The OTA/Mini Camp Thread...

[Genghis Khan]

WEAKNESSES - Wilcox lacks instincts and physicality in man coverage, which is not surprising considering he was a WR before 2012. When he allows his man a free release off the LOS our out of his break in man coverage, he struggles to stay with him in transition, and lacks the makeup speed to close the difference. He also at times is caught guessing on his man's initial move, making him susceptible to double moves when matched up one on one. From zone he allows too many catches in front because of his average closing ability, and when he is in position he does not consistently use his length to his advantage to break up passes. While consistently in position to make plays against the run, at times he leaves his feet and misses the ball carrier entirely.

He was a WR? Thought he was a RB.

 

[Cotton]

He was a WR? Thought he was a RB.

He played both.

 

[Lotuseater]

WEAKNESSES - Wilcox lacks instincts and physicality in man coverage, which is not surprising considering he was a WR before 2012. When he allows his man a free release off the LOS our out of his break in man coverage, he struggles to stay with him in transition, and lacks the makeup speed to close the difference. He also at times is caught guessing on his man's initial move, making him susceptible to double moves when matched up one on one. From zone he allows too many catches in front because of his average closing ability, and when he is in position he does not consistently use his length to his advantage to break up passes. While consistently in position to make plays against the run, at times he leaves his feet and misses the ball carrier entirely.

That is the most negative critique of him I've read. I'd be interested to know who wrote that because its really negative and contrary to almost every one I've read on him.

His instincts looked damn good at the senior bowl, and a lot of people saw that. So far his instincts seem to be making him stand out in OTAs too so far, not that that really means anything. We'll see.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I think instincts are something you are born with. So the one year of safety shouldn't really affect it at all. It's like a RB, you either have it or you don't. Playing more RB doesn't necessarily make your instincts any better. It's the technique and knowledge of the game that he still has a lot of learning to do. I have some hope for Wilcox but it is way too early. I need to at least see a couple good preseason performances out of him.

I disagree. Instincts come from experience.

 

[Lotuseater]

I disagree. Instincts come from experience.

Have you ever actually played football? Many are born with instinctive ability to play, I was one of them. Trust me, all instinct doesn't come from expierience. Some of it is innate, moreso in some than others.

 

[Cotton]

Have you ever actually played football? Many are born with instinctive ability to play, I was one of them. Trust me, all instinct doesn't come from expierience. Some of it is innate, moreso in some than others.

Finally, Hos reveals himself.

 

[ravidubey]

I disagree. Instincts come from experience.

Some people have a natural feel for the game. Just the fact that he's even a prospect based on 1 year of playing tells me Wilcox has good instincts.

 

[Lotuseater]

Finally, Hos reveals himself.

Err....nope. Sorry, I just know for a fact instinct exists because I'd never played football in my life till middle school and the coaches talked me into playing. They told me all the time I had natural instincts at linebacker and I was successful at it in high school but lacked the size to advance.

I'm 5-11 220.

That's how I know for sure instincts are real, because I didn't even know what a linebacker was.

 

[BipolarFuk]

I disagree. Instincts come from experience.

Some guys just get it more than others. They have a natural feel for the game like Sean Lee. Bobby Carpenter could live as long as the Highlander and never have the experience to surpass Lee's instincts on the football field.

 

[Carp]

That is the most negative critique of him I've read. I'd be interested to know who wrote that because its really negative and contrary to almost every one I've read on him.

His instincts looked damn good at the senior bowl, and a lot of people saw that. So far his instincts seem to be making him stand out in OTAs too so far, not that that really means anything. We'll see.

It came from NFP. I have scoured and found nothing commenting on his instincts, mostly his tackling skills.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Have you ever actually played football? Many are born with instinctive ability to play, I was one of them. Trust me, all instinct doesn't come from expierience. Some of it is innate, moreso in some than others.

False. Unless you think babies come out of the womb with the innate ability to breathe, poop, cry when it's hungry, and, in a privileged few, play safety in the NFL.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Some guys just get it more than others. They have a natural feel for the game like Sean Lee. Bobby Carpenter could live as long as the Highlander and never have the experience to surpass Lee's instincts on the football field.

