The Cornerback-Rich Dallas Cowboys Still Need Mike Jenkins

The majority of Dallas Cowboys fans seem to agree that the secondary was the team's primary problem in 2011. But just because Mike Jenkins was the face of that unit doesn't mean he's the player who should take all the blame.

It's 2012, and 10 quarterbacks passed for over 4,000 yards last year. Believe me, the Dallas Cowboys still need Mike Jenkins.

The veteran cornerback might feel slighted by the team, which might be factoring into his reported decision to skip offseason team activities—which formally start tomorrow for the Cowboys—but it'll pass. 

Eventually, Jenkins will realize—or someone will explain to him—that with Eli Manning, Michael Vick and Robert Griffin III owning 37.5 percent of the Cowboys' 2012 schedule, the team really didn't have a choice but to invest in the secondary during the offseason. On paper, the pass defense was atrocious in 2010 and only slightly better than atrocious in 2011.

It's possible that the team has been trying to replace Jenkins this offseason, but it's also possible they were just trying to get him some support by signing free agent Brandon Carr in March and then trading up to to draft LSU's Morris Claiborne in April. 

It's easy to see why such moves might hurt a player's feelings, but Jenkins could benefit greatly from help.

If, indeed, he does not show up at Valley Ranch on Tuesday, a lot will be made of Jenkins' absence. But really, it won't mean much. These are voluntary workouts, and Jenkins is still getting over offseason shoulder surgery. His presence would've been little more than symbolic. 

The guys at ESPNDallas.com claim Jenkins has been on the block this offseason, but plenty of players are available for the right price, and the Cowboys reportedly would only trade Jenkins for a significant return. We're only hearing that Jenkins is available because of the circumstances in Dallas. He's considered to be a starting-caliber player, and the Cowboys now have two other players expected to start.

Realistically, the Cowboys won't be able to get much for Jenkins considering the lost leverage. Not only is he perceived to be a spare tire now, but his contract expires after the 2012 season. 

That's probably why Jerry Jones is saying the right things and showing confidence in Jenkins. Dallas is taking the correct route here. Jones says that he's vital to the team's plans, and that might indeed be the case. Despite a terrible season for the Dallas secondary, Jenkins was still the team's best corner last year, outperforming Terence Newman and Orlando Scandrick. 

Jenkins also played hurt for much of the 2011 season and required surgery on his shoulder at its conclusion. He thought he deserved a new contract, and instead, he somehow became the poster boy for a group of underperformers and saw the team hire not one, but two new employees in his department. 

Will he view those additions as competition or supporters?

He's probably a little insulted and upset, but now, he has another excuse to miss those dreaded offseason get-togethers. 

The thing is, Claiborne is no sure thing (no rookie is), and teams—especially in divisions like the NFC East—can't have too many good corners. If Jenkins is good enough and is committed to the end goal, he'll get healthy, show up at training camp, earn playing time in 2012 and gain that second big contract in 2013.

This is one of those situations where what's best for the team might also be what's best for the player.