Atlanta Falcons Trade Seventh Round Pick For CB Tye Hill

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 12:32 PM EDT in Falcons News Comment 45 comments

The Falcons didn't wait long to follow up on Thomas Dimitroff's promise of changes in the secondary. Fox Sports' Jay Glazer tweeted that the team traded a seventh round pick to the St. Louis Rams for cornerback Tye Hill.

Hill is a cautionary tale in many ways. Picked 15th overall by the Rams back in 2006, he made the Pro Football Writers of America's All-Rookie Team, but has largely struggled to stay on the field since then. He ended both 2007 and 2008 on injured reserve, and his play when he was on the field rarely approached any kind of sustained excellence. For his three-year career in St. Louis, Hill picked 4 passes, deflected 13 and came up with 105 tackles. Those aren't eye-popping numbers, and now you know why the Rams were willing to swap a seventh rounder for the guy.

That said, this could be a bigger coup than the Domonique Foxworth trade last year. Foxworth was and is a savvy coverage cornerback with average-to-above average physical tools. Hill has blazing speed and was highly regarded coming out of college, and at age 27 there's still the possibility that he could be a late bloomer. The vast potential he showed in his first year in the league makes this a very low risk gamble for the Falcons.

What Hill won't bring is size, but it's become clear by now that Dimitroff and Mike Smith aren't really hung up on how tall a guy is, and that's probably for the best. It's going to take a little while to get Hill up to speed on the defense, but with the secondary struggling to gel and Chris Houston in particular looking like he's out of position too often. Worst case scenario is that we wasted a pick at the very end of the draft on a guy who won't do much. The best case scenario is that we've found a guy who will jump into the starting lineup, deliver on his potential and prove to be a punishing cover corner who can tackle a bit. My bet is somewhere firmly in between, which makes him excellent value for the Falcons.

The question now becomes which cornerback will lose his roster spot to make room for Hill, and unfortunately, my guess is that it'll be William Middleton. There's a guy I really hope they keep around on the practice squad, but we shall see.

What are your thoughts on this trade?

Poll

What will Tye Hill do for the Falcons in 2009?

Kick butt, take names, chew bubblegum

204 votes

Fall on his butt, spell names incorrectly, warm bench

99 votes

Who knows, I dunno, do you know?

236 votes

539 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

according to his combine, he is 5'9 and a half

…but when you see pictures like this

it doesn’t appear that height is going to be an issue.

I like the aquisition (and ironically… I have him on my franchise team on Madden 10 in year 2).

He recorded an interception and two tackles in his FIRST GAME as a rookie (he wasn’t starting but it was the opening game of the season). I really hope that he can come out here and perform quickly for the Falcons. I doubt he’ll be a day one starter, as they are going to want to integrate him in the system, but I forsee him being a similar story as Foxworth (who was only 1 inch taller and MUCH slower). Perhaps though, in this situation, it will be Houston who loses his starting role.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 1, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I think Houston is more likely to lose the job than Grimes

The Falcons may want to go with freaky-deeky athleticism at both corner spots, but that’s total conjecture.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t want to see anyone lose their position, etc., but explain why would they get another CB that is shorter than Houston and Grimes?

by Debilah on Sep 1, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a good question

And one that I don’t have the answer to.

In the short term, he probably maxes out at nickel back, where his lack of height would matter a lot less. The team clearly doesn’t think height is important, and given the level of trust I have in management, I think it might be time for me to re-think that importance, as well.

Ideally, he’ll add some value this season and get some competition going for the starting spots. If Houston and Grimes hold on and play very well, I’m going to be the last person to complain.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is just a guess

But maybe Dimitroff is thinking about it more from a “Moneyball” perspective. What I mean is if all (or most) other teams are putting an emphasis on bigger CB’s, then shorter CB’s would be under-valued. I dunno…

They clearly don’t have a problem loading up with short guys, though.

by orang3b on Sep 1, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I also question why Dimitroff loves the little corners. Although I’m extremely high on Owens, I didn’t understand why he was taken over his taller SDSU teammate Coye Francies. Preferably I wanted both and Coye was available in the later rounds.

by Jon Cushman on Sep 1, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I miss Foxworth :(

He made big plays and looked like he had the whole package – including a first name of genuine tier-one ridiculousness. Sounded like some kind of tacky fake gemstone they’d sell on QVC.

I just caught some of the first half of the Chargers game on NFL Network yesterday… If we keep letting the opposition get away with long passes on 3rd and umpteen like that, we’re going to be in a world of trouble. Let’s hope Hill can do the business in that department.

(Look at that! A genuine football-related opinion! I am clearly getting too big for my know-nothing newbie boots… Feel free to slap me down.)

by Ignoramus on Sep 1, 2009 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gasp!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Another diminutive DB?

I’m leary of his lack of size, but for a 7th rounder he’s probably a decent value. I don’t think he projects as a starter long-term.

