Bucs Will Sign Safety J.J. Wilcox Today
March 11th, 2017
New Buccaneer
Perhaps Bradley McDougald’s time in Tampa is done.
Perhaps.
Today, the Bucs will sign safety J.J. Wilcox. The news comes from the dean of Tampa Bay sports radio, Joe’s friend Steve Duemig of WDAE-AM 620. He dropped the word this morning via Twitter.
The former Cowboys third-round pick in 2013 lost his starting job last season. Wilcox, 26, has played both free safety and strong safety in what is a clone of Lovie Smith’s defense. He has been durable with 38 career starts, including four last season.
Duemig wrote on Twitter that leaving the “politics” of the Cowboys should be a difference-maker for Wilcox.
As for McDougald, the Bucs’ best and most consistent safety, he remains unsigned. It seems he’s looking for a serious payday and isn’t finding it. Joe suspects McDougald still would be welcomed back at the right price.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:32 am
I think new blood at safety will be welcomed.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:32 am
A backup……whoopdy do. I think they are trying to force Bradly’s hand.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:34 am
Bad moves letting Shepard go and now mcdougald 🙁
March 11th, 2017 at 9:35 am
This a good signing. We need depth at safety if nothing else. I would expect this deal to be around the same pay as the conte deal. Borderline starter money. It leaves the door open to sign mcdougald to be a starter, or to draft a safety early in the draft to be the starter.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:36 am
Hated to see Shep go, but McDougald? Not so much. Still anticipate Bucs will draft a safety in the middle rnds.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:37 am
Why is it, all of a sudden, McDougald is Ronnie Lott or John Lynch in some peoples eyes? If he was that good, he would have NEVER hit the market. He is middle of the road at best, just the Ira said. Let Licht do his job, why overpay for a meh Safety?
March 11th, 2017 at 9:37 am
McDougald is hands down better than Wilcox.
Unfortunate loss for the Bucs
March 11th, 2017 at 9:43 am
Since they left Shepherd go I hope they resign Josh Robinson.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:46 am
Two words! Obi and Melifonwu!
March 11th, 2017 at 9:47 am
How is this a bad move, started in Dallas and when he didn’t no start he was astill a rotational player. You need 3 safeties in this day and age if not 4 with all the passing that goes on. Wilcox is also known to lay the wood, I wanted mcdougald back because he is a solid safety and still hope he returns but looks like he’s out there fetching a payday….that he isn’t going to get.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:47 am
Chris Conte | Keith Tandy
Bradley McDougald |* J.J Wilcox
Better than what we had – last year
March 11th, 2017 at 9:52 am
BM is a better safety, stinks to lose him over JJ
March 11th, 2017 at 9:53 am
Hated to lose Shep but honestly if the panthers think he is a no.3 receiver …good luck! Same team that just let s good young lb in Klein escape and bring back peppers
March 11th, 2017 at 9:56 am
Love it! Dude is a hitter!
March 11th, 2017 at 9:58 am
I like this move, rotational guy, young, familiar with scheme. Additionally would like to see top 3 rd draft pick spent on safety. Again I agree with Mac Obi Melifonwu looks like a safe bet. Wouldn’t have to rush him in, keep 5 Saftey’s and 2 QB’s. By 8th week he will replace Conte.
March 11th, 2017 at 9:59 am
Puts us in great shape for late in the draft or late cuts to pick up another Safety and cut CC23!!!! worst case scenario is now cc23 is backup and help us if he has to play!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!
