Anthony Hill, TE - Round 4, 122nd Overall

[Keith]

Ahhh, now we're picking from Dale Strahm's backyard again!

6'5" 262, NC St.

Hometown kid... torn ACL in 2007.

[popanot]

Uhhh, OK.... Don't we have bigger needs than this?

[Big Texas]

A blocking tight end, and a guard/center. So obviously we must still need alot of help up front. Wow.

[TexanJedi]

Originally Posted by Big Texas

A blocking tight end, and a guard/center. So obviously we must still need alot of help up front. Wow.

They will both help in the red zone.

[BigBull]

I'm not thrilled with the pick, but it does fill a need I suppose.

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by popanot

Uhhh, OK.... Don't we have bigger needs than this?

And that has to dictate our picks because.....?

I've never heard of this guy (didn't do much draft research at all this year) but what I'm reading right now sounds good and he fits a need (blocking TE and a red-zone target with soft hands). He might not fit THE need you're looking for, but I think any reach for need in the fourth round of this draft probably won't even be with the team two years from now. I think it's one of those drafts (like 2002 or 2005) that's ultra-thin and bereft of talent. I'm fine with taking role-players that the Texans like at this point.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by TexanJedi

They will both help in the red zone.

The Texans came away with 3 instead 7 far too often last year, esp. considering how well their offense performed.

...and yeah, TOs had something to do with that, but getting help up front should help.

[popanot]

Originally Posted by dadmg

And that has to dictate our picks because.....?

I never said it has to dictate the pick. But when I see our D' totally sucking, a guy who's more fragile than a thin piece of ice as our backup RB - with the small-ish starter one hit away from IR, a LB corp and secondary that's not very deep and has a lot of question marks, and two good young TE's already on roster, I just think they could have used the pick more wisely. Of course they know more than I do, but that's just my opinion.

[dadmg]

I understand the frustration (Andre Brown was my top day 2 guy and they passed on him three times) but I don't like trying to force needs in the draft. If we don't get what we need today, we can always try to apply some duct tape to the holes for a year with free agents.

[Nconroe]

If scoring in the red zone was a need, then this likely will help. I thought the only other need not yet really addressed is RB. This guy looks like dropped due to injuries.

from http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profil...-hill?id=71329
Pick Analysis: Hill is a big, blocking tight end with adequate speed. He is almost like having a third tackle in the game. He's probably the best blocking tight end in this draft. The Texans have the receiving tight end in Owen Daniels, and now they have the blocker to go along with him.

and from http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/504753
Upon his return, Hill showed the superb pass catching ability that he displayed as a sophomore, grabbing 17 of his total of 19 receptions for 2008 in the season's final seven games.

[ramp1028]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

If scoring in the red zone was a need, then this likely will help. I thought the only other need not yet really addressed is RB. This guy looks like dropped due to injuries.

from http://www.nfl.com/draft/2009/profil...-hill?id=71329
Pick Analysis: Hill is a big, blocking tight end with adequate speed. He is almost like having a third tackle in the game. He's probably the best blocking tight end in this draft. The Texans have the receiving tight end in Owen Daniels, and now they have the blocker to go along with him.

and from http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/504753
Upon his return, Hill showed the superb pass catching ability that he displayed as a sophomore, grabbing 17 of his total of 19 receptions for 2008 in the season's final seven games.

When I saw the pick, the first thing i thought of was that we were all saying we need fb type rb to help carry that load in the redzone for slayton... this pick makes sense to me in that it will help us in the rz and it will also protect our probowl te from being that battering ram.. .

[Roy P]

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/504753


Blocking Ability: Hill is a punishing in-line blocker who shows very good usage of his hands and long wingspan. He is a good mauler, another reason why he could make a nice offensive lineman if his body fills out. He keeps his head up and on a swivel on reach and lead blocks and is a good position blocker who keeps his feet and uses his hands with force to control when working in-line. He gets good movement off the snap when he stays low in his pads, delivering a good hand punch to wall off and turn his man. When blocking upfield, he shows above average intensity and aggression, preferring to punish his opponent. GRADE: 7.5

Compares To: JASON PETERS, Philadelphia -- While this might seem a strange comparison, with added bulk Hill can become a quality offensive linemen. Peters was a tight end during part of his Arkansas playing days and developed into a quality tackle. As a tight end, Hill is strictly a short-area receiver and an extra offensive lineman. Move him to the front of the dining table, beef him up and you might end up with much better value for a mid-round draft pick.

