By Daniel L. Bamberg
Daniel@Centrevillepress.com
The Detroit Lions have never been accused of running on all cylinders, but they are certainly finally on the rise. With solid draft picks in the last five years, owners and management seem to be building something special. In fact it may only be a matter of all cylinders clicking before the Lions re-write the “NFL Cinderella Story.”
Many would not suggest that the 2010/2011 season will be the year for this, but with a fierce looking young defense, who knows?
Last year former Stillman College and West Blocton High School big guy, Sammie Lee Hill got the chance of a lifetime. After being picked up by the Lions in the 4th round, Hill was expected to spend the season as a back up, but the team had hopes for his bright future. In only the second game last year, Hill became a starter, making an immediate impact.
He had 26 tackles last season, and was a major force in plugging up holes against the opposition’s ground attack. He missed three games last year due to injury, as well as the first game. Hill was averaging 2 tackles a game as a rookie and was a bright color in the once dark rainbow of the Motor City Football Machine.
With Detroit’s recent signing of Kyle Vanden Bosch, Corey Williams, and drafting top collegiate defensive lineman, Ndamukong Suh, Sammie Hill will have some pressure taken off of his shoulders in the upcoming season.
"(With all the new guys), we are going to be able to stay fresh. Everyone is going to be able to go 150 percent no matter what,” Hill told reporters in late May.
The Detroit defensive line may run much like the assembly lines of the auto manufacturers, which once thrived in Michigan’s most famous city. Unlike those auto manufacturers however, The Lions did not need a bailout to begin digging their way out of disaster. Old-fashioned patience and solid scouting of, easy to over look but hard to pass up recruits like Hill have made the Lions the team of the future.
Nobody could be much happier about it than the West Blocton native, himself. "I'm very excited. I mean (new defensive line coach) Kris (Kocurek) is stepping up and everybody has that high confidence level. We plan to play at that high intensity level and at a very high level of football. Man, I'm excited," concluded Hill.
photo from Detroit Lions website
No comments:
Post a Comment