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After a standout career at the University of South Florida, Bradenton-raised Mike Jenkins was chosen by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft. The cornerback earned enough playing time to register 19 tackles on the year and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown against the New York Giants. This year, Jenkins should challenge for a starting spot.

To best prepare himself, Jenkins has been training at the IMG Performance Institute in Bradenton with some of the NFL’s top defensive backs, like Dunta Robinson, Quintin Mikell, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Fabian Washington and many others. The guys go through grueling workouts that start in the gym and move to the vaunted Hill on the IMG Academies campus, while mixing in mental, nutrition and communication training.

Mike Jenkins on…

…his rookie season: I felt like it went mediocre. My whole rookie year, I was just thinking the whole time. I didn’t realize how fast it would be. In college, it was easy for me. I was there for five years, and I was back there calling plays at USF. In the NFL, you could have one coverage on this side and another coverage on that side, then change it all up when a quarterback gets under center. Plus, the rules are different. You can be more aggressive and grab the receiver a little when the quarterback gets out of the pocket. Just a lot of little things are different.

… the difference between going into his rookie season and this year: Everything. Period. Last year, I was trying to drop a lot of weight so that I could run the 40 well. I got a lot weaker. This year, I’ve gotten stronger. I’m faster. I’ve gained weight in the right places. My whole mentality is better. I don’t have to worry about anyone on my back, because I’m not a rookie. I feel like I’m back at South Florida. My whole confidence is boosted.

… his summer workouts: Before I even started working out, Fabian came to me and said, ‘It’s time for us to get it,’ because he’s in the same kind of situation I’m in with competition for a position. It’s been great here. Just coming out here and competing against other top cornerbacks. It gets really competitive. We’re known for speed as cornerbacks. Then you’ve got Trev (Moawad, IMG Performance Institute director) and CS (performance specialist Corey Stenstrup) coming out there and messing with us saying, “Fabian’s the fastest. Dominique’s the fastest.” Then you’ve got other guys coming in saying, “Please, I’m faster than them.”

… proving himself: My personal goal is to go out and show everybody that I’m way better than what they think. I definitely think a lot of people underestimate me. I have a mean streak. I’ve knocked a couple of people out cold on the field. I just want to show everybody that I’m a man, and I’m going to hold my own. I just want us to get to the playoffs first, then we’ll talk about the Super Bowl.

… his special teams career: In college, we were playing Cincinnati, and the teams combined to score like 21 points in only a couple minutes, and I was pissed off. The guy who was usually back there got hurt. They were going to put someone else back there, who was okay, but nothing great. I told them to put me out there, and they told me no, so I just ran out on the field anyway. First kickoff, I took it back 100 yards to set the school record.

My rookie year, I just wanted to get in and focus on the defense. In the NFL, special teams is just like learning another position. But this year, I’m going to try and get back there for a couple.

… on seeing Dallas owner Jerry Jones on the field: If anyone gets nervous, it’s probably Wade. When I see him walk out, whether I’m on the field or waiting to get in the game, I kind of get a boost in energy. I’m trying to perform. Most owners don’t come down to the field, so when he comes down, it means something.

… on what NFL surprised him the most: Terrell Owens. When I first saw him, I’m like, “This dude’s a beast.” He’s big, tall and fast. Just going against him in practice, I’m thinking that I’ve got to bring it every day. In college, there’s nobody like that. Even if I wasn’t on the Cowboys, I really wanted to go against him in the NFL. Him and Randy Moss.

…trying to cover receivers in today’s game: The best thing is to get them at five (yards) and hold on as long as you can. Luckily, I have D-Ware coming off the edge, so they don’t have too much time. I feel like they need to change the rules up a little bit. Receivers can do about anything after 15 yards. We have a big disadvantage because of the size and speed of receivers now. That’s the first thing I’m changing if I’m a commissioner. None of the uniform stuff. I’m helping out the DB’s.

… naming the first team the Cowboys play in 2009 with $1 million on the line: I wouldn’t know. I’d be out $1 million.  I go game by game. Once we get closer to the first week, I’ll look. It’s just to help me stay focused and prepare myself. I always did it in college. I feel like if I look ahead, I’ll be more focused on someone else than getting myself better.

Posted by:Dan Tierney      Category: Performance

Tags: Corey Stenstrup, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Dunta Robinson, Fabian Washington, IMG Academies, IMG Academy, IMG Performance Institute, Mike Jenkins, quintin mikell, Trevor Moawad