Hill's run-blocking gives him leg up in Jets' offense

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Last season, Georgia Tech drew up 718 rushes to 167 pass attempts.

The result? Stephen Hill is a Jet.

Hill, Georgia Tech's leading receiver in 2011, was snagged by the Jets in the second round of the 2012 draft. The Jets liked Hill's physical attributes, deep-ball ability and knack for making the tough catch, but Hill's experience as a run-blocking receiver fit with the Jets' hard-nosed offensive style.

"One thing he should be able to do is block," Jets coach Rex Ryan told the media Thursday. "He only caught 28 balls (in 2011) and when you talk about ground and pound, those guys pound it in there more than we ever have."

Hill will start opposite Santonio Holmes, so he's getting work with the first team and facing the Jets' top-notch cornerback tandem in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. That should expedite his development as a true "receiver."

"There are some things, learning the route tree and everything else, he is way past that," Ryan said. "He can catch his balls, all the little things he has already shown, he is ready to get deep, there is no question but there is more to him than that already."

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