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Time Is Now
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - The city of Dallas has undoubtedly been captivated by the recent success of the Mavericks and their winning of the NBA title, which was completed Thursday with a downtown parade to celebrate.
Throughout the process, one of the Mavericks' self-proclaimed slogans has been rather simple: "The Time Is Now."
Apparently, it held true.
Not that the Cowboys need much help in terms of marketing slogans, but they could probably take that same pitch and use it on a couple of players, including two that have had some up and down seasons, rather similarly to the Cowboys' rollercoaster ride over the last few years.
In 2009, the Cowboys went 11-5 and won their first playoff game in 15 seasons. While many players were catalysts for that squad, many looked at cornerback Mike Jenkins and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer as two players whose emergence provided a much-needed boost on defense.
Jenkins had a career-high five interceptions to lead the team was sixth on the squad with 51 solo tackles. As for Spencer, his six sacks were also a career-best, tying for second on the squad. He also had 36 quarterback pressures and most of his success occurred in the second half of the season when the Cowboys made the push for the playoffs.
Then last season, as the Cowboys not only slipped to 6-10 but had one of the worst defenses in franchise history, the play of Spencer and Jenkins came under fire.
Spencer still had five sacks, second behind DeMarcus Ware's NFL-leading 15, but his pressures dropped to just 14. He clearly wasn't the factor in the pass-rush that he displayed in 2009.
As for Jenkins, who played in the Pro Bowl after the 2009 campaign, his perception changed even more as he found himself the target of not only opposing quarterbacks, but referees as he was flagged 11 times, leading the entire Cowboys' team. Jenkins had just one interception, which occurred against Houston in Week 3, playing the remaining 13 games of the season without recording a single pick.
Obviously, improving the defense is a priority for the Cowboys in 2011. The biggest addition so far hasn't been a player, but the hiring of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who brings over a unique 3-4 scheme, although the principles remain the same - pressure the quarterback from all angles.
In fact, Ryan scoffed at the notion that Spencer had a "down" season and even offered a prediction about the outside linebacker's upcoming season, stating that Spencer "is going to be tremendous in our system … I can tell you that for sure."
Spencer is entering the last season of his original contract and it will be interesting to see just how he reacts in a contract year and what the Cowboys' plans would be for the four-year veteran.
Behind him are third-year pros Victor Butler and Brandon Williams, who are both still relatively unproven.
For Jenkins, his status with the team is rather clear, although his position is not. The Cowboys are expected to be free-agent players in the sweepstakes for former Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. If the Cowboys were able to land Asomugha and reunite him with Ryan, who coached him in Oakland, it would likely signal the end of the road for Terence Newman, whose contract, health concerns, age and slipping production would force the Cowboys to part ways with him, rather than Jenkins.
Either way, whether it's Newman or another cornerback on the left side, look for Jenkins' performance to play a huge factor in the team's success in 2011.
It might be a current slogan for the cross-town basketball team, but "The Time Is Now" for guys like Jenkins and Spencer as well.
Nick Eatman
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - The city of Dallas has undoubtedly been captivated by the recent success of the Mavericks and their winning of the NBA title, which was completed Thursday with a downtown parade to celebrate.
Throughout the process, one of the Mavericks' self-proclaimed slogans has been rather simple: "The Time Is Now."
Apparently, it held true.
Not that the Cowboys need much help in terms of marketing slogans, but they could probably take that same pitch and use it on a couple of players, including two that have had some up and down seasons, rather similarly to the Cowboys' rollercoaster ride over the last few years.
In 2009, the Cowboys went 11-5 and won their first playoff game in 15 seasons. While many players were catalysts for that squad, many looked at cornerback Mike Jenkins and outside linebacker Anthony Spencer as two players whose emergence provided a much-needed boost on defense.
Jenkins had a career-high five interceptions to lead the team was sixth on the squad with 51 solo tackles. As for Spencer, his six sacks were also a career-best, tying for second on the squad. He also had 36 quarterback pressures and most of his success occurred in the second half of the season when the Cowboys made the push for the playoffs.
Then last season, as the Cowboys not only slipped to 6-10 but had one of the worst defenses in franchise history, the play of Spencer and Jenkins came under fire.
Spencer still had five sacks, second behind DeMarcus Ware's NFL-leading 15, but his pressures dropped to just 14. He clearly wasn't the factor in the pass-rush that he displayed in 2009.
As for Jenkins, who played in the Pro Bowl after the 2009 campaign, his perception changed even more as he found himself the target of not only opposing quarterbacks, but referees as he was flagged 11 times, leading the entire Cowboys' team. Jenkins had just one interception, which occurred against Houston in Week 3, playing the remaining 13 games of the season without recording a single pick.
Obviously, improving the defense is a priority for the Cowboys in 2011. The biggest addition so far hasn't been a player, but the hiring of defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who brings over a unique 3-4 scheme, although the principles remain the same - pressure the quarterback from all angles.
In fact, Ryan scoffed at the notion that Spencer had a "down" season and even offered a prediction about the outside linebacker's upcoming season, stating that Spencer "is going to be tremendous in our system … I can tell you that for sure."
Spencer is entering the last season of his original contract and it will be interesting to see just how he reacts in a contract year and what the Cowboys' plans would be for the four-year veteran.
Behind him are third-year pros Victor Butler and Brandon Williams, who are both still relatively unproven.
For Jenkins, his status with the team is rather clear, although his position is not. The Cowboys are expected to be free-agent players in the sweepstakes for former Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. If the Cowboys were able to land Asomugha and reunite him with Ryan, who coached him in Oakland, it would likely signal the end of the road for Terence Newman, whose contract, health concerns, age and slipping production would force the Cowboys to part ways with him, rather than Jenkins.
Either way, whether it's Newman or another cornerback on the left side, look for Jenkins' performance to play a huge factor in the team's success in 2011.
It might be a current slogan for the cross-town basketball team, but "The Time Is Now" for guys like Jenkins and Spencer as well.
