J.J. Wilcox earned his roster spot tonight

[SportsGuru80]

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.

The problem right now with him is the poor angles taken at times when trying to make the tackle.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

The problem right now with him is the poor angles taken at times when trying to make the tackle.

But when he's mistake-free he's a difference maker. Allen may make fewer mistakes but he really makes no difference. He's just a body. Wilcox can be the Sean Lee of the secondary if he plays smarter.

 

[SportsGuru80]

But when he's mistake-free he's a difference maker. Allen may make fewer mistakes but he really makes no difference. He's just a body. Wilcox can be the Sean Lee of the secondary if he plays smarter.

Oh I'm not disputing that possibility, listen I'm excited about this kid's potential. My cousin loves his toughness already!

 

[JoeyBoy718]

Oh I'm not disputing that possibility, listen I'm excited about this kid's potential. My cousin loves his toughness already!

I know what you're saying about how he is gonna make rookie mistakes. I just think, based on the lack of talent at the safety position, we should go with Wilcox.

To me, Allen is like a backup QB. He's not gonna make any erratic throws but you're gonna play a real limited style of football. I'd rather go into the season with a rookie Andrew Luck--who is gonna have his fair share of INTs but also a lot of yards and TDs--than a 10th-year Kyle Orton--who is gonna be efficient but not productive.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I know what you're saying about how he is gonna make rookie mistakes. I just think, based on the lack of talent at the safety position, we should go with Wilcox.

To me, Allen is like a backup QB. He's not gonna make any erratic throws but you're gonna play a real limited style of football. I'd rather go into the season with a rookie Andrew Luck--who is gonna have his fair share of INTs but also a lot of yards and TDs--than a 10th-year Kyle Orton--who is gonna be efficient but not productive.

Yeah I would love to see the young guy win the job myself... The back end needs play-makers no doubt!

 

[Cowboy Brian]

We are in better shape with him and hopefully a healthy returning Church then we have been at safety in quite a while.

 

[Primetime42]

I think if Wilcox keeps improving and plays smarter, he'll be starting by the end of the season. Wouldn't throw him out there just yet, though.

 

[JohnsKey19]

The guy is a good football player learning essentially a new position at the highest level which is difficult to say the least. He just needs time to learn/understand routes, angles and coverages which all come with experience as a Safety. He should be a huge factor as a starter in 2014. They will probably ease him in sub packages in obvious situations this season.

 

[GroundUp]

I know what you're saying about how he is gonna make rookie mistakes. I just think, based on the lack of talent at the safety position, we should go with Wilcox.

To me, Allen is like a backup QB. He's not gonna make any erratic throws but you're gonna play a real limited style of football. I'd rather go into the season with a rookie Andrew Luck--who is gonna have his fair share of INTs but also a lot of yards and TDs--than a 10th-year Kyle Orton--who is gonna be efficient but not productive.

Funny enough I was actually thinking something similar myself just last night. I trust the coaches to make the right call, so I'm not saying he should start or not. However, I was thinking about how rookie QB's, for the most part used to be eased in, but now they are all thrown into the fire and, for the most part, to the teams success. Why not try it at other positions? It's an interesting look at it.

 

[CooterBrown]

The problem right now with him is the poor angles taken at times when trying to make the tackle.

I think that is an adjustment to the speed of the game vs college or the practice field. What they need to hammer into him is that when the season starts the speed steps up again and he won't see second or third stringers much. He has three more pre-season games to show that he can take better angles. I do not agree with the poster who said a few great plays can negate a few bad ones. In some postions that is true, but the safety position is called that for a reason. If somebody in front of him gambles and misses, he is there to prevent a TD. If he gambles and misses, there is nobody behind him and it usually results in points for the other team. It would be nice to have a safety make 6 or 7 interceptions in a season, but not if it is a result of gambling that also allowed 10-12 touchdowns. Not a good trade-off. A safety has to see the field, read the play, take good angles and be a good tackler. If he does that, he is doing well, and interceptions are just an added bonus.

Wilcox is an aggressive player and a hitter. I see pro-bowl potential, but right now he is just not ready to start. Maybe by mid-season. Remember that Darren Woodson was a backup and a special teams player when the Cowboys beat the Bills in the Superbowl. Wilcox is where he was in his rookie year.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I think that is an adjustment to the speed of the game vs college or the practice field. What they need to hammer into him is that when the season starts the speed steps up again and he won't see second or third stringers much. He has three more pre-season games to show that he can take better angles. I do not agree with the poster who said a few great plays can negate a few bad ones. In some postions that is true, but the safety position is called that for a reason. If somebody in front of him gambles and misses, he is there to prevent a TD. If he gambles and misses, there is nobody behind him and it usually results in points for the other team. It would be nice to have a safety make 6 or 7 interceptions in a season, but not if it is a result of gambling that also allowed 10-12 touchdowns. Not a good trade-off. A safety has to see the field, read the play, take good angles and be a good tackler. If he does that, he is doing well, and interceptions are just an added bonus.

Wilcox is an aggressive player and a hitter. I see pro-bowl potential, but right now he is just not ready to start. Maybe by mid-season. Remember that Darren Woodson was a backup and a special teams player when the Cowboys beat the Bills in the Superbowl. Wilcox is where he was in his rookie year.

Game speed is why I think the poor angles are happening right now... He'll get it though.

 

[DFWJC]

Couldn't have been as bad as Webb's attempt to tackle on that play, someone needs to tell Webb the NFL stands for Not For Long when you try to tackle like that.

If Webb had not been drafted in the 4th, his place on this roster would be in extreme jeapardy, imo.
He looks really lost out there.
I think they keep him though, and hopefully he comes around.