March 11th, 2017 at 10:01 am
not bad i always had a feeling that if we did sign mcdougald back he was going to have to compete to start with whoever we get in draft same for this guy but given he’s gonna be new to the system too they might be more willing to throw the rookie out there
March 11th, 2017 at 10:02 am
If he makes team will play special teams. Dallas secondary was horrible last season. Bucs never do well with cowboy cast offs.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:07 am
JJ has always been a player (from Cairo High, Ga.. Ga. Southern University (beat the Gators), not to mention time with Dallas where he was an aggressive hitter.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:09 am
Ohhhh boy so Joe loves all the signings. Then suddenly doesn’t like any of the players we let walk. Just like your clones. DJax is under contract for 48 games……he’ll be healthy enough to play 30 of them. Mailing in every 3rd play means. You’ll only really get 20 games of full effort. With a QB that is no where near the accuracy of Cousins. 20 M guaranteed makes him uncuttable. Why did we sign a character concern. Like ASJ and Winslow.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:18 am
Wilcox is a decent safety and will be good depth. Lol at all the McDougald love in here
March 11th, 2017 at 10:32 am
Claiborne, Carr,Timmons, C Long , several gap filler Quality OLineman , B Quick, C Patterson ( Returner) ( Returner) ( Returner) ………… Tons of quality second tier depth players to be had on the cheap to set up your draft and so far Licht is doing that but there are going to be some bargains in the weeks ahead as teams turn their attention from FA and focus on the Draft .This is the time to pounce on opportunity. The Draft at best gets one star , and two good players and those players are going to avg overall a couple mil and if they stay on a second contract 4- 6 mil. Well there is tons of proven disappointments due to their pipe dream draft status that are very good NFL players as well as older players that can be plugged right in for 1.5 to 3 mil. How many drafted corners are going to be better than Brandon Carr next year ? How many drafted rb s that can play on third down and catch better than R Bush ? The depth part of FA can be essential in setting up a teams draft if used properly and it’s less of an unknown and can be cheaper than the draft. It’s the Star part of FA that causes cap hell and this in return fills the second tier market for the few GM s that are patient, open minded and smart enough to capitalize on it !!! The draft is important and is even more important if you can use second tier FA to totally set your organization up for it . Over 80 percent of first and second round picks will be for need not BPA as some like to believe( BPA is larder you a farse) so again extreme diligence with the second tier free agents sets up your draft. The Patriots have already drafted to their need 2017, they have acquired their first three picks early , same premise just a done a little differently with a little bit of a more known .commodity !! Teams have to draft for need so use Second tier FA to set up your draft ahead of time . Position the team to be more flexible towards its targets, the less targets the more flexible and the better an organization can maneuver the draft. Second tier FA is an ultra important opportunity that is some what ignored by some organizations that think the draft has all the answers ( pipe dream). These are those pipe dream players sitting there not being resigned ( build through the draft , another farse) that haven’t been resigned ,some for good reason ,some for no good reason at all !!
March 11th, 2017 at 10:38 am
Excellent. I’d love it if they sign McDougald back as well. Depth and competition
March 11th, 2017 at 10:39 am
Decent signing. Now bring back Big-Hit Bradley and we’ll be set at Safety. Can never hurt to have depth at safety.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:41 am
Bradley Mcdougald is by far our best safety. He has steadily improved each year he’s been here. He’s a great tackler and towards the end of last year he started defending the pass very well also. He finished the season with 92 tackles, 10 pass deflections and 2 int’s (Top 10 safety in passes defended and tackles.) And he is JUST entering his prime at 26. If the Bucs let him go it will be a bad move.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:42 am
Now they do not need to draft a starting Safety in the draft.Look for them to draft a CB/S in 5-7th Rd.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:49 am
With the signing Wilcox and no news about McDougald yet I have a gut feeling that we’re going to draft the safety Obi from UCONN for SS. I like to see McDougald back because of his consistency and versatility but I’m not mad if he goes. Safety play has been a weak spot for us the past few seasons. We need to upgrade it big time to take our defense to the next level. I like the Wilcox signing.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:53 am
If McDougald comes back great. This signing then means we have depth. And, with Mike Smith into his second year everyone will be on the same page. Everyone, especially, the safeties on defense was not on the same page for the first couple of games last year.
March 11th, 2017 at 10:55 am
Glad to see the “Big Dog” tweeting. Hope he is doing better
and praying for him. Tell him Tony from Sarasota says Hi and
we miss him.
March 11th, 2017 at 11:14 am
BIG HIT Bradley??? Huh..
March 11th, 2017 at 11:19 am
Deshean about to talk live on bspn. His signing with us was bigger than just what he can contribute on the football field,it also brings more relevance to the organization. We on the map people.
March 11th, 2017 at 11:26 am
A backup safety that his old team didn’t want………. awesome!
March 11th, 2017 at 11:27 am
They didn’t want him at that price
March 11th, 2017 at 11:37 am
DJax will wear #11. Must have paid off hump. lol
March 11th, 2017 at 11:39 am
Did anyone else have trouble see the live introduction press conference of Djax and Baker?
I just kept getting the video not available.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:03 pm
I still think we should re-sign Mcdougald. Can never have enough depth.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:08 pm
Re-sign McDougald as well and the Bucs are loaded at safety with Tandy, McDougald, Conte and Wilcox and then won’t need to draft one at all … more ammo to trade up at some point to grab a player they really want if necessary
March 11th, 2017 at 12:10 pm
NflNut
It would be irresponsible to NOT draft a safety or a corner in this HISTORICAL good secondary class.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:11 pm
I agree with the retain Mcdougald consensus. Let the best players start after battling it out in camp.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:16 pm
Can someone correct me if I’m wrong. SS Tandy/Conte FS Wilcox/ ??
