Philadelphia Sports: Section 215 top 25 Philadelphia athletes revealed
By Chuck Booth
Number seven: Malcolm Jenkins – Saftey, Philadelphia Eagles
It was March 2014. The Philadelphia Eagles had just completed their first season with Chip Kelly, which surprisingly ended with an NFC East crown and a trip to the postseason.
In order to compete with the NFL elite, the Eagles needed to address their defense. The defense had failed to keep pace with Kelly’s fast-paced offense. The departure of Brian Dawkins five years prior had left a playmaking and leadership void in the secondary that had never been filled.
The denizens of the Philadelphia sports scene felt they had the answer. The talk radio cognoscenti wanted Jairus Byrd. T.J. Ward was Plan B. One intrepid writer even suggested the Birds ought to pursue both free agent targets.
Instead, the Eagles inked second-tier free agent Malcolm Jenkins to a three-year, $16.25 million contract. The rationalization from Howie Roseman and the front office brass was something about Jenkins possessing the versatility that made him a fit for then-defensive coordinator Billy Davis’ scheme. To Eagles fans, the signing was another example of the team rummaging through the bargain bin.
Well, the fans and the narrative drivers on sports talk radio were wrong. Jenkins has emerged as an indispensable talent in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Jairus Byrd has struggled with injuries and floundered in New Orleans. In fact, the Saints have recently cut ties with the one-time diamond of the 2014 free agent class.
Jenkins’ aforementioned versatility allows him to play as a classic safety or shift into coverage. His physicality can neutralize a playmaking tight end or a speedy slot receiver. His intelligence and instincts reveal themselves in his disciplined play in the defensive backfield. He has proven to be a sound tackler who prevents big plays from turning into bigger plays.
Jenkins also has a knack for forcing turnovers. In three seasons patrolling the secondary, Jenkins boasts 8 interceptions and four forced fumbles. He has also never missed a game. In a league in which “the best ability is availability,” the importance of this fact cannot be understated. For three seasons, the Eagles have been able to depend on Malcolm Jenkins to perform at a high level. For three seasons, Jenkins has delivered.