TAMPA — With solid depth at safety, the Bucs are giving newcomer J.J. Wilcox at look as a nickel defensive back, a challenge the free agent likes as an added role.
"It's new," Wilcox said Sunday after lining up in the same defense with starting safeties Keith Tandy and Chris Conte. "Dallas had me, like, second- or third-string nickel, but Tampa wanted to try something new, expand my horizons, my attributes, and it's kind of paying off."
A nickel or slot cornerback must be fast enough to cover an opponent's third receiver, but Wilcox said the position can also be tasked with covering a second tight end: "You have to be able to match up with the big tight ends — 12 personnel (two tight ends), a lot of NFL teams are going to that.