Hill could fill crucial RB role
New Pat might see touches in short-yardage situations
FOXBORO – Sure, it’s nice to have running backs who can slip a tackle and provide assurance when coming out of the backfield as a pass-catching threat.
What about featuring a bruising tailback who can prove most effective in short yardage situations, particularly near the goal line? The New England Patriots had a player who matched that description as recently as two seasons ago, when LeGarrette Blount and his 6-foot, 247-pound frame led the NFL with 18 rushing touchdowns.
Blount is now in Philadelphia and can call himself a back-to-back Super Bowl champ after winning championship rings with the Pats and Eagles in each of the past two seasons. There were times last season when New England struggled to move the chains on third down with only a few yards needed, thus fueling the importance of what Blount brought to the table.
This season, the Patriots could be turning to newcomer Jeremy Hill to fill the role once held by Blount. Hill is coming off an ankle injury that limited his availability to just seven games with Cincinnati last season, though he does possess the necessary size (6-foot-1, 230 pounds) and credentials (29 rushing touchdowns in his first 47 games) that should help him merit consideration in New England’s offense.
“(The big back role) is something I’m very comfortable in and credit myself in doing. I think I do a good job when it comes to scoring goal-line touchdowns,” Hill said after the Patriots wrapped up the second day of training camp on Friday. “I can’t even say I’ll be doing this or that at this point because I don’t even know. All I want to do is come out and do my thing and let everything else fall into place.”
Signed by the Pats this past March as a free agent, Hill doesn’t want to be known as a runner in the traditional sense.
On a New England team that features several backs who are threats to receive passes from quarterback Tom Brady, Hill would like to be thought of more in the mold of new teammates James White and Rex Burkhead, both two-way threats when it comes to rushing and receiving. In his four years with the Bengals, Hill hauled in 67 receptions and was targeted 82 times.
“I think that’s something that I pride myself in … catching the ball and trying to be an everyday back,” said Hill. “I see myself as a guy who can play every down and I think I can bring that to this team, for sure.”
Drafted in the second round by Cincinnati in 2014, the 25-yearold Hill makes sure to carve out time on Saturdays to watch LSU, where he played for two seasons. That means Hill has seen plenty of Danny Etling, the former LSU quarterback who the Patriots drafted this past April.
“He did a good job at LSU and he’s doing well so far here,” Hill said. “I’m sure there’s a lot on his plate but he’s coming every day and working hard.”
Saturday’s practice will mark the first one of the summer where the pads are on and the Patriots are actually allowed to hit each other. It’s new territory for this season’s group but a reminder of how football business used to be conducted during the buildup to the regular season.
“There’s only so much you can do during the first two days,” Hill said. “You get to see what real football is when you put the pads on. I think everyone is excited for that.” d n
When new Patriots defensive tackle Danny Shelton met with the media in May, he outlined a goal to slim down to 335 pounds, an ideal weight the 6-foot-2 University of Washington product believes will enable him to be a disruptive interior presence.
“Still working to get there. They don’t want me to get down to my season weight until we’re closer to the season,” Shelton said on Friday. “So far it’s been good.”
The 24-year-old Shelton came to New England via trade with Cleveland in March. To go from a situation where wins were hard to come by to one where its Super Bowl or bust, “is a great opportunity that doesn’t come around too often,” Shelton said. “To have that chance to win is special, but my goal is to continue to dominate as best as I can.”
When a team like New England covets a player who previously played for a struggling organization, it’s a sign that you’re viewed as important. Still, Shelton isn’t about to take anything for granted as it relates to his new situation.
“You come in with the right mindset and make sure you get better every single day. That’s my goal during training camp,” Shelton said.