March 11th, 2017 at 12:22 pm
Long time reader, first post. Joe, thanks for all the hard work you put into this blog. It’s a great read everyday. Any chance Licht pulls a move similar to last year. Trades back in the 1st then uses that capital to trade back up in the 2nd. I’m hearing Peppers could fall back to Round 2. He’s not a perfect fit, but I trust Smith could use his skill set well. The kid can really ball. Just a thought.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:28 pm
Just spoke to a cowboy homeboy of mines. He assures me Licht signed this guy mainly for some intimidation on the back end. Says he’s an old school thumper. I love it. Nasty now on all three levers of the defense now.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:29 pm
Everyone freely ran across our middle last season because no one feared anything. A thumper should change that some.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:42 pm
Had no idea so many thought McDougald was that good …
He was OK and had some big games but was a liability in coverage probably more than anyone besides maybe Conte
Personally I view Tandy as a FS because his coverage range / instincts are pretty solid but he’s not a big hitter at all. McDougald was good for that.
From what I’ve read JJ Wilcox is more of an in the box hard hitting SS. His ability in coverage improved a lot last year but he was a rotational player.
My guess :
FS: Keith Tandy / Draft Pick
SS: JJ Wilcox / Chris Conte
Draft could go SS or FS
March 11th, 2017 at 12:43 pm
Yeah NoleSat. Some are just looking at the tackle total to compare McD and JJ but I think they are also looking to more Robert Aeres attitude in Baker and Wilcox.
Watched the presser. LOve Baker’s laugh and was surprised that Djax choose not to wear any Buc gear.
March 11th, 2017 at 12:46 pm
this dude is trash. Dashon Gholdson 2.0 cant cover worth a crap that’s why he lost his starting job in Dallas and they didn’t even offer to bring him back at any price. McDouglad is better. Another Jason Licht signing that has us scratching our heads
March 11th, 2017 at 12:48 pm
@ lord corn he didn’t start out a rotational player. he we was a starter who later lost his job because his converage skills are a liability. just another gholdson/ swearinger type
March 11th, 2017 at 12:58 pm
Most consistent safety eh maybe but best safety in the team I doubt it. After all this time he is what he is just like Conte he’s average to below average, the only safety I’ve seen develop is Tandy
March 11th, 2017 at 1:08 pm
That’s funny fire when you YouTube the guy you see picks and deflections. Guess you missed that part when they stated politics of dallas.
March 11th, 2017 at 1:11 pm
Happy w the signing, we need the depth.
Unhappy w the trend I’m seeing this offseason in letting talent we develop start to walk, especially the cheap/depth kind of talent.
Letting shep walk to an NFC S team is a problem. Bring back McDougald. He represents the most likely long term talent at S on this team.
March 11th, 2017 at 1:26 pm
they made shep an offer. He chose the best deal for him
March 11th, 2017 at 2:23 pm
Something HAD to be done at safety. It’ll be nice to get a hitter back there.
March 11th, 2017 at 2:59 pm
If the Bucs thought McDougald was better, they’d be signing McDougald. It’s that simple. They may very well have both of them in the hopper. That is, they may ask McDougald to check back with the Bucs before he signs elsewhere. The Bucs could use both a lot. Glad to see Duemig is still dialed in, at least well enough to check his Twitter. Always a good thing.
March 11th, 2017 at 3:12 pm
Its the new NFL man, when I was a younger lad I could name all 22 starters easy. Now a days its a little more challenging, turn over is a constant. Guys wanna get paid let’em. All I know is after listening to the presser according to Jackpot words people are watching this team now and will be wanting to be apart of what we have going on for years to come. I ask you all to “just wait on it” you won’t have to very much longer.
March 11th, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Sign McDougald and Bucs can draft WR and RB, with developmental DT or OL to start next year. Oh yeah, and be on the lookout for a veteran kicker after the draft. We may need him. Something tells me Aguayos got about two preseason games to show he’s nearly perfect, and no yips.
March 11th, 2017 at 5:14 pm
This is a HORRIBLE signing. This guy is a backup at best…and a 3rd stringer backup.
To have him replace a starter????! Licht gets an F of this one…and everyone will agree when they see this guy play a few games. He might even cost us games.
March 11th, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Fred E. Buc Says
“If the Bucs thought McDougald was better, they’d be signing McDougald. It’s that simple.”
That is so wrong on many levels.
However, it COULD be to send a message to McDougald. There’s no news of him signing with another team yet.
And if you actually know about this Wilcox, you would know he’s nowhere near as good a player as McDougald.
March 12th, 2017 at 11:49 pm
PLEASE RE-SIGN MCDOUGALD
March 12th, 2017 at 11:51 pm
JJ hits harder McDougald is better in coverage why not let McDougald play free safety where hes better suited and play Wilcox at SS Tandy and Conte for depth
March 12th, 2017 at 11:53 pm
Oh since the rule change on defenseless recievers ill take a coverage safety over a big hitter any day