Hill misses practice due to illness
Stephen HIll drops a wide open pass on third down, forcing the Jets to kick a field goal during fourth-quarter action of a game against the New England Patriots. (Oct. 21, 2012) Credit: Getty
CORTLAND – Stephen Hill did not practice Thursday because of an illness, according to a team spokesman.
For the most part, the second-year wide receiver has been impressive in training camp – so much so that Rex Ryan has been afraid to jinx Hill’s performance by talking about him.
“I’m not going to comment on Stephen because he’s doing so well,” the Jets coach said at the close of Monday's news conference. “I’m not going to comment on him.”
Hill defended himself Wednesday against criticisms about his pass-catch ability – namely his propensity for drops. “I only dropped three balls last year, that's what I know,” he said, acknowledging that he’ll be asked about his crucial drop last year against the Patriots in the run-up to their Week 2 Thursday-night matchup in Foxborough this season. “I look back at the film because I watch film every day. However that goes, that's people's opinions. That's not facts.”
But according to the Wall Street Journal – which cited Pro Football Focus -- Hill dropped “six of the 27 catchable passes thrown to him” during his rookie season, and his “drop rate” of 22.2% was the highest of any wide receiver with as many opportunities.
Veteran receiver Braylon Edwards – who also developed a similar reputation during his time in Cleveland -- said he hasn’t seen many drops from Hill in training camp, save for that one would-be touchdown on a flea-flicker during Wednesday’s practice.
“So far in camp, he’s made plays,” Edwards said at the end of that day’s practice. “He had one today, and I’m sure that’s why the question came up. But this is the fifth practice we’ve had and it’s only drop I can think of since camp. And, with me, I had one season.
“It’s football, things happens. What’s-his-name – Tiki Barber -- had the one season where he fumbled forever. And then it was all forgotten about cause he came back,” he added, referring to the former Giants running back who lost 12 fumbles between the 2002 and 2003 seasons.
“So I [couldn't] care less about that – and that’s what he has to do. If that tag is on him, all he has to do is come here and catch the ball. He doesn’t have to focus on that or talk about that. He’s a wideout and he’s been doing this a long time. He’ll be fine.”
