JJ Wilcox will be our starting FS, Stephen Jones pretty much says

[Denim Chicken]

Jones Statement: "...he’s really got a chance."

CZ translation: "He's starting and a no consideration will be given to other players."

 

[gimmesix]

I agree with the general premise of allowing your investments to develop, but we are talking about a 4th rounder long shot out of a small school that has been injured the last two seasons and a UDFA. That doesn't seem like a big enough investment that you couldn't move on from fairly easily, esp considering how poor the S play has been the last several seasons. Time to add some talent back there and stop going the cheap and pray route.

Yes, a third-rounder, a fourth-rounder and a UDFA is not the equal of investing a first-round pick into the position (although that can equally fail), but it is an investment that Dallas hasn't had time to see if it will pay off. Having Barry Church develop into a starting-caliber player gives the Cowboys a little leeway to see if they can get by with the "cheap and pray" route instead of having to take the costly route.

First, Dallas has to fix the line for any of its DBs to stand a chance of showing how well they can play. That doesn't mean the Cowboys should pass on a superior safety for line help, but the young "talent" Dallas has at safety does mean the team can focus on the line this year, then see this next season if it also has to address safety if none of the ones it has steps up.

 

[BigStar]

Yes, a third-rounder, a fourth-rounder and a UDFA is not the equal of investing a first-round pick into the position (although that can equally fail), but it is an investment that Dallas hasn't had time to see if it will pay off. Having Barry Church develop into a starting-caliber player gives the Cowboys a little leeway to see if they can get by with the "cheap and pray" route instead of having to take the costly route.

First, Dallas has to fix the line for any of its DBs to stand a chance of showing how well they can play. That doesn't mean the Cowboys should pass on a superior safety for line help, but the young "talent" Dallas has at safety does mean the team can focus on the line this year, then see this next season if it also has to address safety if none of the ones it has steps up.

I think Church is a fine stop gap until the ideal player(s) come along and didn't include Wilcox intentionally bc I understand he is in his 2nd season and actually showed great potential even while learning as a rook. Johnson is a 4th rounder out of a small school who has been on IR for two straight seasons. Heath is an UDFA who is fast and that is about it (no instincts to speak of or tackling ability = fake strip move as he gets dragged). I'm not even pushing for a 1st round investment, just as you stated, don't neglect the position or player when they are the more talented prospect (over a DL). I agree the DL needs a big rebuild with only Melton and Selvie as legitmate talent. We have no pure pass rushers on the ege @ the moment.

This idea of "seeing what you got" is the same line we got with the OL before finally owning that the talent was simply lackluster and then adding Tyron and Frederick to finally form into a respectable unit. It is also the same perspective towards the S position after Roy and Hamlin flamed out. Safetly play was also the reason why this team has had great pass rushes but have never resulted in playoff success. Just chuck it up!

 

[iceberg]

Jones Statement: "...he’s really got a chance."

CZ translation: "He's starting and a no consideration will be given to other players."

Some just have to invent the controversy to continue to justify their ongoing hate.

 

[pgreptom]

And then bam.. we draft a FS in round 1.

 

[gimmesix]

I think Church is a fine stop gap until the ideal player(s) come along and didn't include Wilcox intentionally bc I understand he is in his 2nd season and actually showed great potential even while learning as a rook. Johnson is a 4th rounder out of a small school who has been on IR for two straight seasons. Heath is an UDFA who is fast and that is about it (no instincts to speak of or tackling ability = fake strip move as he gets dragged). I'm not even pushing for a 1st round investment, just as you stated, don't neglect the position or player when they are the more talented prospect (over a DL). I agree the DL needs a big rebuild with only Melton and Selvie as legitmate talent. We have no pure pass rushers on the ege @ the moment.

This idea of "seeing what you got" is the same line we got with the OL before finally owning that the talent was simply lackluster and then adding Tyron and Frederick to finally form into a respectable unit. It is also the same perspective towards the S position after Roy and Hamlin flamed out. Safetly play was also the reason why this team has had great pass rushes but have never resulted in playoff success. Just chuck it up!

I think more of Church than you do. He was a high-performing safety last year, very strong in run support and solid in coverage. Heath is also in his second season coming from a small school, so who knows if he'll be good or the next Lynn Scott. IR is definitely the main concern with Johnson, because we really don't know his talent level or if he'll ever live up to it.

Seeing what you've got is simply a temporary thing that you do when you have players you believe are worth developing before moving on. That being said, I think we're really on the same page. I have no problem with Dallas drafting a safety. I do have a problem with the Cowboys drafting one in the first round because the line is so much greater of a need ... but if a safety is clearly better than other options, then, again, I'd have no problem with that. I'm willing to ride with what we've got, though, if defensive and offensive linemen are available each round who are on the same level or better than the safety options.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I think more of Church than you do. He was a high-performing safety last year, very strong in run support and solid in coverage. Heath is also in his second season coming from a small school, so who knows if he'll be good or the next Lynn Scott. IR is definitely the main concern with Johnson, because we really don't know his talent level or if he'll ever live up to it.

