Scout’s Notebook: Winning The Battles Up Front, Credit Due To J.J. Wilcox

[RS12]

• There is no way I would have ever believed Geno Atkins would have been held off the stat sheet in a game. If you would have asked me which Bengals defensive player I worried the most about -- it would have been Atkins. Travis Frederick, Zack Martin and Ronald Leary were outstanding in the way that they dealt with Atkins with the majority of their blocks being single blocks without help.
• 
  
• Love the call from Scott Linehan on the second touchdown of the game. Linehan, through his preparation, knew how aggressive the Bengals’ front plays and he took advantage of Carlos Dunlap playing as that crash end. Once Dunlap flew down inside, it was a simple read for Dak Prescott to pull the ball and walk into the end zone. That's a coach that did his homework.
• Say what you want about Terrance Williams and how you might not like him as a player, but he is becoming a reliable option for Dak Prescott -- especially down the field. Where I feel like Williams has improved his game the most, is as a route runner. There were games during his career where he struggled to get any type of separation, but that has changed since Dez Bryant has been out of the lineup.
• 
  
• How many times have we seen this Cowboys defensive line not take advantage of a situation where the opponents’ offensive line didn't protect well? With DeMarcus Lawrence back in the lineup, this pass rush had a different look. It wasn't four defensive tackles rushing but a legitimate pressure player off the edge. I had a feeling that we were going to see Lawrence rush from both sides, and he did just that. He had a chance for two sacks in the game but just couldn't finish. I don't see him missing those opportunities in the coming weeks.
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• I thought the way that the Cowboys would be able to control the edge rushers for the

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...-front-credit-due-jj-wilcox-more?sf38468127=1

 

[RS12]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

 

[Bullflop]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

True. In truth, the team as a whole has responded to our newfound success. They're all on a natural high and I, for one, love it. Keep it up, Boys!

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

I am not ready to get on the JJ Wilcox bandwagon. Anyone who jumps on that baby is going to get bumped off when it hits that big pothole in the road.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

"The numbers might not say that Byron Jones is making a ton of plays, but this was the second game where he was matched up with a receiver one-on-one and was able to knock the ball away. Just goes to show you what a weapon this defense has with Jones in the secondary."


I'm going to post this just once...



Woodson-like.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

Another guy fans wanted cut this offseason lol.

The list was Brandon Carr, Mo Claiborne, Terrence Williams, JJ Wilcox, Ronald Leary(traded)...............that's all I can think of now lol. This offseason proved that Jerry is a better GM than Cowboyszone lol.

 

[Idgit]

I am not ready to get on the JJ Wilcox bandwagon. Anyone who jumps on that baby is going to get bumped off when it hits that big pothole in the road.

I think so, too. But letting him hit what's in front of him when he's in there is a pretty good idea.

Last week's play where he carried the receiver all the way across the field and then batted down the ball was the one that impressed me. Whatever's going on, you have to hand it to the new secondary coaches. They seem to have everybody in both position groups elevating their games, across the board.

 

[Carson]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

They are doing what benefits him.

Special teams and limited snaps. Paying huge dividends

 

[ElGatoGrande]

True. In truth, the team as a whole has responded to our newfound success. They're all on a natural high and I, for one, love it. Keep it up, Boys!

or our newfound success is the result of the young players turning the corner at the same time. That was the beauty of Jimmy's team, loaded with young players who all turned the corner at the same time,,,, one day you suck, the next day you're okay, and then BAM you're kicking arse with a team loaded with young players.

 

[jazzcat22]

"The numbers might not say that Byron Jones is making a ton of plays, but this was the second game where he was matched up with a receiver one-on-one and was able to knock the ball away. Just goes to show you what a weapon this defense has with Jones in the secondary."


I'm going to post this just once...



Woodson-like.

As I said all off season, and even last year. Once Jones is at FS, and a true FS, it will allow the SS's in Church and Wilcox to do their jobs better. Which will allow the CB's and LB's to do their jobs better. Now with DLaw back, that helps even more. Get that pressure, making the QB hold onto the ball that extra second and the turnovers will happen.
We are starting to see the results of this, and it will only get better.

 

[jazzcat22]

Another guy fans wanted cut this offseason lol.

The list was Brandon Carr, Mo Claiborne, Terrence Williams, JJ Wilcox, Ronald Leary(traded)...............that's all I can think of now lol. This offseason proved that Jerry is a better GM than Cowboyszone lol.

Many fans want to cut every player, and as usual they are wrong most of the time. Now they want Romo gone......
Glad we have Jerry in charge and not these internet GM's.

 

[Galian Beast]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

I think he is better suited as a role player. He isn't great in coverage out in space, so when you limit his exposure you can get better results. You ask him to do what he is good at, and you get the flashes we're generally seeing.

I think you see that with a lot of players. You ask them to do too much or what they aren't good at and they'll be easily exposed. Wilcox makes for a good backup. You just can't ask him to carry a tight end up the field.

 

[RS12]

I am not ready to get on the JJ Wilcox bandwagon. Anyone who jumps on that baby is going to get bumped off when it hits that big pothole in the road.

I dont know about the band wagon. I'd say more like he went from a black hole to a somewhat serviceable NFL player.

 

[NorthTexan95]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

Perhaps the new secondary coach is making a difference with him.

 

[NorthTexan95]

"The numbers might not say that Byron Jones is making a ton of plays, but this was the second game where he was matched up with a receiver one-on-one and was able to knock the ball away. Just goes to show you what a weapon this defense has with Jones in the secondary."


I'm going to post this just once...



Woodson-like.

Yep. It's only his second season. Woodson was not Woodson-like in his second season.

 

[Jinxx13x]

JJ WIlcox knocked Gio Bernard into next week on one play on the sideline thing of beauty

I still worry about the angles he takes BUT it should be said he has made more positive plays lately then negative and that is a start.

So JJ Wilcox way to perceiver Keep at it

 

[BoysfanfromCanada]

Perhaps the new secondary coach is making a difference with him.

He is. Broaddus mentioned on the Break that the coach said he can be work with dbs who like to hit, as opposed to those that shy from it. And said he's smarter than we think he is. I think he's refocused him.

Heck all the dbs have been tackling outstanding so far, and turning their heads around for pass deflections, especially Mo, as opposed to last year when they never seemed to do it.

New db coach is just as critical in this improvement as Linehan I say.

 

[MRV52]

If we cut every player this fan base wanted gone, we would be the Cleveland Browns.

 

[Temo]

J.J. Wilcox, what got in to this guy? I thought we were going to cut him in the pre season.

He's in his proper role as a 6th DB/Dime back and ST/Goal line player.

He was given too much responsibility as a starting safety, but in a smaller role he's perfectly fine.

 

[Temo]

• "Speaking of special teams, I never thought I would see anyone other thanDan Bailey kick field goals in pregame, but there was Jeff Heath taking a kick or two. I have to admit that Heath did look confident kicking in his pink shoe. Luckily, Bailey was able to make it through the game without any issues."

Yikes, I had no idea Bailey was that iffy. Super glad we were able to score TDs and didn't have to resort to FGs.