For two years, Stephen Hill dropped passes. Now, the Jets have dropped him.
Hill, 23, was released by the Jets on Saturday as the team reduced its roster to 53. A second-round pick in 2012, Hill never materialized into the receiver that the Jets imagined he would become after they drafted him.
Hill’s roster spot was believed to be fairly safe heading into training camp — he was even in a competition with David Nelson for the No. 2 outside receiver job — but in the last few days it became apparent that he could be cut when Rex Ryan announced he would play in the fourth preseason game and failed to offer much public support for the receiver. Hill managed only three receptions for 42 yards in four preseason games this year.
When asked after the Jets’ 37-7 preseason loss to the Eagles if he thought he deserved a place on the team, Hill said, “Yeah. I don’t know why I shouldn’t.” Just two days later, he was gone.
In his two years with the Jets, Hill caught just 45 passes for 594 yards and four touchdowns. He finished each of the last two seasons on IR.
Hill’s agent, Alan Herman, expressed disappointment in the fact that Hill received only eight targets in four preseason games.
“You have your own guy there who’s (23) years old,” Herman said. “Give him the opportunity.
“Maybe it’s better he move on somewhere else. Hopefully a team with a more established quarterback selects him,” Herman added. Hill can be claimed off waivers by any of the other 31 teams in the league.
Hill was taken with the 43rd pick in the 2012 draft after then-GM Mike Tannenbaum traded up in the second round, and the receiver was inserted right into the starting lineup his rookie year. “You’ve got to grow into the position,” Herman said. “Stephen came out a year early and got caught in the Tebow/Sanchez situation, which was not a good situation for any young receiver trying to develop.”
Neither Ryan nor GM John Idzik was available to discuss roster moves Saturday.
Hill and Dimitri Patterson were the most notable cuts by the Jets, but they weren’t particularly surprising.
The Jets unexpectedly cut Matt Simms, leaving them with just Geno Smith and Michael Vick at QB. Simms was the Jets’ backup last season and played in three games, completing 16 of 31 pass attempts. The decision is surprising because Vick is so injury-prone and because it will expose Simms to the waiver process.
If Simms goes unclaimed, he should end up back on the Jets’ practice squad. Several veterans who were expected to make the team did not as the Jets ended up keeping 10 of their 12 draft picks. However, it’s worth noting there will likely be more turnover after waivers are processed Sunday and in ensuing days.
Running backs Daryl Richardson and Alex Green were competing for the Jets’ fourth running back spot but both ended up getting cut. Linebacker Garrett McIntyre, who had been with the Jets since 2011, was cut as well.
Safety Rontez Miles and LB A.J. Edds appeared to have worked their way on the team but did not make the 53-man roster.
In their place, many of the Jets’ rookies who appeared to be on the outside looking in — including LB Trevor Reilly, DL IK Enemkpali and Jeremiah George — made the team. DL T.J. Barnes and CB LeQuan Lewis were also on the roster bubble and made the squad. QB Tajh Boyd and CB Brandon Dixon, both sixth-rounders, were the only two draft picks to be cut.
WR Clyde Gates, TE Chris Pantale, OL William Campbell, OL Brent Qvale, OL Caleb Schlauderaff, DL Tevita Finau, DL Kerry Hyder, DL Zach Thompson, LB Troy Davis, CB Jeremy Reeves and CB Johnny Patrick were also released. OLB Antwan Barnes will start the season on the PUP list.
