Combine Talk ft. Stephen Hill

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TangoHotelWhiskeyGolf said:
It is interesting to watch this scenario unfold considering recent drafts. Everyone knows that Hill is talented and everyone expected to see more than flashes over the last few seasons, but for one reason or another we didn't see consistent greatness from him.

I saw Billick on NFL network during the combine on Saturday and he had some good points about the emphasis that is put on the draft and how it is so unrelated to football in ways. He says it is an opportunity for athletes to confirm and at times make up for field performance. The thing that he finds disturbing about it is that it drives athletes to learn drills and be good at executing the drills instead of using the time to become better football players. He also noted that players often are hurt by trying to turn the drills into football instead of performing them simply as drills with the measurables in mind.

I am very impressed by Hill's recognition of this opportunity and that he must have prepared well for it knowing that it may very well be one of the biggest days in his life. Hill also impressed by speaking well of Tech and of his experience here. Whether this is Hill's maturity or receiving good council, it is a good sign for his future. This is such a stark contrast from what we have seen from JD. In his case he showed much more on the field but then chose not to fully invest himself in the combine and has had numerous unflattering things to say about GT since. We rode him to two very successful seasons in 2008 and 2009 which cannot be ignored or forgotten.

Hill was projected as 3rd to 4th round based on his film (GT) and potentially late first round on his combine. I am guessing that his efforts will prompt further scrutiny of his film which will result in a second round selection after confirming that he still may lack the concentration necessary at the next level and highlight his limited route running experience. Dwyer was a 1st round selection based on his film and stats (while at GT), but his own personal effort (combine/weight) resulted in sliding all the way down to the late rounds.

I will always remember the effort that both of these gentlemen put forth on the field for GT, respect their accomplishments and appreciate what they have done for their program.
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I have to admit that I was pretty harsh about him leaving. I just never like it when I feel a kid is using GT as a stepping stone without any commitment to trying to reach his potential at GT. Guys like Calvin and Kenny Anderson I understand. They did all they could do at the college level. But Stephen was far short of that.

That said, your write up is spot on and I hope that Hill gets drafted very highly and gets a great paycheck. I'll be pulling for him. I do think this is his greatest opportunity to have a chance to be successful in the pros. I do think his film is very damning on his potential to be great.
 
ChrisW said:
When you are trying to sell your program to 17 year old kids, the simplest story is the best one. Before, other schools would tell our WR recruits that they will never get the ball thrown to them and never make the NFL. We had to counter with a more complicated story about how the system gets them in one on one situations. You get to show your play making ability. You learn how block, which NFL teams value.

Now we have the simple argument (assuming Stephen is drafted high). GT receivers get drafted high. The other schools have to try to explain how its not really what you learn at GT. It doesn't really have to do with our system. The GT strength and conditioning program didn't really help them at the combine.

Having Stephen and Baybay makes our pitch a compelling one. Certainly, there are ways to detract from our argument, but this a great development for GT.
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I'm starting to think that we might consistently have a WR picked on day 1 of the draft every 2-3 of years.

What we might have is something akin to when Cremins was here. Sales pitch: Come to Tech, be "The Man" at WR and you will go to the NFL. We'll get the stud receiver (from a physical standpoint) here and there but won't consistently get a plethora of top notch guys. Like the Cremins years, the top guy will be so much better than everyone else that he gets all the playing time and all the glory. That playing time, and the confidence that comes from it, will benefit the player come draft time.

The other thing is that any WR that chooses to go to a school running the triple option is more than likely disciplined, unselfish, and a team oriented player, all traits that bode well for potential draft picks. At least, that is how I want to view them. :cool:
 
Someone said something about not taking advantage of two 4.3 receivers on the team at the same time, but they were wrong.

Kevin Cone ran a 4.37 at the GT pro day so there were three 4.3 receivers on the team at the same time.
 
MtownJacket said:
Someone said something about not taking advantage of two 4.3 receivers on the team at the same time, but they were wrong.

Kevin Cone ran a 4.37 at the GT pro day so there were three 4.3 receivers on the team at the same time.
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Kevin also made the Falcon's Practice Squad. But, of course, GT had nothing to do with preparing this kid who was, as far as I can tell, unranked coming out of high school.
 
dmurdock said:
I'm starting to think that we might consistently have a WR picked on day 1 of the draft every 2-3 of years.

What we might have is something akin to when Cremins was here. Sales pitch: Come to Tech, be "The Man" at WR and you will go to the NFL. We'll get the stud receiver (from a physical standpoint) here and there but won't consistently get a plethora of top notch guys. Like the Cremins years, the top guy will be so much better than everyone else that he gets all the playing time and all the glory. That playing time, and the confidence that comes from it, will benefit the player come draft time.

The other thing is that any WR that chooses to go to a school running the triple option is more than likely disciplined, unselfish, and a team oriented player, all traits that bode well for potential draft picks. At least, that is how I want to view them. :cool:
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But a WR at GT won't get the same opportunity to hone their route running skills that they might get elsewhere. On the other hand WRs at passing schools can't hone their blocking skills. No one is going to find the perfect situation. Bottom line: you're either talented enough to play in the NFL or you aren't.
 
Nashville Jacket said:
But a WR at GT won't get the same opportunity to hone their route running skills that they might get elsewhere. On the other hand WRs at passing schools can't hone their blocking skills. No one is going to find the perfect situation. Bottom line: you're either talented enough to play in the NFL or you aren't.
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Winner! Winner! It makes very little difference where a player attends school. If you're good enough the NFL will find you. The biggest lie (well one of the biggest), told to recruits. " _ _ _ has put X number of players in the NFL".
 