The Falcons had to do SOMETHING, for that I applaud them. We all know they still need lots of work in the DB department.

by tom slick on Sep 1, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

WOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

….Sorry, had a bit of a Ric Flair moment there. But I think this is an awesome trade. Even if it doesn’t work out it was only a 7th round pick that probably wouldn’t have made the roster anyway

by FLA_Falcon on Sep 1, 2009 1:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

P.S.

If size was really THAT big of an issue…don’t you think coaches would start putting more of those 6’2"-6’3" guys at corner instead of only at WR? Yeah being taller helps but its not the only thing that matters.

by FLA_Falcon on Sep 1, 2009 1:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Well

At least we got someone else to try out. maybe get Houston to pick it up. I hope they guy has some skills so he can step in at some point and take over.

Life is a garden. Dig it!

by Hardcore Falcon on Sep 1, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

As a counterpoint to my enthusiasm

Here’s the opinion of 81 Witness, a reader over at Turf Show Times:

Although he MAY be the fastest corner in the NFL, he gets beaten at the last second. I.E. He doesn’t turn his head around and square his body to compete for the ball. He lacks that last second acceleration or athleticism to make that play.

He was currently slotted as a nickel CB. May be too small to be physical with a TE or a slot receiver with size. The Rams passing defense focuses on being aggressive at the line of scrimmage to give our D a better chance at pressuring the QB. Hill doesn’t fit into our plans.

He has problems against the run too: He doesn’t take proper angles when a running play heads in his direction, gets swallowed up in blocks, etc. Bartell, Wade, (our current starting CBs) and King are much better at shedding blocks and attacking the run.

He’s injury prone as you pointed out and may not be 100%.

Wish you the best of luck Dave, hope he turns it around for your Falcons.

Let’s start hoping that change of scenery does him some good.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wasn't he in coverage

On Tony G’s TD in the Rams pre-season game? I guess getting schooled by a future HOFer isn’t anything to hang your head about, though.

3 things I’m thinking about:

1) Injury history – he’s missed 20 games the last two years. Some fairly recent reports say that he’s “having more problems with his surgically repaired knee”, but some say he’s 100%.

2) Cap hit – as a former First Rounder, he comes with a fairly hefty salary. The team had plenty of Cap Space though, so it shouldn’t be a problem (Dimitroff may even want to re-negotiate his deal).

3) Performance – of course, this is the most important aspect of whether this is a good move. The first thing I did was look up his Player Page on Football Outsiders. I have no idea what to think of his numbers. In 2007 (8 games) he was in the top 25 for both Success Rate and Adjusted Pass Yards allowed. Other CB’s have been good for half a season (and turned out to be a mirage). Last year (in 4 games), his numbers were beyond awful.

I guess for a 7th Rounder it doesn’t hurt to see what he’s got to offer…

by orang3b on Sep 1, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well,

I was going to try to do it, but this guy beat me to it – rewatch the Rams preseason game, looking specifically at Hill. Long story short, he looked good in coverage (except on the Tony G TD), but terrible in run support.

by orang3b on Sep 3, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We would be wise to rotate him off the field

In obvious rushing packages. I don’t think he’s ever going to be a force against the run.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 3, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Basically

Use him as the Nickle CB, but using him on the outside and shifting one of the starters into the “slot”? It’s an interesting thought, at least… I think Grimes (if he keeps his starting spot) would be the perfect guy. 1) He’s a scrapper who’s not afraid to stick his nose in there on running plays, 2) most “slot” WR’s are short, quick guys, and 3) we saw what he can do on a CB blitz when he’s lined up close to the O-Line. That might be bad news for your man Chevis, though.

It’s going to be very interesting to see how they use everybody once this all shakes out.

by orang3b on Sep 3, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I don't know how Chevis fits in

Unless he’s taking Chris Houston’s spot down the line. I still think the kid has loads of talent, but it’s getting awfully crowded in the secondary.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 3, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks for posting the link to that

the guys looks solid enough… I agree he will be better suited for the nickel position, at least at first. The Falcons coaches seem to have managed to teach our previously labeled as sorry bunch of defenders how to tackle, perhaps it is a fixable coaching thing that we may see progress with as the season progresses.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 3, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm excited

At the least it will serve as a wake up call for those in the secondary, at the most we’ve traded for a starter who can track Usain Bolt of the football field.

"There were far too many penalties on both sides of the football," said Coach Smith. "Some things that we'll have to address and I can assure you we will."

by Pregame with Pabst on Sep 1, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I really wish we couldve traded for Kelly Jennings from the Seahawks

He is 5’10" and a highschool teammate of mine

by FLA_Falcon on Sep 1, 2009 2:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

fantstic pick up

the guy was a 15th pick. He ran a 4.30 40 at the combine, has a 41 inch vert. and started his college career as a tailback.

Height is overrated at CB… the shhorter you are the more agile. As long as you can jump like this kid can, you can cover anyone.

Great move. And we got him for free. Let him and Owens start. And Moore.

Houston and Grimes looked like college rookies against SD.

by nathan rothschild on Sep 1, 2009 2:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

any others??

