Rookie LBs Making Mark; Hitchens Gets Starter Reps

[waving monkey]

Anthony Hitchens’ tune has changed.

The fourth-round pick, who played weak side linebacker in college, was drafted to be Sean Lee’s backup at middle linebacker. Less than a month after joining the Cowboys, he watched Lee go down for the season and admitted he wasn’t prepared with such limited reps at that point to immediately jump in as the starting middle linebacker.

“But I will get there,” Hitchens vowed in May. “It’s going to take time…I have time to get better.”

With three months passed, he feels ready for that role.

In fact, both rookie linebacker draft picks feel much more prepared for what they need to do to make the team. For seventh-round pick Will Smith, that could mean squeaking onto the 53-man roster. For Hitchens, that could potentially mean a starting role.

After preparing to be a middle linebacker in the offseason, Hitchens switched over to the weak side – a position he’s more accustomed to playing. Hitchens said it doesn’t matter to him whether he’s inside or outside, and he was warned he could get bumped around.

He wasn’t done moving, though.

link/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...ter-Reps/ace75259-8fe5-44aa-baeb-81532c90face

 

[waving monkey]

controversial pick is proving himself

 

[theSHOW]

I don't know why but I am a big fan of Hitchens, and even Matt Johnson. Must be the round.

 

[Derekmtl85]

Really hoping this guy proves people wrong. It would go a long way for this defense, too.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Yea i'm also one of the guys who hopes he proves everyone wrong. He seems to be on the right track thus far.

 

[coult44]

Anthony Hitchens’ tune has changed.

The fourth-round pick, who played weak side linebacker in college, was drafted to be Sean Lee’s backup at middle linebacker. Less than a month after joining the Cowboys, he watched Lee go down for the season and admitted he wasn’t prepared with such limited reps at that point to immediately jump in as the starting middle linebacker.

“But I will get there,” Hitchens vowed in May. “It’s going to take time…I have time to get better.”

With three months passed, he feels ready for that role.

In fact, both rookie linebacker draft picks feel much more prepared for what they need to do to make the team. For seventh-round pick Will Smith, that could mean squeaking onto the 53-man roster. For Hitchens, that could potentially mean a starting role.

After preparing to be a middle linebacker in the offseason, Hitchens switched over to the weak side – a position he’s more accustomed to playing. Hitchens said it doesn’t matter to him whether he’s inside or outside, and he was warned he could get bumped around.

He wasn’t done moving, though.

link/http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/a...ter-Reps/ace75259-8fe5-44aa-baeb-81532c90face

Hitchens was my favorite pick in the draft. Martin was a no brainer, but I started looking at Hitchens as soon as CFB ended last year. The two guys I wanted us to draft was Deone Bucannon and Hitchens. At one time I thought Deone would still be there in the 2nd or 3rd and Hitchens would be long gone. Funny how that turned out.

 

[d_dub88]

I am really starting to hate all the day to day jumping around in the LB corps. Why can't we let three of these guys at least learn a position and stay there.

 

[waving monkey]

Hitchens was my favorite pick in the draft. Martin was a no brainer, but I started looking at Hitchens as soon as CFB ended last year. The two guys I wanted us to draft was Deone Bucannon and Hitchens. At one time I thought Deone would still be there in the 2nd or 3rd and Hitchens would be long gone. Funny how that turned out.

cant say I even was aware of Hitchens honestly but I think his going to be a good one

 

[ConstantReboot]

Hitchens was my favorite pick in the draft. Martin was a no brainer, but I started looking at Hitchens as soon as CFB ended last year. The two guys I wanted us to draft was Deone Bucannon and Hitchens. At one time I thought Deone would still be there in the 2nd or 3rd and Hitchens would be long gone. Funny how that turned out.

What did you see in Hitchens that you liked? You thought that Hitchens should have been drafted higher?

 

[ConstantReboot]

Anyways I hope im proven wrong with Hitchens. It seems that for the last 5 years or so our 4th rounders have been terrible picks. Hopefully Hitchens can prove everyone wrong including me.

 

[waving monkey]

what has the last 4 or 5 years have to do with Hitchens ? Hitchens is now and his playing OK
for a fourth rounder

 

[Redball Express]

controversial pick is proving himself

I really like this guy.

He looks like a NFL Lber and he seems to always be around where the ball is.

And a great attitude can't hurt either.

I see him as a Day One starter.

from there we will see.

 

[Gaede]

Really hoping he proves us all wrong. I just don't know about his physical attributes though

 

[Bullflop]

It'll be interesting to see how Anthony Hitchens makes out in his debut as Dallas' MLB for tonite's preseason game vs. Miami. He's known to be a quick-study type of player, very intelligent and able to accomodate the several positions he's been asked to. I'd like nothing better than to see him squash the initial responses to his draft acquisition. He may not maintain his starter role of the MLB over Rolando McClain in the longrun but it's becoming increasingly obvious his value to the Cowboys is highly significant, imo.

 

[Tawney88]

Hopefully he does contribute, but I still think we reached.

 

[casmith07]

Good to read. Looking forward to seeing how he plays on the field tonight.

 

[Aven8]

Looks like Nate might know a little about football after all.

 

[Risen Star]

controversial pick is proving himself

No doubt. The proof is on the field in the quotes.

 

[Risen Star]

Hopefully he does contribute, but I still think we reached.

Manute Bol was like " could you get that for me?".

 

[Risen Star]

What did you see in Hitchens that you liked? You thought that Hitchens should have been drafted higher?

Ask him where he ever mentioned Hitchens before the draft because he didn't. No one did.