What do you think of Hitchens?

[DogFace]

I only knew what the gurus on here said about him.

I'm very pleasantly surprised. He could start next to Ro and lee or Durant may beat him out of resigned.
Although, I'm not completely giving up on Carter. He could be the int leader in limited time.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I think Hitchens has provided solid 4th round value that no one should argue with.

 

[LandryFan]

Hitchens was an excellent pick. Chances are those who ripped the Hitchens pick were also many of the same ones who cried about passing on DT Sharif (until Fredbeard and WR Williams shut them up) and also whined about some supposed know-nothing wanna-be GM getting taken to the cleaners for trading for LB McClain.

Yea, don't hear so much from them nowadays.

 

[Jack Burton]

I'm glad we have him. At the very least, he's solid depth for us in the years to come.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

We just may have picked the 4th best LB of that draft class. You have LBs Mack, Barr and Mosley picked in the 1st round who are much better. What do you have with Pgh LB Shazier? He pretty much disappeared after a strong pre-season (I think). Haven't heard much from Shazier lately. And then the Eagles took LB Marcus Smith in the 1st. Well, so far, Hitchens is better than the Eagles 1st rd LB Smith in my eyes.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I wasn't happy with his tackling earlier in the season. But, that has improved (and really, the entire defense's tackling has improved).

But, I really like watching him play. He is really good in coverage. He's also instinctive without being too much of a freelancer. He has excellent range and can play the run. And the game doesn't seem too big for him.





YR

 

[LatinMind]

After 14 games, what do you guys think of him? I must say i wasn't happy with that pick during the draft, but I've changed my mind, Zack Martin has had a tremendous year as a rookie but one can argue Hitchens has been equally as important.

Hitchens has exceeded all expectations. I just hope he can gain some weight without losing his speed to man the strong side. He can play the SAM but he gets taken out by OL at times too easily.

 

[xwalker]

What do Anthony and RisenStar think about the player?

Risen is probably still holding onto his idea that Hitchens and Fred could have been drafted several rounds later.

I envision Fred someday at his Hall of Fame induction with Risen in the audience screaming "it does not matter what he did in the NFL, the Cowboys wasted a 1st on him when they could have had him in the 4th".

 

[brymatt94]

Just goes to show that fans typically do not know as much about the game as they like to say they do. The pick was scrutinized and management was criticized. Fans do not go to see these prospects in person year-round. Eight months later it seems the scouts know what they're doing, because they took Hitchens based on their own evaluation and not those that said they reached.

 

[waving monkey]

damn good value where he was picked

 

[visionary]

Hitchens has insanely good instincts for a rookie. I see a really good player for many years to come.

He reminds me of Dexter Coakley.

So good trade bait?

 

[Texas_Pete]

I think he'll start with Sean Lee and Ro McClain next year. We'll call them The Hit Squad.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Did not know anything bout the player when he was picked, so did not get all the vitriol that was thrown at the pick. When I went and looked at his college film he looked like a player. Happy with his year and think he has exceeded expectations. Solid, effort player. Not going to be a star, but looks like he will develop into a solid LB'er for us. It looks like his football intelligence has helped out this year =, as he was thrust into playing early.

 

[waving monkey]

Risen is probably still holding onto his idea that Hitchens and Fred could have been drafted several rounds later.

I envision Fred someday at his Hall of Fame induction with Risen in the audience screaming "it does not matter what he did in the NFL, the Cowboys wasted a 1st on him when they could have had him in the 4th".

I think your right,funny

 

[xwalker]

Did not know anything bout the player when he was picked, so did not get all the vitriol that was thrown at the pick. When I went and looked at his college film he looked like a player. Happy with his year and think he has exceeded expectations. Solid, effort player. Not going to be a star, but looks like he will develop into a solid LB'er for us. It looks like his football intelligence has helped out this year =, as he was thrust into playing early.

I didn't focus on LBs in that draft, but in reviewing Hitchen game footage I was impressed.

I don't see a limit to his upside. I think his speed is similar to Lee's and his weight is similar to Lee's, although Hitchens is 2 inches shorter. I think playing next to the 6-4, 260 RoMc makes him look smaller than he is.

 

[bark]

I think he's no Barbie carpenter( who we paid much more for ) and I mean that in a good way.
Kid has made plays all over the field.
Excellent draft choice

 

[Idgit]

Didn't like the pick, because I liked other players at his position still on the board better, but he's been all you could ask for here as a rookie in a position group that's needed him to play everywhere and even call some of the defensive plays. He's been impressive.

He made some nice plays in the win last week, too, including that impressive 2nd down stop on the edge where he filled like a flash at the sideline and knocked McCoy out of bounds on what looked like a sure TD. He's a smart player who plays sound football to the best of his athletic ability. Can't ask for much more than that.

 

[TonyRomo17]

He hasnt been as important as Martin c'mon,

 

[Dodger12]

Those people who thought that Dallas only drafted a back up were just flat either paying zero attention to this teams injury problems at Linebacker or they flat out were just being stupid.

Well what do you think he was drafted for in the first place? To be a back-up who can play multiple LB positions in a pinch. He's playing because of injury. Someone wasn't paying attention.

 

[Kaiser]

He has very good instincts, a good motor and pretty solid fundamentals.

He is not highly gifted physically and can easily get swallowed up on blocks. He is faster than I would have thought, and a pretty sure tackler.

I don't see him as a full time starter Sam - simple because I don't think he can ever be strong enough. I'd like him to be a backup linebacker for all three positions over the next couple of years and enjoy his capabilities in depth. He may develop into a good starter - he starts now, but I don't think he'll ever be a great playmaker either. I think he's the kind of mid level player you need to have at certain positions of your roster, and he may be a little bit better in the future - but I wouldn't use him as a belief that the LB corps is fine now.

That's kind of where I'm at now, he is at least a super-sub. I do think he has more upside however and may very well turn into a very good starter. I would bring Durant back next year and let the two compete, but either way Hitchens was great value for a 4th round pick.