A peek into the mindset of "longshot" WR, Joe Hills

[top dawg]

OK, I tried to gather some info on Joe Hills, who could surprise us and make the squad, or simply be what some of y'all refer to as "camp fodder", which is such an "ugly" term.  There isn't much.  After two years, he came out of Tennessee State in 2011 (after being a non-factor of the "dixie version" of USC, South Carolina). The only real scouting information that I could find on him is from SI:

 

 

 

2011

 

Conference: Ohio Valley

HT: 6-4

WT: 205

40 Time: 4.55

Biography: "Two-year starter who began his college career at South Carolina. Led the team in receptions as a senior, posting 40/462/4 after 39/528/3 the prior year."

Positives: "Tall, fluid possession receiver who uses his size as an advantage. Works his hands to avoid jams and get separation, boxes defenders out with his frame, and effectively protects the pass. Makes the difficult reception over the middle. Looks the ball into his hands."

Negatives: Lacks a quick release off the line into pass routes. One-speed receiver who cannot stretch the defense.

Analysis: Hills possesses the size for the next level and has shown flashes of ability the past two years but was never very productive. He could make it as a 5th receiver on an NFL roster if he impresses in camp this summer.

Projection: FA

Read More:http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/draft-2011/players/74700.html#ixzz2SKnjzktJ

 

 

 

 

The most recent and relevant write-up that I found on him was from December 20th, 2012, which kind of gets into his mindset regarding his tryout for the Bucs and experience with the Titans. Here are just a few of his thoughts:

 

 “More than anything, I was just glad and just relieved to know that I’m still relevant. I’m still a dot on somebody’s board somewhere.”

“A lot of guys don’t even get one workout, so I consider myself pretty lucky,” Hills said. “I look at the whole thing as a process. It’s not going to happen overnight, but little by little, you just keep building, keep working hard, and if I continue to do that, I think it will all work out.”

 

 

 

When speaking to his boss at the Tampa Bay Storm about opportunities in the NFL Hills said  he would "continue to get stronger, eat the right things, stay in shape and keep working out, because right now nothing has changed.  Until I get a call back, I’m still going to be a proud member of the Tampa Bay Storm, but like I said, I’m just glad I received a chance.”

 

There is a little video on YT, for anyone that cares to look. I don't really think that it's relevant due to the fact that its the Arena Football League:

 

[Herbert The Love Bug]

Let's not act like this guy really has a chance to make them. Because he doesn't. We all got excited over Chris Manno, Donyell Green, and all those random receivers last year and we do that with all these guys every year. Then they don't even see the field in the pre season and never have a chance to make the team. Lamont Bryant has a much better shot to make them team than this guy. 

[The Golden Child]

Did we sign him to a contract or is he just coming in for a tryout at next week's rookie camp?

[rayzor]

try out is all I've gathered. i think just for rookie camp.

[top dawg]

try out is all I've gathered. i think just for rookie camp.

 

 

Did we sign him to a contract or is he just coming in for a tryout at next week's rookie camp?

 

I stand, corrected.

[lovelett]

Seems like he wants it if nothing else. Good luck to him!

[TheRed]

This really could have just gone in that thread about him that's already 6 pages long.