A Breakdown of Stephen Hill’s Touchdowns

Sept 9, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill (84) and New York Jets tight end Jeff Cumberland (86) celebrate Hill

A lot has been made of the New York Jets draft, especially their second pick of the draft, wide receiver Stephen Hill. Everyone knew that he could fly, but the question was about his preparation in college. Coming out of an option based offense at Georgia Tech, he didn’t have a lot of catches through his career, so many wondered if he was ready to make it in the NFL. The critics said that he couldn’t run all of the routes necessary.

Well, he went a bit of the way to silencing those critics, with a debut against the Buffalo Bills that put him in the Jets record books, putting up 5 catches for 89 yards and 2 TDs. Over the summer, we predicted that Stephen will eclipse Plaxico Burress’ TD total from last season (see that post by clicking here).  When you take a look at his two touchdowns from Sunday’s game, you see that he DOES have the skills to do exactly that.  Take a look with me and you will see what I mean.

TOUCHDOWN #1-FIRST PLAY OF SECOND QUARTER

Nothing out of the ordinary with the formation here. Stephen Hill is wide left, and the bottom of the screen. The defense is in a 4-3, and it looks like the safety is going to cheat over towards Hill. In a couple of seconds, however, Mark Sanchez is going to hearn that this is not the case.

Take a look at the safety to the bottom of the screen. He has cheated to the inside to cover the tight end. Both Mark Sanchez, and Stephen Hill, make the cornerback pay for being one on one.

Stephen Hill runs a double move, post corner pattern. When Hill breaks for the post, Mark pump fakes, the cornerback bites, and Hill is gone. Look below at the separation that Hill gets.

He gets a good three yards of separation before you even can blink. This type of speed can not be taught, ladies and gentlemen. He is born with it. Anyway, back to the play, he gets separation…..

Caught! And up high, using his 6’4″ frame…..

TOUCHDOWN!!

See? Not only does he have the world class speed that we have talked about at length, but he sold that post pattern like a seasoned veteran. His route running looked pretty good on that one.

Turn the page, and we will take a look at touchdown number 2.

TOUCHDOWN #2-MIDDLE OF THE THIRD QUARTER

It’s third and 6 from the Bills 17. The Bills have set up with 8 in the box, and one safety deep. This time, Stephen Hill lined up in the slot to the left.

Santonio Holmes, set up wide right, runs his man down the field. This opens up the field for Stephen Hill to run a crossing pattern. This, by the way, was the same route that turned into a pick 6 with Patrick Turner during the preseason. Hill runs a good route, and this time, with a much better result.

(Sorry this one is a bit small). This time, Mark Sanchez leads his man, Stephen Hill, with the football, and then he turns on the Jets(no pun intended). Once he has his hands on the football, as we saw on Sunday, Hill is gone!

He makes his man miss, and then………..

He turns on his God given afterburners, and has the presence of mind to get the ball just inside the pylon for his second TD on the afternoon.

In these two plays, we see Hill run excellent routes, make the catches, and know where he is in space like a veteran. He has all the tools. Stephen Hill was a great pick for the New York Jets, and he will continue to show it.