Exactly right. First he'll get a cushion and back shoulder will be there for the taking. Then they'll have to play tighter and he'll beat them for 6. Then they'll have to double and our offense will finally be open at long last. Let's just hope we don't bring in Tebow as a reward for all of that success too much a la Schitty. The key is that Sanchez looked like a damn surgeon last week the second he didn't have to worry about WFH. He'll be able to put the ball just where it needs to go and that is a very dangerous combination for defenses to worry about every game.
He's inconsistent, very young, and was thrown to much, much less than the average WR in college. Give him time.
Hill made a few drops this preseason that were ugly and disheartening, but Sanchez kept throwing at him in that Panthers game and it looked like it gave him some needed confidence. The kid has some serious skills but he's raw and needs to work out a lot of kinks.
I don't question any of that but my main point is that he should be a major step up with his inexperienced warts and all compared to Plax last year which is what this offense needs. He should also get better and better as the season progresses. With athletic measurables at the position only surpassed by megatron and Moss we should be able to live with some rookie mistakes.
The drops worry me because sometimes that can turn into a mental thing and really get to a receiver, especially a rookie. I'm glad Sanchez went back to him after the drops though, should help in making sure they don't go to Hill's head and affect him too much.
I'll take Hill every day this season over Plax, Ocho and Owens. I get your point, but most people won't have your patience.
Something I also noticed, especially on slants. Trapping leads to a lot of drops. People who use their hands are often reliable. Por ejemplo Cotchery.
Too much to ask for in my opinion, you know how things can get if they don't score a TD in the quarter for God sakes! I would take Hill over any WR as #2 also. The more reps he gets the better off he'll be, in the meantime he's got the skill to the top off and with that skill-set things will be easier for our YAC guys
Im sure Hill will get better, but I can't get one play out of my head. In Cortland, Hill was running a blazing straight rout and beat both Cro and Smith buy 2-3 yards down the left sideline into the EZ. Sanchez tossed a PERFECT 50 yard rainbow that hit him in full stride for 6 points. Beautiful, really beautiful play. Unfortunately with Hill running full speed with both arms extended, Mark's rainbow came down and hit him in the middle of both forearms for a drop. The sound the ball made whacking his 'tender skin' was pretty cool. Hill was looking back for the last 20 yards so when the ball hit him in the middle of his out stretched arms I though holy shit, I can do THAT for free!!!! I came away not feeling too good about his ball catching ability.
When I first saw him in uniform he reminded me of a bigger version of Al Toon. Now that I see him on the field he reminds me of a bigger faster version of Justin McCariens. This guy just doesn't have the look of a graceful athlete. Hope I'm wrong on this one and being a faster McCariens doesn't mean he won't be productive it just means he ain't going to be great.
I thought he looked good on his breaks in route running. I think he has the same problem a lot of rookies have in that he's looking to run with the ball before he has it in his hands.
I've noticed something similar, he just doesn't seem very fluid or smooth in his movements. He's kind of "herky-jerky". Not saying he won't be great because of it, just something I've picked up on.
again, it just doesnt work that way. just being big and fast doesnt make you effective as a rookie. just look at chaz schilens and darius heyward-bey. even the most talented rookies usualy dont make a huge splash early on. let alone ones without elite QBs and without a ton of talented playmakers around them. he is extremely raw. this is his first time in a pro offense. the best comparison is probably demaryius thomas. same college, same system similar size and speed and probably a bit more talented. thomas had 22 and 32 catches respectively his first 2 seasons. a few big plays in there, but overall, not a super impact. even megatron, a beast a top pick in the draft was limited to 45 catches and 4 TDs as a rookie. i like hill, i love the pick and think he will be a legit player. but the though he will have a big impact and make defenses change the way they play or their personel packages because he is on the field is just insanity
thomas missed significant time in both of his first two seasons due to injury id love 48 catches and 4 TDs from hill
thomas played 10 games his rookie year and recorded 22 catches. lets say he doubled his production had he played the next 6 games. still just 44 catches... and thats a big if. so would i. but i cant see him matching what a complete stud and #1 overall pick did in his rookie season. id be very happy with 32 catches for 380 yards and 3 TDs. i think that is realistic.
