In Defense of Ant Hill

[craxie]

As a Pack homer, I feel I need to share a little about Ant Hill

I see everyone already agrees that he is the best blocking TE of the group, but they are completely writing off his receiving abilities.

That would be a mistake.

As a freshman, Hill had 0 receptions. As a junior, he was the #1 receiver for the Pack. That year (2006) he also ranked 5th in all the ACC in catches per game.

His stats weren't as impressive this year because of injury, but he is without doubt a very good receiver

Whenever we needed a big catch, whenever we needed to be bailed out of a difficult situation, Hill was there for us.

He was forever making the clutch catch, the difficult catch.

He may not have the biggest numbers or the most impressive measureables, but believe me, he is a very good, tough receiver.

In fact, I feel the same way about Hill as I do another Pack player from a few years ago, Jerricho Cotchery.

Cotchery was lacking in measureables, and when he was drafted (in the 4th round coincidentally), Jets fans weren't that excited.

'But we have so much depth in front of him, how will he ever see the field?'

But he kept his nose to the grindstone and last year he was the Jets leading receiver.

In the same way, Hill might not have ideal measurables, but he is a football player

I know some of you aren't impressed with the pick now and see all the other TEs on the roster, but I believe he will grow on you.

After coming back from his devastating injury, he is credited with turning around an abysmal Pack team with his leadership on the field and in the lockerroom.

He is a high character guy who keeps his nose clean and is always putting in the extra effort.

Ant Hill is a special kid and a special player.

[el toro]

No need to defend the pick. They needed a blocking TE and it looks like they got a good one. Good to hear about his receiving abilities and his character.

[wildroot]

Dude's name is Ant Hill?!?

Bet the kids had a field day with that in school. Thanks but no thanks Mom and Dad....you've helped me enough already.

[GroovyTexan]

As a Pack homer, I feel I need to share a little about Ant Hill

I see everyone already agrees that he is the best blocking TE of the group, but they are completely writing off his receiving abilities.

That would be a mistake.

As a freshman, Hill had 0 receptions. As a junior, he was the #1 receiver for the Pack. That year (2006) he also ranked 5th in all the ACC in catches per game.

His stats weren't as impressive this year because of injury, but he is without doubt a very good receiver

Whenever we needed a big catch, whenever we needed to be bailed out of a difficult situation, Hill was there for us.

He was forever making the clutch catch, the difficult catch.

He may not have the biggest numbers or the most impressive measureables, but believe me, he is a very good, tough receiver.

In fact, I feel the same way about Hill as I do another Pack player from a few years ago, Jerricho Cotchery.

Cotchery was lacking in measureables, and when he was drafted (in the 4th round coincidentally), Jets fans weren't that excited.

'But we have so much depth in front of him, how will he ever see the field?'

But he kept his nose to the grindstone and last year he was the Jets leading receiver.

In the same way, Hill might not have ideal measurables, but he is a football player

I know some of you aren't impressed with the pick now and see all the other TEs on the roster, but I believe he will grow on you.

After coming back from his devastating injury, he is credited with turning around an abysmal Pack team with his leadership on the field and in the lockerroom.

He is a high character guy who keeps his nose clean and is always putting in the extra effort.

Ant Hill is a special kid and a special player.


You sound like you were his coach or something similar.... Anyway, thanks for posting this. Always nice to have additional insight.

Can you shed some color on his injury and whether or not you see it affecting his performance going forward?

thx for posting.

[craxie]

Dude's name is Ant Hill?!?

Bet the kids had a field day with that in school. Thanks but no thanks Mom and Dad....you've helped me enough already.

that's our affectionate nickname for him.

He made his ant hill of opportunity into a mountain of ability

[craxie]

You sound like you were his coach or something similar.... Anyway, thanks for posting this. Always nice to have additional insight.

Can you shed some color on his injury and whether or not you see it affecting his performance going forward?

thx for posting.

just a fan

i'm not an injury expert, but i don't see it affecting his play going forward

it hurt his preparation for this year and then right after he got back he had another (unrelated) injury

He came back sooner than expected from that, but he was playing hurt most of the rest of the year

Fully recovered and with more time to develop, he's going to be a monster :D

[GroovyTexan]

Fully recovered and with more time to develop, he's going to be a monster :D

Guys with an injury history scare me. I hope you are right about a full recovery and him becoming a monster...... It would be great for a home town guy to come in here and win the starting job next year so we can trade our pro bowler TE for a 1st or 2nd rounder next year after he won't sign a long term deal. Hill has a huge opportunity this season and I hope he can make the most of it.

[Whiskeyrbl]

As a Pack homer, I feel I need to share a little about Ant Hill

I see everyone already agrees that he is the best blocking TE of the group, but they are completely writing off his receiving abilities.

That would be a mistake.

As a freshman, Hill had 0 receptions. As a junior, he was the #1 receiver for the Pack. That year (2006) he also ranked 5th in all the ACC in catches per game.

His stats weren't as impressive this year because of injury, but he is without doubt a very good receiver

Whenever we needed a big catch, whenever we needed to be bailed out of a difficult situation, Hill was there for us.

He was forever making the clutch catch, the difficult catch.

He may not have the biggest numbers or the most impressive measureables, but believe me, he is a very good, tough receiver.

In fact, I feel the same way about Hill as I do another Pack player from a few years ago, Jerricho Cotchery.

Cotchery was lacking in measureables, and when he was drafted (in the 4th round coincidentally), Jets fans weren't that excited.

'But we have so much depth in front of him, how will he ever see the field?'

But he kept his nose to the grindstone and last year he was the Jets leading receiver.

In the same way, Hill might not have ideal measurables, but he is a football player

I know some of you aren't impressed with the pick now and see all the other TEs on the roster, but I believe he will grow on you.

After coming back from his devastating injury, he is credited with turning around an abysmal Pack team with his leadership on the field and in the lockerroom.

He is a high character guy who keeps his nose clean and is always putting in the extra effort.

Ant Hill is a special kid and a special player.

Thanks for the info, that makes the pick look even better.

[Whiskeyrbl]

Why would it scare you its football. Every player who has ever played this game at any level has had an injury. Some are bad enough to not play some are not and they play through them. Injuries dont scare me its the ones that park their asses on a bench because of it that scares me. This kid sounds solid.
Or sit because their feelings are hurt.. ( cough,cough )

[Schaubie Love]

Dude's name is Ant Hill?!?

Bet the kids had a field day with that in school. Thanks but no thanks Mom and Dad....you've helped me enough already.

his name is anthony hill but ant hill is a killer nickname