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Jenkins Talks About His First Day In Camp
by David Lawrence, NewOrleansSaints.com
Monday, August 10, 2009 - 1:30 PM
It looked like you started off with a little extra exercise. What was that about?
“I guess everybody on the defense did 40 up-downs on the first day of camp so they wanted to make sure I got caught up to speed.”
You did more than everyone else out there. How many did you have to do?
“I did 40. Everybody else did 14 and I continued on to 40.”
It looked like you struggled early but did you pick it up towards the end of practice?
“Yeah, those 40 up-downs caught up to me early. I had to sit out for a little bit and get used to the heat and everything and the pads, but I got back in there and finished practice.”
How different is it to be out here now rather than working out on your own?
“I’ve been down here and working out over at Tulane in the heat trying to simulate things, but coming out the first day and throwing on the pads and helmet with a visor and everything, that adds another element to it. It’s something I’ll have to get used to.”
How antsy were you as the negotiations dragged on?
“Very antsy. I was at home doing nothing really. I didn’t want to leave town. My agent was getting close to telling me to leave but I didn’t want to because I wanted to be in camp. I was really pressuring them to get me in here. I didn’t want it to take as long as it did, but business is business.”
How far behind do you think you are?
“Mentally, I’m not behind at all. I know the playbook; I studied it day in and day out. They didn’t really install anything new since the spring. Really I just have to catch up physically and get in football shape.”
How different did this feel as compared to the minicamps?
“Rookie minicamp was a little easier because we didn’t have pads on, just the helmet and I was in shape. I’m still in shape, but when you throw on the shoulder pads and helmet, it’s a totally different element.”
How close are you physically?
“I think I just need a couple practices under my belt. I caught my second wind toward the end of practice. The clouds came out a little bit which helped me out. I just need to get a couple of practices under my belt.”
Do you expect to play on Friday?
“Yes. I’ll be ready by Friday.”
What did you weigh in at?
“204.”
Was that the reporting weight for you?
“205 was my reporting weight.”
What was it like day to day as you were missing being out here?
“Day to day it was just trying to find something to occupy my time. There are 24 hours in a day and I had all 24 of them. I would work out for about two hours a day but then there would be 22 hours left. I would just try to keep my mind off of things. I was antsy; I wanted to get into camp. I was studying film and studying the playbook but I didn’t want to overdo it to where I would gas myself out mentally. I just tried to play video games and watch movies – just do things alone. Everybody was in camp and I don’t really know too many people in New Orleans so I was doing everything by myself. It is what it is and I’m happy to be here.”
Once the picks before and after you signed, what did it come down to for your deal to get done?
“It was that the deal that was on the table wasn’t suitable for me and my agent. We just wanted to continue to work on it and see if we could get an even deal.”
Was there a time when you really pushed your agent to just get the deal done?
“Last week I told him I wanted to be in on Wednesday and I would be ready to take whatever. After talking to him and talking to my parents and the advice I got from everybody, they told me just to be patient for a little bit and hold on. Toward the end of the week, things picked up with the negotiations so I just let time take it.”
What did you think would make the deal get done as it went on?
“There were more and more updates. There was more conversation after early on when there wasn’t much going back and forth. Then they started having phone calls two or three times a day and I knew that the negotiations had at least kick-started.”
What is your sense as to your expected contribution in this new defense here?
“One good thing is that the corners will definitely step it up this year. Everyone has kind of elevated their game and then you add me to the picture and hopefully I can do the same. When you have depth at that position, that’s always valuable. It’s a long season and guys go down, but if you have someone who can come in and play just as well, that’s something great to have. This year our defense is going to be something that everyone is talking about.”
Have you ever had a practice where you felt like you did out in that heat today?
“No. Today is about as bad as I’ve ever felt.”
Has there been any rookie hazing yet or do you anticipate any?
“I’ve just had to carry some pads. I just got here so I’ve been hiding out from the vets.”
How long of a layoff has it been since you last had a full practice?
“The last time I had on shoulder pads was January 5. That’s a long layoff after not really doing anything and jump into a two-a-day, that’s a lot. It’s going to take me a couple of practices to catch up to speed, but I’m confident that it will be there.”
What did your teammates say to you?
“They just congratulated me. They’re happy for me to be here and told me to get with it. They’re happy to have me here and ready to keep going.”
Did you stay in touch with anybody over the last few weeks?
“Most of the rookies would call me and update me on what was going on. The coaches called me every now and then.”
Did they bring you any film to watch?
"I still had all the film from the OTAs and the rookie camp. I just went through all of that. I had the installations and the playbook so I was up to speed as far as what was going in every day.”
Did you talk with Coach Payton or Mickey Loomis during all of this?
“No.”
Did you check into the hotel last night or this morning?
“Last night. About 12:30 last night. Everybody was asleep. When I got to my room, Malcolm Jenkins/Chip Vaughn.aspx">Chip Vaughn was still up for a little bit, but that was the only person I saw.”
Did you know you set the franchise record for longest holdout?
“That’s not something that I want to be known for. Unfortunately that’s what it is, but I’m happy to be here.”
What were your emotions when you heard that the deal was getting done?
“It was a monkey off my back. My agent called me and told me that everything happened suddenly and he tried to explain everything to me, I told him ‘I don’t care, I just want to be in camp.’ I didn’t really want the breakdown; I was happy that it was done and I started packing my bags.”
What are your expectations for this season?
“My personal goals are to start. I know there are some good guys in front of me and everybody is working hard so it’s not something that I’m going to walk into, but my personal goal is to start. I want to be the best I can be but if that doesn’t happen, I want to contribute as much as I can.”
What were you required to do before you could get on the field this morning?
“I had to check in with the doctors, weigh in and had a 6:30 meeting with Coach Oden this morning just to catch up on today’s install and to refresh my memory a little bit.”
Will you have a little extra work after practice as well for the next few days?
“Probably. That’s going to be something that I want to do anyway. I have to catch up. I can’t waste my time sleeping all the time.”
What did your parents say when you told them you did the deal?
“They were happy. They were just excited that it was done because they knew I wanted to get in camp. They wanted me to be a little more patient but they’re happy that it’s all over and happy that they can get to the Cincinnati game.”
What will be your biggest extravagance now that you’ve signed your first pro contract?
“Nothing. I already have a car. I’m not a real flashy guy. I have a little apartment and I don’t need much else.”
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