If there is a surprise cut, look at the starting safeties

[75boyz]

Everybody loves that WOO! hit.

It used to happen more often with him but age has caught up with him.
I'm talking about Wilson when he used to often be that one tone setting hitter that could fire up the whole defense from the intensity of his hits.
Unfortunately these have been reduced to rare occurences these days.

 

[Mikexike]

Our safety play last season took a big step back:

-Wilson was almost unplayable early in the season. Very undisciplined against the run was a liability in man coverage and missed a ton of tackles.

-Hooker wasn't much better. Him being the free safety, you rarely saw him around the football, seems always a tick slow to react. Like Wilson struggled taking the right angles and tackling in space.

Both players signed big extensions where there is an out in each contract this season. They did resign Bell and Thomas to lower extensions and even spent the most undrafted fa dollars at the position. Both starters aren't locks to remain with the team and are poor fits in Eberflus defensive scheme. This is something to keep our eyes on, perhaps one is used as trade bait.

Definitely a position of need, Wilson needs to pack his bags. His play was unbearable to watch!

 

[blueblood70]

His best asset is his physical presence, but cannot be a liability in coverage and be so reckless against the run looking for that big hit. Hooker offers us very little to nothing, honestly might be the most overpaid starter we have.

Let’s let the new coaching staff decide who’s good and who’s not, who’s over paid and not …I mean it’s coming from a fans perspective don’t mean much you know that right?

I mean you guys are having a discussion about fans act like they have control who’s gonna be on this team next year…..if they remain on the roster it means they don’t think anybody else is good enough to take their jobs,….

I’ll defer to the Brand New defensive coaching staff on who stays and who goes and will just watch her you realize all the other holes on the same they’re trying to fill it might be wise to go with the safeties we have in the next year address the safety position one thing at a time you can’t fill every hole in one off-season with new staff they have to slowly make a slow purge.

 

[Cowboyny]

Let’s let the new coaching staff decide who’s good and who’s not, who’s over paid and not …I mean it’s coming from a fans perspective don’t mean much you know that right?

I mean you guys are having a discussion about fans act like they have control who’s gonna be on this team next year…..if they remain on the roster it means they don’t think anybody else is good enough to take their jobs,….

I’ll defer to the Brand New defensive coaching staff on who stays and who goes and will just watch her you realize all the other holes on the same they’re trying to fill it might be wise to go with the safeties we have in the next year address the safety position one thing at a time you can’t fill every hole in one off-season with new staff they have to slowly make a slow purge.

Certainly they will evaluate what they have before making any changes

 

[xwalker]

Our safety play last season took a big step back:

-Wilson was almost unplayable early in the season. Very undisciplined against the run was a liability in man coverage and missed a ton of tackles.

-Hooker wasn't much better. Him being the free safety, you rarely saw him around the football, seems always a tick slow to react. Like Wilson struggled taking the right angles and tackling in space.

Both players signed big extensions where there is an out in each contract this season. They did resign Bell and Thomas to lower extensions and even spent the most undrafted fa dollars at the position. Both starters aren't locks to remain with the team and are poor fits in Eberflus defensive scheme. This is something to keep our eyes on, perhaps one is used as trade bait.

They have multiple players that could replace Wilson. Bell, Juanyeh Thomas maybe Mukuamu.

Hooker is better than most fans believe. Unless you watch all the games in the All-22 view, it's hard to really judge Free Safeties. If you see the FS in the broadcast video frame, it's often because somebody in front of him failed and he's just doing what he can to minimize the damage.

In run defense, you never want the FS to react too soon or to over-run the play. A few extra yards is better than a huge gain....Last line of defense...

Juanyeh Thomas is the only one I see as a possible option at FS if Hooker is unavailable.

 

[Gambit]

They have multiple players that could replace Wilson. Bell, Juanyeh Thomas maybe Mukuamu.

Hooker is better than most fans believe. Unless you watch all the games in the All-22 view, it's hard to really judge Free Safeties. If you see the FS in the broadcast video frame, it's often because somebody in front of him failed and he's just doing what he can to minimize the damage.

In run defense, you never want the FS to react too soon or to over-run the play. A few extra yards is better than a huge gain....Last line of defense...

Juanyeh Thomas is the only one I see as a possible option at FS if Hooker is unavailable.

Personally, I'd like Juanyeh to get a shot at starting FS. It's a position of need, but other needs took precedence this off season.

IM counting on Eberflus having more input next off-season on that area specifically. Dunno though, It's not a position they value highly.

 

[Cowboyny]

They have multiple players that could replace Wilson. Bell, Juanyeh Thomas maybe Mukuamu.

Hooker is better than most fans believe. Unless you watch all the games in the All-22 view, it's hard to really judge Free Safeties. If you see the FS in the broadcast video frame, it's often because somebody in front of him failed and he's just doing what he can to minimize the damage.

In run defense, you never want the FS to react too soon or to over-run the play. A few extra yards is better than a huge gain....Last line of defense...

Juanyeh Thomas is the only one I see as a possible option at FS if Hooker is unavailable.

