IRVING, Texas -- Rob Ryan made an honest man out of Jerry Jones, at least when it comes to Mike Jenkins' value to the Dallas Cowboys.

Jones refused to even consider trade requests coming from Jenkins' camp this offseason, repeatedly insisting that the 2008 first-rounder would play a major role despite the Cowboys making major investments in cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. That seemed especially unlikely after Jenkins missed the entire preseason while recovering from shoulder surgery.

Lo and behold, that wasn't just Jerry bull.

It's not like Ryan wants to move a $50 million cornerback to safety on passing downs, but that's a luxury the Cowboys have because they kept Jenkins on the roster. It became a necessity last week, when a rash of injuries left a lot of question marks at safety with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coming to town.

Jenkins responded with the kind of performance that will make him a lot of money if he keeps it coming.

The cornerback, who spent the offseason mad about his money, shut down a receiver with a fresh $55 million deal.

Jenkins played as well as he has since his 2009 Pro Bowl season, using press coverage to blanket big Vincent Jackson, whose lone catch was late in the game when Jenkins wasn't on him. As Carr said Sunday, Jenkins seized the opportunity.

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