Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Stephen Hill. Fluff,or real?


top dawg

Recommended Posts

When coaches speak, I listen...sometimes with a grain of salt, very much aware of the context.  But I must admit that I was surprised at Ricky Proehl's recent comment on Stephen Hill as reported by ESPN's David Newton.  

Quote

 

But wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl knew. He recently told WFNZ-AM radio that Hill was “ready to make me famous as a coach."

He said on Wednesday during the second of a three-day minicamp that Hill “would have pushed for a starting job."

“Unbelievable," Proehl said. “That’s how well he was performing in camp last year."

 

Those are strong words coming from any coach, but especially poignant coming from a wide receiver's coach that I assume is very much respected around the league.  I mean, we all know Proehl was respected for his play as a receiver, but as a coach I suppose that he is still making a name for himself. Regardless, as Panthers fans we already have a high regard for Proehl, and for him to be giving Hill such props means something.  

On the other hand, as the Huddle's own @Jeremy Igo imparted to us last year that Hill was notably dropping balls during practice.  Notwithstanding the drops last year, Hill was apparently higher on the totem pole than any of us realized.  Sure Hill was mentioned by coaches and Dave Gettleman during the offseason last year a few times---sometimes as a seeming afterthought, but admittedly a few times once practices began in a positive coach-speak kinda way---but I don't remember anyone saying that his performance was "Unbelievable!" until today. But he was referring to last year. 

This year, Hill has put in even more work due to having to overcome his ACL injury, and has inspired Kelvin Benjamin to do the same. 

Quote

 

Proehl also knows Hill is a big reason Benjamin is on target to be full-go once the team returns to Wofford.

Hill, 25, often pushed Benjamin to work harder on days Benjamin needed a push.

“When you’ve got Stephen busting his tail as hard as he does, it brought Kelvin along with him and helped him get to where he is today," Proehl said.

 

Hill has a great amount of goodwill from the Panthers' brass, is definitely making an impression with his progression in skills and route running, and by all accounts he is catching the ball considerably better. 

The other day, It was pointed out that Ron Rivera didn't mention a couple of receivers as ones that he was excited about, Hill being one of them. It may just have been an oversight that means totally nothing. It really does mean nothing, as training camp and preseason games will ultimately determine roster spots. Just as Hill was impressing Proehl and company last year, he may do so even more this year if the last couple of weeks are any indication. As David Newton suggests, don't get over (the) Hill quite yet. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fluff comes in two delicious flavors, so either way, it's a win. 

10 minutes ago, top dawg said:

It was pointed out that Ron Rivera didn't mention a couple of receivers as ones that he was excited about, Hill being one of them.

Maybe Ron is trying some psychology so Hill keeps his nose to the grindstone. 

I hope Ricky is right. The prospect of a 6'4" guy with that kind of speed is exciting, to say the least.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, The Huddler said:

Im on the Hill and Byrd banwagon. 

 

Suprise final cut WRs...

 

1 Benji

2 Funch

3 Hill

3 Byrd

3 Ginn

 

i have 3 recievers tied for #3 on the depth chart because i believe we will ise them interchangably. 

No Brown?  Dude ran amazing routes last year and got constantly open. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Brown pessimists on here is pretty interesting.  For an UDFA that is entering his third year (the year that you see the big jump in WRs), as well as a guy that put together a decent season and got better as the season wore on, he is often left off lists.  Nothing against Byrd/Hill/Norwood/Garrett but Brown is not a guy that we need to cut ties with, IMO.  Once Ginn departs after this season, I'd much prefer our roster with Philly on it. 

