Jets gush about Stephen Hill
Greetings-
Some post-draft tidbits for you about Stephen Hill. The Jets PR people were good enough to send me a transcript from a news conference with GM Mike Tannenbaum, college scouting VP Joey Clinkscales and senior personnel executive Terry Bradway. Some interesting stuff on Mr. Hill.
1. Tannenbaum said the team studied Demaryius Thomas’ adjustment to the NFL to get an idea of how Hill might transition from the Tech offense to the NFL, and spent a lot of time getting to know Hill. In addition to the pro day at Tech, the Jets worked him out at their facility and also in Atlanta, which lasted about an hour and a half.
Tannenbaum: “We really feel he can run all the routes we’ll ask in our offense. Again, he was a very good blocker in a run-oriented offense. He has very good football acumen and we feel the transition can happen really quickly.”
2. Clinkscales’ assessment of Hill: “He is a tall kid who can run. He is flexible, can sink his hips, he can drop his weight and get in and out of routes. More (important) than the offense is his skill set, and I think his skill set transfers to this level pretty well.”
3. Clinkscales, on if Hill reminds the Jets of anyone:
“He’s unique. He’s a 6’4 kid that weighs 215 and runs a 4.32. He’s a unique athlete, he really is. Calvin Johnson, maybe? And I’m not going to put that label on him but from a height, weight, speed moniker. He’s just a unique athlete.”
4. Tannenbaum shared an interesting detail from his interview with Hill regarding his recruitment to Tech. As presumably a lot of teams did, the Jets asked Hill why a wide receiver would play for a run-oriented offense.
Tannenbaum: “He said they were initially the only team that had offered him and he had committed to them and later on in the process a few other more traditional passing teams had offered him a scholarship, but he didn’t want to back out on his commitment,” Tannenbaum said. “I thought that was very admirable. Again, that’s not why we took him or why we were interested in him, but that was an interesting anecdote because we were asking him why would you go there knowing you’re a receiver and that they’re going to run the ball.”
If you’ll remember, Hill committed to Tech in the fall of 2008 (he had actually committed to Central Florida prior to that) before Georgia (Tennessee did, as well) made a late push, which caused Hill to waver before sticking with Tech.
5. Bradway on the transition from the Tech offense:
“I think there’s a transition for all of them, to be honest with you. With the spread offenses, they don’t normally run the NFL route tree. But it was important for us to put him through that to see that he could do it. Like I said, at the combine, at his pro day, and at his work out for us, he showed that he can do that. This guy is really coachable. He’s willing to work. With (wide receivers coach) Sanjay (Lal) and our offensive coaches, I think the upside is going to happen pretty quickly for this kid.”
6. Clinkscales on why Hill didn’t have more catches in bigger games:
“Well, I would go back to what was stated a few minutes ago. On the season they completed 64 passes. So probably against some of the better teams they weren’t completing a lot of passes. I don’t think it had anything to do with his production in those games. They had a tough time throwing the ball.”
6. Hill said that he was hoping to end up with the Jets, given the connection he’d made with coaches during the pre-draft meetings.
“They had a little bit of background on me, and I had a great background on them. I feel like I’m in the right spot.”
On playing in a pro-style offense with Mark Sanchez: “I feel great, especially now that I’m in an offense where I can catch the football a little bit more. Catching the ball from Mark Sanchez is great. I’m going to make sure I get with him as soon as possible and we’re going to try to get this thing rolling.”
On what he’ll bring to the Jets:
“A lot of big plays down the field and getting big touchdowns at the right time, of course. Other than that, I feel like I could bring a lot, especially blocking. I can definitely put somebody on their butt.”
Thanks for reading.
Ken Sugiura, Georgia Tech blog
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205 comments Add your comment
GT Lee
April 30th, 2012
4:32 pm
@ George in the spring game Deon Hill (A Back) seemed to be the best receiver……somebody’s GOT to step up at WR
Big Crimson 75
April 30th, 2012
4:47 pm
JacketFan — ESPNs ACC site claims no GT free agents were signed today.
14 — I wasn’t comparing Hill to Tron, or to Bey Bey for that matter.
IMHO, as I posted earlier, Hill is a Heyward-Bey type. Too bad the Raiders didn’t have a first rd pick.
