Will Pat Watkins Start Week 1?

[wesleyc288]

There has been much talk about Pat Watkins this training camp. If he lives up to the hype, he could be the perfect compliment to Roy Williams. There is no doubt that he he has the athetic ability to be a starter, the only question will be, is he smart enough to catch on and win the starting job by the end of preseason? Is he our starter for week 1 in Jacksonville?

 

[CrazyCowboy]

no....imo

 

[Doomsday101]

I would hope he will work his way into the starting lineup sometimes during the season but I don't think it will be week 1. Hopefully I'm wrong because I have no faith in Davis playing FS

 

[austintodallas]

From all reports Keith Davis is also playing well. We could be looking much better in the FS department.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

He may play in games that early, but unless there is an injury to davis and some others I doubt he starts that early.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say yes..

Watkins hasn't played a down of NFL football yet, but he still has more experience playing FS than both Keith Davis and Marcus Coleman! Think about it.. Keith played FS for the first time last year, Coleman has only been playing the position for the last two years, and Watkins played the position his whole career at Florida State.. Davis started for us from week 1 at FS last year with no prior experience, so why not Watkins? From all accounts, Watkins is a very smart and savvy guy.. He is working hard and has a chip on his shoulder.. If Watkins keeps outplaying Davis and Coleman in training camp and preseason, Parcells will start him.. Another good thing is that the Boys play Jacksonville week one, and they don't exactly have a very scary passing offense..

 

[sago1]

Understand he's a smart kid and hard worker, but from FS spot he has to make secondary calls; doubt Cowboys will entrust that to him in first regular season game. But his performance so far would certainly ensure he gets quite a bit of playing time which is all we can hope for right now & he will get more then his share of INTs & attract attention around the NFL. As the season goes by, he will get more comfortable/confident & gain valuable experience. If he doesn't win the job by end of season, he'll win it in 07.

 

[superpunk]

I have no doubt he'll be out there situationally - starting? Not so much. Davis is looking good, too, apparently. But that's alot to entrust to a slight rookie right off the bat. He'll do much better in situations where he can just go out there, play center field, and trust his instincts.

 

[EMMITTnROY]

I know my opinion isn't a popular one, and it isn't very likely, BUT..

If I'm right, I get to bring this thread up again down the line and impress everyone with my amazing free safety forecasting skills..

and if I'm wrong, nobody will remember this two days from now anyways..

 

[aikemirv]

I voted no but I do think he will come in on the nickle packages starting week 1

 

[superpunk]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say yes..

Watkins hasn't played a down of NFL football yet, but he still has more experience playing FS than both Keith Davis and Marcus Coleman! Think about it.. Keith played FS for the first time last year, Coleman has only been playing the position for the last two years, and Watkins played the position his whole career at Florida State.. Davis started for us from week 1 at FS last year with no prior experience, so why not Watkins? From all accounts, Watkins is a very smart and savvy guy.. He is working hard and has a chip on his shoulder.. If Watkins keeps outplaying Davis and Coleman in training camp and preseason, Parcells will start him.. Another good thing is that the Boys play Jacksonville week one, and they don't exactly have a very scary passing offense..

Garbage analysis.

Actually....I could buy that. Completely. The only caveat is, why start the process all over again that you went through with Keith, when you could just ease Watkins in - keep him comfortable.

Consider, who exactly are "starters" on our defense? Pile and others saw significant time at FS at the end of last year. We rotate LBs, and DL. Newman, Roy, Ware, and James - that's about the list of full-time "starters." Watkins will definitely see time - but I doubt he starts.

 

[dallasfaniac]

I've loved this pick from the start. We need turnovers in a bad way and by all accounts that seems to be his forte. For a rookie to show this much, if he keeps it up and produces in preseason, I see no need not to start him early so he is well prepared for the post-season.

 

[Vinnie2u]

Don't put him in the Hall of fame yet.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I know my opinion isn't a popular one, and it isn't very likely, BUT..

If I'm right, I get to bring this thread up again down the line and impress everyone with my amazing free safety forecasting skills..

and if I'm wrong, nobody will remember this two days from now anyways..

So you have a toot your horn and than get yelled at wish.:

 

[baj1dallas]

Only if we start in the nickel.

 

[TheHustler]

No way. He'll see time in the nickle and dime and get more playing time as the season goes on, if all goes well.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

all I know is from the reports, I am more comfortable about our FS situation, both Keith and Watkins have been looking good, being around the ball often, and then Marcus Coleman can switch to FS in a pinch too, not that worried anymore

I think Davis starts the season as the starter, so my answer would be no

 

[KingTuna]

I am going out on a limb here and saying YES. I think he will be our starting FS week 1.

6'5 and BLAZING speed and HANDS!!!

I feel some nice interceptions coming his way.

If NOT week 1, will be by mid season.

I am sticking with week 1 starter for now.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I am going out on a limb here and saying YES. I think he will be our starting FS week 1.

6'5 and BLAZING speed and HANDS!!!

I feel some nice interceptions coming his way.

If NOT week 1, will be by mid season.

I am sticking with week 1 starter for now.

why I'm saying no is because he's going to have to unseat Davis from 1st team, and so far, Davis is looking good too

 

[jobberone]

I don't think so. And I don't think you can compare him to Davis starting last year. Davis had been around and played in Europe too. Watkins may at times make some plays Davis either can't or wouldn't but it is unlikely he will pick up the game fast enough to start game one.

I doubt he can call the defensive sets but I suspect Roy would do that over Watkins should he be back there.

In essence despite his ability to possibly make more big plays than Davis, his inexperience would likely lead to giving up too many big plays.

I think we are in good shape with RW and KD. And we finally have some decent depth at safety.