More Jeff Heath vs JJ?

[mmohican29]

I must of misread your post...as far as the difference between Heath and Hamilton, at this point I think we are splitting hairs in mediocrity. I wouldn't have either one of them starting at Safety if I could help it...but with the Cap, I understand you have to make sacrifices in talent at certain positions.

You didn't really misread it I should have specified that I meant Jakar wasn't playing when all 3 were available to play. That's my bad. Several other posters read it that same way as you did.

 

[mmohican29]

I must of misread your post...as far as the difference between Heath and Hamilton, at this point I think we are splitting hairs in mediocrity. I wouldn't have either one of them starting at Safety if I could help it...but with the Cap, I understand you have to make sacrifices in talent at certain positions.

My point would be this. Heath is a superior athlete that didn't receive time to adjust to the skillset of NFL starting WR's, their routes and tendencies. He went in cold. Was outleaped by Marshall and Johnson and others on a few notable plays.

But do you think a guy that was pretty much in way over his head and yet was at least competing for the football in the air might learn what it takes to make the tip for incompletion or the proper rake technique on a 50/50 ball? Practicing against a Dez Bryant might ramp that learning curve wouldn't you think?

I like the kid I think he's got something we can use. He's pretty fearless out there.

 

[Idgit]

Wilcox was never raped in a game like Heath was in the Detroit game last year. Did Heath play safety throughout his career in college? Why was Heath behind Hamilton and Wilcox in training camps?..The coaches obviously can see more than us fans..heck we dont even see all 22 tape so how can you even evaluate our safeties?

Heath also made some big plays in that DET game. His forced fumble on Reggie Bush being the biggest one.

 

[Idgit]

My point would be this. Heath is a superior athlete that didn't receive time to adjust to the skillset of NFL starting WR's, their routes and tendencies. He went in cold. Was outleaped by Marshall and Johnson and others on a few notable plays.

But do you think a guy that was pretty much in way over his head and yet was at least competing for the football in the air might learn what it takes to make the tip for incompletion or the proper rake technique on a 50/50 ball? Practicing against a Dez Bryant might ramp that learning curve wouldn't you think?

I like the kid I think he's got something we can use. He's pretty fearless out there.

I like him, too. But I also get why they want to see what they've got in Wilcox. I'd start Wilcox and let Heath play in rotation and let the best man earn the spot long-term. Or until we find a better player than both in the draft next year.

 

[jday]

My point would be this. Heath is a superior athlete that didn't receive time to adjust to the skillset of NFL starting WR's, their routes and tendencies. He went in cold. Was outleaped by Marshall and Johnson and others on a few notable plays.

But do you think a guy that was pretty much in way over his head and yet was at least competing for the football in the air might learn what it takes to make the tip for incompletion or the proper rake technique on a 50/50 ball? Practicing against a Dez Bryant might ramp that learning curve wouldn't you think?

I like the kid I think he's got something we can use. He's pretty fearless out there.

Certainly...he could be developed. That's the idea with the aforementioned sacrifices. Put talent where you can afford to and coach up the rest. That's what good team's do and for that matter, the Cowboys are know exception to home grown talent, Tony Romo being an excellent example.

Having said that, I'm not sure I see the same potential you see. Sure, he's a fearless tackler and he certainly has the measurable's to match with some of the elite safeties...I'm just not sure he has the same instincts.

Take for instance, Barry Church. Early on you could tell despite his lack of ideal athleticism he had a nose for the ball....he was all over the field and could lay the wood. And he did so consistently. Heath's contribution has been erratic. At times he shows up. Other times he disappears. Again, I'll admit, he could be a great safety...but I'll have to see a bit more before I believe it.

 

[speedkilz88]

I'm aware Jakar isn't available to play. My point is Jakar was undrafted like Heath in the same season yet found himself on the PS while Heath ended up starting several games. My guess would be... the coaching staff thinks he is the better player thus far?

Hamilton was ahead of Heath on the depth chart this offseason through training camp up until Hamilton was injured.

 

[Idgit]

Hamilton was ahead of Heath on the depth chart this offseason through training camp up until Hamilton was injured.

Word is that Hamilton improved in camp this season quite a bit. Looking forward to getting that knucklehead back, too.

 

[wileedog]

Or until we find a better player than both in the draft next year.

I don't care what we do with them this year, but I think we need to finally use a premium pick here on a true FS. Tired of the small school projects and fixer uppers we keep trying - and failing - to develop. Anyone with real hope for these two isn't paying attention to our track record with 'developing' safeties.

