News: New SLB | Anthony Hitchens

[Bluefin]

I'm listening (video isn't working) to yesterday's Talkin' Cowboys and Mickey Spagnola dropped a nugget towards the end of the show.

He spoke with LB coach Matt Eberflus about who he would open up with at the linebacker spots during off-season work.

Anthony Hitchens will get first crack at SAM.

I've heard on several occasions that the coaches didn't like him on the strongside, just in the middle and on the weakside.

I'm happy to hear it.

Kyle Wilber, Keith Rivers, et all don't inspire confidence.

 

[AsthmaField]

I have been thinking that he would be the SAM for a while now. Not trying to be a smart *** or anything. Just he is one of the three best LB's IMO and he should be starting. Lee at WLB and Ro at MLB leaves the SAM for Hitch.

EDIT: I do realize it hasn't been made official yet, so hearing that Eberflus said that confirms it. I don't want you to think I don't appreciate the post. Just that it is kind of common sense IMO.

 

[speedkilz88]

I'm listening (video isn't working) to yesterday's Talkin' Cowboys and Mickey Spagnola dropped a nugget towards the end of the show.

He spoke with LB coach Matt Eberflus about who he would open up with at the linebacker spots during off-season work.

Anthony Hitchens will get first crack at SAM.

I've heard on several occasions that the coaches didn't like him on the strongside, just in the middle and on the weakside.

I'm happy to hear it.

Kyle Wilber, Keith Rivers, et all don't inspire confidence.

Yeah, Broaddus always says he's not ideal there because he lacks the length. I think they generally want 6-2 guys with long arms.

 

[Bluefin]

I have been thinking that he would be the SAM for a while now. Not trying to be a smart *** or anything. Just he is one of the three best LB's IMO and he should be starting. Lee at WLB and Ro at MLB leaves the SAM for Hitch.

EDIT: I do realize it hasn't been made official yet, so hearing that Eberflus said that confirms it. I don't want you to think I don't appreciate the post. Just that it is kind of common sense IMO.

No prob.

It was just bugging me that the team wasn't saying anything about playing Anthony Hitchens at SLB.

He needs to be on the field.

They also think Damien Wilson will earn some kind of role on defense.

 

[AsthmaField]

No prob.

It was just bugging me that the team wasn't saying anything about playing Anthony Hitchens at SLB.

He needs to be on the field.

They also think Damien Wilson will earn some kind of role on defense.

Yeah, I've been wanting confirmation that he would be put there because he can be good there and he deserves to be given a shot to win a starting spot, IMO.

BTW, Wilson looks like a very, very good player. Really excited about him. He looks like a slightly more physical, instinctive Hitchens to me.

 

[big dog cowboy]

The LB position is very fluid. I know we have Lee and RoMc locked in as starters but after that, we have so many LB's anything is possible.

 

[jrumann59]

Hitch seems smart and has the athletic ability and instincts where length may be over rated. With Hitch you could feasibly have formations where Lee and Hitch flip flop roles for a few plays sure would make singling out the strong side of the defense harder.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

32" arms. Get the best guys out there but stacked on TE that could be an issue.

 

[Nightman]

I have been thinking that he would be the SAM for a while now. Not trying to be a smart *** or anything. Just he is one of the three best LB's IMO and he should be starting. Lee at WLB and Ro at MLB leaves the SAM for Hitch.

EDIT: I do realize it hasn't been made official yet, so hearing that Eberflus said that confirms it. I don't want you to think I don't appreciate the post. Just that it is kind of common sense IMO.

I've been thinking the same thing since McClain re-signed. Get the best 3 on the field and you still have Brinkley to back up McClain.

Hithcens...........McClain............Lee
Watson.............Brinkley.............Wilson
Rivers.........................................Gachkar

 

[speedkilz88]

I've been thinking the same thing since McClain re-signed. Get the best 3 on the field and you still have Brinkley to back up McClain.

Hithcens...........McClain............Lee
Watson.............Brinkley.............Wilson
Rivers.........................................Gachkar

I think the German could get that 7th STs role. Guys got 4.5 speed. I think your missing someone else too. You have one to many that's what it is.

 

[Nightman]

I think the German could get that 7th STs role. Guys got 4.5 speed. I think your missing someone else too. You have one to many that's what it is.

Yeah after the first 5 or 6 its pretty sketchy

 

[Kaiser]

I had just assumed Hitchens would start at SAM. Also I'm probably the only one here but I wouldn't mind Kyle Wilber getting significant snaps there. Not starting but he is better than he is given credit for on this site.

 

[21Savage]

I would still love to see them try Gregory out there in that Otto/ Von Miller type role. Hitchens still has a role on our nickel D. And although he was really bad at the Sam last year the few times he played it, he does have long arms for a 6'0 guy like fuzzy pointed out so the tools are there.

Btw, Damien Wilson had ridiculously long 33 inch plus arms for a 6'0 guy with speed.

 

[rockj7]

Yeah, I've been wanting confirmation that he would be put there because he can be good there and he deserves to be given a shot to win a starting spot, IMO.

BTW, Wilson looks like a very, very good player. Really excited about him. He looks like a slightly more physical, instinctive Hitchens to me.

Is Wilson projected to play the Weakside?

 

[Galian Beast]

Wilson is projected at weakside and middle.

I think Gachkar is the heavy favorite to fill the role as ST LB supplanting Lawrence. Bissachia drafted him and brought him here specifically to shore up the special teams.

I think we take 7 linebackers.

1. Lee
2. McClain
3. Hitchens
4. Wilson
5. Brinkley
6. Rivers v Nzeocha
7. Gachkar

I think Nzeocha has a shot depending on how Rivers does. If Rivers comes in here playing like a solid veteran, I think Nzeocha goes to the PS. Though Nzeocha could also compete with Gachkar for a special teams role.

 

[Fredd]

I still can see the team having packages with a 3-4 alignment on occasion, and use McClain and Hitch in the middle...good t have options

 

[CF74]

3 best players on the field...

 

[cowboyschmps3]

He deserves it after a nice rookie season and surprising many that questioned the pick.

 

[waving monkey]

It never occurred to me how shallow we were at LB
now I understand all those linebackers in the draft
fortunate on Ro

 

[Crown Royal]

32" arms. Get the best guys out there but stacked on TE that could be an issue.

Hitchens is becoming an interesting project. If I'm honest I'd prefer to see someone else start, especially at SLB, but I want Hitchens to play a lot of minutes. I think for now his best role is as depth and a utility knife. THen, in year three, I think we see him as a starter.

Good problem to have!