George Stein
April 30th, 2012
4:55 pm
Agreed, Lee. I keep expecting it to be Jeff Greene.
macrotech
April 30th, 2012
5:00 pm
WnE….sigh. Bless his little heart….REALLY gets all worked up, doesn’t he? I have no doubt that receivers take an extra hard look at committing to a run oriented offense…who could blame them?! Now that Hill has proven that making it out of this offense and into the NFL IS possible…CAN’T be a bad thing. In fact…CPJ and crew will CERTAINLY use him as an example when recruiting! Go TECH!!!
Joe Bling
April 30th, 2012
5:01 pm
Mark (another one) wrote: “Hill has great physical tools and has always appeared willing to work hard.”
No question about the first part, but the second part is not true at all. Hill had all kinds of issues during his time at Tech, including attitude problems and a poor work ethic. I’m glad to see he finally got his act together and put all of that talent to use impressing the scouts. I just wish he had shown a better work ethic at Tech and had been the college player he could have been. He was a major disappointment at Tech, lest we forget.
There’s an article linked above that has a quote in it from PJ comparing Demaryius Thomas and Stephen Hill. He complements both players’ physical skills, but he says they were very different players. He notes Thomas was a really hard worker, but does not say the same thing about Hill. I thought that was interesting.
FL Jacket
April 30th, 2012
5:23 pm
“we’ve always had a clear number one receiver, which has its pluses and minuses. I’m wondering who – if anyone – is the number one guy and, if there isn’t one, what the offense will look like.”
GS…I think it’s more hurtful than helpful…unless we’ve made the tactical decision to throw it to A-Backs more. The known deep threat (like BeyBey or S Hill) is vital to keep one or both Safeties from coming into the box pre-snap. Jeff Greene has the physical tools to play WR int he offense, but I’ve read he isn’t as aggressive yet. Darren Waller also has the measurables to be fantastic…but he’s raw as a WR. Is Jeremy Moore the X-factor if he can stay healthy? And is Chris Jackson finally getting his role in the offense…because I hear he’s a natural pass-catcher.
Delbert D.
April 30th, 2012
5:46 pm
Thomas was an assassin as a blocker while at Georgia Tech. In the scheme that the Jets use, Hill has a chance to further develop in that area as well as a receiver.
Paddy
April 30th, 2012
5:56 pm
Well folks, the same QB that couldn’t throw to his receivers is back trying to throw to a new and less talented set of receivers. Tech has always had QB’s that were good passers., Until CPJ gets that guy it will be the same results, good team not great.
HighTech
April 30th, 2012
6:49 pm
Paddy…All indications are Vad Lee is that passing quarterback. However, he has a hill to climb to unseat Tevin Washington from the #1 spot. It will be ability versus experience. Also, I believe Tevin has a very strong work ethic and will improve quite a bit. He may surprise some folks this season.
230gr Full Metal Jacket
April 30th, 2012
8:05 pm
Paddy… I think that we’ll see Wahington as the starter for the first few games, but by mid season I have a feeling that Lee will be the starter, unless he does as HighTech suggested and shows some major improvement in his passing game. Tevin does do a pretty good job of running the offense (except for a bad habit of keeping the ball when he should pitch it to the outside — especially when the game is tight), but Vad Lee (or possibly Justin Thomas, if he doesn’t become a receiver or A-Back) is the future of Tech’s offense — and that future looks pretty dang good!!!
BirminghamJacket
April 30th, 2012
8:33 pm
Congrats to Hill.
Don’t see it…
But good for him. He wouldn’t have contributed significantly to our stupid offense this year.
JB
April 30th, 2012
9:19 pm
Great chance for him with the Jets. Imagine a QB who can get a pass within say 5-10 yards of him…and on a rope. 28 career catch’s for 563 yards and 3 TD’s is a fine career under Johnson for a WR. Good luck young man.
George Stein
April 30th, 2012
9:32 pm
You really think Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow are capable of accurate throwing, JB?
GTfan2012
April 30th, 2012
9:55 pm
Birmingham Jacket,
I posted this in another thread in response to your comments about CPJ’s winning percentage primarily being attributable to another coaches recruits, but I’d love to hear your thoughts.
So let me see if I got this straight. CPJ get no credit for winning ANY games in his first two or so years because most of those players were recruited under the prior coach. I’ll play along. In 2010, GT had one of its worst years in recent memory. But the good news for CPJ is that he can’t really be blamed for that, by your logic, because 18 of the 22 starters were not recruited by CPJ.
