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Zack Martin named to Mel Kiper Jr.'s All-Rookie team
January, 1, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin made the All-Rookie Team of ESPN Insider Mel Kiper Jr. Insider
You have to be an Insider to read the full piece, but Kiper called Martin -- and fellow All-Rookie guard Joel Bitonio -- dominant. Kiper went with New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as his offensive rookie of the year, but had Martin among the considerations.
Martin was the only Cowboys rookie picked for Kiper’s team. The only other possibility could have been linebacker Anthony Hitchens. Kiper went with C.J. Mosley of the Baltimore Ravens and Chris Borland of the San Francisco 49ers as his inside linebacker choices, and Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders and Aaron Lynch of the 49ers as his outside linebacker picks.
Hitchens, a fourth-round pick, could have been considered for either. He started games at all three linebacker spots for the Cowboys. He finished third on the team in tackles with 100 and also had three tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures, an interception, and four pass breakups in 11 starts.
Hitchens did not practice Wednesday because of a high right ankle sprain suffered in the season finale against the Washington Redskins, but he has some hopes he can play Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Regardless, the Cowboys like what he has done his rookie year.
"For a young player to come in and do all of the different things that he’s done has been really impressive," coach Jason Garrett said. "We knew he was a smart football player. We knew he was an instinctive football player. But again it was a tall order for a rookie to come in and really play all three linebacker spots, play in the base, play in the nickel, and have the production he’s had. He is one of those players you see get better and better literally every single day with every opportunity he gets. It goes to his approach to the game. It’s important to him. But he’s been impressive in a lot of different roles for us."
January, 1, 2015
By Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com
IRVING, Texas -- Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin made the All-Rookie Team of ESPN Insider Mel Kiper Jr. Insider
You have to be an Insider to read the full piece, but Kiper called Martin -- and fellow All-Rookie guard Joel Bitonio -- dominant. Kiper went with New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. as his offensive rookie of the year, but had Martin among the considerations.
Martin was the only Cowboys rookie picked for Kiper’s team. The only other possibility could have been linebacker Anthony Hitchens. Kiper went with C.J. Mosley of the Baltimore Ravens and Chris Borland of the San Francisco 49ers as his inside linebacker choices, and Khalil Mack of the Oakland Raiders and Aaron Lynch of the 49ers as his outside linebacker picks.
Hitchens, a fourth-round pick, could have been considered for either. He started games at all three linebacker spots for the Cowboys. He finished third on the team in tackles with 100 and also had three tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures, an interception, and four pass breakups in 11 starts.
Hitchens did not practice Wednesday because of a high right ankle sprain suffered in the season finale against the Washington Redskins, but he has some hopes he can play Sunday against the Detroit Lions.
Regardless, the Cowboys like what he has done his rookie year.
"For a young player to come in and do all of the different things that he’s done has been really impressive," coach Jason Garrett said. "We knew he was a smart football player. We knew he was an instinctive football player. But again it was a tall order for a rookie to come in and really play all three linebacker spots, play in the base, play in the nickel, and have the production he’s had. He is one of those players you see get better and better literally every single day with every opportunity he gets. It goes to his approach to the game. It’s important to him. But he’s been impressive in a lot of different roles for us."