[FlyHiJets]

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WR Stephen Hill: 'I’m ready to give the Jet fans something to scream about.'

BY Manish Mehta

Less than 24 hours after the Jets addressed one of their glaring defensive needs, Rex Ryan & Co. made an aggressive move to give Mark Sanchez a little more help.

The Jets traded up four spots in the second round to select Georgia Tech wide receiver Stephen Hill with the 43rd overall pick on Friday. They swapped second rounders with the Seahawks in addition to giving up their fifth-round pick (No. 154 overall) and one of their seventh-round picks (No. 232) to position themselves to take the speedy Hill, who ran a blazing 4.31 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.

“I’m ready to give the Jet fans something to scream about,” Hill said after spending the first day of the draft at the Radio City Music Hall green room.

The 6-5, 216-pound Hill gives Sanchez a tall, deep threat that was missing in the Jets’ offense.

“Catching the ball from Mark Sanchez (will be) great,” said Hill, who will replace Plaxico Burress and play opposite Santonio Holmes. “I’m going to make sure I get with him as soon as possible and try to get this roll on.”

Hill’s ability to stretch the field – he averaged 25.5 yards per catch in three seasons – will be a welcomed addition for Gang Green, but he’ll have to make an adjustment from Georgia Tech’s triple-option offensive system to the pros.

“It’s going to be a big transition,” Hill admitted. “I’m ready to go. I’m ready to learn. I’m a quick learner. So I’m ready to see how things unfold.”

Hill, who only had 49 receptions in college, was one of most athletic receivers in the draft. The Jets were enamored by Hill’s leaping ability, which will make him an ideal red-zone threat too. His blocking prowess was another bonus for a team that will emphasize that within their ground-and-pound scheme.

"I can definitely put somebody on the butt," Hill said. “They liked my physicality a lot.”

Hill admitted that he’ll have to use his physical style to get off press man coverage at the next level. He’ll also have to sharpen his route running.

His speed, of course, was his most enticing trait.

The Jets hope that he’ll be able to stretch the field and keep defenses from stacking the box to stop the run. He maintained that his 4.3 40 time at the Combine was typical. Coming from a run-heavy college offense, Hill’s 40 time opened plenty of eyes. The Jets attended his Pro Day and put him through a personal workout, which sealed the deal.

“That was definitely routine,” Hill said of his blazing 40 time. “I worked a lot on that. I actually told the Jets that I was going to run that time.”

Hill didn’t seem fazed by the New York spotlight, either. Shortly after getting selected, he started a J-E-T-S chant from the Radio City stage for Gang Green fans in attendance.

“It was definitely a long day of waiting,” Hill said of not getting selected in the first round. “Once I heard that the Jets traded, I really had no idea until that phone started ringing.”

Although the Jets were amenable to drafting a receiver, offensive lineman or front seven player in the second round, they zoned in on Hill after he went undrafted in the first 10 picks of the round.
Gang Green had several players on their wish list for Day 2 of the draft. Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, who was linked to the Jets in the run-up to the draft, was scooped up by the Ravens with the third pick of the third round (35th overall). The Jets had a second-round grade on Upshaw.

With the 38th overall pick, the Jaguars took Clemson defensive end Andre Branch, who could been an explosive edge pass rusher for Gang Green if they hadn’t selected Quinton Coples in the first round.

http://twitter.com/TheJetsStream

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For once it sounds like we've got someone that believes in a TEAM philosophy right from the door. Kid started the JETS chant as soon as he got drafted. I like it. Let's hope he can produce. Thank God Schitty isn't here anymore or else he would never be used for his size.

[Jetsfan115]

i love this guy already

[The Reverend]

I'm skeptical of his college production but how can you not love his enthusiasm? He's going to put his all into this

[LeonhardSkynyrd36]

his college production? you must not watch college football, research what type of offense GT runs before i embarrass you.

F S U

[FlyHiJets]

GT was definitely a run first offense so we can't hold it against this kid that he had low numbers. He was also a blocking receiver. He apparently isn't afraid to knock somebody on their ass & is foaming at the mouth wanting to, so I'm waiting to see what he brings to the table.

[Jetsfan0099]

He seems excited to be a Jet, that is cool. Huge upside, hopefully we hit here. This was one of our biggest needs, getting a WR that could stretch the field and can be the #2 guy.

[JetsOhFive]

LeonhardSkynyrd36, on 27 April 2012 - 10:54 PM, said:

his college production? you must not watch college football, research what type of offense GT runs before i embarrass you.

F S U

Do they still run that highly obnoxious triple-option?

[santana]

IT'S GOING TO BE HAMBURGER HILL FO' REAL

[Jetsman05]

JetsOhFive, on 28 April 2012 - 01:11 AM, said:

Do they still run that highly obnoxious triple-option?

Yes, Paul Johnson is still their coach.