Film Room: What Is J.J. Wilcox's Ceiling?

[NeonDeion21]

These were some of my notes from the first two months of the NFL season for Wilcox:

- Will often over-run screens sweeps. Good hustle to the ball, just needs to be more patient.

- Prone to play-action and pump-fakes. Can be easily moved by experienced quarterbacks.

- Often matched-up versus tight ends, holds his own. Relies more on athleticism than technique in man to man coverage.

- Struggles in zone coverage. Numerous break downs between him and the cornerbacks.

- Often lines up 20-30 yards deep in the center of the field.

- Too many times Wilcox tries to use his arms to tackle.

One thing remained consistent throughout the season; the Dallas’ coaches loved to play Wilcox as a deep center-fielder. There were times when I was watching the All-22 film and Wilcox wouldn’t be in the shot. He would literally be lined up 30 yards down the field. But to the Cowboys’ and Wilcox’s credit, there weren’t many instances during the 2014 season where the Cowboys were beat over-the-top for big gains or scores.

While Wilcox doesn’t often find himself in situations where he is asked to make a play on the ball (partly due to scheme) he does do a pretty good job at tracking the ball in the air. He has soft hands and knows how to time is jumps. Here is an interception versus Washington where he out-jumps the wide receiver and plays the ball perfectly in the air:

Read the rest here: http://all22breakdown.com/?p=3000

 

[SportsGuru80]

This is a make or break year for him honestly... He must improve his open field tackling because last year he left A LOT TO BE DESIRED.

 

[jday]

He and Church both are liabilities when asked to cover a TE. Not sure what the solution is for that, but this is the one area I hope the Cowboys figure out a solution for in the upcoming season.

 

[Alexander]

He might have already hit it, believe it or not.

I did not see much of a jump from 2013 to his play last year. He just looks like an athlete trying very very hard to be a safety. You cannot teach instincts.

 

[Alexander]

He and Church both are liabilities when asked to cover a TE. Not sure what the solution is for that, but this is the one area I hope the Cowboys figure out a solution for in the upcoming season.

The best hope is harass the QB to keep them from focusing on deep routes downfield on the pair of them.

Because otherwise, we are in trouble.

What worries me is that we seem to be doing the same thing the Bears did when Marinelli was there. Think they could fake it at safety.

If we could, which we probably can't, I would take Jones and devote all his time to safety. Unfortunately, we do not have enough bodies on the edge to do that.

You can win with either Church or Wilcox at a safety spot. You have a challenge if you are trying to do it with both.

 

[Risen Star]

Byron Jones would be my FS this year and I'd leave him there for now so as not to screw up the player asking too much of him. Let Wilcox and Church compete for the other spot.

IF Jones can become a rangy FS for the Cowboys that is a huge upgrade and impact on defense. To get that kind of player and a possible double digit sack guy in the 2nd round is aces. That's the potential.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

Byron Jones would be my FS this year and I'd leave him there for now so as not to screw up the player asking too much of him. Let Wilcox and Church compete for the other spot.

IF Jones can become a rangy FS for the Cowboys that is a huge upgrade and impact on defense. To get that kind of player and a possible double digit sack guy in the 2nd round is aces. That's the potential.

I really want to see this, but I just doubt it. Crossing my fingers that they keep Carr and Claiborne shows enough that they put Jones at FS.

And fwiw, from a depth perspective, it makes tons of sense to just put Jones at FS. If either Church or Wilcox go down, they have no real back up, so he should learn the position. At CB, we have guys that can play to some extent and at least better than Heath and McCray

 

[TheCount]

He and Church both are liabilities when asked to cover a TE. Not sure what the solution is for that, but this is the one area I hope the Cowboys figure out a solution for in the upcoming season.

As opposed to the rest of the leagues safeties, who have really been shutting down all those pass catching TE's. Amiright?

 

[TheCount]

I like JJ and Church, but I wish we just had one of them and a true FS. I'm also on the fence about Byron at FS, I actually prefer him as a press/zone corner in a Tampa 2.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I like JJ and Church, but I wish we just had one of them and a true FS. I'm also on the fence about Byron at FS, I actually prefer him as a press/zone corner in a Tampa 2.

