Video: Is there a problem with Donovan Wilson?

Knotamus

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I'm happy for Israel getting a second chance as a safety. It was tough watching him break down after telling Jerry he's got the best corner coming in and those words making him realize that he is a cornerback.



That was hard to watch.

Yet I still think the kid has something. He played for a top program and along side the top CB in college imo.. Barry Church commented how well he moves and others comment on his footwork at safety. Truth is.. he has the feet and movement skills like a CB, but size and recognition skills that relegate or serves him best to succeed at safety. Like Donovan, it may take him a year or so to turn the corner.. but his size and CB skills give him an advantage.
 

Risen Star

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That was hard to watch.

Yet I still think the kid has something. He played for a top program and along side the top CB in college imo.. Barry Church commented how well he moves and others comment on his footwork at safety. Truth is.. he has the feet and movement skills like a CB, but size and recognition skills that relegate or serves him best to succeed at safety. Like Donovan, it may take him a year or so to turn the corner.. but his size and CB skills give him an advantage.

He's 6'4". It is extremely unlikely that he'll be a quality NFL defensive back with that frame.
 

fivetwos

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I'm in full drink the Kool Aid mode but I'm honestly a bit worried about Wilson.

I think he has been anointed as a free spot on the bingo card as a result of pure fan starvation at the position much more than having fully earned it.

He played well last year, but it was limited....and it may have looked a bit better than it really was due to the other ugliness around him.
 

Typhus

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Thanks for posting the vid.

It's not good to hear he's got a hurt knee. It's even worse to hear he hasn't been around much this off season. But, it's still very early so we'll have to play the wait and see game. I sure hope he turns it on come training camp. If not there are plenty of new guys back there looking for a spot.
Wilson is going to have every bit as much chance to prove himself,, does it seem often funny how we dismiss an area of weakness when a player like Wilson is the best thing since sliced bread one day and then we just bring in a few FAs and a draft and now all of a sudden our once best prospect gets dismissed...lol
Dallas taking their time with DW for a very good reason,,
 

Knotamus

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He's 6'4". It is extremely unlikely that he'll be a quality NFL defensive back with that frame.
I agree, that’s why I’m not putting too much stock into it, but man.. if he does happen to work out.. that would be tremendous. The good news is.. he has the best DC to help make it happen. Even the ole’ Risen Star can’t argue that.
 

fivetwos

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He's 6'4". It is extremely unlikely that he'll be a quality NFL defensive back with that frame.
Yeah but 6th round DBs have a funny habit of sticking around in Dallas.

It supports certain points with regard to organizational draft prowess, apparently.....until it gets them nowhere.
 

Typhus

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I've thought with us drafting two linebackers in the first four rounds that it's a possibility that Neal ends up at strong safety some anyway. I think it could be the former first-round pick who's out there on early downs with Wilson brought in at SS and Neal moved to linebacker when we go to pass defense.
Its just a transitional back seven philosophy that only Quinn apparently has had the Cahones to actually employ,,, people should know that Quinn has every intention of rolling his dice,, we have to respect him for that.
Marinelli was such an errant dart throw. More dialed in now.
 

Bobhaze

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Regarding Donovan Wilson- He may be developing into a decent safety. Maybe.Hope so.

But IMO, here’s the sad truth- this team’s safety talent has been so sub par for so long, the minute someone makes a few plays here and there, he’s viewed as the answer. Don’t get me wrong, I like Wilson- glad we have him. He definitely made some big plays toward the end of the season and he has some promise.

Again, I see Wilson as a guy who is developing as opposed to a guy who has arrived. I still don’t see a guy who is a Pro bowl type player yet. Maybe he can develop more. But the excitement around Donovan Wilson being one the future stars of our improving defense is premature IMO. I still hold the opinion we need a lot more talent at safety.
 

Typhus

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Yeah but 6th round DBs have a funny habit of sticking around in Dallas.

