New Orleans Saints: Is Malcolm Jenkins the Second Coming Of Darren Sharper?

It is evident that the master of interception has taught the student of deception well.

Last year, Darren Sharper picked off nine passes on the way to the Lombardi trophy while his understudy Malcolm Jenkins observed his every move off in the shadows.

As the season enters its point of critical mass, the former first-round draft pick from The Ohio State University is playing better than ever and the wily ole' veteran Sharper, who taught him everything he knows, is smiling like a proud papa.

After all, Sharper knows Jenkins will be a big part of his legacy when his long and distinguished career finally draws to a close.

"He did that today; he finished the play," Sharper told The Times-Picayune. "That's what great safeties do. I'm very, very proud to say the least. He studies hard and works hard. He's doing what you expect from a top 15 draft pick."

But, here's the thing, in the Saints tortured 40 year history, rarely, if ever, have those top 15 draft picks done what was expected of them and that's what makes Jenkins' outstanding play of late all the more refreshing.

"Five-step drop...here's Bradford throwing and it's intercepted...coming up the far sideline with it is Malcolm Jenkins...Malcolm Jenkins breaks a tackle...he's going to go all the way!!!...Malcolm Jenkins...10...5...touchdown!!!

The critical interception came late in the first half with the Rams driving deep in Saints territory and threatening to cut the lead to one point. It proved to be the dagger in the Rams heart, in this city of strange magic and voodoo moons.

Said Sean Payton to reporters, "The turnover by Malcolm Jenkins was a big play. It's a swing there, potentially 14, 10 points. I would say (the pulling away) began with that play. It was significant...The ball seems to find (Jenkins.) He's very intelligent and he's tough. Those are good traits. He's played very well this season."

Father Tony, the pastor of Our Lady of Hopeless Cases over on the edge of the French Quarter, was saying in his Sunday morning sermon that it takes three documented miracles to become a Saint.

Seems Jenkins has at least two, maybe three, to his credit as Christmas approaches.

Something about the holidays brings out the best in him.

On Thanksgiving night, his strip of Roy Williams in the final minutes saved the Saints from sure defeat in Dallas and in yesterday's 31-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams, Jenkins two interceptions thwarted two possible Rams TD drives.

The picks came against the hot-shot rookie Sam Bradford, who holds the record for most consecutive attempts without an interception among first-year QB's.

Those sports talking heads say Jenkins would not have made that play earlier in the season because he would not have made a break on the ball fast enough.

Yeah, looks like this Buckeye is blossoming at just the right time.

"I don't think it's anything special," Jenkins told The Times Picayune—he's not only talented; he's humble as well. "I think (defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams puts us in position to make plays—and—at the end of the day, talk about the mentality of making plays. We've got guys who can make plays and today we were able to do that."