Cut by Titans, Joe Hills vows he will be back

Cut short by an injury, Joe Hills is looking for another chance to prove himself to the NFL.

The receiver out of Palmetto hurt the meniscus in his right knee on the fourth day of training camp with the Tennessee Titans and it basically ruined any chance he had of making the team.

Hills was waived last week, but was told by the Titans they might call him and invite him to spend the season on their practice squad. His agent said other teams might also issue a similar invitation.

“They told me that my injury hurt me the most in regards to making the team,” Hills said. “I was never able to play in any pre-season games because of the injury and none of our scrimmages involved contact. I hurt my knee on passing drill where I caught the ball and came down with a defender on me and we kind of collided.”

The 6-4, 210 Hills, who played at Tennessee State, said he was keeping all his options open, including the United Football League and the Arena Football League.

“It was good experience going to an NFL camp. I really got to see the business side of football,” Hills said. “I feel confident that I can play in the NFL for a long time. I just need to be healthy. If I get a chance to be on the Titans practice squad I am going to take it. I already know their system so that would be best for me.

“I didn’t tear anything in my knee and feel I am back to one-hundred percent now. I just need to get warmed up and am ready to go.”

Hills said he hopes to hear something today (Sunday) and things should be sorted out by the end of the week at the latest.

Sailes ends college career with historic win

Henry Sailes ended his collegiate career on a high note helping Tennessee Tech secure an historic victory overcoming a 17 point fourth quarter deficit to earn a 35-24 victory over fourth ranked (FBS/I-AA) Jacksonville State last Saturday.

The former Southeast High standout finished the game second on his team with 107 all-purpose yards built on 52 yards on kickoff returns, 25 yards receiving and 30 yards rushing. His team scored 28 fourth quarter points to wipe out a 24-7 deficit.

Sailes ends his senior year as the Tennessee Tech’s leading punt and kickoff returner averaging 19.3 yards on punt returns and 18.1 on kickoff returns. He was also the Golden Eagles second leading receiver with 18 catches for 186 yards.

Sailes finished his career with 98 receptions for 703 yards and two touchdowns, 1.670 yards on kickoff returns and 226 yards on punt returns. Tennessee Tech completed the year with a 5-6 overall mark and a 4-4 record in the Ohio Valley Conference.

Sailes finishing college career on high note

Though it came in a losing cause, Tennessee Tech’s Henry Sailes had the kind of game that will last a lifetime.

The Southeast High graduate piled up 220 yards of all purpose offense against Eastern Kentucky. Sailes returned five kickoffs for 123 yards, caught five passes for 60 yards and gained 37 yards on his only rushing attempt.

Unfortunately it wasn’t enough for the Golden Eagles in their 42-29 Ohio Valley Conference loss last Saturday, which left them with a 4-6 record (3-4 conference).

Sailes will end his college career this Saturday at home against Jacksonville State. He leads Tennessee Tech in All-Purpose yards with 726, also tops the Golden Eagles in punt and kickoff returns with 174 yards (19.3 avg) and 346 (17.3 avg) respectively and is second in receptions with 16 for 161 yards.