Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-sign CB Mike Jenkins

By Luke Dahlgren | Mar 5, 2015

Sep 7, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Mike Jenkins (24) at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /

The former Cowboys and Raiders defensive back injured himself in the first game of 2014, and spent the remainder of the season on injured reserve.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Mike Jenkins has continued his career trend of signing single year deals earlier today. Bucs fans never really got an opportunity to see Jenkins play at all, so the team looks to be bringing him back.

Source tells me #Bucs have brought back CB Mike Jenkins on another one-year deal. Former #USF Bull spent most of '14 on IR.
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) March 5, 2015

Confirmed: Bucs Re-Signing Former USF Cornerback Mike Jenkins - http://t.co/NYQqB3NAdC. Kudos to my pal @LukeEasterling who had it first.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) March 5, 2015

Last season, Jenkins had a cap hit of $1.875 million, and after injuring himself in week 1 against the Carolina Panthers earned most of that money recovering his pectoral muscles. The details of Jenkins’ new deal have not been released beyond the length, but the new deal probably would hit the cap less than the almost $2 million he garnered last year.

More from NFL

When Jenkins was healthy, first as a member of the Dallas Cowboys and then as an Oakland Raider, he brought both contagious energy and a slew of penalties to the field with him.

Jenkins would possibly start opposite the fantastic Alterraun Verner, but may be forced to play as a nickel back behind Johnathan Banks. The second year corner (who did not play Mike Ehrmantraut on Breaking Bad) had an excellent season last year for the Bucs with 10 pass defenses, 4 interceptions and a pick-six.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rebuilding their defense, and a player like Mike Jenkins may fit into the Tampa 2 scheme that deploys cornerbacks near the line of scrimmage in zone to contain outside runs and curtail the short outside passing game. Jenkins may not be asked to defend downfield as much in this system as he would elsewhere, so his weaknesses may be reduced on Tampa Bay.

After making a number of high-profile, low-return moves in free agency last year, such as giving defensive end Michael Johnson a massive $16 million guaranteed last season, Tampa may look instead to build on offense, particularly along the offensive line. While signing Jenkins helps to bolster the defensive backfield, the Bucs will need to turn in that direction soon as free agency kicks into gear.

More from FanSided