You guys think will sign another CB??? Or just stay the way we are now?

by MTB33 on Sep 1, 2009 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think at this point, they're going to stand pat

Kind of crazy to think that the oldest cornerback on the roster is 28 years old, isn’t it?

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting take

here. He basically says that by releasing Hartsock and Hutchins now (when the team was already at the 75 limit) frees up the roster (and cap space) to pick up somebody else after roster cut-downs today…

by orang3b on Sep 1, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The question is, who?

The answer, of course, is Dave the Falconer.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This guy is 1st round talent...

Maybe we can coach him up…

I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.

Elayne Boosler

by NaGaNole on Sep 1, 2009 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree

He has the talent, and we got him cheap. The thing to worry about is if he can stay healthy.

by Chaos7 on Sep 1, 2009 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's the kicker right there

Pursuit angles and making last second plays are problems that can be corrected. Scouts, Inc. says that he excels in man coverage. He’s not a great tackler on the outside, but he can get some boys down, and we’ve got so much speed at linebacker that maybe we don’t need a physical butt kicker at corner. Regardless, we just added an extremely athletic corner with NFL experience for 10 cents on the dollar. He isn’t a big name or a savior, but he’ll be more than worth that price. Frankly, there aren’t any Nmadi Asomugha’s on the market.

by LetsGoFalcons on Sep 1, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Amen

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 1, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good move

The fact that they were willing to take so little of course raises an eyebrow, but it might just be what he needs to fulfill his potential. Sometimes players just need a change of scenery to re energize. Now far be it from me to even hint that this guy has as much talent as Randy Moss has in his pinkie, but look what a change in scenery did for his career when he was traded (for basically a bag of peanuts) to the Pats.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Sep 1, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I doubt we sign another CB or DB...

I would think that the atlanta brass would go after a pass rusher- DE – from some team that drops him or a trade and sign deal. Our pass rush needs just as much help as our secondary. Unless MS plans on letting the D- lineman take their lumps to start the season and learn on the job as they go, and hopefully gel as a unit by the 3rd or 4th week of the season. Who knows, but i have faith in our comrade that he’ll come up with a good solution that we’ll all be happy with eventually.

L-DAWG

LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by ATLsince1972 on Sep 1, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Feel free to blame McKay for the weak pass rush

He did nothing to resign Kearney, then drafted JA.

"This is America, if we can’t self-righteously look down on others and blame them for our faults, the commies win."-----Cormican on Bleeding Green Nation w/r/t fans overreacting to the Eagles signing of Michael Vick

by Jesse28 on Sep 1, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I Believe

I have faith in Dimitroff and Smith when it comes to identifying and recruiting talent, Although I’m not sure I would have let Foxworth walk like they did.

Hopefully Tye will be that missing link our secondary needs… but at 5’9" I can’t be sure because what we really need (and have needed for years) is a true pick-off artist at CB, no D-Hall doesn’t count. Ok, he kinda counts, but I still don’t like him and am glad he’s gone.

by ATLAndrew on Sep 1, 2009 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

First round talent

at cornerback is extremely hard to obtain outside of the top of the draft. The fact that we got Hill for a 7th round pick is amazing. Yes, he is injury prone but any other CB we could have traded that low a pick for would have other, far greater downsides.

I just don’t think there was anybody else available with Hill’s physical tools/potential at such a low cost. Worse case scenario Hill is a nickle or dime DB who might contribute on special teams. Welcome to Patriot-style player acquisition: build through the draft and acquire the highest quality potential at the lowest cost possible with Free Agency and trades .

by Leon07 on Sep 1, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Worse?

But he can’t be any worse that Houston? Can he? I hate to say it, but do we have another Charles Dimry in Chris Houston?

"If I disagree with you, it's because you are wrong..."

by Tybeaux on Sep 1, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen to That

Anything has to be better than Chris Houston. Well except for Grimes :-)

All in All, I like the pickup.

by gametheory7 on Sep 1, 2009 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can you walk on water?

by Debilah on Sep 2, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh-Oh...

Debilah, it wasn’t me this time. I ain’t saying nothing…except, “How are you today?”

"If I disagree with you, it's because you are wrong..."

by Tybeaux on Sep 9, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We know he can pick off Matt Ryan...

at least back in the day.

by TomQ on Sep 1, 2009 4:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Or maybe we should get...

this Tye Hill.

by TomQ on Sep 1, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HAHAHA

most elite corner in the NFL at a whopping 5’4!

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 1, 2009 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you see the air she got on that tumble?

She could probably make a pick with her legs!

by TomQ on Sep 2, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this move.

A solid gamble for a highly touted and speedy defender who we will need to deal with the Saints passing game.

I really like Hill’s speed and vertical ability.

by WarWolf on Sep 6, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

In you are wondering...

Debilah is Brent Grimes mother(?)…So you better be careful what you say about the Grimester or you will feel the wrath of a mother who loves her son! I did and it ain’t nice!!!

So I say, C’mon Brent! Do your thang!!!!

"If I disagree with you, it's because you are wrong..."

by Tybeaux on Sep 11, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs