Here’s why football is all sunshine again for Rams’ Troy Hill after Cleveland detour

Troy Hill watched from afar because the Rams received Tremendous Bowl LVI.

The veteran cornerback was completely happy for the gamers and coaches with whom he bonded throughout 5 seasons with the Rams earlier than signing with the Cleveland Browns in 2021.

“It was a bit robust on the opposite finish too,” Hill mentioned Monday, “as a result of it was prefer it’s at all times that would’ve, ought to’ve, would’ve kind of factor.”

Hill, reacquired by the Rams on Saturday in a draft day commerce, has no regrets about his choice to money in and play for the Browns on a two-year deal that included $4.5 million in ensures.

However Hill, 30, is ecstatic about rejoining the staff with whom he established himself.

“I used to be enthusiastic about with the ability to come again out right here and get a few of this sunshine, issues like that,” Hill mentioned throughout a videoconference with reporters, including that it was additionally a constructive, “with the ability to come again, and seeing all these acquainted faces, being traded to a staff that I do know what to anticipate.”

The Rams traded for Hill moments after they chose South Carolina State cornerback Decobie Durant within the fourth spherical. The Rams additionally drafted Georgia cornerback Derion Kendrick within the sixth spherical to reinforce a place group that features star Jalen Ramsey, fourth-year professional David Lengthy and second-year professional Robert Rochell.

After buying and selling for Hill — the Rams despatched the Browns a 2023 fifth-round decide — coach Sean McVay mentioned that “distance makes the guts develop fonder,” for a participant who didn’t intercept a go for the Browns however scored three touchdowns for the Rams in 2020.

McVay’s selection of phrasing precisely mirrored his emotions as nicely, Hill mentioned.

A local of Youngstown, Ohio, Hill mentioned his return to the state the place he spent a lot of his childhood enabled him to reconnect with household and luxuriate in a uncommon Thanksgiving collectively. However Hill, who moved to Southern California as a young person and attended Ventura St. Bonaventure Excessive, sounded as if he longed for a return to the Rams.

“After I was in Cleveland, I at all times discovered myself attempting to check issues to the way it was accomplished over right here in L.A.,” he mentioned, including, “I don’t know if it was me simply attempting to check so far as that is what a profitable program [does], or if was simply lacking all the pieces that was occurring over right here.”

Hill performed the 2020 season for the Rams underneath former defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. He returned two interceptions and a fumble for touchdowns.

“In our secondary, everyone was able to making performs,” Hill mentioned. “You don’t wish to be the weak hyperlink. So, I imply, that’s type of what my mindset was. I at all times felt like as soon as I had the ball in my hand, I might do one thing with it.”

Hill anticipates transitioning simply into defensive coordinator Raheem Morris’ scheme.

He mentioned he was motivated to indicate that he was value greater than the fifth-round decide the Browns accepted to deal him.

“I really feel disrespected,” he mentioned. “Positively motivated to return out and present what I can do. … Positively plan to return out and play with a chip on my shoulder, for positive.”

Kendrick, chatting with Los Angles reporters for the primary time, mentioned he was wanting ahead to taking part in with Ramsey and different Rams defensive stars.

“That’s one man that I take a look at about every single day and mannequin my recreation after,” Kendrick mentioned of Ramsey, a three-time All-Professional. “Simply due to his angle, swagger, aggressiveness.”

Kendrick mentioned he has grown from his experiences at Clemson and Georgia. Kendrick was faraway from the Clemson program after the 2020 season, reportedly for repeated violations of staff guidelines.

“Everyone has issues they’ve started working on,” he mentioned. “I needed to work on communication, and likewise maturing.”