Michael Jenkins Standing Out Early

[Ian]

From Reiss:

A little bit of a surprise to see veteran Michael Jenkins stand out from the crowd among outside receivers, and also took note that it was Jenkins and Amendola working with Brady on two different occasions (while most of the team was on the other field for special-teams work).

Jenkins is interesting and I'll be curious to see if he becomes one of those guys who emerges as a surprise once camp gets going. Looking at the numbers he's someone who seemed to be fairly productive catching passes from Matt Ryan in that offense in Atlanta and obviously trailed off in Minnesota because of their QB issues. He's been durable, and at 6'4" he's got great height along with the physical tools. I'll have to go back through the NFL Game Pass and look at some of his games - haven't really ever seen the guy play before.

 

[resdubwhite]

good.

sets a good example for the rookies and shows some form.

Everyone works harder if he is pushing for a roster slot. this is great news.

 

[Ian]

good.

sets a good example for the rookies and shows some form.

Everyone works harder if he is pushing for a roster slot. this is great news.

It's interesting, he was third on the team last season in receiving yards on a team whose leading receiver wasn't that far ahead of him:

2012 Stats:
P.Harvin 62-receptions 677-yards 3 touchdowns
K.Rudolph 53-receptions 493-yards 9 touchdowns
M.Jenkins 40-receptions 449-yards 2 touchdowns

In 2011 he was second with 466 yards (Harvin had 967), and there were two other players with 400+ receiving yards after him. Makes me wonder if playing with Brady might actually end up making him become a better and more productive player. Definitely something to watch.

 

[DocHoliday]

Never underestimate the revitalizing effect that comes with playing with the GOAT

 

[Ian]

Did some digging and found a good piece on him by Christopher Price from a few weeks ago:

It Is What It Is » Michael Jenkins aiming to make his mark with Patriots

Seems to have a good attitude, so it's good to see him having some success early. Scanning through video of some of the games so far, he's deceptively fast and does a good job getting downfield behind the defense.

 

[PatsFan2]

If Michael Jenkins is standing out that doesn't bode well for the group as a whole. Seriously if that guy is Starting for us we'll be in trouble.

 

[Sicilian]

Never underestimate the revitalizing effect that comes with playing with the GOAT

He was also playing in an offense that was Peterson, Peterson, Peterson, and more Peterson... oh, and some Harvin sprinkled in because why not? Unless you're a standout talent like Harvin, it's hard to really find your rhythm as a WR in an offense that is so dependent on the run.

Cautiously optimistic on him. Even if he's just a red zone and 3rd-and-middle option, he has the chance to make two or three key plays a game even if his overall production isn't impressive.

 

[Bruins29]

If Michael Jenkins is standing out that doesn't bode well for the group as a whole. Seriously if that guy is Starting for us we'll be in trouble.

As mentioned he will push others to work harder. DA and AH are technically your two starters. I am sure we can find another solid option with what we have especially with these rooks.


You know, one time there was another 30 year old WR that came to us with even worse numbers than Jenkins last year. He had 42 rec 533 yards and 3 TD. He ended up doing ok for us. I am not Saying jenkins is going to duplicate but a new team and a TB12 can bring out the best in receivers.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm assuming he's insurance in case we get through the preseason and can't possibly enter the season with the young kids. Between Jones, the draftees and the quality UDFA my hope is they look good enough that we can have nothing to do with Jenkins; certainly in terms of significant playing time.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I don't know why everybody is surprised with Mike Jenkins.

Sure he has the pejorative nickname "molassess" but he has been in the NFL for a long time, drafted as a First Round pick. He appears to be a Pros pro. Every year he catches about 40-45 balls, so he is the very definition of a "possession receiver".

Fred Biletnikoff never had any speed but his possession catching got him into the HOF. So did Raymond Berry, who never had any speed either. For that matter, Welker was nothing but a possession receiver in the slot.

"Possession Receiver" is NOT a dirty word.

 

[Rusty Coupe]

He seems like a guy who is in the right place in New England. Not outstanding, but consistent, and who could thrive in a good offense.

But he’s been a very consistent receiver overall and even had a record season in 2008 when given the right opportunity. He’s had over 50+ receptions for three years straight (including the Bobby Prictrino Debacle) and had a nice touchdown total up until this year. He won’t fool you to be the next John Taylor to Jerry Rice, but he does have potential that can be tapped when the offense runs on the run-first philosophy.

