IRVING — Maybe now you’ve become a believer in rookie Anthony Hitchens.
Six months ago, everyone with a mouth, it seemed, questioned why the Cowboys used a fourth-round pick on the Iowa linebacker whom many had projected to go much lower in the draft.
Since May, Hitchens has played all three linebacker spots for the Cowboys and helped fill the void left from the season-ending injuries to Sean Lee and Justin Durant.
“Some people doubted me,” Hitchens said. “Some people didn’t. So just block out the noise and try to get better.”
Hitchens made his second start at middle linebacker for the Cowboys against Jacksonville in London and finished with a game-high nine tackles. It was the third time this season that Hitchens has led the Cowboys in tackles.
The rookie made all the defensive calls against the Jaguars and — for the second time this season — stopped a running back for no gain on a fourth-and-1 play.
Hitchens also had a big fourth-down stop in Week 3 at St. Louis. That was the first time he started at middle linebacker, and he finished with 18 tackles against the Rams.
“It’s hard to argue that he’s not playing like a first-rounder,” Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said of Hitchens. “He’s played all three positions, and he’s played all three at a high level.”
Hitchens played so well against Jacksonville that the Cowboys were able to rest starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who has been slowed by a right knee injury.
After a bye last weekend, McClain should benefit from the extra rest going into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
Hitchens, meanwhile, has not only caught the eye of the club’s executives and coaches but also his peers.
The Cowboys’ original plan for Hitchens this season was to make him Lee’s backup and give the rookie a chance to develop at the NFL level.
But Lee was lost for the season during the first offseason practice, forcing Hitchens to grow up quickly.
Lee said he’s been impressed with Hitchens.
“That’s hard to do, to play that aggressive at three positions as a rookie,” Lee said. “He’s a smart guy. He’s going to make a lot of plays in this league.”
One of Hitchens’ best plays of the season came in the second quarter against Jacksonville.
Hitchens showed his speed by running down Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts along the right sideline. Shorts had no one in front of him when Hitchens snagged him from behind after a 53-yard gain. On the next play, Jacksonville lost a fumble.
Hitchens says he gains confidence every time he steps on the field.
“They’re building trust with me every week,” Hitchens said, “and I just have to keep doing my job so I can keep the trust.”
Safety J.J. Wilcox, starting for the Cowboys in only his second season, said making an impact as a rookie is challenging.
“It’s real tough,” Wilcox said. “Any time you’re asked to come be a starter in the National Football League as a rookie, it’s tough. But he embraces it, he takes it serious, and that’s all you can ask from a guy in his position.”
Hitchens primarily played at weakside linebacker at Iowa, but he’s excelled for the Cowboys in the middle.
“He doesn’t look like a fish out of water at any of the spots we’ve asked him to play,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “And I think more than anything else, it’s just playing more allows him to become more and more comfortable. He’s seeing things and reacting more quickly and pulling the trigger and showing up and making plays. And he’s physical, too. He’s tackling hard, which is obviously a really good trait for a linebacker.”
No one doubts Hitchens’ ability these days.
“I’ve come a long way,” Hitchens said. “That’s my job, to get better every day. So far, I’m proud of the way I’m doing, but we still have a lot of weeks left. I’ve got to keep getting ready.”
Six months ago, everyone with a mouth, it seemed, questioned why the Cowboys used a fourth-round pick on the Iowa linebacker whom many had projected to go much lower in the draft.
Since May, Hitchens has played all three linebacker spots for the Cowboys and helped fill the void left from the season-ending injuries to Sean Lee and Justin Durant.
“Some people doubted me,” Hitchens said. “Some people didn’t. So just block out the noise and try to get better.”
Hitchens made his second start at middle linebacker for the Cowboys against Jacksonville in London and finished with a game-high nine tackles. It was the third time this season that Hitchens has led the Cowboys in tackles.
The rookie made all the defensive calls against the Jaguars and — for the second time this season — stopped a running back for no gain on a fourth-and-1 play.
Hitchens also had a big fourth-down stop in Week 3 at St. Louis. That was the first time he started at middle linebacker, and he finished with 18 tackles against the Rams.
“It’s hard to argue that he’s not playing like a first-rounder,” Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones said of Hitchens. “He’s played all three positions, and he’s played all three at a high level.”
Hitchens played so well against Jacksonville that the Cowboys were able to rest starting middle linebacker Rolando McClain, who has been slowed by a right knee injury.
After a bye last weekend, McClain should benefit from the extra rest going into Sunday’s game against the New York Giants.
Hitchens, meanwhile, has not only caught the eye of the club’s executives and coaches but also his peers.
The Cowboys’ original plan for Hitchens this season was to make him Lee’s backup and give the rookie a chance to develop at the NFL level.
But Lee was lost for the season during the first offseason practice, forcing Hitchens to grow up quickly.
Lee said he’s been impressed with Hitchens.
“That’s hard to do, to play that aggressive at three positions as a rookie,” Lee said. “He’s a smart guy. He’s going to make a lot of plays in this league.”
One of Hitchens’ best plays of the season came in the second quarter against Jacksonville.
Hitchens showed his speed by running down Jaguars receiver Cecil Shorts along the right sideline. Shorts had no one in front of him when Hitchens snagged him from behind after a 53-yard gain. On the next play, Jacksonville lost a fumble.
Hitchens says he gains confidence every time he steps on the field.
“They’re building trust with me every week,” Hitchens said, “and I just have to keep doing my job so I can keep the trust.”
Safety J.J. Wilcox, starting for the Cowboys in only his second season, said making an impact as a rookie is challenging.
“It’s real tough,” Wilcox said. “Any time you’re asked to come be a starter in the National Football League as a rookie, it’s tough. But he embraces it, he takes it serious, and that’s all you can ask from a guy in his position.”
Hitchens primarily played at weakside linebacker at Iowa, but he’s excelled for the Cowboys in the middle.
“He doesn’t look like a fish out of water at any of the spots we’ve asked him to play,” head coach Jason Garrett said. “And I think more than anything else, it’s just playing more allows him to become more and more comfortable. He’s seeing things and reacting more quickly and pulling the trigger and showing up and making plays. And he’s physical, too. He’s tackling hard, which is obviously a really good trait for a linebacker.”
No one doubts Hitchens’ ability these days.
“I’ve come a long way,” Hitchens said. “That’s my job, to get better every day. So far, I’m proud of the way I’m doing, but we still have a lot of weeks left. I’ve got to keep getting ready.”