No. Some guys learn and understand faster than others, and some guys just don't have the mental capacity to really learn at all.

But it starts with learning, and it's built with experience.

 

[Cotton]

I think there is a mixture of both in everyone. Some natural instinct and some ingrained instinct.

 

[Genghis Khan]

I think there is a mixture of both in everyone. Some natural instinct and some ingrained instinct.

You can't have "natural" instinct to play a made-up game.

 

[Cotton]

You can't have "natural" instinct to play a made-up game.

Natural instinct as far as reactions and smarts.

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys end OTAs, prep for veteran minicamp

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys finished three weeks of organized team activities Thursday with a high school football camp. Next up is the mandatory veteran minicamp June 11-13 at Valley Ranch.

Defensive end DeMarcus Ware (shoulder) and quarterback Tony Romo (back) are expected to miss the sessions as they recover from injuries.

How the Cowboys go about their business during the minicamp remains the same.

"We can have a little bit longer day with them in minicamp, but we still want to keep it tight and want to get them to come out and get their work done and get them out of here," coach Jason Garrett said. "It's a good review off what we just did in the OTAs, and we'll see how guys are doing. It's a good way to wrap up the offseason and give them a little bit of time before we go to camp."

The three weeks of organized team activities went off without much fuss in terms of attendance, but there were some other issues.

Fullback Lawrence Vickers (back) and nose tackle Josh Brent (non-football illness) missed the sessions, as did Romo, who is recovering from back surgery.

And of course there was Tuesday's drama with Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones implying that Bill Callahan will call the offensive plays. Callahan later confirmed it, while Garrett didn't.

Running back DeMarco Murray missed four OTA sessions with hamstring issues, and several players, including Miles Austin and Jay Ratliff, were given some time off to rest their bodies.

"We almost had 100 percent attendance throughout the offseason and 100 percent attendance through OTAs," Garrett said. "You put a lot of information in front of these guys each day and you see how they respond to it. This is the first day of installing your offense, your defense and your kicking game. Our guys responded well to it. We'll have a chance to look at it in minicamp next week."

 

[Lotuseater]

False. Unless you think babies come out of the womb with the innate ability to breathe, poop, cry when it's hungry, and, in a privileged few, play safety in the NFL.

Dude. I'm not saying.they are "born to play football". I'm saying their intellegence and ability and reaction times, athletic ability, etc, translate well to the football field.

I literally used to read a play and be in the backfield either blowing up the fullback or ballcarrier on running plays. Its just high school, but there is definetly an instinctive element to football.

 

[Bluestar71]

You can't have "natural" instinct to play a made-up game.

It's not instinct like a cheetah born with a desire to chase gazelles, but I don't see how you can argue that some players don't have a "nose for the ball" like Lee, or are natural pass-rushers like Ware, QB's with great arms, etc. It's not all pure athleticism, experience, and hard work. Some players have an intangible "it" that separates them from others and whether you want to call it instinct or something else it's definitely there.

 

[ravidubey]

False. Unless you think babies come out of the womb with the innate ability to breathe, poop, cry when it's hungry, and, in a privileged few, play safety in the NFL.

Now you just want to argue. Call them instincts, intangibles, or whatever, you know what Lotus is trying to say but have decided you'll just fuck with him instead.

Some people get on a football field and already have a strong feel for when to cut, how to run a route, fill a gap, take the right angle, or how best to tackle. They take to back-pedaling, swiveling hips, and know when to turn to look for he ball when in coverage. They "instinctively" do many of these things without needing to be trained. Training and practice always help refine these abilities, but some just don't require as much. "Instincts" can be a talent just as valuable as strength, size, and speed. Emmitt Smith wasn't faster, stronger, bigger, and certainly not smarter than other backs, but he was amazingly productive. Hell, he didn't even really work out much. He just had "it".

This is true of almost any sport, game, profession, or any other endeavor.

 

[Carp]

Calm down...if you can't see that Lotuseater has been overstating ever since we drafted this guy you are blind.