Tampa Gator
April 30th, 2012
10:46 pm
The Tebow lead Gators won a national title. The Tebow led Broncos won their division and beat the mighty Steelers in the playoffs. No, he is not Payton Manning and never will be. But to compare him to some of those loser QBs in the NFL just shows bias and ignorance. Tebow will help make the Jets better this year…..as will Hill.
Paul in NH
April 30th, 2012
10:59 pm
Looks like Tampa Gator thinks that Tebow is going to do a heck of a job sending the signals in to Mark Sanchez.
Sautee Dawg
April 30th, 2012
10:59 pm
“Jets gush about Stephen Hill”. “gush”? I don’t believe i’d have wrote that. “gush”?
GTfan2012
April 30th, 2012
11:17 pm
Paul in NH,
I think the Jets will utilize Tebow 5-10 plays per game. He will have an opportunity to make plays. Whether he does or not is up to the way he is used plus his athletic ability. If he is used strictly as a wildcat runner, it will probably be unsuccessful. If he’s allowed to actually throw the ball, he is much more likely to have success.
Paul in NH
April 30th, 2012
11:40 pm
GTfan2012
I agree with your expectations for Tebow with the Jets. Having said that, he is a long way from being a good NFL QB. He is going to be the 5th best QB in his division after Brady, Fitzpatrick, Sanchez, Matt Moore.
A great college QB with lots to prove in the NFL – it must be a UF Heisman QB thing.
FL Jacket
April 30th, 2012
11:46 pm
“I think the Jets will utilize Tebow 5-10 plays per game. He will have an opportunity to make plays. Whether he does or not is up to the way he is used plus his athletic ability. If he is used strictly as a wildcat runner, it will probably be unsuccessful. If he’s allowed to actually throw the ball, he is much more likely to have success.”
GTfan2012…
While I think Tebow certainly has the “it” factor great QBs need…Tebow certainly hasn’t shown the ability yet to be trusted to chuck it 30+ times a game. The formula that worked in Denver – hoping your defense allows 13 points or less and waiting until the 4th quarter for a meaningful scoring drive – isn’t one based on sound process.
He still throws a very inconsistent ball, has ball security issues, and can’t adjust the passing game to the defense. It took Steve McNair 3-4 years but he eventually became an NFL MVP so I think Tebow deserves that long to develop.
WnE
April 30th, 2012
11:47 pm
Thanks for the update Ken.
Since Free Agent signings have been extensive since the Draft wrapped up, could you please create a blog entry about the comprehensive list of Draft-eligible former Yellow Jackets that got Free Agent contracts?
Thanks in advance.
FL Jacket
April 30th, 2012
11:48 pm
Paul…City is certainly exorcising demons this year. I hope they don’t blow it on survival Sunday.
FL Jacket
April 30th, 2012
11:56 pm
“Since Free Agent signings have been extensive since the Draft wrapped up, could you please create a blog entry about the comprehensive list of Draft-eligible former Yellow Jackets that got Free Agent contracts?
Thanks in advance.”
What a tool…spoken like a “true” Tech fan. I guess you’ll blame CPJ for it even though Roddy Jones and Jason Peters were Chan Gailey recruits. Funny how their CCG’s recruits only when they win…but CPJ’s fault when they lose or don’t get drafted.
WnE
April 30th, 2012
11:57 pm
re:
He still throws a very inconsistent ball, has ball security issues, and can’t adjust the passing game to the defense. It took Steve McNair 3-4 years but he eventually became an NFL MVP so I think Tebow deserves that long to develop.
___________
Tebow is nothing like McNair.
McNair played vs. lower level competition so a major part of his transition was adjusting to the increased complexity AND the increased speed of the NFL Game.
But McNair did have a strong arm and very good throwing mechanics.
Tebow played vs. elite competition, but he has always had horrible to poor throwing mechanics and only avg. arm strength.
It is lot easier to take a guy (McNair) with good throwing mechanics and a strong arm that played at the lower levels of CFB and help that person learn the “NFL Game” than it is to take a guy with a weak to avg. arm and poor throwing mechanics (Tebow) and try and make that player a franchise QB.
The guy that drafted Tebow got fired the very next year, and he deserved it, no way he should have used those 2 first round draft choices on Tebow & Bay-Bay, both players could have been had later in the draft probably in the 2nd round.
FL Jacket
April 30th, 2012
11:59 pm
WnE…you’re a tool who I’m sure rejoiced when no other Tech players got drafted or signed immediately after the draft. Get lost.
