News: Anthony Hitchens: Ready to Step-In at Weakside Linebacker

[CCBoy]

Anthony Hitchens: Ready to Step-In at Weakside Linebacker
by Kristi Scales

http://www.5pointsblue.com/anthony-hitchens-ready-step-weakside-linebacker/


Hitchens’ versatility makes him a “plug-and-play” guy for the coaching staff. When Lee left Sunday’s game in Atlanta late in the 1st quarter with a hamstring injury, Hitchens moved from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker. He also took over Lee’s play-calling duties in the defensive huddle. “I try to make it easier on myself by studying throughout the week because you never know what’s going to happen,” notes Hitchens. “Unfortunately, early in my career I did it a lot, so now when I’m watching film, I’m never watching just what I’ve got to do. I’m watching so to see what everyone’s job is. It helped me then, and it helps me now so I’ll continue to do it.”

Hitchens versatility was first on display in 2014, his rookie season, when he started games at all three linebacker positions. He topped 100 tackles that season, and hasn’t slowed down since then. He has settled over the past two seasons into a starting role at middle linebacker, but he knows he’s just a tweaked hamstring away from another in-game adjustment. “The difference between the two positions is where your eyes are,” explains Hitchens. “Every play you’re keying a guy – you’re keying a tight end or you’re keying a running back – your eyes are in a different place for the different positions you play at linebacker. So as we’re preparing this week for the Eagles, I’ll work with Sean and ask him what he sees on various formations.”

Hitchens and Lee enjoy a close relationship. If injury prevents them from playing side-by-side at linebacker, they’ll continue working together in the meeting rooms...

 

[xwalker]

Anthony Hitchens: Ready to Step-In at Weakside Linebacker
by Kristi Scales

http://www.5pointsblue.com/anthony-hitchens-ready-step-weakside-linebacker/


Hitchens’ versatility makes him a “plug-and-play” guy for the coaching staff. When Lee left Sunday’s game in Atlanta late in the 1st quarter with a hamstring injury, Hitchens moved from middle linebacker to weakside linebacker. He also took over Lee’s play-calling duties in the defensive huddle. “I try to make it easier on myself by studying throughout the week because you never know what’s going to happen,” notes Hitchens. “Unfortunately, early in my career I did it a lot, so now when I’m watching film, I’m never watching just what I’ve got to do. I’m watching so to see what everyone’s job is. It helped me then, and it helps me now so I’ll continue to do it.”

Hitchens versatility was first on display in 2014, his rookie season, when he started games at all three linebacker positions. He topped 100 tackles that season, and hasn’t slowed down since then. He has settled over the past two seasons into a starting role at middle linebacker, but he knows he’s just a tweaked hamstring away from another in-game adjustment. “The difference between the two positions is where your eyes are,” explains Hitchens. “Every play you’re keying a guy – you’re keying a tight end or you’re keying a running back – your eyes are in a different place for the different positions you play at linebacker. So as we’re preparing this week for the Eagles, I’ll work with Sean and ask him what he sees on various formations.”

Hitchens and Lee enjoy a close relationship. If injury prevents them from playing side-by-side at linebacker, they’ll continue working together in the meeting rooms...

Hitchens has been a very good 4th round pick.

 

[Elziegreat83]

I wonder what kind of contract Hitch will be offered in free agency... I'd love for the Cowboys to keep him if the price is right. But they have a couple other contracts more pressing (Martin and DLaw) Irving is an RFA and that should be a simple signing.

 

[big dog cowboy]

A very under appreciated player, Hitch will do fine replacing Lee. He won't make some of the big plays like Lee but will be a solid player.

 

[lostar2009]

I wonder what kind of contract Hitch will be offered in free agency... I'd love for the Cowboys to keep him if the price is right. But they have a couple other contracts more pressing (Martin and DLaw) Irving is an RFA and that should be a simple signing.

At this point they will have no choice but to keep him. Law or Irving will walk. But if I'm JJ I would find some way to keep all 3. As I doubt Taco will be ready next year.

 

[ShiningStar]

At this point they will have no choice but to keep him. Law or Irving will walk. But if I'm JJ I would find some way to keep all 3. As I doubt Taco will be ready next year.

id let Irving walk before DLaw, if im down to the wire. If not, i d see what the draft gives us.

 

[JoeyBoy718]

At this point they will have no choice but to keep him. Law or Irving will walk. But if I'm JJ I would find some way to keep all 3. As I doubt Taco will be ready next year.

Sounds like the same story every year. "How can we manage to keep all three (e.g. Parnell AND Murray AND D. Harris... or Church AND Leary AND T. McClain... or D. Lawrence AND Irving AND Hitchens)? I mean, I know they're not superstars and they're replaceable, but how can we expect to lose ALL three and not regress?"

We usually end up losing all three and regressing or resigning guys (e.g. T. Crawford) and never hear the end of it from the fans. Look at Hitchens for example. If we resign him, he'll become the next T. Crawford - a solid but not sensational player that wasn't worth the money he demanded. If we don't resign him, he'll become the next Church - a solid but not sensational player that was wasn't truly appreciated until he was gone.

