- The Real Issue
- Hill had played as a 3-4 NT with the 1st college coaching staff, starting for 2 seasons.
- He loved the original college coaching staff and bought into what they taught him which was to play the run as a priority.
- The 2nd college coaching staff and Marinelli wanted him to be a pass rusher, but he had been programmed by the original staff to stop the run.
- When he tried to implement Marinelli's "play the run on the way to the QB" he just ended up out of position.
- His biggest issue in the preseason games was playing against zone run blocking.
- The #1 problem for the Cowboys defense in 2019 was playing against zone run blocking.
- The Rams exposed their weakness against zone run blocking in the 2018 season playoff game, and other offenses just followed that game plan in 2019.
- The last thing the Cowboys needed in 2019 was a rookie didn't understand playing against NFL zone run blocking considering the coaches didn't know either.
1. Hill didn't play a lot in college
He started for 2 seasons then didn't start his final season but played more than the starting DTs and had the best stats of the UCF DTs that season.
He was actually awesome in multiple games that season.
2. Hill was in the dog house with college coaches
Not with the original coaching staff. Not with the 2nd D-Coordinator who did an interview after that draft and went into detail about Hill.
The 2nd D-Coordinator gave Hill a terrific review in the interview but he made it clear that Hill was slow to adapt to their scheme
The 2nd Head Coach got irritated because Hill was upset when his request to transfer with the original coaching staff was denied.
3. Hill appeared to be in the dog house with Cowboy coaches (reading between the lines)
Not according to Marinelli. Marinelli said "He has the want to and the work ethic but he is just not getting it"
4. Media have said "he was not well liked in the locker room"
I don't think that has been reported. Many media speculate that maybe that was the issue but I have not seen any media say they know it was an issue.
5. This has been reiterated by independent coaches (non cowboy) who train others in the off-season
I don't think so? Who? How would they know what happens in the Cowboys locker-room during the season?
6. He looked terrible in training camp
No, he did not. He looked very good physically. He just looked lost at times vs certain types of plays.
7. Hill simply didn't play as a second round pick in his rookie season despite defense crying out for a DT
Rookie 2nd round picks are historically hit or miss. Fans only remember the ones that were a hit but most 2nd round picks have very limited contributions as rookies.