WnE
April 30th, 2012
11:59 pm
re:
FL Jacket
April 30th, 2012
11:56 pm
_____________
Am I not allowed to ask about former Jackets or want to find out which NFL teams they went to?
WTH?
FL Jacket
May 1st, 2012
12:00 am
Are you twittering NFL GMs too?
wreckbone
May 1st, 2012
12:05 am
You guys all forget, Stephen Hill looked like a track star playing wide receiver until last year. He put 15-20 lbs of muscle on and then he was able to win a few. Remember his sophomore year, DB from Va Tech took the ball from him in the endzone. Lsat year I remember if anything offensive pass interference on Hill but when he went up he didn’t lose the ball to a DB. It takes time to adjust to that sort of change in the body. So he only had one true year with his Wide receiver physique. It makes a huge diference.
George Stein
May 1st, 2012
12:05 am
“But McNair did have a strong arm and very good throwing mechanics.”
This cracks me up. This clown doesn’t know a damn thing about mechanics.
It would take very little research to find out no former Tech players had signed free agent contracts. You should sleep well tonight knowing that.
George Stein
May 1st, 2012
12:07 am
I like Tebow, Tampa Gator. My prior comment was more of a dig at Sanchez, who is terrible. As for Tebow, most NFL types are far too uncreative to ever get the most out of a unique talent like Tebow.
George Stein
May 1st, 2012
12:08 am
“Tebow played vs. elite competition, but he has always had horrible to poor throwing mechanics and only avg. arm strength.”
Clearly it damaged his ability to be successful.
FL Jacket
May 1st, 2012
12:11 am
GS…I think there are miles of strides Tim Tebow needs to make before he can be labeled “capable NFL starting QB”. His ability to read coverages is the one that sticks out to me. Like I said before Tool Time showed up…I think 3-4 years is deserved to try to refine his obvious physical gifts. But it’s that mental side where it needs to happen.
George Stein
May 1st, 2012
12:15 am
The issue with Tebow is everyone wants him to fit into the same box as other quarterbacks, and that’s not who he is. It’ll take an open minded coach with some job security for him to ever truly reach his potential.
Did you watch the derby?
FL Jacket
May 1st, 2012
12:19 am
No, just read the recap. Kompany headed one in before the break but I didn’t see the chances both sides had.
Don’t fall for the Tebow results…understand how the Tebow process needs to improve. The refined mechanics still fail him when he’s under duress. DET and KC made the Broncos look awful this year…NE not to the same extent. The defense kept them in it with superhuman efforts IMHO.
FL Jacket
May 1st, 2012
12:25 am
The question you have to ask is…what would Tebow’s potential look like? It can’t be out if the same spread formation game after game because NFL defenses will adjust.
If he were ever able to run a 5-wide offensive set competently where he could tuck it and run when running lanes were open…I think we’d be using his skill sets better. But he’d have to get to the point where he could dissect 8-man coverages…and it will take time if ever at all.
William Casey
May 1st, 2012
1:46 am
WRECKBONE made a good point about Stephen Hill and his physical development. One BIG difference remains between him and Calvin Johnson or Bey Bey Thomas. He lets way too many balls get in too close to his body before trying to catch them. This is a flaw that can be corrected.
Paddy
May 1st, 2012
4:43 am
230gr……….Tevin is a capable QB. But as a Sr, you should not expect him to become Sonny Jurgenson by Sept. Until CPJ gets that unique talent at QB,you are stuck at above avg as a team, unable to get over the hump to stardom.
Mk
May 1st, 2012
7:36 am
Good luck Stephen.
Phildo
May 1st, 2012
8:11 am
Not too certain if gush is the right word to them to use. They may find out they should have used the word spew. Looks good in flashes, offset by half-hearted efforts and hands that turn into hams.
GTfan 2012
May 1st, 2012
8:54 am
FL Jacket,
I question whether Tebow is going to get that chance. Denver seemed like one of the few places that was committed to him, and they were only committed until they found a better option. Tebow’s play book in New York isn’t exactly going to be wide open, so I’ll be interested to see how much he can really develop when his only semi-meaningful snaps running a traditional pro offense will be in the preseason.
FL Jacket
May 1st, 2012
9:08 am
GTfan2012…
I understand where you are coming from. Just remember that as the backup he gets reps with the 1st team offense and has to know all, or somewhat close, to the entire playbook as well. He will earn his playing time or spot on the depth chart in training camp…and it will be based on his grasp of the base offense.
