TAMPA — When the Bucs signed free agent defensive back Eugene Wilson last month, their intent was to make the former New England safety a cornerback.
Despite how confident they seemed about the potential for success, it still is a rather big experiment. After Wilson's first full week on the job with the conclusion of this week's offseason practices, it appears the Bucs were onto something.
"You can't say enough good things about him," defensive backs coach Raheem Morris said Thursday. "He's looking like a stud right now."
Morris is so convinced Wilson, 27, will make a successful transition he already figures the player will make things interesting at left cornerback. That was Brian Kelly's position, though it has been manned for much of the past two seasons by Phillip Buchanon during Kelly's lengthy injury absences. Wilson has been working for the time being behind Ronde Barber at right cornerback, but it's expected he'll see time at both positions throughout the offseason.
"You have an open corner spot," Morris said. "We want to see what goes down there. Guys have to jump up and compete. (Kelly) left and he was a big part of us, but we have guys who are ready to step up."
Wilson hasn't been a full-time cornerback since his days at the University of Illinois, but it seems he never lost the skills the job requires. It's more a matter of recalling them from his long-term memory.
"I'd say it's just a matter of getting the movements back," he said. "Being a safety, you move different than you do at corner."