 

[ThreeandOut]

Hitchens has been a very good 4th round pick.

He really has been. Damien Wilson was also a 4th round pick. If he was as good as Hitchens, the Cowboys would be able to get by much better without Lee.

 

[Nightman]

I wonder what kind of contract Hitch will be offered in free agency... I'd love for the Cowboys to keep him if the price is right. But they have a couple other contracts more pressing (Martin and DLaw) Irving is an RFA and that should be a simple signing.

You could get 4 Hitchens for the cost of DLawrence...... not sold on Tank being the "guy"

Plus we have 10 draft picks and trades to stock up on LB on DL

 

[ShiningStar]

You could get 4 Hitchens for the cost of DLawrence...... not sold on Tank being the "guy"

Plus we have 10 draft picks and trades to stock up on LB on DL

is 4 HItchens worth 1 DLaw? yes im not banking it one year. But Hitchens is a solid guy at best. if DLaw is legit, he is worth more than 10 Hitchens.

 

[Elziegreat83]

*DLaw can be franchised, it will be pricey, but it would only be a one year obligation to see if this season is an aberration, or if he will be a constantly dominant force. Then the Cowboys can make their decision long term the following season.

*Irving is a no brainer to keep for next season since he will be an RFA with a 1st round pick tender. That's an easy sign.

*Hitch is the one that is going to be the tough decision. All of that of course is dependent on the market. If he asks for 3/15mil (5 mil per) then he probably gets resigned. Anything above that then it could get dicey. Just my opinion.

T. Craw. got paid close to what an upper echelon DT was worth at the time. No where near Suh or anything like that obviously. But he definitely hasn't lived up to the contract. If Hitch is wanting something in the neighborhood the T. Craw got then I don't think theres any way he's getting anything close to that here. And rightfully so.

 

[Verdict]

Hitchens has been a very good 4th round pick.

Yeah. I was wrong about that pick. I was really disappointed when it was announced.

 

[Verdict]

*DLaw can be franchised, it will be pricey, but it would only be a one year obligation to see if this season is an aberration, or if he will be a constantly dominant force. Then the Cowboys can make their decision long term the following season.

*Irving is a no brainer to keep for next season since he will be an RFA with a 1st round pick tender. That's an easy sign.

*Hitch is the one that is going to be the tough decision. All of that of course is dependent on the market. If he asks for 3/15mil (5 mil per) then he probably gets resigned. Anything above that then it could get dicey. Just my opinion.

T. Craw. got paid close to what an upper echelon DT was worth at the time. No where near Suh or anything like that obviously. But he definitely hasn't lived up to the contract. If Hitch is wanting something in the neighborhood the T. Craw got then I don't think theres any way he's getting anything close to that here. And rightfully so.

Hitchens is a valuable backup insurance policy/marginal starter. But he shouldn't be a big contract. If he wants a lot of money let him go. He is solid, but unspectacular.

 

[Verdict]

At this point they will have no choice but to keep him. Law or Irving will walk. But if I'm JJ I would find some way to keep all 3. As I doubt Taco will be ready next year.

Taco may never be ready. He may always be a soggy, bland Taco.

 

[Idgit]

Hitchens is a valuable backup insurance policy/marginal starter. But he shouldn't be a big contract. If he wants a lot of money let him go. He is solid, but unspectacular.

It'll be be more than a marginal contract. He's a bona fide good player at this point.

 

[ShiningStar]

It'll be be more than a marginal contract. He's a bona fide good player at this point.

solid at best. bona fide, no way.

 

[Verdict]

It'll be be more than a marginal contract. He's a bona fide good player at this point.

We may be saying the same thing or something vastly different depending on how it is defined. I think Hitchens is a very good backup/marginal starter. He may have some upside.

I am ok with a contract that is in line with that. I am not down with paying him top 50 money in the belief that he is a top 50 player. Most teams have two linebackers that are better than he currently is. You have to keep that in mind when evaluating what his contract should be. If they want to pay him top 50 money because of his versatility that's probably not too far out of line, but I probably wouldn't.

 

[Idgit]

solid at best. bona fide, no way.

No point in quibbling. He's going to get a deal like Barry Church did, adjusted for his age and position.

And if Dallas gives it to him, people are going to freak out about it.

 

[big dog cowboy]

No point in quibbling. He's going to get a deal like Barry Church did, adjusted for his age and position.

And if Dallas gives it to him, people are going to freak out about it.

Let'em. It won't be the first or last time.

 

[Verdict]

No point in quibbling. He's going to get a deal like Barry Church did, adjusted for his age and position.

And if Dallas gives it to him, people are going to freak out about it.

I'm just curious how you quantify his value? How good is he? Do you think he could be replaced with a mid round pick? I think so but that's just me.

I like the player. I would like to keep him. I just do not want to over pay to keep him.