The Chicago Bears announced on Sunday that they had decided to cut veteran cornerback Tim Jennings. The 31-year old is coming off an injury has required a knee scope and hasn’t yet fully recovered. This was a big factor in Jennings falling down the Chicago depth chart. However, Jennings is a household name and a really solid defender. He’s getting up there in age, but Jennings was still effective in 2014. He played solid coverage and was among one of the best run-defending corners in the league. Atlanta struggled mightily in rush defense last season, but the addition of Brooks Reed and perhaps Tim Jennings would really help solidify the Falcons rush defense heading into week 1.
Yes, the team has Jalen Collins and Robert Alford. However, Alford is yet to prove himself to be an NFL starting caliber corner, and Collins is coming in as a rookie after only starting in 10 games in 3 years at LSU. Collins has also preformed poorly in the preseason games and does not look ready to even play the nickel in week 1.
New head coach Dan Quinn liked to use both zone coverage and man coverage in Seattle, and Jennings’ zone coverage abilities could offer him different looks in the secondary.At the very least, Jennings would push the youngsters to win their jobs. He likely won’t be in store for a payday, either. Jennings is on the wrong side of 30 and probably doesn’t have many years left. However, with the NFC South wide open, adding a winning piece can only help the Falcons. Jennings is a two-time pro bowler and was ranked 74th in the NFL’s top 100 players list in 2014. Although, he did not make an appearance on this year’s list.
Jennings also has ties to the Atlanta area. He played his college ball at UGA, and according to Vaughn McClure he is an Atlanta native:
Falcons should take a look at Tim Jennings as an extra cornerback. He lives in Atlanta, too.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) August 30, 2015
The Falcons have a great number 1 corner in Desmond Trufant, but he is entering just his third season in the league. Jennings offers the Dirty Birds a veteran precense in their secondary that they are lacking right now. He could be another piece of the puzzle for Dan Quinn, who has slowly added nice players to the defensive unit. They’re going to be a much improved on the defensive side of the ball in 2015. There should be mutual interest between both sides unless the team wants to go with Collins or Alford. I think this is a low-risk, high reward option for the Falcons. Pick up the phone, Dimitroff.