FOXBOROUGH – Jeremy Hill has been flying under the radar since signing with the Patriots on St. Patrick’s Day.
That ends Saturday.
That’s when the pads go on and Hill plans on flying through holes and into and around defenders as he continues his quest to earn a featured spot in New England’s offense.
“That’s what football is,’’ Hill said Friday. “These first two days . . . there’s only so much you can do but when you put those pads on, that’s what real football is – so I think everyone’s excited for that.’’
Hill signed a one-year deal after a successful four-year run in Cincinnati, in which he rushed for 2,873 yards and 29 touchdowns.
His final season was cut short by injury (seven games, 116 yards) and now he’s looking to rejuvenate his career.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 230-pound Hill would seem to be perfect for big-back duty.
“I can get the dirty yards down there on the goal line and in short-yardage situations,’’ said Hill, who also noted he can contribute in other ways, too, specifically catching the ball.
Hill, who has 67 career receptions, said Tom Brady’s ability to get the ball to his backs was a factor in him signing with New England.
There are seven tailbacks in camp but Hill has never shied away from competition and actually embraces it.
“The competition is great,’’ he said. “Coming from where I come from at LSU, we [had] a bunch of running backs. So, I’m used to competing every day with guys that play at a high level. So coming here, it’s no different. All the [veteran] guys here have made plays in Super Bowls and done it for full seasons here. It’s exciting to see those guys go out there every day and learn from them and try to take what I learn from them and [incorporate it] in my game, too.’’
Hill’s strategy is a pretty simple – and familiar – one.
“Just do my job,’’ he said. “I can’t focus on what everyone else is doing and all the other stuff. I just have to be assignment sound and do my job and execute at a high level and the coaches will take care of the rest.’’
Mitchell spotted
There was a rare sighting on the backfields at Gillette Friday as Malcolm Mitchell arrived with his teammates for Day 2 of camp.
Though he started the day in his white No. 19 jersey, Mitchell took it off shortly after the first whistle as he joined in the stretching and light jogging lines.
Mitchell, who a league source confirmed had a procedure on his bothersome knee on Monday, then headed to the lower field for some conditioning work with several other teammates who are in various states of rehab.
Cannon banged up?
Starting right tackle Marcus Cannon left about halfway through practice with an apparent injury. It’s unknown what Cannon might have tweaked or when it happened.
Cannon, whose 2017 season ended after Week 7 because of a balky ankle, was spotted consulting with head trainer Jim Whalen before slowly walking to the locker room. LaAdrian Waddle took over Cannon’s duties at right tackle.
Just a day earlier, Cannon talked about being “thankful’’ to be back on the field with his teammates and brushed aside questions about his 2017 season.
“I’m just not going to go there,’’ he said after Thursday’s practice. “I’m straight focused on this year.
“I’m trying to do everything I can that I need to work on and get better at it and try to do the best I can. I’m not looking back. I’m looking forward . . . it’s training camp and I’m just trying to get used to everything.’’
Practicing defense
Linebacker Dont’a Hightower was among those working on hand-fighting techniques with Joe Kim, the Patriots martial arts instructor . . . There was another strong crowd for practice, though those numbers likely will swell over the weekend. Count Hill among those impressed (but not surprised) by the turnouts. “You do the amount of winning that they’ve done here over the years, that’s stuff’s going to come with it,’’ he said. “It’s definitely exciting to see the amount of fans that come out to support us.’’ . . . Rob Gronkowski, James White, Chris Hogan, and Phillip Dorsett spent one period of the practice working with Tom Brady as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels gave some hands-on instruction. Brian Hoyer and Danny Etling were interested observers . . . Etling had another nice throwing session with the young pass-catchers at the end of practice . . . The Patriots released veteran tight end Troy Niklas and used that roster spot to sign free agent receiver Paul Turner, who had nine catches for 126 yards for the Eagles in 2016.
Jim McBride can be reached at james.mcbride@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @globejimmcbride.
