As part of their free agency stockpile, the Titans signed former Detroit Lions DT Sammie Lee Hill. According to NFL.com's Ian Rapport, the defensive tackle agreed to a 3 year, $11.4 million dollar contract that includes $4 million in guarantees. I must say Hill certainly has an interesting back-story. See Tales: The Hunger of Sammie Lee Hill
At 6' 4" and 330 he has played some pretty athletic positions for his size and girth from basketball to tight end and finally to defensive end his senior year at Stillman. Hill was the first player ever drafted from Stillman and 1 of only 4 Stillman players to ever play in the National Football League. NFL Draft Profile
The Detroit Lions took the defensive tackle in the 2009 NFL draft in the 4th round (#115) and he was expected to take a long term spot in their defensive tackle rotation. Coming out, everyone knew he was a raw player who would need to be developed but he did contribute immediately playing 45 out of 75 snaps in his first game in the NFL against the New Orleans Saints. He would play 13 games, 562 defensive snaps (62.4%) and produce 3 QB hits, 8 QB hurries, 19 tackles and 14 stops his first year. The Lions finished 2 - 14 and Lions defense was pretty terrible. Hill's 2009 campaign was pretty much what you would expect from a raw player coming from a small school who needed to be coached. He finished 83 out of 87 of all ranked DT/NT's according to PFF. (Side note: Titans DT Jovan Haye finished 85 that year).
2009
2009
In 2010 the Lions drafted Ndamukong Suh #2 overall and added Corey Williams to the defensive line. Hill lost snaps to the newcomers and also to incumbent Turk McBride. He played in 15 games with 366 snaps (34.6%), and logged 2 QB sacks, 3 QB hits, 12 QB hurries, and 25 tackles. Statistically this was one of his best seasons. The Lions finished 6 and 10 and the defense was much improved. Hill himself finished the season ranked 19 out of 77 (note PFF ranks NT's and DT's together).
2010
2010
In 2011, the Lions once again used a high draft pick on a defensive lineman, drafting defensive tackle Nick Fairley in the 1st round at pick # 13. The 2011 Lions finished 10 and 6 and the defense was middle of the pack. Hill had a good season although not as good as 2010, playing in 16 games, with 437 snaps (38.1%), 2 QB sacks, 2 QB hits, 14 QB hurries, and 18 tackles. He finished the season ranked 30 out of 88 ranked DT/NT's.
2011
2011
In 2012, the Lions finished a disappointing 4 and 12 and were facing serious challenges in coming under the NFL salary cap. Several players were allowed to leave following the conclusion of the season including reserve DT Hill. The Lions were 27th in points allowed at 437 finishing very close to the Titans in that statistical category (finished 32 in points allowed at 471). Hill played 15 games, 419 defensive snaps (41.9%), and logged 0 QB sacks, 2 QB hits, 17 QB hurries, 3 batted passes, and 12 tackles. Hill finished the season ranked 24 out of 85 ranked DT/NT's.
2012
2012
One thing to note is that the Lions switched Hill from LDT to RDT after his rookie season, and it appears he has remained at that spot since. Presumably, he will take Sen'Derrick place on the defensive line. It should be noted that Marks also played LDT at times and I do wonder if Hill will see the same type switch the Titans employed with Marks and Jurrell Casey. Another note: in his rookie year Hill's snaps were split pretty evenly between pass and run plays at 262/292 but that changed in 2010 where the Lions utilized him mostly on plays where they expected a pass play. In 2010 it was split 202/163, in 2011 it was split 281/185 and 2012 it was split 232/187. The 2012 increase in numbers appears likely due to injuries to starter Nick Fairley as Hill's snap count greatly increased the two games where Fairley was out of the lineup.
There you have it your new Tennessee Titans defensive tackle. Initially, I wasn't a big fan of this signing but he seems like a likeable guy who will be easy to root for so I am hoping this turns out well. The issue I see is that the Titans really needed a defensive tackle who could help against the run but perhaps teaming him with Casey will make that issue moot. In any event, he certainly adds bulk and athleticism to the rotation.
