Players at certain positions have an easier time than others when it comes to transitioning from college to the National Football League. Running backs generally have an easy transition, but wide receivers can face a tougher slog when they face better cornerbacks and more complex defenses while adjusting to new offensive systems.
Coming from Georgia Tech, which ran a triple-option offense, New York Jets second-round wide receiver Stephen Hill faces that challenge this year, but he's getting some assistance from former Yellow Jackets teammate Demaryius Thomas, as well as Georgia Tech alum Calvin Johnson, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.
"It was kind of tough because being in the triple-option, you're in two receivers most of the time," Thomas said. "We didn't have many routes to go over or combinations of routes. When I first got here and saw the playbook, it was kind of tough because you had all sorts of things thrown your way. You've got to get used to audibles. We never did audibles in college."
Selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 22 overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, Thomas' transition to the NFL was further hindered by a broken foot he suffered before the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine and a lockout that deprived him of a full offseason with the coaching staff. Thomas also suffered a torn Achilles while working out on his own during the lockout and is looking to pass along his experience to Hill, who is healthy and able to participate in the OTAs and minicamps.
"(Thomas said) just make sure you stay in the playbook," Hill said. "We actually have coverages in the playbook to make sure we know what's going on. He told me to ask questions of guys in the locker room because you've got to find answers."
