Dallas Cowboys: Scandrick, Jenkins Vital to Defensive Success

The Cowboys have been steadfast in their stance not to move disgruntled cornerback Mike Jenkins, who, for the time being, lost his starting job upon the signing of Brandon Carr and the drafting of Morris Claiborne. They apparently have rebuffed numerous trade requests from multiple teams in order to secure, stabilize and build extra depth at the position.

Despite not starting, Jenkins would play the slot in some or most nickel packages, while Orlando Scandrick would be positioned further on the inside to safety and play alongside Gerald Sensabaugh. This alignment would allow the Cowboys to have four cornerbacks on the field half of the time given they use the formation enough times. In dime packages, Scandrick would be able to slide back and play corner, which is his natural position. What Scandrick has to realize is that in the base defense under normal circumstances, Jenkins could easily be the number three corner if he's not up to the challenge.

Ultimately, it appears that the plan is to keep Jenkins at all costs. Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett have both taken a hard stance when asked the question if it is their intention to trade Jenkins and DeMarcus Ware has recently chimed in on his feelings about Jenkins' role with the team going forward and it's quite clear he realizes his importance to the team.

Jenkins, who displayed extraordinary toughness last year by playing with an array of injures, is not only under contract, but is going to be relied upon as a vital cog to this defense. The addition of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne provides the Cowboys with a talented starting tandem but Jenkins could be and will be just as important as either player. He doesn't possess superior size and toughness but he's effective enough in press coverage to make plays on the ball. 

Scandrick had an up and down 2011 but still showed enough flashes of potential to have a prominent role in this defense. Whether you agree with Scandrick's contract extension last season, it appears as though he is in the Cowboys' long-term plans. What Scandrick needs to understand is that to some degree the Cowboys need to mask the fact that they really only have one starting caliber safety on the roster.

Sensabaugh is a solid player, but Brodney Pool was brought in as a stop-gap and will compete with the inexperienced Barry Church for the starting job. The Cowboys also used a fourth-round pick on Matt Johnson, but he’ll probably focus on special teams as a rookie. If Scandrick can provide a boost to this unit then he needs to do so regardless of what he's for or against. Scandrick is a player, who in my estimation, isn't even close to an elite or Pro Bowl level and leaves little room to dictate his role on this team.

Quite simply, Scandrick needs to realize that the Cowboys made a generous overture in handing him that extension last season. To reciprocate that, he should come from a place of doing whatever needs to be done. If he can do that, his contributions to this defense just by accepting his role along with Jenkins could be the difference between good and dominant.

The big picture for 2012 to keep Jenkins and possibly utilize Scandrick as a safety hybrid makes a lot of sense. What troubles me is the fact that Scandrick spoke out against the plan of playing safety. The Cowboys went out and made major investments in both Carr and Claiborne based on how Rob Ryan wants to operate his defense, they were smart moves that show just how much a premium is applied to the cornerback position.

Despite the moves to upgrade the cornerback position, don't discount the impact that both Jenkins and Scandrick can have on this defense. The way a number three cornerback is viewed in today's NFL is just as valued as a starter. The same argument can virtually be made for a valuable fourth cornerback as well.

Nobody knows how the season is going to play out or what obstacles the Cowboys can potentially face. Whether it be injury, lack of production, matchup or game plans, you just don't know what can happen. Is Jenkins an insurance plan not worth a roster spot? Should the Cowboys listen to Scandrick and potentially bring in yet another veteran safety? Both are hard to answer but both players need to understand just how vital they are to this defense.

In one player you have the classic disgruntled individual and in the other you have a lack of flexibility. For the Cowboys to be successful in 2012 both players need to realize it's all about surviving in the NFL.