Address the position already. Heath and Wilcox can fight it out this year to see which, if either, can progress enough to be the other starter.

 

[SportsGuru80]

JJ Wilcox has looked awful there is no other way to put it...

 

[Jenky]

Even saying that, are you saying we shouldnt be expecting our safeties of future to do so? You know how hard it is to beat an OT in this league? Yet we expect our DE to do their jobs and produce..

Yep, I'm saying the prototypical ballhawk FS this board wants is rarer than they think.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

I don't care what we do with them this year, but I think we need to finally use a premium pick here on a true FS. Tired of the small school projects and fixer uppers we keep trying - and failing - to develop. Anyone with real hope for these two isn't paying attention to our track record with 'developing' safeties.

Address the position already. Heath and Wilcox can fight it out this year to see which, if either, can progress enough to be the other starter.

Yeah we have been lit up 2 straight weeks by TEs, and you can't help but look at the safeties as one of the main reasons.

I will love the day we finally get some talent back there instead of the collection of JAGs we have right now.

 

[Proximo]

I realize we live in a world where most people don't want to wait for anything, but there's no reason for the FO to rush their evaluation of either player. Both were rookies last year, one undrafted and the other recently converted to the position.

If Wilcox has the upside that our staff thinks he does, there's no reason to believe he won't improve as the year goes on. And we KNOW we have a good special teams player in Heath, who despite what some on here think, does have upside as a safety. I hope they let them battle it out and I don't care who ends up being our starter, as long as they're good.

 

[wileedog]

Yeah we have been lit up 2 straight weeks by TEs, and you can't help but look at the safeties as one of the main reasons.

I will love the day we finally get some talent back there instead of the collection of JAGs we have right now.

Last 2 weeks? Try the last 10 years since Woodson retired. Apart from 1 halfway decent season from Hamlin, we have been horrible there for a decade.

Enough with the bargain shopping, and the Heath's and Wlicox's and AOA's and Matt Johnsons.. Invest in the position. It's way too important in today's NFL to ignore the way we have.

 

[Clove]

They both suck for different reasons. Heath seams to be always around the ball to make a play yet can't finish. Wilcox looks lost in coverage but when he is in position to make a play he does.

They both need time to develop. For now, I think you can play either one and get the same result for different reasons.

I call him, Heath "a second late" He's always a tad late to the play.

 

[Jarntt]

If Heath plays anything other than Special Teams, then shame on this team for not drafting a safety higher than they did and also for letting Dixon walk. Heath just isn't an NFL caliber player. No ball skills whatsoever and just seems a huge liability. If we weren't certain about Wilcox we should have done something about it. Personally I like Wilcox and think he will be OK. Kid has barely played safety in his life and is now being asked to do it at the NFL level so there will be some growing pains.

 

[Jarntt]

I call him, Heath "a second late" He's always a tad late to the play.

LOL...that's pretty good. Even when he is there he can't locate the ball and can't get a hand on it. Guy just isn't any good IMO.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Marinelli sees these guys every day and I have no doubt it he feel Heath is out performing Wilcox then he will put Heath in the starting lineup.

Seems like a pretty reasonable response to me.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Last 2 weeks? Try the last 10 years since Woodson retired. Apart from 1 halfway decent season from Hamlin, we have been horrible there for a decade.

Enough with the bargain shopping, and the Heath's and Wlicox's and AOA's and Matt Johnsons.. Invest in the position. It's way too important in today's NFL to ignore the way we have.

Yeah I don't understand why we haven't invested in the position after all these years, with the obviously horrible results we have had because of it. Seems like its the Roy Williams hangover, who knows, but we desperately need some talent back there.

 

[revospeed]

I honestly think that people underestimate and brush off Heath as unathletic because he's white. Just my opinion. Yeah he's had his bad moments, but he's also had some great moments too. He's also one of the most athletic guys on the team, I remember seeing him run down guys from behind several times last year. That may have been because he was out if position to begin with, but the dude is no Justin Beriault or Lynn Scott.

 

[revospeed]

If Heath plays anything other than Special Teams, then shame on this team for not drafting a safety higher than they did and also for letting Dixon walk. Heath just isn't an NFL caliber player. No ball skills whatsoever and just seems a huge liability. If we weren't certain about Wilcox we should have done something about it. Personally I like Wilcox and think he will be OK. Kid has barely played safety in his life and is now being asked to do it at the NFL level so there will be some growing pains.

I'm so glad we let Dixon go. Anytime he was near a play, you might as well tack on another 15 yards for the offense. Total lack of awareness. Guy needed to figure it out.