What’s the future of Dallas Cowboys’ cornerback Mike Jenkins?
It has been quite some time now that Dallas Cowboys and Mike Jenkins are in the limelight for a number of interrelated reasons.
First it was the Cowboys who signed Brandon Carr on a five-year deal after the player had parted ways with Kansas City Chiefs.
Later, the team surprisingly traded up its pick in this year’s draft to select Morris Claiborne as the sixth overall pick, prompting observers to raise questions about the future of Jenkins with the team.
Although the Cowboys repeatedly asserted that Jenkins’ future with the team was secure, the player’s contract forced him to think otherwise.
Jenkins is in last year of his final contract with the Cowboys. It means he could be released after the 2012 season.
This is something that Jenkins does not want. If the Cowboys want to release him, Jenkins thinks that this is the better time to do so.
Jenkins also reportedly asked to be traded and the Cowboys also received offers from different teams including Indianapolis Colts but the team never showed interest, implying that Jenkins would stay with the franchise to finish his contract.
Meanwhile, Jenkins stayed away from all the team activities this offseason while nursing his shoulder injury, but many observers pointed out that he was not with the team because he was unhappy with the management’s move.
Jenkins’ concerns are justified. He does not have a long-term job security, the Cowboys have signed two cornerbacks this season and they also have another one on their roster.
For Cowboys, the presence of four cornerbacks is not worrisome because they are planning on introducing a new defensive scheme in the upcoming season and they see four cornerbacks easily adjusting into the system.
Amid this scenario, Jenkins finally reported to the team for the mandatory minicamp recently, but was unable to participate in active drills owing to the shoulder injury, which might keep him out for another month.
Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones has made it clear that he wants Jenkins with the team for the upcoming season and will include him on the roster as soon as he recovers from the injury.
By the looks of the things, there is no way the Cowboys are going to trade or release him before the upcoming season.
So here is a piece of advice for Jenkins: Try to give your best shot in the upcoming season and impress the onlookers especially Jerry Jones, who might give you a contract extension later, if not now.
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