The Jets have seen enough of Stephen Hill … or maybe it’s they haven’t seen enough.
Either way, the second-year wide receiver was told Wednesday his playing time would be reduced after going two straight games without a catch.
“I have nothing to feel about it,” Hill said. “That’s big man’s decision. I just have to do what I have to do every day and play hard.”
Hill said wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal informed him his role would be cut, but he still would get a fair share of reps.
“He was just basically just straight up with me,” Hill said.
Hill has 23 catches for 340 yards and just one touchdown this season. The Jets expected much bigger production from the 6-foot-4 receiver they took in last year’s draft.
“I’ve been disappointed, there’s no doubt, because we all see the potential that this young man has,” coach Rex Ryan said. “He’s got the size, the speed, he’s tough enough, [and] he has courage. Whether it was through something maybe physically or whatever maybe he hadn’t been 100 percent for whatever reason, but we’ll see.
“Jet fans are all expecting him to take the next step, and for whatever reason it hadn’t been there. [It] doesn’t mean we’re giving up on the young man, but we want to see it.”
Hill’s play has dropped off in recent weeks as the Saints and Bills held him to zero catches. Hill has been listed on the injury report as having foot and knee injuries before those games, but he would not blame injuries for his poor play.
“At this time of the year everybody hurts, and you go through certain ups and downs,” Hill said. “I’m just taking it day by day, like I always say, making sure I impress the coaches as much as I can.”
The Jets took Hill out of Georgia Tech knowing he would be a project. He caught just 49 passes in college as part of the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense. Still, the Jets felt he could be a deep threat with his blend of size and speed, but that has not happened. He had a 51-yard touchdown against the Bills in Week 3, but that has been about it.
“I feel like it can go both ways,” Hill said of the lack of deep balls. “Sometimes teams do take it away because of certain coverages they play. But other than that, it would be good [if] maybe we could take a little bit more shots.”
Veteran receiver Josh Cribbs has tried to encourage Hill since joining the Jets last month.
“He’s a big receiver, just imposing his will on these [smaller] DBs, staying in the fight,” Cribbs said. “He’s a guy that we really count on. I keep letting him know, ‘Hey, you the man. You the man. You’re somebody we count on. If you can’t do it, nobody can.’ I make him feel like he’s the guy.”
Hill acknowledged Wednesday this season has been nothing like he envisioned.
“I’m not where I should be,” Hill said. “Everybody has things to work on, but I definitely didn’t expect it to be like this.”
After going without a catch two straight weeks, Hill said he is not frustrated.
“I was a little disappointed,” Hill said, “but other than that, as a receiver you’re going to be disappointed if you didn’t catch a pass in two games. I definitely need to work on that.”