, but should still expect to play a lot. "The three years I was in San Diego, and here, the fourth corner has played a lot," coach Wade Phillips told the newspaper. "I think you can't get enough good corners."

-- Just as USF was able to be more aggressive on defense because of their trust in Jenkins and Trae Williams, Dallas hopes to play the same way, according to the Morning News. "I would be disappointed if he doesn't come in and really get a lot of playing time," Jerry Jones said of Jenkins.

-- Dallascowboys.com has a full transcript from Jenkins' post-draft teleconference, covering a lot of topics, including how he might fit in with the Cowboys.

-- Don Banks at SI.com listed the Bucs' pick of Talib when Jenkins was available among his "picks I reall didn't like in the first two rounds."

-- Dennis Dillon of the Sporting News writes that Dallas' selections of Arkansas running back Felix Jones and Jenkins reflect a team that feels it can win the Super Bowl this year -- in Tampa -- and drafted to get immediate help in key areas this season.

-- Alan Dell of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune was at Jenkins' draft-day gathering and details the unexpected drama that unfolded as Jenkins' mother, Kathy Gray, passed out as her son's name was announced. Gray suffered a diabetic seizure but was soon after cleared by medical personnel to return to her son's draft celebration.

-- I want to give the Fort Worth Star-Telegram props for running their final mock draft and showing where they were wrong and right. They got exactly three picks right and missed every one from No. 13 to No. 31, but I like that they showed that publicly. With so many trades, I don't think many mocks look good today.

-- I'd said last week that it was a colossal reach to think the Bucs would take East Carolina running back Chris Johnson at No. 20, so I'll eat a little crow in admitting that Johnson went a few picks later to Tennessee. I still don't like him as a first-round running back, and Mel Kiper agrees. Kiper also wrote something I had in Sunday's paper, that Carolina gave up way too much to get Jeff Otah at No. 19.

-- I do have an update on a junior college center who could be the next part of USF's recruiting class, and will get it in at some point today. Just have lots of draft stuff to get on here and don't want it to get lost in that. For the record, "Don't tease me, bro" is one of the better lines you guys have had in a while ...

Comments

[Mike Lakeland]

FIRST!

(sorry, I had to...)

[xr4ti_007]

Congratulations to Mike Jenkins for being USF’s first round one selection. It was a shame that MJ will not be suiting up for the Dale Mabry Pirates, but someone wishing an 0-16 on them is just sipping to much hater-or-ade. He really fell to team in better position to make a run at the Super Bowl. The Bucs haven’t had back-to-back wining seasons since the Tony Dungy era, so maybe MJ will be playing at RJS in early February. Kawika Mitchell got his ring last year with the New York Football Giants after five seasons, and Mike may get one as a rookie.

[Reality]

Did anyone else chuckle when they called 24K high character with George O'Leary? George O'Leary and high character in the same sentence. Great way to start my Sunday!

[Dave W]

I actually think that with the Pats lack of talent in the secondary that the Cowboys are the favorites for next year. Pac Man, Felix Jones, and Mike are all superior athletes at their positions (and at KR/PR). The team was pretty good last year, and they really just need one more offensive playmaker. I like their roster a lot, but...

I hate the Cowboys. I'm a Steelers fan and I remember being in Pittsburgh with my family for the Super Bowl in the 1990s when Neil O'Donnell threw those baffling INTs and made my dad think he was throwing the game (that's when I learned about gambling, too!). Since then, I've hated the Cowboys. I wonder if I've made my point...

[Dan]

Right now Chad Simpson is listed as the 10th best RB still available.. I wonder if he will get drafted..?

[Dave W]

I'm surprised at some of the guys who went before Trae, namely, the guy from Grand Valley State (I actually knew where that was!). Ikegwounu (sp?) is hurt, Wilhite wasn't as productive, and Reggie Corner just has a cool name as far as I can tell. Hopefully it won't be much longer.

[Dave W]

Trae to the Jags. I don't think there is immediate playing time for him, but it's a good situation and he should be able develop into a good player up there.

We had a multi-player draft. This is the first one in a long string about to come, I think.

[Robert]

Want to big up Ben Moffitt and hope he make it over in Texas.

[Steve Stacy]

Greg,

I'm not sure if you blogged about this yet, but on page 1 of Sunday's New York Times, they listed all the first round picks. At number 25, they listed "Mike Jenkins - Florida".

Why do I feel like Rodney Dangerfield?

[Steve Stacy]

^^^That should read "on page 1 of Sunday's New York Times SPORTS PSECTION".

Sorry

[G.A.]

Steve, hadn't seen that, but it's not too surprising. I wouldn't take that as USF's anonymity so much as just papers getting teams wrong. I saw a reference to "Florida State's Andre Caldwell" on Sunday, so you can have national titles and still have people get your name wrong.