Many fans like to talk about all the big drops, but perennial Pro Bowler Roddy White finished lower than he did in terms of drops (5 to 6). Fans like to immediately point to this underperforming year, but if you look only one season back (2008), Jenkins easily ranked in the top 20 in most categories as a true number 2 receiver. #12 will be the first to admit that he didn’t have a great year, but that could said of the entire offense (excluding White and Tony Gonzalez), but also including Coach Mularkey’s pitiful play-calling. He’s earned the chance to prove he can get back to the true complementary receiver he was in 2008.

Is Michael Jenkins a True #2 WR? | Atlanta Falcons: The Cage

 

[fnordcircle]

If Michael Jenkins is standing out that doesn't bode well for the group as a whole. Seriously if that guy is Starting for us we'll be in trouble.

If David Patten is standing out that doesn't bode well for the group as a whole. Seriously if that guy is Starting for us we'll be in trouble.

 

[mgteich]

I have no reason that Jenkins will be beaten out by Jones or a "quality UDFA". We may go with just the rookies, if they are ready. Or one of Jones, Jenkins or an UDFA will make the team.

I'm assuming he's insurance in case we get through the preseason and can't possibly enter the season with the young kids. Between Jones, the draftees and the quality UDFA my hope is they look good enough that we can have nothing to do with Jenkins; certainly in terms of significant playing time.

 

[Ivan]

If Michael Jenkins is standing out that doesn't bode well for the group as a whole. Seriously if that guy is Starting for us we'll be in trouble.

Your ability to take every bit of positive news and turn it into something negative is nothing short of incredible.

 

[Bruins29]

Your ability to take every bit of positive news and turn it into something negative is nothing short of incredible.

I have noticed it too. Edleman, Dowling, Jenkins....

These posters are comical. They are just projecting their own failures and inadequacies here. Just laugh at them.

 

[TriplecHamp]

It's interesting, he was third on the team last season in receiving yards on a team whose leading receiver wasn't that far ahead of him:

2012 Stats:
P.Harvin 62-receptions 677-yards 3 touchdowns
K.Rudolph 53-receptions 493-yards 9 touchdowns
M.Jenkins 40-receptions 449-yards 2 touchdowns

In 2011 he was second with 466 yards (Harvin had 967), and there were two other players with 400+ receiving yards after him. Makes me wonder if playing with Brady might actually end up making him become a better and more productive player. Definitely something to watch.

Don't forget,
Percy Harvin: 9 games
Michael Jenkins: 16 games
Kyle Rudolph: TE

 

[Ian]

Don't forget,
Percy Harvin: 9 games
Michael Jenkins: 16 games
Kyle Rudolph: TE

That's a good point, although I was looking purely at their receiving leaders. The numbers overall were fairly low, which makes you wonder how much of it was him, or the offense as a whole.

 

[mgteich]

Jenkins has had 40 or more receptions for every one of the last 7 years. Yes, he is used to be the #3 receiving target. I see no reason why he cannot be the #3 WR or the #4 WR for the patriots. He should be able to produce as well for the patriot passing offense and Brady as he did for the MINN running offense and Ponder. One would expect the numbers he had in Atlanta, more than 50 catches a year.

And yes, of course, I hope that Jenkins is beaten out by someone better. That's almost always the case.

 

[TriplecHamp]

That's a good point, although I was looking purely at their receiving leaders. The numbers overall were fairly low, which makes you wonder how much of it was him, or the offense as a whole.

Certainly a combination of factors. When you have Adrian Peterson on your team, Christian Ponder as your QB and you aren't blessed with the best ability to separate, you aren't going to be as productive as other guys in the league. I wouldn't be shocked to see Jenkins make the roster but I would be if he saw time in a starting role.

 

[kennyb]

If he knows where to go and understands the playbook it would probably put him well ahead of some of the other guys.

Boyce may start out on PUP, which would be a shame.

Gronkowski might as well.

Which might mean 6 WRs.

He (Jenkins) must be pretty good, he was a former 1st round pick and had good or pretty good speed once upon a time. He's got to be better than Lloyd.