George Willis

George Willis

NFL

Holmes trying to help Hill climb to new heights

It’s easy to think Santonio Holmes is all about me, myself and I. But that really isn’t the case.

Sure, he’s careful not be rushed back from injuries, which is his right. And he also has had occasion to sulk if the ball isn’t thrown his way enough.

But Holmes views himself as a leader, a veteran with knowledge to pass on to younger players such as Stephen Hill, whose career with the Jets hit a speed bump this week with the news coach Rex Ryan is “disappointed” in his development and his practice reps could be limited in preparation for the game Sunday in Baltimore.

Holmes’ message on Thursday was: It’s too early for anyone to give up on Hill, the second-year wide receiver from Georgia Tech, who has been slow to reach the potential the Jets saw in him when they selected him in the second round of the 2012 draft.

The Jets insist they haven’t given up on the receiver and expect him to be a factor against the Ravens on Sunday. The coaching staff says practice reps have been limited to preserve him for Sunday.

“We’re trying to help him help this team and to get him to the game a little fresher so he can play at a high level,” offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said.

The hope is less practice can produce more in the game. Hill is second on the team with 23 receptions for 340 yards and one touchdown, but has struggled with his route running and drops. Holmes has stepped up his role as  mentor to keep Hill’s spirits up and his focus on improving.

“His thing is just adapting to the opportunities that he’s being presented,” Holmes said. “We talk about so many things on how he can be a great receiver and how he can adapt to running his routes and making a few changes here and there. He just has to take his opportunities and embrace them.”

Holmes is working on the same less-is-more plan. He had limited participation in practice Thursday while nursing injuries to his foot and hamstring. He said he expects to play Sunday, but said his practice time will be monitored for the remainder of the season.

“I’ve been limited all season,” Holmes said. “I’m pretty sure that’s the way it’s going to be until the end of the season. But I’ll continue to manage my performance in practice so that I’m able to perform on Sundays.”

Holmes figures to be in the starting lineup. Whether Hill is a starter is uncertain now with David Nelson missing practice Thursday with an illness. Holmes has been encouraging Hill to take advantage of whatever opportunities he might get.

“He came from a system at Georgia Tech where they didn’t really throw the ball very often,” Holmes said. “I’m sure he knows how to adapt to not having very many opportunities to catch passes.”
Bottom line, Holmes said, is it’s too early to give up on Hill.

“We’re excited to have him here,” Holmes said. “I think his production is going to grow. With the injuries he has had over the past year and half, he’s been limited with some of the things he could do up to this point.”

Injuries have limited Holmes as well. He has just 12 catches for 314 yards and one TD. He’ll need to be more productive against the Ravens, who are a tough team to beat on their home field.

“Starting fast is the key,” Holmes said. “If you come out firing, you shut the crowd up and force the other team to play from behind. We need to come out fast and physical and be aggressive early in the game.”

Holmes’ other keys to beating the Ravens: “We have to keep our composure, be poised and be confident in the game plan,” he said. “When things get shaky, you have to fight through it and know you have a group of 45 guys that are going to be behind you 100 percent.”

That’s a message Hill must also learn.