Cowboyny
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 15,766
- Reaction score
- 18,984
Xavier Woods has been a potential breakout player after since his rookie season. He just never had that season in which he took the next step.
Changing defensive schemes should benefit Wood's strengths in coverage. For what I gather, Marinelli/Richard scheme called for a lot of cover 3, in which Woods played often as a single, high Free Safety. To effectively play single high, a safety much have tremendous range and instincts. Earl Thomas is the best in the business as a single high free safety in today's game. We hear the term about the safety position, always around the football. In my view, Woods always seemed to be a second late for making a play on the ball.
Nolan scheme is reportedly going to use more of a Quarters press system. In this scheme, both safeties have the responsibility to cover their half of the field, will be playing closer to the line of scrimmage, make their own reads based on the offensive personnel. It is my understanding that more man coverage skills are required, which bodes well for Woods, as many remember he played as the team's slot, nickel corner as a rookie. We will not be using a traditional safety lineman, more of a double Free Safety formation.
With less ground to cover, Woods should be able to have more of an impact in making plays on the football then he has in years past. Must improve at catching the football better then he has had in limited chances. His tackling is his biggest concern, the same attribute could be about our other starter in Clinton-Dix. Poor tacklers typicially give up big plays, it's an area that Woods must improve upon if he is going to make the next step.
From everything we have heard throughout Woods tenture with the team, is that the front office really likes his upside. If he does have that breakout season, it wouldn't surprise me that he gets extended. The Safety position is far more cheaper then resigning a CB.
Changing defensive schemes should benefit Wood's strengths in coverage. For what I gather, Marinelli/Richard scheme called for a lot of cover 3, in which Woods played often as a single, high Free Safety. To effectively play single high, a safety much have tremendous range and instincts. Earl Thomas is the best in the business as a single high free safety in today's game. We hear the term about the safety position, always around the football. In my view, Woods always seemed to be a second late for making a play on the ball.
Nolan scheme is reportedly going to use more of a Quarters press system. In this scheme, both safeties have the responsibility to cover their half of the field, will be playing closer to the line of scrimmage, make their own reads based on the offensive personnel. It is my understanding that more man coverage skills are required, which bodes well for Woods, as many remember he played as the team's slot, nickel corner as a rookie. We will not be using a traditional safety lineman, more of a double Free Safety formation.
With less ground to cover, Woods should be able to have more of an impact in making plays on the football then he has in years past. Must improve at catching the football better then he has had in limited chances. His tackling is his biggest concern, the same attribute could be about our other starter in Clinton-Dix. Poor tacklers typicially give up big plays, it's an area that Woods must improve upon if he is going to make the next step.
From everything we have heard throughout Woods tenture with the team, is that the front office really likes his upside. If he does have that breakout season, it wouldn't surprise me that he gets extended. The Safety position is far more cheaper then resigning a CB.
