KANSAS CITY, Mo. – NFL coaches don’t often make player comparisons in public, but they grab attention when it occurs.
May 31, 2016; Kansas City, MO; Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill catches the ball during organized team activities at the team’s training facility. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Such was the case Wednesday when Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub mentioned returner Devin Hester when asked a question about rookie wide receiver/returner Tyreek Hill.
“When you evaluate players, you always compare them to other people,” Toub said. “He is a dynamic returner, you can see that clearly on tape.
“His speed, and I probably said a couple things, he’s Devin Hester-ish. But to compare him directly to Devin Hester, that’s not fair to Devin, that’s not fair to the kid. It’s a conversation we had in the draft rooms.”
Toub is correct to say a direct comparison is unfair when considering Hester, whom Toub coached in Chicago, is a three-time All-Pro selection and played in four Pro Bowls over a 10-year career.
Still, the 5-10, 185-pound Hill has turned heads since rookie minicamp and continues to shine through five days of organized team activities (OTAs).
The fifth-round pick out of West Alabama has impressed with his explosion and blazing speed, both areas put on display Wednesday when he blew by second-year cornerback Steven Nelson for a touchdown catch during team drills.
Hill’s speed was no secret entering the draft, but the Chiefs special teams coordinator points out an area to not overlook.
“He’s a really good catcher,” Toub said. “He makes people miss. He’s got that great agility, great quickness, great first-step quickness. His top speed is second to none.
“That 4.25 (40-yard dash) speed is real, that’s one thing we’ve learned over the last month. He’s got legitimate speed. It doesn’t take much for you to see it.”
GONZALEZ ON BALLOT
Former Chiefs great Tony Gonzalez, who played collegiately at California, made his first appearance on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday.
Gonzalez, the Chiefs’ all-time leading receiver with 916 catches, was a consensus first-team All-American selection in 1996. He was also named a first-team All-Pac 10 selection the same year.
He finished his college career with 1,302 yards receiving and eight touchdowns on 89 catches.
Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and running back coach Eric Bieniemy are also on the ballot.
CHARLES MAKES APPEARANCE
Running back Jamaal Charles (knee) made his first appearance of OTAs, but did not have his helmet nor participate in the workouts with the team.
Defensive lineman Jaye Howard missed a second straight day because of what a team spokesman categorized as “personal reasons.”
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Herbie Teope is the lead Chiefs beat writer for The Topeka Capital-Journal and ChiefsDigest.com. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @HerbieTeope.
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