So how good is LB Leroy Hill really?
Just a couple seasons ago, he was the unknown third linebacker on the Seahawks. Few knew how good he really was until fellow linebackers Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu began to publicly sing his praises.
They said he'd be an All-Pro linebacker on any other team. So now that he's a free agent, Hill wants to be paid like one. But how does he stack up against other top-tier cover-2 linebackers, and is he worth the money?
To continue...
In his time with Seattle, Hill has been mostly relegated to pass coverage, mostly due to Peterson's skills as a rusher. In this aspect, Hill has been lacking. Seattle is consistently torched by opposing tight ends, and in four seasons, Hill has yet to record an interception.
So why is Hill so highly regarded by 'Hawks fans? For his run defense. Hill is fast, instinctive and can make the big hit. Still, his small frame has gotten him into trouble against blockers and Tatupu has been the primary tackler on the team, not Hill.
Here are Hill's career statistics:
The gold standard for cover-2 outside linebackers these past few years has been the Bears' Lance Briggs. A four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, Briggs is the Derrick Brooks of his generation.
Here are his career stats:
* Pro Bowl + All Pro
The only area Hill stacks up and even bests Briggs in is sacks, but only in his first season. In March of last year, Briggs re-signed with the Bears for a six-year $36 million deal. Is Hill worth anywhere near that much money?
A lower standard
But perhaps Briggs is an unfair comparison. The next tier of cover-2 outside linebackers has former Colts and Buccaneers LB Cato June. June is a one-time Pro Bowler and helped the Colts win the Super Bowl in 2006. He led the team in tackles that year.
The following year, June signed a three-year $12 million deal with the Buccaneers. It's a far more reasonable deal than the one Briggs got and perhaps more in line with Hill's talent. But even June had accomplished more in his career up to that point than Hill has.
Competition for plays
The common excuse for Hill's lack of ideal production has been the talent surrounding him, but that won't change this year with rookie Aaron Curry on board. Also, Briggs has managed to produce just fine with Brian Urlacher next to him.
The Seahawks have made the first move by removing the Franchise tag. Now Hill is going to find out just how much the market values the services of a cover-2 outside linebacker with weak numbers and who's never managed to stay healthy for all 16 games in a season. Chances are, he and his agent won't like what they see.
Even if Hill does re-sign with Seattle for a modest contract, his numbers won't likely go up. The best 'Hawks fans can hope for is an increased role in rushing the passer.
But it begs the question, if he really is as good at pass rushing as 'Hawks fans think, why wasn't he used more in that regard? Peterson was great at it, but he could cover too. Why not use both and keep defenses off guard? Was the coaching staff just incompetent? Well, maybe...
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
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