It supports certain points with regard to organizational draft prowess, apparently.....until it gets them nowhere.
There is definitely a pattern with these 8 footers taking place,,,, brilliant.
 

cowboyed

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Thanks for posting the vid.

It's not good to hear he's got a hurt knee. It's even worse to hear he hasn't been around much this off season. But, it's still very early so we'll have to play the wait and see game. I sure hope he turns it on come training camp. If not there are plenty of new guys back there looking for a spot.
A sore knee doesn't necessarily mean an invevitable knee scope or torn ligaments.
 

Bullflop

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The good news is that TC will reveal the things that say who gets rewarded and who doesn't. Let's just see how that shakes out, ok?:thumbup:
 
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Fastpitch Dad

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That was hard to watch.

Yet I still think the kid has something. He played for a top program and along side the top CB in college imo.. Barry Church commented how well he moves and others comment on his footwork at safety. Truth is.. he has the feet and movement skills like a CB, but size and recognition skills that relegate or serves him best to succeed at safety. Like Donovan, it may take him a year or so to turn the corner.. but his size and CB skills give him an advantage.
It's impossible for not to root for a kid like that.
 

PhillyCowboysFan

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If I'm a sixth round pick from Louisiana I wouldn't move to Dallas. There's no security in being a sixth round pick and the coaches haven't exactly handed this guy a full time role.

So why waste the time and money to move to Dallas when you might not have a future there. So if he wants to be smart with his money then let him.

I’m sorry but that’s an attitude of a loser in my opinion. You make your mark and put the work in to make it hard for them to cut you, especially if you are a late round pick. And there is no better way to do that then being at the team facility around the coaches, trainers and other team members. Just my thoughts!

There is a list of current and former late round players with long careers.
 

HanD

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One of the podcasts touched on something that some of us often lose sight of when discussing these guys' offseason participation. Namely for a guy like Wilson, who was not a high draft pick, he aint swimmin in money so flying back and forth to Dallas and getting a place to stay all on his own dime might not be that easy. Wasn't he one of those guys who got hit with one of those stupid fines that was like half his salary last year? If so the kid might just rather save his pennies for mandatory stuff as opposed blowing $500 - $1000 flying into Dallas and putting himself up anywhere near the Star for a week. All that said, I hope the kid is okay. He was far and away the #1 playmaker on our defense last year.. and we are hardly in a position to be casting playmakers aside on that side of the ball.

i'm not one of these guys who cares if a player is there for voluntary stuff in the offseason. while i totally agree that he should be smart with his money as a late round pick, in 2 years he's made over a million. renting an apartment within driving distance of frisco is not expensive. imo it'd be a smarter play to rent an apartment year to year and stay in the area to train at the facility with the coaches, trainers and teammates. he can still be smart with his money living in the area. most people move to where their job is even if it is away from family.
 

CowboyRoy

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I know he has been dealing with a slight injury, knee swelling I believe was what I heard,, give me a minute to confirm.

update,, well its been a minute so no dice, I couldnt find the link that I saw it on earlier so you will just have to take my word on it...lol

How is it that after an entire offseason this guy has knee swelling?
 

Cowboyny

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Wilson is very much in the team's plans. This is minicamp, it's more about the mental install at this juncture, not a big deal he sits out.
 

McKDaddy

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I'm happy for Israel getting a second chance as a safety. It was tough watching him break down after telling Jerry he's got the best corner coming in and those words making him realize that he is a cornerback.


Israel is going to put the iron dome over the top of our defense. Ain't no scuds getting through!!
 

Stash

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It's early but having Neal makes the Wilson situation minor for me, plus they have another vet in Kearse.

Would really like for Wilson to have a full camp as the starting SS, so if he has to take time to get healthy now I'm all for it.

Everything I’ve heard and read about Neal says he’s now a linebacker not a safety. Kearse looks like the signing getting the playing time at SS in Wilson’s place.
 
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