New skinny on Hill role
Slimmed-down RB to fill ‘big’ shoes
FOXBORO — Less than a week into free agency, the Patriots signed the bruising Jeremy Hill to fill the role of “big back.”
They just don’t want him to be quite as big as he’s been in the past.
After inking Hill to a one-year deal, the Patriots staff implored him to shed weight. He played in the 235-pound range as a member of the Bengals, but the Pats believed Hill could maximize his potential if he stayed in the 220s.
He’s currently at 226, the lightest he’s been since his junior year of high school.
“I feel great, man,” Hill said yesterday. “I’m in the best shape I’ve been physically in a very long time, so I’m excited and ready to go.”
He added: “I’m normally a heavier guy. The big back role is something I’m accustomed to doing, so having the extra weight definitely helps. They wanted me lighter, and it was easy for me to do. I feel great at this weight.”
Hill burst onto the scene as a rookie with the Bengals in 2014, rushing for 929 yards on 172 carries (5.4 per attempt) over the final nine games. His production tapered off in recent seasons, however, as he was plagued by bone spurs in his ankle. Hill elected to undergo surgery this past November, and he ended his career in Cincinnati on injured reserve.
At that point, Hill had been surpassed on the depth chart by rookie Joe Mixon.
With the Pats, Hill faces similar competition. The Patriots selected Sony Michel in the first round of the draft. He’ll have a role if he’s healthy. Rex Burkhead, who sat behind Hill in Cincinnati, might be the team’s most polished all-around back. James White is a reliable pass-catcher who seems to improve each year. This is a crowded backfield.
Hill and Mike Gillislee are likely in competition for a roster spot. And if Michel’s knee injury lingers — he’s missed four straight practices — the winner of that competition could be in line for a sizable workload.
A second-round pick in 2014, Hill caught the eye of Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears.
“I was really high on him coming out of college, from LSU,” Fears said in May. “I thought the world of him. I thought it was a good grab by Cincinnati. Hey, I’m sort of looking forward to this challenge and seeing what he can do for us.”
The Patriots’ running back competition should begin to take shape in tomorrow night’s preseason matchup with Washington.
Trio returns
The Pats received a boost on special teams when Cyrus
Jones, Jonathan Jones and Nate Ebner all were activated off the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Cyrus Jones and Ebner are attempting to return from season-ending knee injuries in 2017.
“I think we’ll gain a little bit of strength in numbers here, hopefully, with a couple days of rehabilitation and rest and so forth,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick.
The three players were limited in yesterday’s practice and did not participate in team drills. While most of the roster engaged in 11-on-11 drills, Cyrus Jones fielded punts from Ryan Allen and Corey Bojorquez on the adjacent field. Jonathan Jones and Ebner took part in special teams technique drills.
Cyrus Jones, who tore the ACL in his right knee during the Patriots’ 2017 preseason finale, continues to make progress. If healthy, he should be in the mix for the punt returner job.
Burkhead, Chris Hogan and Patrick Chung are among the players who have received punt return reps in recent practices.
Finally cutting cord
Malcolm Mitchell’s oncepromising career with the Pats reached its conclusion on Monday, as the team released the talented thirdyear receiver.
“He did everything he could,” Belichick said. “It’s unfortunate that didn’t work out, but I don’t know how he could have put any more into it than he did.”
Mitchell worked hard to rehab from persistent knee issues, but he was never healthy enough to practice this summer.
The Pats shopped Mitchell in trade discussions earlier this summer, a source said.
Mitchell’s final game in a Patriots uniform was the historic Super Bowl LI comeback against Atlanta. He caught six passes for 70 yards to help the Pats erase a 28-3 deficit.
Belichick impressed
How did the coach spend his off days?
Well, Belichick visited Canton, Ohio, for Randy Moss’ Hall of Fame induction Saturday, then he capped the weekend Sunday at Fenway Park for a thrilling 5-4 Red Sox win over the Yankees.
“What a game that was Sunday,” he said. “What a team they have. I marvel at the way they compete and how consistent they’ve been, how many people have contributed, just the overall organization — Tony (La Russa), Alex (Cora), their scouting staff. You know, we have a good relationship with those people and they’ve been great to us. They provided us with a great experience in June for our football team. So I wish the Red Sox nothing but the best, not that they need any help from me.”
He was asked if the weekend ranked among the best of his life, and responded: “Ever? Yeah, I mean, it was good. I wouldn’t put it up there with some of the championships that we’ve won. I think that would be stretching it a little bit.”