AE 87 said:
Kevin also made the Falcon's Practice Squad. But, of course, GT had nothing to do with preparing this kid who was, as far as I can tell, unranked coming out of high school.
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You are definitely right. GT definitely prepared him to be a practice player. (No disrespect to Cone) I guess him being 6'2, running a time of 4.37 that no one expected and having a father that played in the NFL didn't have anything to do with it
 
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ibeeballin said:
You are definitely are right. GT definitely prepared him to be a practice player. (No disrespect to Cone) I guess him being 6'2, running a time of 4.37 that no one expected and having a father that played in the NFL didn't have anything to do with it
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...and of course, learning how to break down film, understand what's going on during the game, block, get stronger and faster in the S&C program didn't help any at all.:rolleyes:
 
ibeeballin said:
You are definitely are right. GT definitely prepared him to be a practice player. (No disrespect to Cone) I guess him being 6'2, running a time of 4.37 that no one expected and having a father that played in the NFL didn't have anything to do with it
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You sound kind of bitter. Almost like you're mad that GT didn't prepare you to be better than a below average Stingtalk poster. Why you mad?
 
Stephen Hill made the front page of foxsports.com

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I'll have to admit I'm surprised but the whole thing but pleasantly so.
 
The lack of SEC Speed in this thread is appalling .....
 
BarrelORum said:
You sound kind of bitter. Almost like you're mad that GT didn't prepare you to be better than a below average Stingtalk poster. Why you mad?
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Bitter? Lol. For what? GT prepared me to do more than you probably ever thought of. I love my school just as much as anyone, but I fail to be Techmerized. Did Tech help develop Stephen? Yes, he got stronger and was to display his skills in 1-on-1 coverage, which will be very appealing to NFL staff. But to honestly say Hill is where he is now because of things he did at Tech is ludicrous IMO. You can go back bump threads and see where I said Hill would be 2nd rd pick right after he declared. By the way, didn't you bash Stephen for leaving and say he wasn't going to get drafted?

As for the below average Stingtalker, you can keep your title mi amiga¡
 
ibeeballin said:
Bitter? Lol. For what? GT prepared me to do more than you probably ever thought of. I love my school just as much as anyone, but I fail to be Techmerized. Did Tech help develop Stephen? Yes, he got stronger and was to display his skills in 1-on-1 coverage, which will be very appealing to NFL staff. But to honestly say Hill is where he is now because of things he did at Tech is ludicrous IMO. You can go back bump threads and see where I said Hill would be 2nd rd pick right after he declared. By the way, didn't you bash Stephen for leaving and say he wasn't going to get drafted?

As for the below average Stingtalker, you can keep your title mi amiga¡
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I don't think anyone is saying that Tech and Tech alone was responsible for preparing WR for the draft. However, we're rejecting your suggestion that Tech isn't a good place to go for guys of similar talent. How many other schools have had 3 wr make NFL teams in 3 years (2 3* guys likely in 1st round and an NR onto a practice squad)? It can't be just a coincidence, can it?

However, all is forgiven for calling BOR your girlfriend!
 
From Hill's combine profile:

Hill's value is based purely off his ability as a deep threat. He has average quickness and moves off the line of scrimmage to avoid a jam. He ran a very basic route tree at Georgia Tech that didn't allow him to showcase many skills. Outside of catching jump balls, he struggles to read coverages and understand how to find holes in a zone. Hill looks uncomfortable with the ball in his hands and resembles a lengthy track star on the field instead of a football player. He dropped as many big balls as he made big plays; his YPC stat defines him perfectly as a player who is capable of making flash plays but isn't reliable.
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Sounds about right.
 
QuadF said:
ouch. rough, but it seems to be true. new WR coach?
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Since GT is not going to throw the ball much they don't need a coach to teach route running skill that will never/rarely be used. However, GT does need a coach who can really recruit. Has Preston recruited any notable players since he's been at GT?
 
ibeeballin said:
Bitter? Lol. For what? GT prepared me to do more than you probably ever thought of. I love my school just as much as anyone, but I fail to be Techmerized. Did Tech help develop Stephen? Yes, he got stronger and was to display his skills in 1-on-1 coverage, which will be very appealing to NFL staff. But to honestly say Hill is where he is now because of things he did at Tech is ludicrous IMO. You can go back bump threads and see where I said Hill would be 2nd rd pick right after he declared. By the way, didn't you bash Stephen for leaving and say he wasn't going to get drafted?

As for the below average Stingtalker, you can keep your title mi amiga¡
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I'm just making an observation regarding your posting history. Seems like when given the chance, you like to take subtle jabs of the current coaching staff and support the players. I tend to remember you talking about the mass exodus over a year ago of players like Claytor, Tarrant, etc. and insinuating that the coaching staff is the problem. Your history of posting on this board seems to indicate you have bitter feelings towards the current staff. I don't think I'm off base saying that.

And yes, I was pissed Hill left for the pros. I don't like it when people use GT as a stepping stone for something else without trying to reach their potential while at GT. Kenny Anderson and Calvin are exceptions, as they did all they could have done while in college. Hill isn't in that group. I have since said that I'm happy Hill had a great combine and hope he's taken high.
 
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