John H
May 1st, 2012
9:25 am
Why is he talking about catching passes from Mark Sanchez? Tim Tebow is the QB for the Jets and he don’t throw so good.
GTfan 2012
May 1st, 2012
10:02 am
FL Jacket,
That’s interesting, I guess we will see. Maybe you are right, but I worry that Sparano is going to see Tebow simply as another RB that he will use to run the wildcat, with no threat of passing associated with it. So Tebow will have his little playbook, and while I expect him to be named the back up QB (because they don’t really have anyone else), like most back ups in the NFL, he will get limited PT in the traditional offense. Most NFL teams are screwed if they have to go to their backup. Then again with Sanchez’ numbers, the drop off to Tebow may not be all that great.
QB development usually only happens with actual playing time, and I think that’s even more true with Tebow, because of some of his issues with mechanics and reading defenses. Aaron Rogers was able to sit on the bench in Green Bay and eventually come in as the starter, but he seems to be the exception more than the rule, and I think he had a much different skill set coming out of college. Most of these guys have to play QB to get better, and my concern with Tebow is that the only opportunity he will have to play is not going to help him get better as a QB.
FL Jacket
May 1st, 2012
10:11 am
” Aaron Rogers was able to sit on the bench in Green Bay and eventually come in as the starter, but he seems to be the exception more than the rule, and I think he had a much different skill set coming out of college”
There have been quite a few QBs who have grasped their potential after 2-3 or more years of sitting on the bench or playing in inferior leagues. Aaron Rodgers, Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Matt Schaub, and Kurt Warner (he played in the Arena league for 3 yrs) all became regular NFL starters and elite QBs.
GTfan 2012
May 1st, 2012
10:49 am
FL Jacket,
Yes it does happen, BUT this does not seem to be the current model of the NFL. Right this moment, I cannot name one young QB sitting on the bench being groomed to be a starter behind an established guy (that doesn’t mean there isn’t one, I just can’t think of one whcih means there aren’t many). Virtually all the QBs drafted in the first few rounds in the last several drafts are starters… except Tebow. In 2012 5 QBs were drafted in the first two rounds, four of them will likely be expected to be starters. Only Brock Osweiler will get to sit behind Peyton Manning. In 2011, 6 QBs were drafted in the first two rounds, only Colin Kapernick isn’t starting. In 2010, 4 QBs were drafted in the first three rounds, Jimmy Clausen isn’t starting, but only b/c he got drafted over in 2011, and of course Tebow isn’t starting. Colt McCoy was a starter, but probably won’t be now. In 2009, 3 QBs were drafted in the 1st round (none in rds 2-3), and all started immediately. See a pattern.
Technically Correct
May 1st, 2012
11:04 am
We are all happy with Stephen Hill’s success, but, frankly, enough is enough and it is time to move on. He is no longer with the program and Tech fans are more interested in mundane stuff like recruiting of future players and matters relating to current players. Ken, might I suggest that you read the columns of the Dwag writers on the AJC (including Carvell) and try to emulate that from a Tech perspective?
GTfan 2012
May 1st, 2012
11:07 am
Technically Correct,
Yes, I agree. Ken should abandon all objective journalism for blind homerism. In addition, Ken should throw various jabs a UGAs lack of SEC and MNC championships into his writing, even when they have nothing to do with the subject at hand.
BS Patrol
May 1st, 2012
11:31 am
The burning question: Can the Jets cure alligator arm?
The Truth
May 1st, 2012
11:48 am
Ken – do you have a story coming on the arrest of GT’s starting OT? Arrested for property damage and fighting. It is truly amazing how this outlet chooses to run a front page story on a former Georgia player (Caleb King) who was academically ineligible for his Sr season, is living in Minneapolis where he is on the roster of the Vikings, yet can’t find the space for a 10 months to run a story about a starting LB at GT arrested for Boating Under the INfluence and now is absent while a starting OL is arrested.
Before anyone weighs in on Georgia players being arrested, if it is as common place as you GT people insist it’s odd why it would be news. Whereas when pristine GT athletes are arrested that should be news, given it is a true rarity.
George Stein
May 1st, 2012
11:53 am
Do a little reading before writing, The Truth. There was a post about it last week. Further, the player was not arrested. Again, think for two seconds, then write.
I would also add that the stock markets close everyday, and everyday it’s news.
You handle is perfectly ironic. Grow up already.