Yes Thomas is more of a hybrid where the others are more your box safety types. Actually think Thomas may get a chance to compete to become the nickel corner.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Don't forget Hooker is one of Jerry's prized prospects (former first rounder they got cheap because he couldn't stay healthy) that actually mostly worked, so he'll get plenty of leeway no matter how much he falls off.

 

[J-man]

IMHO, these are good players who got delt a bad hand last season (as did the entire defense) under Zimmer. They either didn't understand his system or they didn't like it. Either way they all played like crap most of the year.
Was that just a learning curve issue with a new system? I hope not since we will see another one again this year.
Or was it something else and we will see a rejuvenated defense? That is my guess, and hope!

 

[Dalmations202]

They are getting paid to be more than just solid starters. I think we can get similar production at half of their price

I will just agree to disagree here. Winfield, Joseph, DJames avg $21M........these 2 avg $7M

That is solid starter, and what they should be getting paid, IMO.

I don't think you find that production at half the price.

 

[jazzcat22]

Safety is not as bad as many think. As usual many Dallas fans are not happy with any player.
I believe Hooker is in his last year of his contract. Wilson is as well, as his contract is VOID status for 2026.
Not sure where this long term stuff came from.

Now they both do count as around $16 million against the cap for 2025 total. And could save $8 million total if both are released. Wilson also counts as $1.65 million against the cap in 2026 void year. But what good will that do them now. Nothing. So allow them to play out the contracts, see what happens with Eberflus.
Who else are you going to play there anyway, with there experiences.
Thomas and Bell and Mukaumu? Then who are the back ups. No one.

 

[Cowboyny]

I will just agree to disagree here. Winfield, Joseph, DJames avg $21M........these 2 avg $7M

That is solid starter, and what they should be getting paid, IMO.

I don't think you find that production at half the price.

Compared to those numbers, you are right. However, still think we can replaced their production at a cheaper rate. I actually like our backups in house are just as good as the starters.

 

[Cowboyny]

IMHO, these are good players who got delt a bad hand last season (as did the entire defense) under Zimmer. They either didn't understand his system or they didn't like it. Either way they all played like crap most of the year.
Was that just a learning curve issue with a new system? I hope not since we will see another one again this year.
Or was it something else and we will see a rejuvenated defense? That is my guess, and hope!

They will be given a clean slate, but have to show that they are the best options to start.

 

[Cowboyny]

Safety is not as bad as many think. As usual many Dallas fans are not happy with any player.
I believe Hooker is in his last year of his contract. Wilson is as well, as his contract is VOID status for 2026.
Not sure where this long term stuff came from.

Now they both do count as around $16 million against the cap for 2025 total. And could save $8 million total if both are released. Wilson also counts as $1.65 million against the cap in 2026 void year. But what good will that do them now. Nothing. So allow them to play out the contracts, see what happens with Eberflus.
Who else are you going to play there anyway, with there experiences.
Thomas and Bell and Mukaumu? Then who are the back ups. No one.

I do feel that one of our backups could unseat a starter. Have a legitimate competition and start the best players!

 

[SMASHMOUTH9473]

I could see either Wilson or Hooker being traded soon....probably Wilson, just due to his play style. I definitely see a safety being drafted next year or addressedin free agency. I'd look at Tafft from the Longhorns or Ramsey from USC.

 

[quickccc]

- The surprise cut at safety would likely have to be next offseason..if cowboys had plan to cut either hooker or donovan, I would thought it'd already be a pre June 1st cut by now.

-I'd think the clubs and players would strongly prefer a leeway warning and pathway ahead.
I could be wrong. Well see.

-I'd hope ebeflus gives juanyeh the fair chance Zimmer didn't see. To give with development and fair competition.

 

[TNCowboy]

Hooker won't be cut. He would have to be absolutely awful, his salary is already guaranteed. Wilson is definitely on the chopping block if he doesn't play well.

 

[Havic]

Someone is going to need a monster camp for a surprise cut to happen.

 

[blueblood70]

I will just agree to disagree here. Winfield, Joseph, DJames avg $21M........these 2 avg $7M

That is solid starter, and what they should be getting paid, IMO.

I don't think you find that production at half the price.

nailed it!!

 

[blueblood70]

- The surprise cut at safety would likely have to be next offseason..if cowboys had plan to cut either hooker or donovan, I would thought it'd already be a pre June 1st cut by now.

-I'd think the clubs and players would strongly prefer a leeway warning and pathway ahead.
I could be wrong. Well see.

-I'd hope ebeflus gives juanyeh the fair chance Zimmer didn't see. To give with development and fair competition.

Well for one Zimmer was here one offseason as a lame duck coach and for two I believe both Bell and Thomas got her at some point like every one else people are missing the point for the money that our safeties make in hooker and Donovan Wilson's life they more than earn their money from the fact that they were the only two consistently available players on defense last year outside of Osa I mean I can't remember many most of the team was injured especially on defense at one point or another they were falling like flies these two dudes were being judged while they're back there trying to cover holes while the dams already splitting into 17 pieces..

So they're not frontline starters but for the money they make they're definitely worth having solid steady average safeties if you can get your pass rush in order which we couldn't last year because of injuries when you get your corners playing better when you're not full of injuries then it'll help the back end a lot the safeties can get help from the defensive line the linebackers I mean the whole thing was an absolute cluster last year...