I wonder if Gibbs picked this guy?

[kRocket]

I was listening to NFL.com and they were saying (Mayock I believe) that a lot of scouts were looking at him as an OT with some buffing up.

[dadmg]

Not sure what to think about that. I tend to be a big fan of converted TEs, but I also like the idea of a Hill as a crunching blocking TE and red zone target. Curious to see which direction they go.

[Blitzwood]

Originally Posted by Roy P

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/504753


Blocking Ability: Hill is a punishing in-line blocker who shows very good usage of his hands and long wingspan. He is a good mauler, another reason why he could make a nice offensive lineman if his body fills out. He keeps his head up and on a swivel on reach and lead blocks and is a good position blocker who keeps his feet and uses his hands with force to control when working in-line. He gets good movement off the snap when he stays low in his pads, delivering a good hand punch to wall off and turn his man. When blocking upfield, he shows above average intensity and aggression, preferring to punish his opponent. GRADE: 7.5

Compares To: JASON PETERS, Philadelphia -- While this might seem a strange comparison, with added bulk Hill can become a quality offensive linemen. Peters was a tight end during part of his Arkansas playing days and developed into a quality tackle. As a tight end, Hill is strictly a short-area receiver and an extra offensive lineman. Move him to the front of the dining table, beef him up and you might end up with much better value for a mid-round draft pick.

I wonder if Gibbs picked this guy?

That's exactly what gibbs will do, he loves turning TE's into OT's for his ZBS.

[Warren]

Maybe he will eventually grow into an OT but in the meantime he should be Mark Bruener's replacement as the blocking TE. I look forward to articles during the OTAs with quotes from the offensive coaches saying how they're impressed with his hands and will have to work him more into the passing game.

[kravix]

This is a soso pick for me. He is replacing Bruenor, but I would have hoped to get something more pressing with this pick... I guess the FO really believed they reinforced the team enough in FA to take the BPA...

We may see ALOT more double TE sets this year. The fact that he could make a good OL and suit up as needed on game day is huge as long as he can make a good contribution wherever he lines up.

Given how much our ST was down last year this could be a pick to help that out some.

[dalemurphy]

Kubiak made an interesting comment about Hill. He said that they needed a guy like Hill to block the SAM LB in the 3-4 defense, particularly in the red zone. He said that we've had a lot of trouble doing that and he's excited to have someone that can handle that responsibility.

My problem with Bruener the past 2 seasons is that he had gotten so stiff and immobile that he could only maul the guy right in front of him. Having an athletic blocker like this should really help short yardage situations. He will create an issue for the LB when he fires off right at him. He can engulf the LB or punch and separate for a short pass.

[nero THE zero]

Given a day to mull the draft over, this is becoming my favorite pick of the draft.

I was really high on Brandon Pettigrew as a surprise first round pick for us. I thought his ability to be an additional blocker, essentially an extra tackle, while being able to move into the flat and catch passes would be an invaluable weapon for our offense, especially in the red zone. LZ talked about how he would make it possible to move OD into the slot which would make it possible to run effectively to either side.

While Hill might not be as big of a pass catching threat as Pettigrew, I think he offers the same thing to our offense as Pettigrew. So, this is starting to look like my favorite pick in the draft.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Warren

Mark Bruener's replacement as the blocking TE. I look forward to articles during the OTAs with quotes from the offensive coaches saying how they're impressed with his hands and will have to work him more into the passing game.

2005 Season
Named the team's Most Dependable Tight End, Hill lived up to that honor by starting ten contests … Ranked sixth on the team with fifteen receptions for 140 yards (9.3 avg) and a touchdown … Also recovered an onside kick for a 3-yard return vs. Boston College … Set the school game-record for tight ends with eight knockdown blocks vs. Florida State, as he also caught his first career touchdown pass, good for 4 yards … Had a season-high four catches for 60 yards vs. Wake Forest.

I started wondering if anybody asked Mario Williams about this guy. I'm sure they battled in practices and he'd have some insight about Hill's character.

On that same note, I have to believe that DeMeco Ryans and Antoine Caldwell faced off in those Bama practices more than once. It makes sense to go back to the well if you need water, right?