Stephen Hill

[iamcline]

Speed is fun to look at, but routes and cuts mean more than top end. Gettis beat defenders with good cuts and crisp routes. Think Ricky Proehl, dude was slow...but he always managed to get open.

[Tarheels23]

I don't think this kid will make it out of the 1st round.

[teeray]

Speed is fun to look at, but routes and cuts mean more than top end. Gettis beat defenders with good cuts and crisp routes. Think Ricky Proehl, dude was slow...but he always managed to get open.

Very, very true and that is fair. My thinking is that it is a lot easier to coach route running than it is to make them taller and faster.

When people say there are other WRs with similar attributes keep this 2007 article by John Clayton in mind:

Start with Calvin Johnson of Georgia Tech. If Randy Moss is called The Freak, Johnson should be called Super Freak....

... Toying with the minds of scouts and the laws of reality, Johnson changed his mind. He borrowed a pair of running shoes and ran the 40-yard dash in an incredible 4.35 seconds on Sunday. Because Johnson is 6-foot-5 and 239 pounds, cornerbacks around the NFL must have cringed when they heard that...

....But Johnson isn't alone. Five of the six top-rated receivers are between 6-2 and 6-5 and they weigh between 205 and 239 pounds. Robert Meachem of Tennessee was particularly impressive Sunday. The 6-2, 214-pounder ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, caught just about everything thrown his way and positioned his feet after most catches to be able to break runs after the catch.

Basically my point is that guys with his height, speed, and leaping ability are extremely rare.

I don't think he is Calvin Johnson because obviously there is more to being a receiver than combine numbers and I don't love him that dang much. But in terms of pure athleticism he is a very rare breed.

[teeray]

Sporting News agrees with me that he was the most impressive player on the field yesterday. Not just for WRs but out of all the participants yesterday.

INDIANAPOLIS—The NFL Scouting Combine's Sunday session featured quarterbacks, receivers and running backs. Here are the players who impressed and who struggled:

Impressed (in order of best performances)

1. Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech, 6-4, 215, 33 3/8 arm, 4.36 (40 time)

Coming from a program like Georgia Tech and getting limited opportunities to show his receiving skills, the Combine was a huge opportunity. Hill aced his exams and impressed scouts with the day's fastest 40-yard time and fluid routes during drills. He also showed strong hands the ability to make acrobatic catches. Hill increased his value and should fly up draft boards with his combination of size and skills.

2. Chris Polk, RB, Washington, 5-11, 215 weight, 31 1/2 arm, 4.57 (40 time)

After looking a bit heavy at the Senior Bowl, Polk lost nine pounds and came to the Combine fit and trim. It was noticeable especially after knocking out a strong 40-yard dash. He accelerated quickly out of his cuts and looked more athletic in drills. Polk also answered questions about his skills as a receiver by running crisp routes and showing good-enough hands to be a three-down back at the next level.

3. Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame, 6-3, 220, 32 7/8 arm, 4.47 (40 time)

Floyd had a lot to potentially lose Sunday. After running very and working out so well, Floyd locked up the spot as the second-best receiver in this draft. For a man of his size, he showed a combination of speed, agility and burst coming out of his breaks as a route-runner. Additionally, he caught the ball well by plucking the ball with his hands without letting it into his body. NFL teams love to see a top prospect have the confidence to compete and prove his skills, which is exactly what Floyd did Sunday.

Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2012-02-26/georgia-techs-stephen-hill-stands-out-among-combine-skill-players#ixzz1naIixC6v

[teeray]

And Tony Pauline

Risers:

Stephen Hill/WR/Georgia Tech: Hill is proving he's the next big-time receiver prospect to come from the Georgia Tech program. He was super fast in the morning, moving his 215-pound frame to 40 times in the mid 4.3-second range. His broad jump of 11 feet, 1 inch was just three inches shy of the combine record. During the pass-catching segment Hill displayed terrific eye/hand coordination and consistently caught the ball with his hands as scouts demanded. Hill's route running was better than expected and he showed terrific balance in all his movements. His performance at the combine pushes Hill into the early part of Round 2.

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/tony_pauline/02/26/combine.wr.te/index.html#ixzz1naK8xcSz

Todd McShay

Stephen Hill, Georgia Tech: Hill's workout was the most impressive among the wide receivers. His combination of size (6-4, 215) and straight-line speed (4.36, tied for best among WRs) is similar to fellow former Yellow Jacket Calvin Johnson. Now, Hill is clearly nowhere near the overall receiver Johnson was coming out of college, but that's still a good size-speed comparison for Hill.

Hill also had the best broad jump (11-1) among wideouts and tied for the fourth-best vertical (39½), while posting the eighth-best long shuttle and 10th-best three-cone drill. He has a lot to learn about running routes and NFL passing games, but the speed, athleticism and explosiveness he showed at the combine back up the flashes we see on tape. It won't surprise me if he comes off the board somewhere in the second round. The teams listed above could have interest, as well as the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.

[panthers55]

I think everyone agrees that Hill had a great combine but that is exactly the reason we wouldn't take him. He did not show in college he is a great athlete or a great receiver. Say what you want about Georgia Tech's offense but if he were so spectacular people would have found him the ball more often. The reason he is getting so much press is because there is no way anyone would know he was such an athlete from what he did on the field.

Secondly he doesn't bring much to the table that Gettis doesn't already.

