Hitting's Infectious

When was the last time you saw more than one Dallas Cowboy lay his body on the line and lay a big, ball-jarring, tenacious hit?  The last game against Atlanta, there were three players: Gerald Sensabaugh, Terence Newman, and MIKE JENKINS!  Jenkins not only had a couple of big hits, he had an interception.  I know that the D-line is in constant battle in the trenches and give and take hits every play, but I’m talking about the players in space.  Keith Brooking is almost assured of one or two hits like that per game; it’s just his style.  But the DBs?  I hope the trend continues, for nothing fires up a team like a good hit from a DB.  With a sheriff in the backfield, the front seven know that they have an easier time.  Pin your ear back time!

Remember when Roy Williams would lay some wood and set the tone?  It seemed it was only Williams that was capable of making big hits back then.  The only knock (and what a BIG KNOCK) on Williams was his mental lapse in coverage which would demoralize his team.  Do the Cowboys now have three potential big hitters?  Sensabaugh and Jenkins seem to have a proclivity for hits and that seems to have rubbed off on Newman.  Have you ever seen Newman jar the ball loose from a receiver like that?  What got into him?  The only conclusion I can draw is that hitting is infectious and attitude is the key.  A player has to want to hit.  Some players love to hit and those players are always welcome on a team.  When other players see more that one player hitting their hearts out, they too are almost forced to hit.  Their thinking is “If he is going all out, I have to go all out.”  I hope this keeps up. 

Who exactly are these guys?  Sensabaugh is a strong safety that can hit (not as hard as Roy but hard nonetheless).  He can also cover; something Roy could never do.  Sensabaush’s coverage skills should not demoralize the team.  If it’s any indication, he did a good job on a great tight end, Gonzalez.  Jenkins is a fast, smooth corner with ball skills, and he likes to hit.  A few months ago, I wrote a post about Jenkins making the Pro Bowl in two years.  I based it on a gut feeling and his athleticism.  His play lately has removed all my doubts.  And now we get to the old dude, Newman.  Newman is still the fastest corner although he seems to have less ball skills than Jenkins.  Newman can stick to a receiver because of his speed, but if he can add hitting to his repertoire, he can become dominant and feared, something Jenkins seems to be earning.  At this point all I can say is LET THE HITS ROLL!