The time period between when mini-camp practices end and training camp begins is arguably the slowest and most worrisome for NFL teams, players, and the fans alike. Just about anything that is newsworthy around the NFL is of the negative nature.
This is something the Dallas Cowboys know all too well with the announcement last week that linebacker Rolando McClain will be suspended 10 games in 2016 and also that DeMarcus Lawrence’s appeal to reduce or eradicate his suspension was upheld.
I know it’s hardly worth mentioning now, but this puts the Cowboys defense in a really difficult situation, especially if you throw in the fact that Randy Gregory is also part of the suspension club. If you’re counting, that’s three players along the front seven of the defense that will miss at the very least the first month of the season.
Rolando McClain’s suspension in particular is a hard-hit to the defense, but fortunately the coaching staff is all to familiar with finding someone to fill in for him when he is suspended. Last year he missed the first four games because of a different suspension and Anthony Hitchens took over the responsibilities at middle linebacker during those games.
As it stands now, Hitchens is probably the favorite to once again stand in for the suspended McClain, but with training camp yet to get underway there’s still plenty of time to evaluate the linebacker position.
But, that might not be the biggest news in regards to Anthony Hitchens’ off-season.
You see, Anthony Hitchens decided that it was time to tie the knot with longtime girlfriend Ashley Presutto and said I do over the Fourth of July weekend.
Wedding Day !!!
— Anthony Hitchens (@AnthonyHitchens) July 2, 2016
Hitchens joins teammate Ronald Leary as the second Dallas Cowboys to take the plunge into matrimony this summer and like I did with Leary last week I wanted to congratulate the new couple on behalf of all of us here at Inside The Star.
Of course, even a few of his teammates decided to congratulate him via twitter as well.
https://twitter.com/RKRelentless/status/749263009516707841
Ryan Russell is another defensive player like Hitchens, that could possibly benefit from the suspensions to McClain, Lawrence, and Gregory. He has a chance to earn the coaching staff’s trust and start at one of the defensive end positions.
Congrats to my man @AnthonyHitchens getting married today. All the best to both of you.
— Mark Nzeocha (@markcn53) July 2, 2016
Mark Nzeocha could possibly be Anthony Hitchens main competition to lay claim to the middle linebacker position, but that didn’t stop him from congratulating his teammate.
Just in the past few days, Anthony Hitchens has had a big off-season. He has been promoted to be the Cowboys middle linebacker, at least for now, and he has gotten married.
Of course, Hitchens isn’t the only one who decided that the Fourth of July weekend was a good time to get married. Former safety Matt Johnson also used the holiday weekend to tie the knot.
https://twitter.com/Matt_Johnson37/status/749691106577690626
Matt Johnson may not be a current member of America’s Team, but being a former player earns him the right to get a shout out.
So, join all of us here at Inside The Star in wishing the newly married couples congratulations and best wishes.
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Hitchens! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Johnson!
Use the comment section below if you would like to congratulate the married couples or you can send them a tweet @AnthonyHitchens and @Matt Johnson37.
