Anthony Hill, TE - Round 4, 122nd Overall

[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?

[dalemurphy]

I'd be very interested in hearing from someone that really understands X's and O's at the NFL level how specifically Hill solves our issues on the goalline with the SAM LB and how we become less predictable in our one back sets.

I was of the opinion that both Dressen and OD have become fairly accomplished blockers, particularly given how threatening they are as receivers.

I get the basic concept that a good, powerful blocker gives us an advantage but I'm interested in the real detail of it.

thanks.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

I'd be very interested in hearing from someone that really understands X's and O's at the NFL level how specifically Hill solves our issues on the goalline with the SAM LB and how we become less predictable in our one back sets.

I was of the opinion that both Dressen and OD have become fairly accomplished blockers, particularly given how threatening they are as receivers.

I get the basic concept that a good, powerful blocker gives us an advantage but I'm interested in the real detail of it.

thanks.

On the goalline predictability is less an issue because a TE does not need to be a genuine receiving threat to score a TD on the goalline. The field is so shrunk down that he does not need to run great routes or stretch the field vertically. He just has to block well enough that you can run it in, and catch it if they leave him uncovered on a play action. This is why Vrabel has like 10career TDs. Not because he is a great receiver, but because inside the 5 your 2nd TE is the same Play Action threat regardless of if he's a great pass catcher or not.

So a guy like Hill gives us a great blocker in close but can still catch a 5 yard flip off of play action (the only pass your 2nd TE is catching in the end zone). So despite his lack of versatility, he doesn't make us any more predictable on the goalline. Some teams even go as far as putting the DT at FB down there and it isn't any more predictable because a goalline passing play is never going to have 5 receiving options in the play anyways.

As far as how he helps the running game on the goalline, that is fairly obvious. He blocks better than the guys who did it for us last year (I assume since I've never seen him play). Much of the same holds true in short yardage off of the goalline, but not as much so since there is a bigger field to challenge and defend, and thus you are tipping your hand a bit in those spots.

[dadmg]

Originally Posted by Roy P

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?

On Caldwell's thread, I posted a quote I got from the Texans website, which I think is appropriate to pop in again here:

"DeMeco was a mentor to me when I was at Alabama - kind of took me under his wing - and I’ve always admired the way he works," Caldwell said. "I admire his leadership. And actually to be a part of his team now, I know he’s done a great job out there, so I’m just excited. It’s truly a blessing and I’m looking forward to it."

[popanot]

Originally Posted by dadmg

"DeMeco was a mentor to me when I was at Alabama - kind of took me under his wing - and I’ve always admired the way he works," Caldwell said. "I admire his leadership. And actually to be a part of his team now, I know he’s done a great job out there, so I’m just excited. It’s truly a blessing and I’m looking forward to it."

They have got to get DeMeco's contract done. It's obvious he's a leader and his teammates respect him. I'm almost to the point where I want them to trade DRob (Shelton Brown, maybe?), but I hope they definitely take care of DeMeco.

[nero THE zero]

Originally Posted by popanot

They have got to get DeMeco's contract done. It's obvious he's a leader and his teammates respect him. I'm almost to the point where I want them to trade DRob (Shelton Brown, maybe?), but I hope they definitely take care of DeMeco.

I'd like them to trade Dunta too, but I'm starting wonder if we'd get as much for him as we'd like to think.

Ellis Hobbs was just traded for two 5ths. Anthony Henry was traded for a back-up QB.

The market doesn't seem to be as lucrative as we'd like.

I wouldn't personally take anything less than a third for him. Otherwise, I let him walk after '09 and take the compensatory pick in '11.