J.J. Wilcox earned his roster spot tonight

[CowboyMcCoy]

I like Wilcox. What a move on the ball! I'm convinced he can play in this league. Barry Church and Wilcox are my starters. I do like Matt Johnson and I think they all have potential. So things are looking up at safety.

 

[Zordon]

He needs a year. For now Allen will and should start IMO.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

Watching my taping of the game. When was the last time we had a safety make this many solo tackles - this inexperienced kid is a solid tackler. YES, he needs seasoning and time to figure out the passing game and to figure out the right angles at this faster NFL level, but holy cow, he's a good tackler and athletic and isn't passive or chicken, and this is a huge upgrade from Sensabaugh - who got into the play so late he usually stood there staring down at the pile! Wilcox looks to me like he has a HUGE upside - he is RAW and already super active and around the ball. Give the kid a chance.......
2nd round pick Escobar doesn't show me much at all, in comparison, Wilcox shows starter potential - yeah it might take a year or two, but so what......This is a talented athlete and a hitter/player - he just needs to clean it up.....

This is what I saw last night. He tackled impressively and he was always around the ball. That won't get by Kiffen.

 

[Cumart21]

Someone hit on it earlier, consistency will be the key to Wilcox earning a starting spot. I have gotten a sense from the offseason reports that he's a fast learner, which is encouraging, but I don't think he can improve enough to be starting by game one. I think the plan will be to get him more and more reps as the season goes on. I'm very excited about this guy.

 

[GroundUp]

I'm pretty much in agreement with most that the potential is obvious, but so too is the fact that he is raw and will need some seasoning. I, for one, am extremely pleased with what I saw out of Wilcox last night. I had been saying that I was anxious to see how he'd acquit himself now that he's got a game under his belt. In game one he looked as though he was over thinking everything which made him a step late in many cases, and one steep in this league gets you toasted. He appeared more instinctive and confident last night and I expect that will only increase as the weeks pass.

 

[Crown Royal]

What I like about Wilcox is that he doesn't seem worried about being the in NFL. I'd rather see a bold mistake than a tentative one. I think a year learning the game and he will be a very good center fielder. I liked what I saw, especially since he was playing cleanup duty to the second and third teams. The guy can run from what I can see, I really like that.

 

[The Natural]

No way does Church look like a lock to be a starter after all the missed open field tackles I saw last night

 

[boysfanindc]

Her certainly is a willing tackler, just needs to be more consistent with his angles. These guys are faster up here, he will learn that.

 

[AsthmaField]

Give Wilcox until the second half of this season. By then, I think he'll be a regular contributor to the defense.

Should be starting by year 2.

 

[Arkyvarminter]

When Sean Lee is in there the safety's don't have to worry about making a tackle, the ball carrier doesn't get that far........

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Inconsistent. That is all I am going to say about Wilcox.

 

[Crown Royal]

Inconsistent. That is all I am going to say about Wilcox.

People won't remember it but Sean Lees first training camp was similar. He showed flashes and then showed plays where he was out of position. It's not odd for a rookie player who isn't on the line to need to learn their position at the speed of the NFL.

I'm not saying that Wilcox will be Lee, in fact I don't think he is that good. But the further a rookie is away from the line, I'm looking for plays and vigor more than being in position.

 

[boysfanindc]

When Sean Lee is in there the safety's don't have to worry about making a tackle, the ball carrier doesn't get that far........

Amen brother!

 

[tm1119]

I know its way too early, but does anybody foresee Wilcox being a good FS? And by that I mean a safety who excels in coverage. I see him as more of a SS to be honest, he just has a ton of years to make up in terms of instincts and the subtle nuances of the position.

 

[boysfanindc]

I know its way too early, but does anybody foresee Wilcox being a good FS? And by that I mean a safety who excels in coverage. I see him as more of a SS to be honest, he just has a ton of years to make up in terms of instincts and the subtle nuances of the position.

I think it is too early to tell, he definitely likes to tackle, looks like he is great athlete with field speed. Let's see if he can pick up the mental part of the game.

 

[dcstands4]

On the Raiders 40 yard gain to Butler, he took a HORRENDOUS angle and missed the WR, Butler than added another 20 yards or so after that.

He took a bad angle because he HAD too there was no good angle to take where wilcox was an where the ball carrier was at. and it was no way he was catchin that dude. at least he tried

 

[MagicMan]

Agree with the consensus that JJ will be a playmaker in the league.....but as a youngun the first thing they realize is the speed in the NFL is nothing like in college, and especially small college. He will adjust to that, but could be until next year when he can come into his own as long as he stays healthy.

 

[fortdick]

Wilcox looks like he will be a player but he also looks like it will be next year.

This year he is a ST guy at most imho.

This is correct. He looks like a player, but his inexperience shows too often. Everyone that thought he was a solid safety after playing it a single season in college need to apply the brakes.

 

[tyke1doe]

He always seems to be making big hits to me. Maybe I'm missing his bad plays.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

I honestly think he should start this season. I think our safeties are our biggest liability. If Allen starts, he might not give up as many bad plays as Wilcox, but he also wouldn't nearly made as many good plays. I'd rather risk the occasional bad play and take Wilcox's constant presence than start a guy like Allen who I see really being a non-factor.