Post 2016 WR depth:

KB

Funch

Brown

Byrd

Hill

Garrett

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It'd be awesome if he's the real deal, but let's just say that I'll believe it when I see it.  If Hill becomes a legit WR and Funch takes a big step forward, I'm ready to call Proehl the best position coach in football after what he's already done with Ginn and a very raw rookie KB. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/thread/330586679?hl=en&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/thread/330586679?hl=en&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/thread/330586679?hl=en&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/thread/330586679?hl=en&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/thread/330586679?hl=en&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/edu/classroom/thread/330586679?hl=en&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC
    • https://support.google.com/android/thread/330586256?hl=es&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/android/thread/330586256?hl=es&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/android/thread/330586256?hl=es&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/android/thread/330586256?hl=es&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC https://support.google.com/android/thread/330586256?hl=es&sjid=18260641960268363229-NC
    • QB: We should look to add a developmental QB late in the draft, IMO. Never hurts to take a shot in the 6th or 7th round. I'm not sure Plummer is that guy. Bonus if it's someone who can be a short-yardage/QB sneak threat. RB: I expect we'll sign a veteran backup and draft one on day 3. Long-term we're in great shape here if Brooks recovers fully and even if he doesn't we only need a solid #2 and some depth. WR: This is a weird position because there is legit potential with what we have on the roster if XL and Coker develop and Thielen is a known quantity at this point, but obviously not a long-term piece at his age. I almost feel like the only sure fire way to upgrade our WR corp this season is to add that true #1 guy because I'm not sure a mid-tier or aging veteran does anything but muddy the water and take snaps away from XL and Coker that they need to develop. I'm still not ruling out a big trade for a true #1 here before the draft (Tee Higgins? Brandon Ayiuk?) but we will almost surely sign at least a veteran for depth. This seems like an obvious day 2 target position in the draft as well. I like Jack Bech from TCU or Ricky White III from UNLV in the 3rd. TE: I think we're done here. I know there's been talk of drafting Tyler Warren, but I honestly don't see it. Had we not re-signed Tremble I might say there's a chance, but he's obviously our TE2 and I don't see them paying him only to draft Tyler Warren, which would put Sanders as TE2 and Tremble as TE3. I could see us maybe adding a blocking TE late in the draft, but we're probably done here. OL: We may legitimately have one of the best AND deepest OLs in the league. Bringing back both Cade Mays and Austin Corbett was a solid move, but managing to re-sign Brady Christensen is massive for depth purposes. I cannot fathom how he didn't have more interest on the open market based on his versatility alone. Even Chandler Zavala showed some signs of life last year after an awful rookie season. I can see us drafting a tackle in the 4th/5th round that we feel has some upside to develop as Taylor Moton's long-term replacement, but we finally seem set here for the first time in years. EDGE: Our biggest need and it's not close. Outside of a trade for someone like Trey Hendrickson I think we almost have to draft two edge rushers in the first 4 rounds, maybe even the first 3. The closer we get to the draft the more I'm starting to think Shemar Stewart is our likely pick at #8. I'm not sure how I feel about that given his lack of sack production, but you can't question the athletic ability. It's almost certainly either him or Jalon Walker. DL: I can see us adding some more FAs for depth before the draft and drafting a player or two as well. The real interesting scenario is if Mason Graham falls to us at #8; I don't think we can pass on him, but where would he play? Do you leave your $50M free agent (Wharton) on the bench? Unlikely since I think Graham is gone before we pick, but something to consider. LB: If there's one position I'd like to see us address other than EDGE and WR it's definitely linebacker. Josey Jewell and Trevin Wallace are not exactly the most inspiring tandem, IMO. Wallace flashed last year but is still very raw and Jewell is just a guy. I'd LOVE to see us go after Carson Schwesinger from UCLA, Chris Paul, Jr. from Ole' Miss or Jack Kiser from Notre Dame in the draft. The remaining FA options aren't great. CB: I'd like to see us add an experienced nickel; Mike Hilton from the Bengals would be great. Other than that, unless someone falls to us in the draft I think the most we can expect to add is some depth in the draft or later in free agency. S: We need another starter (preferably someone who is more of a cover guy) and some depth. There are options I like in the draft, but given our other needs I think the safer bet would be signing another free agent to start at FS and drafting some depth. ST: Need a long-term kicker and unless we sign one I fully expect us to draft one on day 3.
×
×
  • Create New...