News: Roster Rundown: Dependable Hitchens Pitched In At Multiple LB Spots Again

[CCBoy]

Roster Rundown: Dependable Hitchens Pitched In At Multiple LB Spots Again

http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/2...able-hitchens-pitched-multiple-lb-spots-again



...Contract Status: Signed through 2017.


2015 Impact: One of the most competitive players on the squad. High character and outstanding work ethic. Is a team player in every sense of the word. Huge passion for the game. Can see that he loves to play. Had to make starts much like he did for Ronaldo McClain in 2014 and was able to play at a high level. Funny that he tends to play better when he is banged up as opposed to being healthy. Can really concentrate when physically not at his best. One of his best traits is his ability to read on the move. Is a reactionary athlete in the way he plays. Outstanding effort and motor to get to the ball and finish the play. Amazing how much toughness that he shows in a game. Appeared to be more comfortable in his communication with his teammates from his rookie season to this last one. When he sees the ball, he can physically finish the play. Very consistent in the way he tackles. Don’t see him fall off many opportunities. Improving in coverage and as a blitzer. Snaps showed an ability to be a factor when he rushed the passer but can do more.

Where He Fits: Staff will tell you that they love his position flexibility at all three linebacker spots, but in reality he is a much better fit as a MIKE or WILL than he is as a SAM because of his lack of length. If there is an area that he needs to improve on it would be his ability to take on blockers, and this is where that lack of length hurts him. Depending what happens with Rolando McClain and in the NFL Draft, he could be the starter as the MIKE for this defense. Played less in nickel once McClain returned to the lineup. When he gets it going, can be a tackling machine...

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Hitchens is fine as long as he isn't up on the line and can flow. He's okay avoiding blocks on the move. Them bringing back Wilber over him at SAM says all I need to know.

 

[Direwolf63]

I'm fine with Hitchens starting in the middle if McClain isn't re-signed.

 

[conner01]

Hitch is a good player and fills lots of roles but I think unless we get a better option in the draft for the middle he will be the man

 

[texbumthelife]

Hitchens is fine as long as he isn't up on the line and can flow. He's okay avoiding blocks on the move. Them bringing back Wilber over him at SAM says all I need to know.

This isn't even close to true. They kept Wilber because they needed depth, they knew what he could do and he was cheap. It turned out to be a good resigning because once McClain was hurt, they needed Hitchens in the middle, where he played better than McClain anyway. In other words, they re-signed Wilber for exactly what happened.

 

[robjay04]

This isn't even close to true. They kept Wilber because they needed depth, they knew what he could do and he was cheap. It turned out to be a good resigning because once McClain was hurt, they needed Hitchens in the middle, where he played better than McClain anyway. In other words, they re-signed Wilber for exactly what happened.

Played better than McClain? Not saying McClain was all world but we won 4 games this year and I credit one of those four games to exceptional play from McClain. From what I remember, McClain had more of an impact in the Miami game than Romo.

 

[texbumthelife]

Played better than McClain? Not saying McClain was all world but we won 4 games this year and I credit one of those four games to exceptional play from McClain. From what I remember, McClain had more of an impact in the Miami game than Romo.

If you want the linger on that play, more power to you. I watch every game multiple times and watch the All-22 multiple times. I can say without any remorse that McClain is easily replaceable based on his play this year and Hitchens played better.

I'm sure you wanted to keep Bruce Carter around too. I mean, flashy plays are more important than playing well for and entire season. That seems to be the M.O. for what posters on here want.

 

[robjay04]

If you want the linger on that play, more power to you. I watch every game multiple times and watch the All-22 multiple times. I can say without any remorse that McClain is easily replaceable based on his play this year and Hitchens played better.

I'm sure you wanted to keep Bruce Carter around too. I mean, flashy plays are more important than playing well for and entire season. That seems to be the M.O. for what posters on here want.

Nope, I didn't really care if we got rid of Carter. As for Ro? We are both entitled to our own opinion but I thought both him and Lee made a good tandem at times. Our defense could use more flashy plays. We were solid at times but couldn't make those flashy, game changing plays on a consistent basis.

Truthfully, I wouldn't mind seeing nearly every spot upgraded on our defense but you can only do so much in one offseason and I don't see Hitchens as an upgrade over Ro...I guess we will see what the staff thinks.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

If its really true about them liking Ramsey @ 4 then re-signing McClain is almost a must. I think hitchens in a WSLB.

