Thinking About Our Secondary Battles V1
Thinking about our Secondary Battles V1
It’s time to stop all the forecasting, draft grading, and all that jazz. Summer is fast approaching which only means that training camp is right around the corner. Getting to see our players and our new regimen on the field is what we the fans have been waiting for since late December. We have no idea how our depth chart is going to look like when our camp starts, however I want break out my crystal ball and let you know how I see things playing out within our secondary. I am going to start with the Free Safety position, well because it’s the best position in the game of football.
I want to start off with who I see being our starters in our secondary. In 4-3 Base we have 2 CB and 1 FS and 1 SS.
CB alpha – Vontae Davis
CB beta – Richard Marshall
FS – Jimmy Wilson
SS – Tryrell Johnson
So let’s start with the Free Safety breakdown.
Chris Clemons:
– Back up/special teams
- This former 6th round pick has lived up to his 6th round selection, in that he was a project players that our former regimen thought could translate into being a starter. Clemons has great speed, but was not able to grasp playing the Robber in Nolan’s defensive system, as such was delegated to the bench last season. I don’t see a return to field for this former player Clemson Tiger. Although Chris might see the field in dime packages, he would be considered the prime replacements if Wilson struggles due to his best asset; speed. Clemons will make the team because he will be a true ‘gunner’ on special teams.
Tyrone Culver:
– Camp cut
- When he is on, Culver can provide some sense of relief in the secondary, however his lack of overall consistency and flaws in coverage reliability make him a true target. He might see the field on umbrella coverages, but I am not even sure he makes the team when camp cut days start happening. The only thing that might save the job for this former 6th round pick, is that he has ties with Philbin from Green Bay.
Kelcie McCray
– Back up/special teams
- McCray is the reason why I think Culver will be cut. One thing you have to remember about our Kevin Coyle our new Defensive Coordinator is that he loves to exchange his safety positions in which is commonly referred to as zebra technique. McCray best asset is that he is smart and dependable. The Free Safety position is the last line of defence that you have, and you want someone you can rely on. Yes, McCray went undrafted, however this prospect pulled down 10 INT and received offers from more than 12 teams.
And our starter:
Jimmy Wilson:
– Starter
- I loved everything I saw from Wilson last year. I watched a few games again and saw that his shadowing technique was outstanding. He lost the majority of his battles due to double moves from WR. However that is coachable and recognizable with more playing time. Wilson does not have top end speed, but his initial acceleration is simply amazing. He can’t read plays or play development yet, but that is what practice is all about. If you look at the past Free Safeties that Coyle worked with Reggie Nelson, Chris Croker, Gibril Wilson (two former dolphins on this list) I can see a nice and rapid development in Wilson game this year. Wilson always have the ability to play the Zebra nicely. His run coverage is great and he can be supportive in the role. We all know he loves contact, and bringing him down on Spy or Hit techniques will only benefit his development. Where we might see some growing pains is his coverage responsibility. There is not much game tape on Wilson in university, so I am going to analyze him on what I saw in preseason only. Wilson zone development needs work. I don’t think he understand the difference between Cover 2 lock, and cover 2. But the good news in all of this is that there is a new playbook. Coyle is going to have to mentor Wilson, but the light will come on and I think we finally have found a true Free Safety, something we haven’t seen since Brock Marion left.
Do you agree with me? Who do you think will be our starting Free Safety?