Shaun Hill frustrated but understands demotion --Wagoner

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RamBill

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Shaun Hill frustrated but understands demotion
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12228/hill-frustrated-but-understanding-of-demotion

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Shaun Hill waited three full seasons between starts.

That long wait ended in the season opener when Hill started against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 after Sam Bradford had a second ACL tear in the team's third preseason game. As it turns out, Hill's stay as the starter lasted all of one half.

Hill played those first 30 minutes against the Vikings but did not return to that game after injuring his calf. Austin Davis took over and performed well enough in the two starts he made after to claim the job on a more permanent basis.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher confirmed as much Wednesday, the same day he informed Hill that Davis would be the starter moving forward after repeatedly insisting that Hill would resume starting duties upon returning to health.

"It’s not that Shaun lost the job, it’s that Austin earned an opportunity to keep it," Fisher said. "Shaun understands, he’s a team player, he’s ready to come in at a moment’s notice. He is healthy enough to play this week."

Hill is healthy enough to resume playing but upon his return, he's going back to the reserve role he was initially signed to fill back in March. It's a role he knows well but one he isn't afraid to acknowledge is a bit disappointing given that he was finally in position to play again.

"It’s frustrating but you take a step back and think about it, it’s not about me, it’s about the team," Hill said. "It’s frustrating but at the same time, you’ve got to keep going. It’s a tough league for tough minded people and I put myself in that category."

Indeed, Hill has lasted 13 seasons in the NFL in no small part because of his ability to adapt to changing situations and circumstances. While he never had designs on becoming the Rams' starter long-term, he was admittedly excited to be back starting after his lengthy hiatus.

Even the prospect of playing against Philadelphia brought up positive memories, as Hill threw for a career-high 335 yards and two touchdowns in a 2010 loss to the Eagles. But after watching Davis perform well and seeing him continue to get repetitions over the bye even as he returned to health, Hill began to see things trending in the other direction.

"To be honest with you, last week I could kind of see the writing on the wall," Hill said. "I wouldn’t let myself go there, though. As soon as my mind kind of went to that, I caught myself and you can’t let your mind go there over the bye week. Looking back on it, you know, it kind of seemed like it was headed in that direction."

Considering the injuries that have already hit the quarterback position this year, it's always possible Hill could find himself back under center at some point this season. Such is life as the backup quarterback.

"I’m a professional," Hill said. "I’ll come to work every day and continue to try to help this team any way I can."
 

RamBill

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  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
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Both Rams QB’s Austin Davis and Shaun Hill gave their thoughts on the quarterback decision. Davis obviously was excited at the announcement, while Hill was disappointed, but will be ready when needed during the 2014 season. Fox 2 Sports Report.

Watch Davis and Hill Comments
 

classicpony

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Shaun Hill frustrated but understands demotion
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/12228/hill-frustrated-but-understanding-of-demotion

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- St. Louis Rams quarterback Shaun Hill waited three full seasons between starts.

That long wait ended in the season opener when Hill started against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1 after Sam Bradford had a second ACL tear in the team's third preseason game. As it turns out, Hill's stay as the starter lasted all of one half.

Hill played those first 30 minutes against the Vikings but did not return to that game after injuring his calf. Austin Davis took over and performed well enough in the two starts he made after to claim the job on a more permanent basis.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher confirmed as much Wednesday, the same day he informed Hill that Davis would be the starter moving forward after repeatedly insisting that Hill would resume starting duties upon returning to health.

"It’s not that Shaun lost the job, it’s that Austin earned an opportunity to keep it," Fisher said. "Shaun understands, he’s a team player, he’s ready to come in at a moment’s notice. He is healthy enough to play this week."

Hill is healthy enough to resume playing but upon his return, he's going back to the reserve role he was initially signed to fill back in March. It's a role he knows well but one he isn't afraid to acknowledge is a bit disappointing given that he was finally in position to play again.

"It’s frustrating but you take a step back and think about it, it’s not about me, it’s about the team," Hill said. "It’s frustrating but at the same time, you’ve got to keep going. It’s a tough league for tough minded people and I put myself in that category."

Indeed, Hill has lasted 13 seasons in the NFL in no small part because of his ability to adapt to changing situations and circumstances. While he never had designs on becoming the Rams' starter long-term, he was admittedly excited to be back starting after his lengthy hiatus.

Even the prospect of playing against Philadelphia brought up positive memories, as Hill threw for a career-high 335 yards and two touchdowns in a 2010 loss to the Eagles. But after watching Davis perform well and seeing him continue to get repetitions over the bye even as he returned to health, Hill began to see things trending in the other direction.

"To be honest with you, last week I could kind of see the writing on the wall," Hill said. "I wouldn’t let myself go there, though. As soon as my mind kind of went to that, I caught myself and you can’t let your mind go there over the bye week. Looking back on it, you know, it kind of seemed like it was headed in that direction."

Considering the injuries that have already hit the quarterback position this year, it's always possible Hill could find himself back under center at some point this season. Such is life as the backup quarterback.

"I’m a professional," Hill said. "I’ll come to work every day and continue to try to help this team any way I can."


I would be so dissssssssed if it were me....
 

Mojo Ram

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These are backup's fellas. They are movable pieces from week to week if necessary. If any of these guys gets pissy about not starting they can go shovel snow all winter somewhere without a contract. Or sign up for Dancing with the Backup QB's on network television.
 

RamzFanz

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Is it really a demotion? He came in to be the back up, he is the back up.

Why do people say that? He was promoted to the starter, so, yes, it's a demotion without cause.

"Fisher said, via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. “When Shaun comes back, he’s our starter. I’m really proud of Austin, but Shaun’s our starter when he can play.”
 

