Hitchens - Best rookie season for a Cowboys 4th round pick?

[Doomsday101]

Just looking through our draft history...I know the 4th round is FAR from a sure thing, but boy have we had some horrible misses.

I'm too young to comment but wasn't Tony Tolbert pretty damn good from the start for us?

He was good and got better once Haley was added, at that point Dallas went from bend but don't break into a more aggressive pass rush.

 

[The Natural]

Just looking through our draft history...I know the 4th round is FAR from a sure thing, but boy have we had some horrible misses.

I remember Akwasi Owusu-Ansah's highlight tape set this place on fire. Those were some dark days

I'm still waiting for my Matt Johnson jerseys posters here promised us we would be wanting to buy at the end of 2012.

 

[theogt]

Just looking through our draft history...I know the 4th round is FAR from a sure thing, but boy have we had some horrible misses.

I'm too young to comment but wasn't Tony Tolbert pretty damn good from the start for us?

Doesn't look like Tolbert had a bad first year, but not really on the same level as Hitchens.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TolbTo00.htm

Also, TOOT TOOT!

 

[Crown Royal]

Doesn't look like Tolbert had a bad first year, but not really on the same level as Hitchens.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/T/TolbTo00.htm

Also, TOOT TOOT!

lol nice find

or have you been sitting on that?

 

[jazzcat22]

Many criticized this pick, just as they do with about every pick.

At first, I didn't know what to think. I wasn't upset at all. But after a short bit, was ok with it, seemed to make since in a way. As LB was a weakness, and needed depth, and then possibly a future starter.

I don't think any can complain a bit now though.
dLaw starting to play better too.
Made a rookie mistake at the wrong time, and a huge one. But redeemed himself, and that time fell on the ball, and stayed down.

2nd & 4th round contributions looking good.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Also, TOOT TOOT!

Wow that thread is full of win.

 

[Jenky]

Why can't he be a star? He is similar in weight and speed to Sean Lee, he's just 1.5 inches shorter.

He reminds me a bit of this guy:
London Fletcher
5-10, 242
4× Pro Bowl (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)
2× Second-team All-Pro (2011, 2012)

Hitchens 6'1/2", 240 (draft measurements)

Agreed. He's Fletcher with higher upside.

 

[CATCH17]

I remember Akwasi Owusu-Ansah's highlight tape set this place on fire. Those were some dark days

I'm still waiting for my Matt Johnson jerseys posters here promised us we would be wanting to buy at the end of 2012.

I bet he gets signed back in the offseason.

 

[Doomsday101]

I bet he gets signed back in the offseason.

If he wants to come in as a walk on and attempt to make the team great.

 

[theogt]

lol nice find

or have you been sitting on that?

I found it a while back and posted it in another thread similar to this.

I'm the broken clock that happened to be right. But honestly, he looks in games in the NFL exactly like he did in college. Great play recognition, fast to the ball, smart player.

 

[lkelly]

http://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/team-round/cowboys

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Dave Widell Started 9 games for us, as a Rookie at G in 1988.

 

[AbeBeta]

I remember a lot of folks during the draft chat wanted Telvin Smith - FSU LB who went to Jax. I think he had a pretty good year.

He did have a nice year -- hard to compare based on tackles since that isn't a real statistic (some stadiums credit more, some fewer) but he did pretty much come in and take the job.

What has been really impressive about Hitch is that he came in and played several positions and, as Garrett noted, pretty much had to take over calling the D and leading the unit on Sunday.

 

[AbeBeta]

http://www.drafthistory.com/index.php/team-round/cowboys

Good times.

From that list it looks like with McClay running the show, we may be bucking the small school trend that took over for a bit. Not that small school picks never turn out, but generally a multi year starter from a good program at a big college is going to be more likely to make the leap to the nfl.

 

[DBOY3141]

He did have a nice year -- hard to compare based on tackles since that isn't a real statistic (some stadiums credit more, some fewer) but he did pretty much come in and take the job.

What has been really impressive about Hitch is that he came in and played several positions and, as Garrett noted, pretty much had to take over calling the D and leading the unit on Sunday.

very true. obvious position flex and football IQ were a part of the draft pick evaluation.

 

[CCBoy]

X, this was a fine player to highlight. He is quite a find and in the thick of the linebacker group.

I have been waiting for this all important group to again, 'arrive.'

With the return lf both Justin Durant and Sean Lee, this group will be a very strong positional group. To me, the linebackers are way under appreciated. This group is reaching top shelf in quality.

Carter, Durant, Lee, and Hitchens are quite a strong unit. Wilber has shown a function as well, but I am anxious for the resigning of both Durant and Carter...for retention.

 

[CowboyChris]

As i have been saying pretty much all year, He has been equally as important to the defense as Martin has to our OL.

 

[mahoneybill]

Let's see...
Bob Svihus started 14 games as a rookie...for Oakland.
Tony Tolbert started 5 games.
Markus Steele started 10 games as a rookie in '01...and was never a starter again.
Those guys, plus Barber and Canty, are pretty much it for 4th rounders starting their first year. So yeah, Hitchens is right up there.

Also we have had some non drafted players who made a real difference. If I recall correctly Everson Walls fits that category...

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Interestingly enough, John Fitzgerald (1970), Pat Donavan (1975) and Tom Rafferty (1976) were all taken in the 4th round by the Cowboys. Those are three pretty darn good players for us, all taken in the 4th.

 

[xwalker]

I bet he gets signed back in the offseason.

I expect it to happen.