Wilcox - Strong or Free Safety

[xwalker]

By Jon Machota jmachota@***BANNED-URL*** 3:13 pm on May 29, 2014 | Permalink

This is a quote from Barry Church about Wilcox. I found it interesting that Wilcox would be changing from one Safety position to the other. It's somewhat confusing because in the Marinelli defense, Strong and Free Safety don't mean the same thing that it means in other defenses. I think Strong or Free is based more on which side they play than who plays deep or in the box.

“He’s making leaps and bounds,” Church said. “I feel like he’ll make a big leap in his second year. He’s moving to free safety this year and I feel like he’s going to do a great job at it.”

 

[jday]

By Jon Machota jmachota@***BANNED-URL*** 3:13 pm on May 29, 2014 | Permalink

This is a quote from Barry Church about Wilcox. I found it interesting that Wilcox would be changing from one Safety position to the other. It's somewhat confusing because in the Marinelli defense, Strong and Free Safety don't mean the same thing that it means in other defenses. I think Strong or Free is based more on which side they play than who plays deep or in the box.

The way I understand it, the Free Safety has more coverage responsibilities and the SS tends to play in the box to be run support. Considering that I think Wilcox is by far the better coverage safety, this move makes sense to me.

 

[gimmesix]

By Jon Machota jmachota@***BANNED-URL*** 3:13 pm on May 29, 2014 | Permalink

This is a quote from Barry Church about Wilcox. I found it interesting that Wilcox would be changing from one Safety position to the other. It's somewhat confusing because in the Marinelli defense, Strong and Free Safety don't mean the same thing that it means in other defenses. I think Strong or Free is based more on which side they play than who plays deep or in the box.

With Dallas going to more man coverage, I believe we'll see more single-high safety. That would put Wilcox in the free safety position because he has better speed/range than Church. Like you, I'm not sure that Dallas designated its safeties as free and strong last year because they were trying to play more Cover-2 zone. Neither was a box or deep safety specifically.

This year, we'll probably play more to their strengths by giving Church more underneath responsibilities and Wilcox more over the top duties.

 

[CF74]

It's getting interesting.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

With Dallas going to more man coverage, I believe we'll see more single-high safety. That would put Wilcox in the free safety position because he has better speed/range than Church. Like you, I'm not sure that Dallas designated its safeties as free and strong last year because they were trying to play more Cover-2 zone. Neither was a box or deep safety specifically.

This year, we'll probably play more to their strengths by giving Church more underneath responsibilities and Wilcox more over the top duties.

And if they used more Cover-3 like Seattle, you're still only needing one safety in the deep part of the field.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I can't wait to see what type of leaps and bounds he's taken.... I thought he was on his way last year before the unfortunate passing of his dear mother and the injury.

 

[Vintage]

I can't wait to see what type of leaps and bounds he's taken.... I thought he was on his way last year before the unfortunate passing of his dear mother and the injury.

Rumor has it he hasn't distinguished himself from the group. Granted, it was only non contact OTAs.

 

[pupulehaole]

Rumor has it he hasn't distinguished himself from the group. Granted, it was only non contact OTAs.

Rumor? And where are you hearing these "rumors"?

 

[speedkilz88]

They didn't trust the rookies last year to play FS. So when Matt Johnson got hurt "again" they moved Church to FS. But the plan was always for JJ to be the "cover" guy eventually. The Cowboys scheme is similar to what Seattle runs and what Kiffin ran at TB. Church needs to play the Cam Chancellor/John Lynch role.

 

[Idgit]

Rumor? And where are you hearing these "rumors"?

It was from a Broaddus tweet.

 

[xwalker]

Rumor? And where are you hearing these "rumors"?

Somebody asked Broaddus on twitter:
Question: "Has Wilcox distinguished himself in the OTAs?"
Broaddus: no

 

[casmith07]

All the experts here had him as a strong safety.

He's moving to free safety? Like I said when he was drafted? You don't say.

 

[Bullflop]

Seeing as how he's at his best working in the box, no doubt, it behooves Church to support the move of Wilcox to FS. Be that as
it may, Wilcox does appear to have the better speed to accomodate that post. He'll still be required to prove it, though. We'll see.

 

[LatinMind]

By Jon Machota jmachota@***BANNED-URL*** 3:13 pm on May 29, 2014 | Permalink

This is a quote from Barry Church about Wilcox. I found it interesting that Wilcox would be changing from one Safety position to the other. It's somewhat confusing because in the Marinelli defense, Strong and Free Safety don't mean the same thing that it means in other defenses. I think Strong or Free is based more on which side they play than who plays deep or in the box.

Church will be the safety to play closer to the box. While Wilcox is the drop back safety. Whatever they want to label them is fine. But those will be their jobs.

 

[xwalker]

Church will be the safety to play closer to the box. While Wilcox is the drop back safety. Whatever they want to label them is fine. But those will be their jobs.

It seems like that would have been the plan last year also, but in the statement, Church is saying that Wilcox is changing from one to the other. That indicates that either Wilcox was planned to be in the box last season or is planned to be in the box this season.

 

[theogt]

If we're running schemes where someone who plays SS can't immediately be slotted in at FS, then we're going to get toasted regardless of who is at the position.

 

[CyberB0b]

If we play more Tampa 2, then the responsibilities will be about the same.

 

[Hoofbite]

If we're running schemes where someone who plays SS can't immediately be slotted in at FS, then we're going to get toasted regardless of who is at the position.

True. The days of strict in the box safeties may be gone. If not, he better be one of the most disruptive players in the NFL.

 

[AsthmaField]

Somebody asked Broaddus on twitter:
Question: "Has Wilcox distinguished himself in the OTAs?"
Broaddus: no

Oh my God! ANOTHER wasted draft pick!!!

Aaaarrggghhhhhh

 

[pgreptom]

I think it will be Jakar or Wilcox. I really think it's going to be Wilcox. The guy was playing great prior to his mother passing. With that under his belt and a year to focus I think he will walk away in camp the clear cut starter.