I think our defense under Kiffin will flourish. I just wonder how our safeties fit

[TonyRomo09]

I am usually optimistic, and I think our defense under Kiffin will flourish. I just wonder how our safeties fit.

I am constantly hearing that you need two guys who can be outfielder types for this defense. and also that Kiffin will play some 1 deep Safety and you want a really rangy guy there..

To me, and make no mistake I am no expert, but to me, it sounds like Monty's defense wants more like 2 FSs rather than the typical FS/SS..

I am a Church fan. Training camp last season the only person getting more praise was Dez Bryant.. all the coaches were high on Church. But he is certainly more of a SS right? and isn't Wilcox a big hitter SS type too?

are we in a situation where we want 2 FSs. but what we have as possible starters are 2SS/1FS? Johnson being the lone FS?

Hoping I am missing something, i'm sure some of the more knowledgeable posters on this board can point out to make me feel better.

 

[dantheman41]

I am usually optimistic, and I think our defense under Kiffin will flourish. I just wonder how our safeties fit.

I am constantly hearing that you need two guys who can be outfielder types for this defense. and also that Kiffin will play some 1 deep Safety and you want a really rangy guy there..

To me, and make no mistake I am no expert, but to me, it sounds like Monty's defense wants more like 2 FSs rather than the typical FS/SS..

I am a Church fan. Training camp last season the only person getting more praise was Dez Bryant.. all the coaches were high on Church. But he is certainly more of a SS right? and isn't Wilcox a big hitter SS type too?

are we in a situation where we want 2 FSs. but what we have as possible starters are 2SS/1FS? Johnson being the lone FS?

Hoping I am missing something, i'm sure some of the more knowledgeable posters on this board can point out to make me feel better.

Wilcox has the potential and athletic ability to play free or strong. He projects as a strong safety just because of his size, and how well he tackles and hits.

I honestly think we will be fine at safety. Between Johnson, Hamillton, and Wilcox someone will definitely emerge. And worst case scenario, Will Allen has to start and that would still be the equivalent or upgrade from Sensabaugh. We have WAY bigger problems. I actually feel good at safety

 

[Vintage]

I am usually optimistic, and I think our defense under Kiffin will flourish. I just wonder how our safeties fit.

I am constantly hearing that you need two guys who can be outfielder types for this defense. and also that Kiffin will play some 1 deep Safety and you want a really rangy guy there..

To me, and make no mistake I am no expert, but to me, it sounds like Monty's defense wants more like 2 FSs rather than the typical FS/SS..

I am a Church fan. Training camp last season the only person getting more praise was Dez Bryant.. all the coaches were high on Church. But he is certainly more of a SS right? and isn't Wilcox a big hitter SS type too?

are we in a situation where we want 2 FSs. but what we have as possible starters are 2SS/1FS? Johnson being the lone FS?

Hoping I am missing something, i'm sure some of the more knowledgeable posters on this board can point out to make me feel better.

“I think we’ve really given ourselves a lot of potential,” Jones said. “The coaches told me (with) the scheme, ‘Don’t worry as much about range.’ I said, ‘What? Don’t worry as much about range?’

“(Kiffin) said, ‘No, our scheme gives them the angles. It gives them the angles. Get us somebody that is young. Don’t worry as much about experience as you have in the past. Get us some young players with instincts and let us go from there with them.’”

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowb...-history-eases-concern-about-cowboys-safeties

 

[TonyRomo09]

“I think we’ve really given ourselves a lot of potential,” Jones said. “The coaches told me (with) the scheme, ‘Don’t worry as much about range.’ I said, ‘What? Don’t worry as much about range?’

“(Kiffin) said, ‘No, our scheme gives them the angles. It gives them the angles. Get us somebody that is young. Don’t worry as much about experience as you have in the past. Get us some young players with instincts and let us go from there with them.’”

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowb...-history-eases-concern-about-cowboys-safeties

I like reading this. but wouldn't someone with range + angles = Ints?

 

[Asa55]

john lynch ran a 4.64 at the combine and barry church ran a 4.68

 

[theogt]

john lynch ran a 4.64 at the combine and barry church ran a 4.68

If only he was four one-hundredths of a second faster. We might have a potential HOFer.

