Rams take shot on risky CB

ST. LOUIS -- Getting bounced out of Florida was not the end of the world for Janoris Jenkins. The St. Louis Rams are willing to give a cornerback they rated a first-round talent a shot in the NFL.

Jenkins finished his college career at North Alabama after getting dismissed by the Gators following his third marijuana-related arrest in less than two years. He was taken with the third of the Rams' second-round picks Friday night.

"I'm pretty sure it hurt, but that's my past," said Jenkins, who waited until the 39th pick to be called. "I've got a new chapter, and I'm happy to be a Ram now."

Rams coach Jeff Fisher felt comfortable taking Jenkins after the franchise did extensive homework including scouting reports, combine interviews, a player visit to St. Louis and staff trips to Florida and Alabama.

"We talked to many, many, many people that had crossed paths with him since he was a young boy growing up in Pahokee, Fla.," Fisher said. "Every person we talked to said, 'Take him.' He made a few mistakes at school, obviously has a young family, but he's got all that stuff under control."

The 5-foot-9, 190-pound Jenkins had been considered one of the top cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference. He had shutdown efforts against Julio Jones and A.J. Green, who both had big rookie years in the NFL last season, as a junior.

The low point for Jenkins may have been in May 2009, when police used a stun gun while arresting him, and he was charged with arrest without violence.