Cowboys go with co-starters at right cornerback
Tim MacMahon, Blogger, Dallas Morning News

The Cowboys won’t declare a winner in the competition between cornerbacks Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. It’s a draw at this point. The competition will continue during the regular season.

As originally reported by CBS 11’s Steve Dennis, the coaches have decided that the second-year corners will split time and alternate starts at the beginning of the season.

Jenkins, a Tampa Bay native who played home games in Raymond James Stadium at South Florida, will start the season opener against the Buccaneers. Scandrick will start the home opener the next week against the Giants.

Wade Phillips has consistently praised Jenkins and Scandrick, stating repeatedly that both players appeared ready to be NFL starters. Phillips also mentioned several times that the Cowboys needed both young cornerbacks to perform well for the defense to play up to its potential.

With this plan, Jenkins and Scandrick will both play in the range of 70 percent of the defensive snaps unless/until one proves to be a significantly better player. It’s a sensible solution to a nice problem: having two capable starters at one spot.

Terence Newman, Mike Jenkins expected back Monday
Tim MacMahon/Blogger-Dallas Morning News

Wade Phillips said most of the players who missed the preseason opener will return to practice Monday. He specifically mentioned cornerbacks Terence Newman (groin) and Mike Jenkins (ankle).

Rookie linebackers Brandon Williams (shoulder) and Tatum’s Stephen Hodge (knee) are participating in today’s walk-throughs, but they might not do much during tomorrow’s practices.

Jerry Jones: Mike Jenkins might have a high ankle sprain
Tim MacMahon/Blogger, Dallas Morning News

Mike Jenkins injured his right ankle when his leg twisted after his foot was stepped on and pinned down during team drills this morning.

The Cowboys are awaiting MRI results, but owner/general manager Jerry Jones said Jenkins could have a high ankle sprain. That injury typically sidelines a player for three to six weeks.

“I’m hoping for the best,” Jones said, “but we’re worried about it.”

Jones said Jenkins, who was carted off the field after being helped to the sideline, was able to put some weight on that foot after practice.

Jenkins is competing with fellow second-year cornerback Orlando Scandrick for the starting job opposite Terence Newman. The Cowboys have been thrilled with the camp performances of both young corners, but depth behind them is a concern.

Jenkins also needs all the practice time he can get after an up-and-down rookie season.

“With where we are competitively, the second- and third-year guys don’t need to be missing any reps, especially with the new faces,” Jones said.

As we head into Sunday’s practices, I started jotting down some names that have stood out to me since training camp started in San Antonio.

I’m not going to list the obvious playmakers like Ware, Ratliff, James, Witten, Romo and others…those guys must play well.

Here are five players or groups that have caught my attention—knowing as I’ve said before, you have to be very careful not to “reach” with an opinion about a player during training camp or even the pre-season.

(In no particular order)

1) Martellus Bennett, the Cowboys are lining up in what appears to be more double tight end formations, whether one tight end and an H-Back, but Witten and Bennett are a difficult twosome to handle and the Cowboys need to find ways to keep a constant double-team off Witten. Of course, the running game and wide receivers will have something to say about that too.

2) Orlando Scandrick/Mike Jenkins, there’s a lot of talk about who will be the other starting cornerback opposite Terence Newman. Well, these two are going to make that a difficult decision, but—all three will be on the field a lot. I think the coaches would like to see Jenkins win the battle for the second corner for obvious reasons, including Jenkins being a first-round pick and the money invested. But Scandrick is just a player with a constant chip on his shoulder.

3) RB by committee, I know Barber has been to a pro bowl, and Felix Jones is the people’s choice with his speed, but Tashard Choice just makes plays and is going 100% against other players or against air. Jones is so cat quick and there’s one specific play that he always seem to make big yardage, a counter to the right side with most all movement to the left. It’s like he’s 5-yards downfield before anyone can react. If he remains healthy, I think he’ll score on that play a couple of times. Barber is lighter, quicker, and probably healthier. He took a beating last season, and I’m sure he wants a bounce back season as much as anyone else. Those two, along with Choice gives the Cowboys a three-headed running back monster. It’s a position that will takes bumps and bruises, so you can never have too many good one’s.

4) Gerald Sensabaugh: There appears to be a confidence in the back part of the secondary that hasn’t been there in quite some time. I always thought OU-Roy took the bad rap too many times—but Sensabaugh seems to flow to the ball when it’s in the air…he’s fluid when the ball is in the air and should solidify an obvious concern in the Cowboys secondary. He’s also physical enough to play against the run when necessary.

5) Personality. I’ve been asked about this many times this week, but there is something different about this team. I don’t know if it leads to more or less wins, but other than the regular 2-3 “diva’s,” this team has a bunch of guys who just want to practice and play the game.

Again, I don’t think this team is as talented as in the past year or two, but we saw what that did in December.

The Cowboys rid themselves of those who talked more than they played, and I can’t help but think that’s a good thing.

I don’t know of one question I’ve asked or others have asked that’s been about something other than football.

Well, unless you had to listen to Jerry’s 28-minute barrage on the “party-pass” promotion.

David Smoak