Philly Sports Jabronis
By Bo Wulf, PhiladelphiaEagles.com
After taking care of in-house business all offseason, the Eagles dipped their collective toe into the free-agent market by addressing the safety position, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with former New Orleans Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins
.
“Malcolm is someone we’ve had our eye on for quite a while,” said general manager Howie Roseman. “He has been a productive player his entire football career, both in New Orleans and at Ohio State. Everything you hear about Malcolm as a person is true. He was a two-time defensive captain with the Saints and is a high character player. We are excited to add a guy like that to the culture we have established here.”
Jenkins, the 14th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, has started 63 games in his five-year career. Originally a cornerback, Jenkins made the move to safety in 2010 and has been a difference-maker ever since, also contributing when necessary as a slot cornerback. Jenkins was also a defensive captain for New Orleans in each of the last two seasons.
“We really liked Malcolm’s versatility,” said head coach Chip Kelly. “He can line up at either safety spot, can come in and make a tackle and can play man-to-man as well. I had a chance to study him on tape leading up to the playoff game and really liked what I saw. He’s a sharp kid and is ultra-competitive. We are really happy to have him in Philadelphia.”
Over his career, Jenkins has six interceptions, six forced fumbles, 4.5 sacks and three defensive touchdowns. In 2013, he recorded 68 total tackles in 14 games, adding two interceptions, six passes defended, 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. In 2010, his first season at safety, Jenkins received second-team All-Pro honors.
The move comes shortly after the team announced the return of punter
Donnie Jones on a three-year deal and the release of safety Patrick Chung, who was signed last offseason.
Jenkins becomes the third safety on the Eagles roster, joining 2013 fifth-round pick Earl Wolff and first-year player Keelan Johnson. In addition to his contributions on the field, Jenkins has helped make a positive impact in the Greater New Orleans community since entering the league. In 2010, Jenkins launched the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation to assist the lives of local youths, particularly those in underserved communities, by providing resources, opportunities and experiences that will help them succeed in life. Jenkins was the 2013 winner of the John Wooten Professional Leadership Award, which recognizes a lifetime commitment to service and unparalleled leadership on and off the field.
A four-year letterman at Ohio State, Jenkins was a consensus All-American as a senior in 2008 and was honored with the Jim Thorpe Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive back in the country. An All-Big Ten selection in each of his final three years in Columbus, Jenkins totaled 196 stops, 11 interceptions, 18 passes defensed, three blocked punts and four forced fumbles during his collegiate career.
A native of Piscataway, NJ, Jenkins helped lead Piscataway High School to three consecutive state titles while playing wide receiver and defensive back.
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The Philadelphia Eagles today announced they have agreed to terms with punter
on a three-year contract. The team has also released safety Patrick Chung.
One of the most prolific punters in NFL history, Jones enjoyed one of the most impressive seasons by any punter in Eagles history in 2013, setting team records in single-season net punting average (40.4 yards per punt) and punts inside the 20-yard line (33), while ranking third in franchise history in single-season gross punting average (44.9). Jones also became just the fourth punter in NFL history to win NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in consecutive games in a single season and first since 1999 for his play against Washington (11/17) and Arizona (12/1).
Against Washington, Jones, 33, became just the second Philadelphia punter (Sean Landeta, 2001) to earn NFC Special Teams POW honors after he set an Eagles single-game record with a 50.7 net average, including a 70-yard punt late in the fourth quarter to pin the Redskins at their own four-yard line to start their final drive of the contest. In the next game, Jones landed a career-best seven punts inside the 20-yard line against the Cardinals, setting a team record and tying the third-highest total in the NFL since the stat became official in 1976.
A two-time All-Pro selection, Jones ranks seventh in NFL history in gross punting average (45.5) and net punting average (39.2) and is one of only seven players in league history to record a gross average of 50 or higher in a season, accomplishing the feat in 2008 with St. Louis with an average of 50.0.
Prior to joining the Eagles, Jones set Texans team records with a gross average of 47.2 yards and a net of 40.5 yards during his lone season with Houston in 2012. Jones joined the Texans after a five-year stint with the St. Louis Rams, where he set franchise highs in punts, gross average and net average.
The veteran left-footer was originally a seventh-round draft choice of the Seahawks in 2004 and appeared in six games with Seattle during his rookie campaign. Jones spent the following two seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2005-06) and set a Dolphins single-season record with an NFL-leading 39.3-yard net average in 2005.
A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Jones was a four-year letterman at LSU where he established a school record in punts (233). He and his wife, Aubrie, have a son, Weston, and a daughter, Addison.
Chung, 26, appeared in 12 games for the Eagles in 2013, recording 56 tackles and seven passes defensed.