 

[hendog]

If only he was four one-hundredths of a second faster. We might have a potential HOFer.

I believe he was making a comment on the range aspect.

 

[jjktkk]

The risk is the inexpierence of the safety position overall.

 

[BAT]

“I think we’ve really given ourselves a lot of potential,” Jones said. “The coaches told me (with) the scheme, ‘Don’t worry as much about range.’ I said, ‘What? Don’t worry as much about range?’

“(Kiffin) said, ‘No, our scheme gives them the angles. It gives them the angles. Get us somebody that is young. Don’t worry as much about experience as you have in the past. Get us some young players with instincts and let us go from there with them.’”

http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowb...-history-eases-concern-about-cowboys-safeties

I think that is the key to not having a ton of speed, having instincts and quick reactions. If Kiffin is not worried, and he has shown to have had some success at this position, then I am not going to worry about it. Not yet anyway, as both Kiffin and Marinelli have a lot of credit built up.

Between Church, Wilcox, Johnson and Hamilton - Cowboys should be able to coach at least one of these guys up. And if McCray learns how to tackle again, he may be a darkhorse at SS.

 

[tm1119]

You'd have to be pretty naive or just extremely optimistic to not be worried about our safety situation. Very little starting experience there all around.

If we are talking about instincts being so important I almost have to eliminate Wilcox from starting competition this year. The kid has only played 1 year of defense, no way he has the instincts to play NFL safety. I think baring injury our starters will be Johnson and Church. Injuries are a huge risk along with just a huge amount of uncertainty and inexperience. Not saying they can't succeed, but I definitely don't feel great about the position going into the season. Hopefully I'm proven wrong.

 

[Gaede]

I was really worried after the draft when all we grabbed was a former RB from a small school.

However, after reading Kiffin saying not to worry about experience, just get a good athlete with instincts, I feel really good about Wilcox. Can't wait to see him play in TC

 

[morasp]

I think safety is a position of strength on the team. Johnson ran a 4.54 and Wilcox ran a 4.51. Both of them are very instinctive. Allen is an upgrade over Sensabaugh and Our defense really suffered when Church went down last year. He was all over the field against the Giants. There will be very good competition at the position.

 

[KDM256]

With our current roster and the additions of Wilcox & Allen, I don't think Safety will be a concern going into this season. Seems like Kiffin is satisfied with the additions and hopefully we can add depth to a position where many of us felt like we were weak in.

I can deal with a first year safety (wilcox) getting his feet wet in his rookie year rather than Sensy being back there looking like he's stuck on stupid..

 

[CowboyMort]

You'd have to be pretty naive or just extremely optimistic to not be worried about our safety situation. Very little starting experience there all around.

If we are talking about instincts being so important I almost have to eliminate Wilcox from starting competition this year. The kid has only played 1 year of defense, no way he has the instincts to play NFL safety. I think baring injury our starters will be Johnson and Church. Injuries are a huge risk along with just a huge amount of uncertainty and inexperience. Not saying they can't succeed, but I definitely don't feel great about the position going into the season. Hopefully I'm proven wrong.

I agree with you that you would have to be pretty naive to be worried about the position. However, I would not confuse experience with instincts. From what I have heard Wilcox has the instincts to play the position just not the experience. If it is instincts they are looking for back there then my fear is they are thinking this guy has a chance to start. Honestly that scares the crap out of me. I would like him to get some time on ST and maybe get a few snaps on some D packages by the end of the year.

 

[tm1119]

I agree with you that you would have to be pretty naive to be worried about the position. However, I would not confuse experience with instincts. From what I have heard Wilcox has the instincts to play the position just not the experience. If it is instincts they are looking for back there then my fear is they are thinking this guy has a chance to start. Honestly that scares the crap out of me. I would like him to get some time on ST and maybe get a few snaps on some D packages by the end of the year.

I just think he got away with being a superior athlete at the D2 level. Its a lot easier to break on balls when you are faster than most and the ball has sub par zip on it. Not saying he can't be a player, but I agree with your plan of slowly integrating him into the D until he learns the ropes of the position. He can probably be useful in the dime package as he is probably our best athlete at S, but I'd be very skeptical of him being thrown right into the starting S position. Let him learn and hopefully he can compete for the spot next year.