Here’s how Tyreek Hill has done against the Patriots. And Dolphins finalize practice squad
New Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill said Monday that Bill Belichick is “one of the greatest coaches [ever]. The way he thinks is next level.”
But Belichick’s brilliance hasn’t stopped Hill from feasting on the New England defense.
Excluding all of the AFC West teams (whom Hill played against a lot as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs), Hill has more receiving yards against New England (401) than any other team, achieved in four games. Hill has caught 24 of 34 targets in those games against the Patriots.
The Dolphins and Patriots meet at 1 p.m. on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium, on CBS.
Hill has played against 30 NFL teams and has appeared in more than one game against 23 of those 30 teams.
His 100.3 average receiving yards against the Patriots is his sixth-highest average against any team, behind Tampa Bay (161 average receiving yards in two games), Cleveland (133 average in two), Philadelphia (114.5 in two), Jets (103 in three) and Carolina (101 in two).
“When we play them, there are some plays I do get doubled when I was with the Chiefs,” he said. “Who knows what to expect with a new team? I’m sure coach Bill has a plan up his sleeve. I’m sure our coach has one up his sleeve.”
Having perennial Pro Bowl quarterback Patrick Mahomes obviously helped Hill against the Patriots when he played for the Chiefs.
But Hill remains bullish on new his new teammate Tua Tagovailoa, whom Hill has called the NFL’s most accurate quarterback.
“Tua is not a vocal guy,” Hill said Monday when asked about himself and Tagovailoa being voted captains. “He will talk here and there. He works harder than anybody.”
Hill, who has made the Pro Bowl in all six of his NFL seasons, eagerly anticipates his Dolphins regular-season debut after being acquired from the Chiefs this past spring. He played three offensive snaps in preseason and had a 51-yard reception from Tagovailoa.
God “gifted me with the skill set, so why would I let it go to waste?” Hill said Monday. “I feel great. I’m going to let my talents be on display. I’m not the biggest Christian but I don’t want to waste this opportunity. I am very excited, family is excited. Can’t wait to score my first touchdown” as a Dolphin.
Hill, incidentally, said he informed coach Mike McDaniel that he will pause his podcast until February so that he can focus entirely on playing football.
DOLPHINS FILL OUT PRACTICE SQUAD
The Dolphins filled out their 16-man practice squad by cutting defensive lineman Niles Scott and signing these five players:
▪ Linebacker/defensive end Big Kat Bryant: He played four years at Auburn (where he had 56 tackles and 10 sacks) before finishing his career at UCF last season (50 tackles, six sacks), then signed with Dallas after the draft. The Cowboys cut him during training camp.
▪ Defensive tackle Josiah Bronson: He went undrafted out of Washington 17 months ago and spent much of last season with the Saints (he had 11 tackles in six games), was waived in mid-December and spent three weeks late last season with the Cleveland Browns, appearing in one game. Bronson signed with Dallas on Jan. 5 and was waived last week.
▪ Kion Smith. The offensive tackle was with the Dolphins throughout training camp and logged a lot of snaps at right tackle. He joins Larnel Coleman as the two offensive tackles on the practice squad.
▪ Chris Steele: The 6-1 cornerback began his career at Florida before transferring to Southern Cal. He had 95 tackles (3 for a loss, with a sack), 12 deflections, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and three interceptions in his career at USC, appearing in 29 games.
He signed with Pittsburgh after the draft and was released in the final round of roster cuts. He was targeted twice in preseason games and didn’t allow a completion.
▪ Defensive tackle Christopher Hinton: The Michigan rookie started all 14 games for the Wolverines last season and had 33 tackles (1.5 for loss) and a sack and forced a fumble and recovered two fumbles. He was Big 10 honorable mention. He was waived by the Giants on Aug. 19.
The Dolphins previously signed 11 players to their practice squad: receivers River Cracraft, Braylon Sanders and Freddie Swain; offensive linemen Coleman and James Empey; cornerback Kalon Barnes; defensive lineman Ben Stille; edge players Cameron Goode and Porter Gustin; safety Verone McKinley III and running back ZaQuandre White.
