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People Are Talking: Josh Wilson, CB, Maryland |
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Written by BostonSportsMedia.com
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Thursday, 12 April 2007 |
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Here's the first of the many cool things about Josh Wilson: this picture. Of all the draft profiles we've done since February, this is by far the best picture we've had. It's just bloody great.
The second coolest thing about Wilson is that his dad was the late, great Tim Wilson, the Houston fullback that blocked Earl Campbell into the Hall of Fame. Third is that, according to the profiles, this Wilson can fly with the best of them. Fast enough to cover man to man and heady enough to play in zone. Has the acceleration to close quickly. Smart and experienced four-year player. Could also play free safety. For a small guy, Wilson throws his weight around to decent effect, apparently. He has some special teams potential, particularly as a returner. Obviously, his size is going to be a concern. Receivers may push him around in close quarters. He might be inclined to give too large a cushion in coverage, so he's may be better in zone than man. The profiles say he's not been a real playmaker in the secondary, and his sometimes-shaky hands may plague him there, as well as on returns. But here's the thing. The profiles agree that he's steadily improved each season, which I take to mean he responds to coaching. The profilers say if he continues to refine his techniques, he can become a solid NFL starter. He adds the special teams element, and he's viewed as a solid character guy who thrives in big game situations. He plays - and pretty well - a position of perpetual need and is in possession of the one thing you can't teach. The things you can teach, he seems to learn. The mocks see him as a potential late second rounder, or perhaps a third. The Patriots were linked first with Wilson at the Senior Bowl, and recently the team arranged a Foxboro visit for the Terps corner. This is exactly the kind of player I expect the Patriots to draft. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 23 April 2007 )
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