Seeing what you've got is simply a temporary thing that you do when you have players you believe are worth developing before moving on. That being said, I think we're really on the same page. I have no problem with Dallas drafting a safety. I do have a problem with the Cowboys drafting one in the first round because the line is so much greater of a need ... but if a safety is clearly better than other options, then, again, I'd have no problem with that. I'm willing to ride with what we've got, though, if defensive and offensive linemen are available each round who are on the same level or better than the safety options.

I love Church as a nickel back like he was used at the end of the season in the nickle package. He is intelligent and great in run support. The problem is that his range is limited and he does nothing to slow down big fast receivers over the middle of the field which is what killed us all too often. That and Carr being unsuited for all those zone calls and no pressure.

I would like better range on deep patrol and leave Church to the underneath stuff. Great defense requires range on the back end.

 

[Ratmatt]

So what are you going to do about it?

What makes you think that I can do anything about it.I don't have the power to make Stephen Jones do anything.I'm just giving my opinion like the rest of you guys.

 

[Ratmatt]

Some just have to invent the controversy to continue to justify their ongoing hate.

Is it hate,if it's true?

 

[4lifecowboy]

I dont see how you can watch tape of our Safeties last year and not bring in a veteran to compete with these guys.

I don't see how you can look at last year and not come to the conclusion we need to invest in more proven talent period, rather free agency or draft.

 

[4lifecowboy]

Nobody has been handed a starting spot. JJ Wilcox will battle everyone else on the roster in OTA's, mini camps, and the preseason and the the best player will start on opening day. I'd like to think he's got the best chance of those who are currently on the roster. A rookie year, plus the offseason will go a long way in helping him develop into a quality starter. None of us know how much he will develop though, if at all. Only time will tell. We can speculate until we're blue in the face. Odds are that he's a better player than he was last year.

That is a lot of hope in your post, I'm tired of hoping we need a top notch prospect so we can change hope to expectation.Winning the starting job doesn't equate to him being of NFL starting quality, all it tells me he is the best option we have. All I'm saying is add more options, I guarantee it won't hurt us no more than we were hurt last year. Safety is a far more important position in today's NFL, than the resources Jerry is investing into it. Name another team that starting safety duo consist of a 4th rounder and an UDFA?

 

[Cumart21]

For what it's worth, I agree that the Cowboys need to draft a safety early in the draft.

 

[Eddie]

That's part of the problem!Stephen Jones is naming who starts.

That was my initial thought at the thread title.

Shaking my head ...

 

[Doomsday]

Jones Statement: "...he’s really got a chance."

CZ translation: "He's starting and a no consideration will be given to other players."

CZ translation is based on Jone's off season actions, not his remarks. Who else is going to be given consideration at this point? It isnt like we havent seen this scenario play out before with Jones in recent years.

 

[Denim Chicken]

CZ translation is based on Jone's off season actions, not his remarks. Who else is going to be given consideration at this point? It isnt like we havent seen this scenario play out before with Jones in recent years.

Ward in the second is my hope.

 

[Doomsday101]

"I love J.J. Wilcox. The Cowboys needed a safety. He'll compete for the starting job, and ultimately he is a starting safety." -- Mike Mayock

I agree, Wilcox is a smart young player I expect that he will learn from last season.

 

[Doomsday101]

Ward in the second is my hope.

My question is if we get Ward do we just throw in the towle and get another safety if he does not play great ball in his rookie season? That appears to be what some are doing with Wilcox.

 

[Denim Chicken]

My question is if we get Ward do we just throw in the towle and get another safety if he does not play great ball in his rookie season? That appears to be what some are doing with Wilcox.

We play the best combination of Ward, Wilcox, Church, Johnson, & Health. Hopefully, Ward would pan out as our FS and Wilcox play SS.

I like the idea someone had of moving Church to LB.

 

[Doomsday101]

We play the best combination of Ward, Wilcox, Church, Johnson, & Health. Hopefully, Ward would pan out as our FS and Wilcox play SS.

I like the idea someone had of moving Church to LB.

Then Chruch better bulk but because at 218 he is not going to be able to take on OL. Mean time given some of the comments here some do not seem willing to waste any time on Wilcox.

 

[Denim Chicken]

Then Chruch better bulk but because at 218 he is not going to be able to take on OL. Mean time given some of the comments here some do not seem willing to waste any time on Wilcox.

Yeah, not this season. He would probably have to gain at least 20lbs.