Jumava1968

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Davis is playing good so Fisher had no choice but to leave him as the starter.Putting Hill back as the starter could have divided a team who still trying to put it together.These are the tough choices that they pay him to make and not everyone is going to be happy with whatever choice he does make.
 

Dodgersrf

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I feel for Hill.

Just the same though, if he doesn't start again this year it's because Davis is playing well.

I hope Hill doesn't start another game.
I don't want to hear Keenums name either.
 

RhodyRams

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I think if Hill has been watching how Davis performs on the field, he had to know that this was coming. The Offense definetly responds better to Davis.


Maybe Fisher should have not said a word about Hill being the starter when his calf,thigh,shoulder, leg (whatever the damn injury was) healed.

Now instead of just a bruised thigh, Hill has a bruised ego also
 

Joeluke9

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Idk, but I really feel like some people are overrating the play of Davis. I mean he's been ok, but it's not like he set the world on fire. People are acting like he's just been thrashing defenses, but in reality that's not the case. Don't misinterpret that as me saying that I don't like Davis though
 

Ky Ram

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Davis is playing good so Fisher had no choice but to leave him as the starter.Putting Hill back as the starter could have divided a team who still trying to put it together.These are the tough choices that they pay him to make and not everyone is going to be happy with whatever choice he does make.
I think that was some of it, but I think they also need to find out what they have in Davis since they know what they have in Hill. Whether Sam comes back next year or not they have to either have a solid starter with upside in Davis while Hill still backs him up, or they have to be ready to draft a qb
 

LACHAMP46

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I'd be willing to believe he was depressed if I saw a commitment to his craft from all the hard work he put in this off season. Like a well chiseled frame of a serious professional athlete, not a guy that pulls a "quad" in his first quarter of a real game in 4 years. Like a Rich Gannon/Jeff Garcia type...Looks to me like Hill loves a cold one like a bunch of us...He's getting paid well to be an emergency backup.....enjoy it.
 

LACHAMP46

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Idk, but I really feel like some people are overrating the play of Davis. I mean he's been ok, but it's not like he set the world on fire. People are acting like he's just been thrashing defenses, but in reality that's not the case. Don't misinterpret that as me saying that I don't like Davis though

wait a min....I'm not saying he's Dan Marino, but really, 4th string to leading the league in %...700+ yards...come on, you gotta be impressed a lil bit.....avg. over 8 yards an attempt.....what has he done where you can say, I expected that?
 

Alan

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RamzFanz with a definition problem:
Why do people say that? He was promoted to the starter, so, yes, it's a demotion without cause.
I think there are two definitions of the word starter. One definition is someone who is starting. The other definition is someone who is the starter when not injured. I use the latter definition. That's why people are saying that. They use my definition too. Hill came here to be the backup and that's what he's going to be. He lost the battle (against Sam) to be the starter in TC and preseason and he filled in for Sam when he got injured. He's retaining the same status he always had.

Of course I see your way of looking at it too. I might lean more towards your way of thinking were it not for Hill's age. He knows that at 34 he's not going to be a starter unless it's necessary. That doesn't mean I think Austin is better than Hill. There's no future benefit for us starting Hill if they're both about equal in talent or even if Austin isn't quite as good but has much more upside.
 

HometownBoy

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wait a min....I'm not saying he's Dan Marino, but really, 4th string to leading the league in %...700+ yards...come on, you gotta be impressed a lil bit.....avg. over 8 yards an attempt.....what has he done where you can say, I expected that?
This, if anything I feel like people are more denying Davis his due credit than anything, this is a guy we threw into the depths of the 3rd string despite him grievously outperforming Clemens when the O-line wasn't getting him killed after throwing him away and he's come back and thrown for 754 yards and 3 TDs when he's basically a rookie and with 3 games experience and this is just meh to some people? Find it hard not to believe some people just don't want to give this guy credit.
 

the zohan

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To me it's just been fun to watch his energy and to see the development of the WR's , TE's and RB's.

When you look at what Bradford has had to play with, its fun to see these players finally making plays. It's not just about Davis it's about all of them making plays for each other.

Say what you will about Hill but the truth is we just dont know how the players will/would perform for him. As a fan I see the players playing hard with Davis, I see Davis playing hard for them and it has been alot of fun to watch.

To me when it comes to Davis and this year its like a Defensive penalty on a pass play, i.e. a free play/season. We didnt get to watch Bradford grow with these guys last year or this year but we get to watch Davis grow with them and that makes the season exciting.

Edit I want a like button for my own shit bwahahah
 
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LosAngelesRams

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Im glad Hill is not making a big deal about it, he's 100% right about it being a team game and not an individual game.
 

Jumava1968

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I think that was some of it, but I think they also need to find out what they have in Davis since they know what they have in Hill. Whether Sam comes back next year or not they have to either have a solid starter with upside in Davis while Hill still backs him up, or they have to be ready to draft a qb
Good point
 

RamzFanz

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This, if anything I feel like people are more denying Davis his due credit than anything, this is a guy we threw into the depths of the 3rd string despite him grievously outperforming Clemens when the O-line wasn't getting him killed after throwing him away and he's come back and thrown for 754 yards and 3 TDs when he's basically a rookie and with 3 games experience and this is just meh to some people? Find it hard not to believe some people just don't want to give this guy credit.

Credit, yes. He had one outstanding game and I was one of the people who pointed that out when a lot of people were just pissed about the loss. But it WAS just one great game.

I'm bothered by the band wagon. It's setting us up for disappointment. He's an unknown with a lot of negative baggage still as far as I'm concerned, but that Dallas game rejuvenated my Rams spirit! The crowd was rocking the first half.

I think people are mistaking hope for confidence.