The Titans made moves early yesterday following the beginning of the new league year (Happy New Year!) and both moves made a lot of sense and filled positions that needed bolstering. The Titans generally shy away from "big name" signings but couldn't resist the lure of former Bills left guard Andy Levitre. You might recall I wasn't a big fan of the signing before free agency began. The OG Conundrum: What Should the TItans Do
After I wrote that blog, left guard Steve Hutchinson opted to retire due to problems with a right knee injury suffered in a 24-10 loss to the Houston Texans on December 2, 2012. Hutchinson also saw his 2010 and 2011 seasons cut short due to injuries. Given that the Titans already had a glaring hole at right guard a move to replace Hutchinson made a ton of sense. Enter Levitre.
The Buffalo Bills drafted Oregon State left guard Andy Levitre in the second round (51st overall pick) in the 2009 NFL draft. Levitre was very well regarded offensive line prospect coming out of Oregon State and immediately made his way onto the starting roster, playing all 16 games and only missing 15 snaps in his rookie season. How well did he do overall? Let's take a look.
As referenced earlier, he started immediately but it safe to say his rookie season was less than noteworthy as he understandably struggled in his transition to the big leagues. According to PFF, he ranked 72 out of all guards. He had 5 penalties, allowed one sack, 9 quarterback hits, and 11 quarterback hurries. The Bills run game was average and Fred Jackson rushed for 1067 yards with a 4.5 YPC.
Fortunately, his next few years were much better as he gradually improved. In 2010, he again played all 16 games but he did miss more snaps at 52 (all in the second game versus Green Bay). He struggled some but overall his play was an awful lot better and he finished 36 among all guards according to PFF. He had 8 penalties, allowed 2 quarterback sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and 13 quarterback hurries. Unfortunately, the run game was nothing special as Fred Jackson rushed for 939 yards with a 4.2 YPC and CJ Spiller rushed for 283 yards with a 3.8 YPC.
I think its safe to say that in 2011 Levitre fulfilled the promise that led the Bills to draft him in the second round. He played 16 games, didn't miss a snap, was excellent overall and finished 6th in guard rankings by PFF. He had 5 penalties, and allowed 5 quarterback sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 11 quarterback hurries. This was by far Levitre's best year in the run game as both Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller had good years. Jackson rushed for 934 yards with a 5.5 YPC while Spiller added 601 yards and a 5.6 YPC.
Levitre continued his excellent play in 2012 once again playing all 16 games, never missing a snap and finishing as the 9th ranked guard according to PFF. He had 5 penalties, and allowed one sack, 3 quarterback hits and 7 quarterback hurries. CJ Spiller racked up 1244 yards with a 6.0 YPC and Jackson added 437 yards with a 3.8 YPC.
Having determined that Levitre is a good player, did the Titans make a good decision with the contract offered him? That's probably debatable but you don't get good players cheaply. Full contract details are unknown, but the deal is a 6 year, $46.8 million with a $10.5 million dollar signing bonus. The deal averages to 7.8 million dollars per year but Jason La Canfora reported on twitter that the first year salary was $13 million, and that the second year was $6.5 million ($19.5 million over the first 2 years) or a $9.75 million average over the first 2 years.
Realistically, the odds of Levitre completing the full length of the deal are debatable and the real value is not yet known. He would be 33 years old at the completion of the contract assuming he does complete it.
A front loaded deal isn't terrible since the Titans currently have the money, there is a minimum requirement that each team spend 89 percent of the salary cap each year beginning in the 2013 league year, and the signing bonus and first year salary for Levitre will go toward satisfying that requirement.
Moreover, after the first 2 years, the contract value is $16.8 or a $4.2 million average per year. The contract is certainly big but you weren't going to sign one of the best guards on the market for peanuts. Louis Vasquez, the other top rated guard, signed with the Denver Broncos for approximately $6 million per year with $13 million guaranteed.
Did the Titans "overpay" in signing Levitre? Maybe so. If it allows Jake Locker to develop and improves the Titans run game will anyone really care? Probably not.
For those who are interested, here is a link to the Titans salary cap information per spotrac.com.
