In four seasons with the New England Patriots, safety Tavon Wilson played in 54 games and started just four of those. Most of his work was done on special teams.
Wilson, who signed with Detroit Thursday, is looking forward to an opportunity to compete for a starting role alongside Glover Quin. He knows nothing will be handed to him.
"It's up to me to develop my role on this football team," Wilson said Thursday in a conference call with reporters. "And that's what I'm going to do. I take it one day at a time. I'm just here trying to learn everybody and get familiar with everything and when that time comes to develop my role, I'll have an opportunity to do that."
A former second-round pick out of Illinois, Wilson made four starts as a rookie in 2012 and recorded 41 tackles, four interceptions and six defended passes. The last three seasons he's been a backup and special teamer.
"I see a great opportunity (in Detroit)," he said. "I'm familiar with some people around here. I see an opportunity, so I'm just trying to come here and do whatever I can to help this football team win."
Wilson could compete for the starting strong safety role next to Glover Quin, along with Don Carey, Isaiah Johnson and potentially more additions to the position via free agency and the draft.
"I think as a player I'm physical," Wilson said. "I'm smart. I feel like I can run. I feel like there's a lot of different things that I can do well, but I just have to go out there and show it."
