Loading ...Will Hill was widely considered the top safety prospect, and second overall football prospect by ESPN coming out of St. Peters Preparatory High School in New Jersey. He was recruited to the Florida Gators where it appeared he had lost focus on playing football causing his production on the field to fall off greatly. After a couple of lackluster seasons, he would leave Florida early to enter the NFL Draft.
Although he certainly possessed the physical tools, NFL teams were unwilling to take a chance on him, questioning whether his head was in the game, resulting in him going undrafted. After missing out on football last season, the New York Giants have given him a chance to prove that he has the heart and ability to play in the NFL. It appears Hill is taking complete advantage of the opportunity the Giants have given him, as he has impressed the coaches making plays all over the field.
It was believed that Hill was originally brought in to raise the level of competition among the young talent and the veterans, but now the coaches find themselves leaving him on the field more than they originally thought. Hill has shown great athletic ability, excellent coverage skills, but most importantly, he has shown the drive to succeed that he lacked during his days at the University of Florida.
Coach Coughlin has taken notice of Hill's athletic body and his play making ability.
"You see a real quick, well-conditioned athlete right now. He’s definitely had a couple of days where he’s stood out and he stands out on (special) teams, too."
It has become a well known fact that Coughlin loves for his young players to prove themselves on special teams, which could be critical if Hill is going to earn a spot on the roster.
What could also help Hill's cause is his ability to play the linebacker/safety hybrid position that Perry Fewell utilizes often. It is the same position that veteran Deon Grant was used for. There has been speculation the Deon Grant would be called to rejoin the Giants for another season but that has not yet been the case. Perhaps Hill's exceptional play could be why Grant hasn't yet been brought back.
Hill knows that he has a lot to prove, and that shows on the practice field. He told Mike Garafolo of the Star-Ledger why he's giving the extra effort.
"Yeah, I play with just a little bit more oomph because I had dark times," he said. "I know what’s on the other side and I don’t want to go back. … I have the mentality of, because I wasn’t drafted, I have to prove myself to not only the coaches but also the players that I belong here. So that’s how I just go out every day and attack it full-on."
Will has been putting in the work off the field as well, spending his off time studying tape and taking advice from his coaches. Overcoming his past personality issues will be his biggest obstacle but right now he is doing everything a player in his situation has to to prove he has the ability to keep football a top priority. He will be given an opportunity to show off his talents Friday in the team's first preseason game, but as of now, Hill is making the most of his opportunities.
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FF will be incorrigible now!
Nah, not incorrigible nor even insufferable.
But when he becomes a starting safety just remember who it was who said he would be terrific back when most didn’t know who he was.
And all of you might acknowledge that when I insisted the Giants’ receivers would be terrific and they didn’t need to sign big-name free agents like Edwards and Boldin, and then insisted that the young linebackers were going to be really good when most had decided the team didn’t value the position (I really pounded the table about Jacquian Williams in particular), and said this was a championship team back at the beginning of 2007 when most were in despair over their future because they didn’t believe in Eli, that it gives me some degree of credibility when I say this looks to me like the best team in the NFL in 2012 and has dynastic potential.
And how about when I was absolutely right about Gerris Wilkinson? What’s that you say? Wait, you mean he isn’t a Pro Bowler yet? Gosh, there must be 32 teams led by stupid GMs if no one is getting that guy on their roster and starting him.
It’s a good thing you added that final paragraph, or I was going to have to break out your nickname again…
I’m hoping Will Hill makes it as a Giant. It would be great to see
this troubled young man turn his life around. He looks like
he could be a very good football player. Go Big Blue!!
They will still need to draft a Safety next year. I don’t see them being able to afford KP with competition from the open market.
Sash isn’t an NFL starter, but could be a decent depth guy. As far as Hill goes, so far so good, but being an NFL starter requires a level of maturity that he’s really never shown. It’s easy to be on great behavior for a period during training camp which are likely the most important 3.5 weeks of his life. I’m sure his agent has pounded into his head all the right things to say. Leopards don’t change their spots easily. I hope he has matured, I really do, but I’ll wait to see once he’s got a couple hundred thousand dollars in his pocket. If he can show good judgement when opportunities to show bad judgement will be in front of him daily, then I’ll feel more comfortable with him. We shall see, but as for now I am definitely glad we have him in camp and that he is taking advantage of his opportunity.
one idea is letting cruz walk in FA. It sounds crazy now but if two of our young receivers become dependable targets this year then letting Cruz leave as a RFA and adding an extra draft pick could be worth it to save cap space. then we would have more money. In addition not keeping T2′s big contract could help us keep both Phillips and Osi as well as franchise Nicks and work out a deal
The kids has looked good the times I’ve watched him in camp. You can only glean so much from practice sessions … however he seems on track to not only make the squad, but play some.
He is one of the many young players I am excited to watch Friday
I’m really excited to see what he’s capable of now. He’s always had the talent; let’s see if everything finally clicks for him now. If so I think he could be another hidden gem from Reese.
I have been on our young safety bandwagon for a while now and this is really what I like to hear. I hope Sash was serious when he said he added some quickness also because he needs to become faster so he can make plays when he recognizes things
After 55′s humble post I’d just like to mention that I have never come on here and said “I told you so”, it just seems more like an annoyed wife/Girlfriend/Mother thing to do.
That being said, when and if I’m wrong about Herzlich, there will be no “I was wrong” admission.
That stuff is for people that keep score on this site and I don’t keep score, I just post my thoughts, sometimes spur of the moment/not well put together thoughts, but thoughts none the less.
Oh and 55, you and the other old guy were also wrong about Matt Dodge. Just a friendly reminder. I figured that you 2 our always humbling yourself on this site, and that maybe I could help you out by doing it for you. Don’t worry about it, the pleasure is all mine.
Let Cruz walk are you kidding me! You mean let KP walk what Cruz brings to the table cant be dublicated. He’s a Stud in the slot KP is a good Saftey but he hasnt been Probowl Caliber and his knee issues……
Hey I dont agree with it but it is just a thought. A lot of people said that we would not let steve smith but we did. Yes Cruz is a stud in the slot but if Jernigan, Randle and some other receiver break out and show talent then parting ways with Cruz and picking up a first rounder would be an option. I never said we SHOULD do it but it is an option
and he is a beast on the outside…he can do it all
Begiant – I’ll admit, I have thought through the Cruz thing as well. Getting an extra 1st rounder and saving money by letting him walk is attractive. But in the end I can’t go there. Cruz is a play maker the likes of which the Giants have never had before. Sign him, pay him, lock him up.
Phillips knee might limit his career length. He’s going to demand a 5 year deal approaching 45 – 50 mil. I’m not sure I would do it if I were JR.
Also, I always like to remind FF55 that he was way late on the come with Cruz last summer. He was even bearish on Cruz at one point during the preseason when there was really no reason to be anything but excited. There, got that out of the way.
In total, FF55 has been correct far more than not. Very early on Eli, Nicks, DD as LT, Phillips, Webster, and many others. Credit should be given for sure.