OXNARD, Calif. -- Shaneil Jenkins has only been a member of the Dallas Cowboys since Aug. 7, but he has already earned a nickname. Because Jenkins began training camp with the Denver Broncos, the Cowboys' coaches have come up with an unoriginal moniker: Bronco.
Jenkins is OK with it.
"It's the irony behind it," he said, "so I enjoy the nickname."
What was his nickname growing up in Maryland?
"A few friends called me Grady, from 'Sanford and Son,'" he said.
Jenkins, 22, is hoping to make a name for himself on the field. Signed as something of an emergency fill-in because of injuries on the defensive line, Jenkins had a sack in last week's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
"He's come in here on short notice, trying to learn our scheme on the run," coach Jason Garrett said. "He goes into the game and shows up and makes some plays. Shows up in the run game, shows up affecting the quarterback, approaches it the right way. You have to use your eyes and say, 'OK, who was that? That was 69?' He's doing a good job.
"Sometimes the evaluation can be very basic. Is he productive? Is he around the ball? Is he doing things to help our team? And he's certainly done that. So we'll give him more opportunities."
Jenkins will get plenty of looks Friday against the Miami Dolphins with injuries up front. He has played defensive end and tackle and has had to get accustomed to the differences in how offensive linemen block him.
"Tackles like to kick back and sit, and guards try to meet you, so it's a lot less space inside," Jenkins said. "You just have to have your hands up quicker and be ready to make your move."
While he is learning plenty from Rod Marinelli and Leon Lett, he is remembering some of what he learned from DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys' all-time leader in sacks, who is now with the Broncos.
"Just how to key linemen and he'd tell you how their weight is shifting and how to watch tape and things like that, how to be a pro," Jenkins said. "He taught me a lot."