Third, we have much bigger needs that a receiver at this point. As for your article from the past, if we wanted a guy like Hill we could get him relatively cheap in Meachem if we thought he could develop better here than New Orleans (doubt it). Meachem is a classic example of an athletic guy who has underacheived as a first rounder.

Now if Hill were a third or 4th rounder then this discussion makes perfect sense. But for a first rounder or no lower than a second rounder, there is absolutely no way we pick him up.

[mick eye]

WHOA! Hold on there a minute. First i think i told everyone that a sleeper i liked was Hill. Now everyone is awake. The guy blew up the combine. He has a rare combination of size, speed and hands. So bring on the haters. Want to compare him to Gettis and Meachem? Nice try but even Gettis's season ending injury he was not that fast. Also Meachem is a product of the system. No one in the league knows how he is gonna look in another. Then Panther55 was to throw a wet blanket statement out that "He doesn't bring that much to the table that Gettis doesn't already." Calling BS man. We can not know what Hill is gonna do in the NFL. We also can not guarantee Gettis is gonna come back 100%. Honestly i feel Lafell is better than he is but Gettis flashed.

And what happens with flashes. Second, the statement about G-Tech's offense and Hill's production in it is also BS. Dude, i could tell what type of athlete he was by watching his games. I am no expert but if you watch any G-Tech games you notice Hill quick. The kid avg nearly 30 yrds a play. The G-Tech offense works in college. Is it a pro-style? Nope but some of the new wrinkles Chud has been throwing out there were not either. I am sorry to tell all the Defense lovers but if they don't think that some in the FO, scouting, coaching and yes fans are not excited about adding a young dynamic talent for Cam to develop with your delusional. And lastly what would be wrong with having MEGATRON LITE on the team? Calvin Lite as one of you called Hill is likely still better than AE, Pilares, Lafell, and yes Gettis.

[teeray]

I think everyone agrees that Hill had a great combine but that is exactly the reason we wouldn't take him. He did not show in college he is a great athlete or a great receiver. Say what you want about Georgia Tech's offense but if he were so spectacular people would have found him the ball more often. The reason he is getting so much press is because there is no way anyone would know he was such an athlete from what he did on the field.

That is not true people were talking about him before the combine. Many people had him around #6 at WR but would often ad the caveat that if he does what many thought he would do (and did) at the combine he would be a big riser.

As far as trying to apply WR stats from a flexbone option offense and compare it against the rest of the WR stats from traditional or spread or run and shoot, etc is just not convincing argument against. How about the fact that he only had 28 receptions but nearly 1,000 yards in receiving yardage? :eek: :eek:

Saying there isn't enough tape and he didn't have many routes I would say is completely fair. But to knock him for only having 28 catches and only 5 touchdowns, or to knock him for only having 2 catches in a bowl game where GT running the flexbone had a big lead throughout the entire game before choking it away late is not very fair.

Also his QB was Tevin Washington. It would be the same as saying Steve Smith isn't very good because he had a terrible 2010 season. WRs look a lot better when there are QBs that can actually throw you the ball.

[MWCarolina]

as much as i want Carolina to draft a WR or sign one, i have issues with Hill and alot of Georgia Tech WRs and it's their style of offense which is very little passing which makes me question how good they will be in the pros.

[teeray]

as much as i want Carolina to draft a WR or sign one, i have issues with Hill and alot of Georgia Tech WRs and it's their style of offense which is very little passing which makes me question how good they will be in the pros.

One thing that is hard to question is that he will already be a well coached and established run blocker.

[MWCarolina]

I think everyone agrees that Hill had a great combine but that is exactly the reason we wouldn't take him. He did not show in college he is a great athlete or a great receiver. Say what you want about Georgia Tech's offense but if he were so spectacular people would have found him the ball more often.

Secondly he doesn't bring much to the table that Gettis doesn't already.

First off, let me say i am sick of hearing about Gettis and LaFell being so great, i agree they are good 2nd WRs, BUT are they number 1s???? Smith isnt going to play forever, i would hate to see what happens if Smith gets hurt and it's just Gettis and LaFell to pass to, anyways, WR isnt a huge need, but it should be addressed, get another guy to throw to

Now to what this guy said about Hill. i disagree with the last parts of it. I have concerns on Hill, dont get me wrong panthers55, BUT it's nothing to do with what he didnt show in college. it's more on what Georgia Tech didnt do. he ran routes very limitedly and that scares me off, but it's NOT his fault. the QB play at Tech is BAD.

[koolkatluke]

If we get a WR. I rather have a 5th or 6th round guy who can PR/KR.

[SnarkAttack]

Why do these ridiculous receivers (D. Thomas, C. Johnson, S. Hill) go to Georgia Tech? I can't think of one good reason....to work on their blocking?

[koolkatluke]

First off, let me say i am sick of hearing about Gettis and LaFell being so great, i agree they are good 2nd WRs, BUT are they number 1s???? Smith isnt going to play forever, i would hate to see what happens if Smith gets hurt and it's just Gettis and LaFell to pass to, anyways, WR isnt a huge need, but it should be addressed, get another guy to throw to

Now to what this guy said about Hill. i disagree with the last parts of it. I have concerns on Hill, dont get me wrong panthers55, BUT it's nothing to do with what he didnt show in college. it's more on what Georgia Tech didnt do. he ran routes very limitedly and that scares me off, but it's NOT his fault. the QB play at Tech is BAD.

If Hill doesn't catch 60 or 70 balls by his 2nd season. Are we having this same debate?