Big play, small package
New England Patriots and being out of football for three months, he was signed to the Steelers’ practice squad in December. He has been their top nickel back since day one this season and has emerged as a top playmaker.
Golson and Hilton were teammates at Mississippi where Golson had 10 interceptions as a senior and was a unanimous All-America choice.
Hilton is doing with the Steelers what Golson was drafted to do.
Amazing how NFL life works sometimes, isn’t it?
“We’re more than thankful we have Mike,” Mike Mitchell was saying late Thursday night on his way out of Heinz Field. “We trust him a lot. That’s why we play so much nickel.”
Hilton played 36 of 65 defensive snaps against the Titans – 55 percent — which is right about his season average. He made the most of that playing time, intercepting a Marcus Mariota pass in the first quarter and returning it 26 yards to set up a field goal for a 10-0 lead. It was the first of four Steelers interceptions, all by the secondary. Later, Hilton threw down running back DeMarco Murray for a 4yard loss.
“I must say it does,” Hilton said when asked if his success has exceeded even his expectations. “I came in here confident because I knew what I could do. I wanted to show my teammates and coaches that I could help them win a championship. I feel like I’m a big part of the defense. The defense plays to my strengths. My blitzing ability. My ability to cover slot receivers. My ability to tackle. The coaches are using me to my advantage. It’s been working. I’m excited to see how far we can go as a defense.”
Hilton doesn’t look the part. The Steelers list him at 5 feet, 9 inches and 184 pounds but he seems much smaller. He was right when he said he can blitz; he had two sacks in exhibition games and another in the Baltimore game Oct. 1. He was right about his coverage skills; he also had an interception in the Baltimore game. He really was right about his willingness to tackle; he’s a much harder hitter than you would think.
Golson is similarly built but hasn’t been anywhere close to as durable. He missed his rookie season because of a shoulder injury that required surgery, missed the 2016 season with a foot injury and missed almost all of training camp this season with a bad hamstring. The Steelers finally ran out of patience.
“Now, he’s getting another shot,” Hilton said of Golson.
The two have remained close and talked immediately after Golson signed with the Buccaneers.
“I’m excited for him, especially after everything he’s been through,” Hilton said. “Hopefully, he stays healthy and makes the best of it. He absolutely is a player. He’s one of the better athletes I’ve ever been around. He can really make a team better.”
That’s what Hilton is doing with the Steelers. Give him big props for stepping through the door that opened not just because of Golson’s hamstring injury, but a hamstring injury to 2017 No. 3 draft pick Cam Sutton early in training camp.
“I like his demeanor,” Mitchell said of Hilton. “He’s quiet, but he works extremely hard to get better. He’s a guy who’s super-open to listen and learn. You want to coach up young guys like that and watch them do their thing.”
Hilton described the 8-2 Steelers as “one big family.” He might not have the pedigree, but he clearly has fit in on a defense with seven No. 1 picks and three No. 2s. You should have heard his teammates chiding him Thursday night after he returned to his locker and found the note that all players dread. “You have been randomly selected for drug-testing … “
“Hey, Mike, you have been making so many plays, they think you’re cheatin’,” someone yelled across the room to Hilton as he grabbed his bottle to start the process.
Hilton still was grinning several minutes later when he finally emerged from, ah, protocol.
“Absolutely, I’m passing the test,” he said with the biggest smile.
Good news for the Steelers and their fans. Bad news for their opponents.
Ron Cook: rcook@post-gazette.com and Twitter @RonCookPG. Ron Cook can be heard on the “Cook and Poni” show weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on 93.7 The Fan.