News: ST: Cowboys sound like they'll let linebacker Hitchens walk in free agency

[Reality]

Cowboys sound like they'll let linebacker Hitchens walk in free agency

Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones is not as adamant about keeping linebacker Anthony Hitchens as he is about about defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

Read Full Story

 

[Stash]

I won't be happy to lose the player, but I'll be happy that they don't overpay a good player with great money.

 

[DHCBF66]

Can't afford to pay everyone. I would rather have D_Law and Martin over Hitch (don't get me wrong, I like Hitch), lets all hope that the Jaylon pick proves to be worth it.

 

[cowboyec]

I don't think anyone WANTS to lose Hitch....but you can't pay everybody.

 

[dwreck27]

I won't be happy to lose the player, but I'll be happy that they don't overpay a good player with great money.

This. If we cant replace his production with a draft pick we need to fold the franchise because we will never be able to get over the hump paying good players Elite money...

 

[unionjack8]

That's fine.

 

[Sydla]

I won't be happy to lose the player, but I'll be happy that they don't overpay a good player with great money.

You know what’s funny? Some of the people who are up in arms over Hitchens possibly leaving are the ones who say the Cowboys are smart to avoid FA like they have because in FA decent and good players get overpaid.

LOL.

 

[Teague31]

Awesome. The thread directly above this one says the exact opposite

 

[conner01]

No one wants to over pay for him
Those who want to keep him sees the value he brings. And the flexibility keeping him gives us in the draft
No one want to pay him 8-9 mil a year but you can’t keep him or many other decent players for 2-3 mil a year
If I could keep him in the 5-6 range I would keep him and at some point draft a lb and structure his deal so if the rookie developed you can part with him in a couple years
Someone has to be the 3rd LB
Do you want to have to use 19 on a LB if a better player is there, start a later rnd guy who may not be ready?

 

[Knotamus]

There’s not a doubt in my mind that Hitchens is leaving. This is his best chance for a big pay day, and he should take advantage. They’re too many teams with plenty more cap space than our Boys, not to mention Hitchens deserve a chance to be an every down player. He just won’t get that chance in Dallas unless Jaylon or Lee is hurt and he knows this. I personally believe he’s a tad bit too small for the Mike position and is better suited for the Will. Unfortunately for Hitch, as long as Lee’s playing.. he’s not going to sub plant Lee. Of course the logical team he signs with would be to follow Matt Eberfus to the Colts, but I could see the 49ers signing him also. Gruden now the HC, could put him at the Will next the Ruben Foster which would strengthen thier LB core and Hitch could help mentor Foster. Just my thoughts tho

 

[Pants]

You can almost see the Jones family circus thinking "hey, if someone signs Hitch to a decent contract, and THEN we don't sign any free agents, we get comp pick next year, right? let him walk...and DON'T call any agents about their players in free agency! Championship!"


I have been a fan of Hitch since he joined the team, I don't want to see him playing elsewhere unless, of course, he is cost-prohibitive

 

[Parcells4Life]

The FO has control over Lawrence since they’ll put the Franchise tag on him. They don’t have it over Hitchens. Thus they can’t guarantee he’ll stay because it’s his choice.

 

[robjay04]

They should...

We have been trying to replace Hitchens for years now. The team sees him as a good player but they would prefer him to be depth, not a full time starter. If you open up your checkbook, he’s your guy.

I like Hitchens but I don’t want to be tied to him being the starter. This team would be worlds better with a more athletic, imposing linebacker that shares Hitchen’s instincts.

 

[G2]

He was a very good 4th rounder for us but I'd rather pay a player who can start more than one in four full seasons. Pick up up a young LB in the draft.

 

[Diehardblues]

I won't be happy to lose the player, but I'll be happy that they don't overpay a good player with great money.

Yep..Unfortunately, this is the reality in Cap era.

And why each year’s draft are even more critical this era as you must continue to bring in young talent when these other Rookie contracts are up unable to retain average to good contributors with few exceptions.

 

[Idgit]

You know what’s funny? Some of the people who are up in arms over Hitchens possibly leaving are the ones who say the Cowboys are smart to avoid FA like they have because in FA decent and good players get overpaid.

LOL.

The whole point is to not miss in a big contract. When you’ve already had a guy in your system for four years, you’re less likely to miss on him if you extend him.

The point isn’t to just not pay market rate because the market is too high. You can’t keep pace with other teams if you won’t ever meet the market.

 

[glimmerman]

This sucks. I like Hitch. Maybe FA won’t be as fruitful as he thinks. Bring him back down to earth. These players agents ask top dollar.

 

[CCBoy]

The whole point is to not miss in a big contract. When you’ve already had a guy in your system for four years, you’re less likely to miss on him if you extend him.

The point isn’t to just not pay market rate because the market is too high. You can’t keep pace with other teams if you won’t ever meet the market.

Hitchens just becomes a smart free agent acquisition, unlike most defensive free agents for the past free agency periods.

 

[northerncowboynation]

I've read enough reports both ways to know that I don't know where Hitch will be in 2018. He was a nice pick and has played above expectations. Still, shouldn't be terribly hard to replace average or slightly above average talent in the draft.

 

[northerncowboynation]

We really have no idea if J Smith will return to 100% form and we need depth behind Lee as well so LB'er will be one of several key pieces in the draft. The four compensatory picks should help and picking up a decent LB'er in FA would help too.