I asked USC defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox what Chris Hawkins did to win a starting safety spot as indicated on the USC depth chart. And Wilcox quickly backed away from the depth chart.
“It’s a fluid situation,” Wilcox said. ”All those guys bring something different. We want to see who goes out (and plays) when the lights go on.”
Mr Wolf:
Again Mr. Wilcox brings up fluids and you don’t get a Cutty Sark reference into the situation? Also was Mr Wilcox backing away from you or was he just stunned to hear you speak? Nellie give me a ten count!
JW
goooooolllllynerrdddddddddd, no Starrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Wasrrrrrrrs references?
Hawkins has been playing the Safety position well. I am excited to see who steps up and makes big plays, at both Safety spots
First time in YEARS that I am just as excited to watch the D as the O! Big-time playmakers on all sides of the ball, should be fun!
Ditto.
I like to watch your D watch our QB run by them into the end zone. But that’s just me.
Our new QB will probably throw past them, but I’m excited about that too.
I think there’s a blog where you can voice that excitement for your team
As long as Wilcox gets rid of that “Bend but don’t break” defense, and lets his defense loose, providing more pressure on the QB..
I really think that had to do with limited available players
and the youth at the DB postions
This is no mystery Wolf. With the exception of Tell looking really good, but still just a freshman. Nobody has distant themselves and took over the position. It’s still really up in the air.
… I am hoping Sark lives up to his statement that there will be many, many rotations on defense. We could see 4-5 different players at safety.
Me too. I think Ykili Ross will be the only not playing. I think his arm is still in a sling.
I will say this. Hawkins never looked comfortable at CB. Standing next to him he’s only 5-10. At Strong Safety he BETTER be tough, physical, and he BETTER have the ability to run up 7 yards and make a tackle on a big running back. I haven’t watched any practices so I don’t know if he made big strides, but we won’t actually know until weeks 3 and 4.
Hawkins was consistent at CB…. he consistently received a holding penalty his first play in.
He was definitely out of place at times. But Safety was a big letdown last season. I hope Hawkins and Leon Mcquay can play better and have actually learned from last years season.