Granted Marenelli plays more man coverage than the usual cover 2, I still believe Jones' athleticism is wasted at corner in this scheme.

 

[TheCount]

Granted Marenelli plays more man coverage than the usual cover 2, I still believe Jones' athleticism is wasted at corner in this scheme.

I think we play man a lot because we don't have any zone corners, but you may be right about his athleticism being better served at safety. Valid counter.

 

[Manwiththeplan]

I think we play man a lot because we don't have any zone corners, but you may be right about his athleticism being better served at safety. Valid counter.

In a perfect world, Mo will show just enough that we can trade him for a decent corner that better fits our scheme. Probably less upside, but maybe a guy who is better now.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I have no clue what Wilcox's ceiling is. But I know he gets 16 chances this year to prove he deserves to be a starter or his replacement will be coming on board a year from now.

 

[Aven8]

Byron Jones would be my FS this year and I'd leave him there for now so as not to screw up the player asking too much of him. Let Wilcox and Church compete for the other spot.

IF Jones can become a rangy FS for the Cowboys that is a huge upgrade and impact on defense. To get that kind of player and a possible double digit sack guy in the 2nd round is aces. That's the potential.

I said this also the other day. IMO we drafted him to be that rangy safety and not a cb. I think they are hoping for an Earl Thomas type player because he so gifted athletically.

 

[Howboutdemcowboys31]

I would love to keep Byron at CB and trade for FS Glover Quinn but it won't happen

 

[casmith07]

Wilcox will be fine. Third year playing Safety, pretty much.

 

[Aliencowboy]

These were some of my notes from the first two months of the NFL season for Wilcox:

- Will often over-run screens sweeps. Good hustle to the ball, just needs to be more patient.

- Prone to play-action and pump-fakes. Can be easily moved by experienced quarterbacks.

- Often matched-up versus tight ends, holds his own. Relies more on athleticism than technique in man to man coverage.

- Struggles in zone coverage. Numerous break downs between him and the cornerbacks.

- Often lines up 20-30 yards deep in the center of the field.

- Too many times Wilcox tries to use his arms to tackle.

One thing remained consistent throughout the season; the Dallas’ coaches loved to play Wilcox as a deep center-fielder. There were times when I was watching the All-22 film and Wilcox wouldn’t be in the shot. He would literally be lined up 30 yards down the field. But to the Cowboys’ and Wilcox’s credit, there weren’t many instances during the 2014 season where the Cowboys were beat over-the-top for big gains or scores.

While Wilcox doesn’t often find himself in situations where he is asked to make a play on the ball (partly due to scheme) he does do a pretty good job at tracking the ball in the air. He has soft hands and knows how to time is jumps. Here is an interception versus Washington where he out-jumps the wide receiver and plays the ball perfectly in the air:

Read the rest here: http://all22breakdown.com/?p=3000

The fact that they have talked about moving BJones to FS tells you everything you need to know about JJWilcox. Too Slow and lacks the range for Safety. His numbers are terrible against the pass and run.

Ceiling: 2nd/3rd string Safety, Special Teams and Emergency RB

 

[tm1119]

Slide him towards the line and limit his responsibilities and I think we would see his highest potential. Let him use his athleticism and hands to make plays closer to the line of scrimmage. If Jones were to stick at FS he'd be a perfect compliment over the top with his range.

 

[CyberB0b]

Wilcox is what he is. He just isn't very good.

Slide him towards the line and limit his responsibilities and I think we would see his highest potential. Let him use his athleticism and hands to make plays closer to the line of scrimmage. If Jones were to stick at FS he'd be a perfect compliment over the top with his range.

You can't do that with Church playing next to Wilcox. I would rather have Jones playing FS and put Barry Church in the box. Church isn't great, but he is rarely out of position and usually solid.

 

[JBell]

Church has been solid with some pathetic pass rushes over the years. I think he's head and shoulders above Wilcox, and he'll show it this season now that we have a D-line that can force a QB to get it out of his hands quickly.

When your safeties can read and react off the QB's 1st read, they're going to make plays.