 

[jobberone]

Been a fan since the draft but he is just avg starter except for position flex. That's ok though. We need our share of dependable guys like him. We need a more dynamic cover LB.

 

[CCBoy]

Been a fan since the draft but he is just avg starter except for position flex. That's ok though. We need our share of dependable guys like him. We need a more dynamic cover LB.

Durant could fill that role. But a strong side/middle linebacker that fits in coverage also, is needed in this draft.

 

[Gameover]

Hitchens is fine as long as he isn't up on the line and can flow. He's okay avoiding blocks on the move. Them bringing back Wilber over him at SAM says all I need to know.

Wilber's coming back? I guess Heath will survive another year as well. Cowboys: where bum players stick around forever

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Wilber's coming back? I guess Heath will survive another year as well. Cowboys: where bum players stick around forever

Towards the end of the year Wilber was getting the lions share of SAM snaps is what I meant. I don't know what Wilber's current status is.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

This isn't even close to true. They kept Wilber because they needed depth, they knew what he could do and he was cheap. It turned out to be a good resigning because once McClain was hurt, they needed Hitchens in the middle, where he played better than McClain anyway. In other words, they re-signed Wilber for exactly what happened.

Its not close to true. Youre arguing cause not outcome, chachi. When McClain came back Wilber was still in there.

 

[texbumthelife]

Its not close to true. Youre arguing cause not outcome, chachi. When McClain came back Wilber was still in there.

It really doesn't matter what they did with Wilber though, because Hitchens isn't a SAM, so it has no bearing on him whatsoever.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

It really doesn't matter what they did with Wilber though, because Hitchens isn't a SAM, so it has no bearing on him whatsoever.

True scotsman argument now? He was starting at SAM for the first half of the season. How that has no bearing on him is beyond me.

 

[texbumthelife]

True scotsman argument now? He was starting at SAM for the first half of the season. How that has no bearing on him is beyond me.

He was clearly out of position there, which is why the kept Wilber. Hence, they kept Wilber because they didn't have a true SAM. Therefor, them keeping Wilber had less to do with Hitchens' ability and more to do with not having another SAM on the roster.

I agree Hitchens isn't a good SAM, but I won't knock him for that because I acknowledge that isn't where he should be playing.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

He was clearly out of position there, which is why the kept Wilber. Hence, they kept Wilber because they didn't have a true SAM. Therefor, them keeping Wilber had less to do with Hitchens' ability and more to do with not having another SAM on the roster.

I agree Hitchens isn't a good SAM, but I won't knock him for that because I acknowledge that isn't where he should be playing.

Clearly? And again with the true scotsman argument. I'm not even sure what we're arguing about. You just seem like you really want to win a point.

He was awful at SAM and Wilber can only defend the run and jam on the line which is not conducive to a man scheme but it was still better than Hitchens who would get swallowed by TE on the line and then have them run right by him.

 

[texbumthelife]

Clearly? And again with the true scotsman argument. I'm not even sure what we're arguing about. You just seem like you really want to win a point.

He was awful at SAM and Wilber can only defend the run and jam on the line which is not conducive to a man scheme but it was still better than Hitchens who would get swallowed by TE on the line and then have them run right by him.

It's not a Scotsman's Fallacy when we are on a forum that is built around personal opinions. If it's my opinion that something is clear, it doesn't invalidate your opinion. Did you just learn that phrase and want to show it off?

As I said, Hitchens is not a SAM. I already agreed he sucked at SAM, further invalidating your "Scotsman's Fallacy" claim.. I am not trying to win anything. You pointed out the team resigning Wilber as a way to discredit Hitchens' talent. I simply said that I didn't think that signing had anything to do with Hitchens' ability because he was clearly out of position at SAM.

In reality, I think the team essentially decided to ignore SAM because that position gets so few reps. That's also another reason they were OK with Wilber and Hitchens both splitting duty there.

 

[texbumthelife]

Clearly? And again with the true scotsman argument. I'm not even sure what we're arguing about. You just seem like you really want to win a point.

He was awful at SAM and Wilber can only defend the run and jam on the line which is not conducive to a man scheme but it was still better than Hitchens who would get swallowed by TE on the line and then have them run right by him.

Honestly, not trying to argue with you just to argue. I think this discussion has gotten side tracked though. My bad.

My base argument is against your claim that re-signing Wilber is an indictment of Hitchens ability. I simply don't agree with that.