Did E.J. Wilson Earn A Job?
August 25th, 2012
Gerald McCoy went down last night on the Bucs’ third defensive play, and in came E.J. Wilson to fill his shoes.
E.J. Wilson?
Joe has to watch the game again, but Wilson played pretty darn well.
A Butch Davis defensive end at North Carolina, Wilson was a fourth-round pick of the Seahawks in 2010 but was cut midseason. He was signed by the Bucs before last season and blew out his Achilles during the 2011 preseason.
And now he’s backing up Gerald McCoy. For those who love the bottom-of-the-roster drama, Wilson tossed a fat new wrinkle into the defensive line mix.
Amobi Okoye is still slowed by his knee issue. Gary Gibson made his preseason debut last night and looked rather plodding. Frank Okam can’t be high on the charts if Wilson played over him, and Wallace Gilberry, who drew strong praise from Schiano after the Miami game is still around.
Given the fragility of Gerald McCoy, Joe can’t imagine the Bucs not keeping five defensive tackles on the final roster, one more than usual. That, of course, the Bucs would force the Bucs to go leaner at another position, which could spell unsuspecting doom for a wide receiver or safety, especially given the sad new question mark on the offensive line.
August 25th, 2012 at 12:16 pm
I think they go with 4 safeties and put Tandy on the practice squad.
August 25th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
I have been arguing this for a while:
Glass Gerald needs to be a part-time rotational player. This will give him the best chance of avoiding injury and staying fresh.
Glass Gerald isn’t made for the physicality of full contact NFL football.
August 25th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
I must disagree. Wilson didn’t look very solid. He was constantly swallowed up by the O-Line.
On the other hand George Johnson really mad a case for himself after Clayborn went down.
I was also impressed with Leanord Johnson whenever he was in play.
Preston Parker for what ever reason was garbage last night.
August 25th, 2012 at 12:35 pm
Hey Thomas i don’t know if you watched the game. BUT. O-lineman “DOVE” at GMC knee with his shoulder and helmet. It wasn’t like he just got some phantom injury. That hit was horrid!
Very next series GMc came back out and continued to play. Pretty tough for a guy made of glass if you ask me!
August 25th, 2012 at 12:45 pm
941:
2 torn biceps (IR), 1 shoulder strain (missed part of last pre-season), 1 high ankle sprain (missed reg season games last year), knee injury (missed pre season game). That is 5 different injuries causing missed games in 2 seasons and a preseason.
That is an unbelievably lengthy list for a player who has played about 20 NFL games.
He has 5 significant injuries to go with his 4 career sacks buddy.
Glass Gerald has earned his nickname.
August 25th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Also, O lineman do cut block D Lineman in the nfl – legal or not it happens.
August 25th, 2012 at 12:49 pm
So….McCoy isn’t allowed to come out for a series if an O-lineman dives at his knee and tries to tear his ACL?? If that would have been a regular season game he would have been back in. Thomas that comment was seriously stupid. No surprise though….
August 25th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Its obvious he’s commenting not that Gerald isn’t allowed last night to go out but that he has a history of injuries throughout his only brief career and as much as people might like him he’s useless on IR or on the bench his tweets don’t give us sacks. He came back in last night but didn’t stay long I understand its a preseason game but he stayed less time then other D starters. The history of injuries is there and you can’t deny that. When he plays our defense has looked better but that’s when he plays. I don’t know how you can justify his contract with the amount of games he has given us.
August 25th, 2012 at 11:47 pm
Coaches pulled him out because his minor injury was slowing him down. Why risk agravating it?
McCoy still has a lot to prove, but just as he has an injury history we have to give him at least some props for coming back in even if he was pulled back out. Unlike Thomas, I’m not hoping against him because if he has success the team has success.
Wilson DID NOT earn a starting spot. He had one good game.