P.J. Hill would have been a mid first round draft choice, if it were just about what he did on the football field. But, unfortunately, his off field behavior made him an un-drafted free agent. Now he has seemingly put all that behind him and he is happy to be in New Orleans.
"I am very thankful for the opportunity to be with the Saints and now I just have to go out and re-prove myself," said former Wisconsin Running Back P.J. Hill. Hill, once regarded as one of the best backs in college football saw his stock slip due to a run in with the law.
Just a little over a month before the 2009 NFL Draft, Hill was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving and leading police on a chase. Hill was arrested at gunpoint and from that time on his draft status dropped.
"I know I made a mistake and I have put all that behind me. I am just trying to stay focused on my shot with the Saints and I want to do whatever is asked of me and try and make this team," said P.J..
Hill exploded onto the college football season during his freshman season, when he rushed for 1,533-yards and twenty-two touchdowns, as he led the Big Ten in rushing and was named the 2006 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Hill battled lower leg injuries over the next two seasons, but was still able to maintain an average of over five yards per carry. PJ wrapped up his junior season by rushing for 1,520-yards and 22 TD's in his final season with the Badgers.
As far as his injury is concerned. "I am fine. It's just one of those things you have to deal with. I feel good and I am ready to show what I can do," Hill said. Hill could be in the right place at the right time here in the "Big Easy," as the Saints are in need of what is now being coined around the league as a "Big Back."
The 5-11 235 pound Hill, has good speed (4.6 forty yard dash) and has proven that he is not afraid of contact. Hill knew of the Saints backfield situation before the draft, and that's one of the main reasons why he decided to sign with the Saints.
"My agent sat me down and explained to me that New Orleans would be a good fit for me. Several other clubs contacted my agent, but when it was all said and done, we decided that the Saints were the best team."
Hill and other members of the incoming class of 2009 took part of the Saints annual Rookie Mini-Camp last week at the Saints Facility on Airline Drive. Other than dealing with the Louisiana Heat, Hill says that he got off on the right foot.
"I think I did alright. I have a good feel for the playbook and now I have to just work hard and try and progress each day I am out there," P.J. continued. Hill, who is a native of East Elmhurst, New York, says that making the adjustment to the Deep South weather is going to be a challenge.
Hill also does not like another kind of heat--the "taste of heat" that is. So PJ, have you ever had jambalaya? "No! Is that spicy? Man I don't eat too much spicy stuff," exclaimed Hill.
With that said, we know two things for certain about Mr. Hill. First, like most of us, he does not like the Louisiana heat. Second, he has yet to acquire a taste for spicy food down here. But, if PJ makes the Saints roster and becomes the "big back" we need, I'm quite sure that many Black & Gold Fans will lay off the "cayenne" when preparing his meals.
Catch SportsTalk with "the Cajun Cannon" Bobby Hebert & "Big Chief" Deke Bellavia weekdays 4 to 8pm on SaintsRadio WWL-AM-FM-and WWL.com.
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