Peyton Hillis

backrow

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Peyton pulled his hamstring and is out at the moment, if he doesn't get back soon enough he might have problems making the team, with Sapp and now Pittman seemingly locked as fullbacks.

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Leonardfan

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I have been reading that Hillis has been impressive. I am hoping he has a shot. He is already more versatile than any other FB on the roster. The Broncos might want to give Cutler another receiving option out of the backfield.
 

Don Wassall

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Mike Shanahan is well-known for playing musical chairs at running back. . . so, I have a dream. I dream that Selvin Young is too small and lacks the durability to be an every down back. I dream that rookie Ryan Torrain is found lacking in running ability and in picking up the offense. I dream that 33 year old Michael Pittman is washed up. I dream that little Andre Hall is never considered as feature back material.


I have a dream. . . that Shanahan is forced to turn to a rookie "fullback," one who is 240 pounds with 4.6 speed and who is an excellent runner, receiver and blocker. I have a dream that this rookie "shocks the world" by excelling in the Broncos one-cut run-blocking scheme and rolls up big yards as the team's starting tailback.


I can dream, can't I?
 

backrow

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i love that dream Don, and it's not even far fetched, as it is. however, they need to give him a chance first, to make the team, to be active, to get some carries, catches.
 

Don Wassall

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Ryan Torain has a broken bone in his elbow and is out for 2 months. One down. . .
 

celticdb15

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Denver is notorious for its backs getting hurt, so i'' dream as well Don.
 

Don Wassall

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Here's a typical schizophrenic article, praising Hillis as maybe being "the next Alstott," but the idea of him running the ball in the NFLis still apparently an impossibility.


Read the comments below the article:


His game speed is much better than his 40 time (probably another reason for his fall in the draft), and he's a beast to tackle.


How many fullbacks took one up the middle for 80 yards against LSU last year? He returned punts in the SEC.


Have you seen some of the catches (and runs) in the LSU game!?!? He caught a TD that I can't believe he could even see! Plus, he can MOVE for a 245 pound white boy!


But still he has to placed inside the box that limits him in the NFL to strictly blocking and the occasional reception -- "'Coach [Shanahan] told me I am going to have to block some people, and catch the ball a little,' Hillis said."


http://www.thedenverdailynews.com/article.php?aID=1343</A>Edited by: Don Wassall
 

Don Wassall

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From a fantasy site after Torain went down, probably for the season:


"Ryan Torain's elbow surgery leaves the Broncos without a big-bodied short-yardage back.


"Analysis: The team had plans for Torain in short-yardage, and now they are lacking an obvious goal-line candidate. Hall and Andre Aldridge are smallish while Michael Pittman has never been a strong short-yardage back. Fullback Cecil Sapp may be the alternative, which could increase Selvin Young's chances of staying in at the goal-line."


Under no circumstances ever add Peyton Hillis' name to the mix as a possible short-yardage back. He's 245 pounds with power, speed and running moves, and was elusive enough to run back punts for Arkansasat his size. He also compiled quite a few yards rushing and scored a lot given the secondary role he played in the Arkansas offense. No, he can never be considered for any kind of running role, especially that of a power back which would suit him perfectly, because he's white and has been designated as a fullback only. But wasn't Reuben Droughens a fullback who was converted into a thousand yard rusher for Denver? Same with Mike Anderson. But despite the success of those two, Hillis, who is more talented than both, is beyond the realm of possibility for such a natural role. Logic and common sense have no chance against the unyielding racist ideology that animates America's secular religion.Edited by: Don Wassall
 

ToughJ.Riggins

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Don Wassall said:
From a fantasy site after Torain went down, probably for the season:


"Ryan Torain's elbow surgery leaves the Broncos without a big-bodied short-yardage back.


"Analysis: The team had plans for Torain in short-yardage, and now they are lacking an obvious goal-line candidate. Hall and Andre Aldridge are smallish while Michael Pittman has never been a strong short-yardage back. Fullback Cecil Sapp may be the alternative, which could increase [COLOR=#b22222">[i]Selvin Young[/i][/COLOR">'s chances of staying in at the goal-line."


Under no circumstances ever add Peyton Hillis' name to the mix as a possible short-yardage back. He's 245 pounds with power, speed and running moves, and was elusive enough to run back punts for Arkansas at his size. He also compiled quite a few yards rushing and scored a lot given the secondary role he played in the Arkansas offense. No, he can never be considered for any kind of running role, especially that of a power back which would suit him perfectly, because he's white and has been designated as a fullback only. But wasn't Reuben Droughens a fullback who was converted into a thousand yard rusher for Denver? Same with Mike Anderson. But despite the success of those two, Hillis, who is more talented than both, is beyond the realm of possibility for such a natural role. Logic and common sense have no chance against the unyielding racist ideology that animates America's secular religion.

Lots of great points in this post Don. And may I ask which idiot "fantasy" site posted that bunch of Huey? Was it Rotowire?

The sports media is so anti-white it is ridiculous. I guess many of these media whites are really closet racists that feel guilty and show unyielding support for the black athlete to fool the fans and themselves into thinking they are all good natured cultured people for the advancement blacks, but at the expense of deserving whites. Or just maybe they take the exact opposite approach to Jimmy the Greek. They go the PC route to the extreme, because any broaching any un-PC subject at all will get Jesse Jackson calling for their head.
 

Jimmy Chitwood

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word is that Hillis has been so impressive, despite his injury, that the Broncos can't stop raving about him. in a recent pair of interviews, starting quarterback Jay Cutler and head coach Mike Shanahan each singled out Hillis as a guy who is a playmaker, and that they were expecting big things from him with the ball in his hands.

an example from their most recent pre-season game is a case in point:
The biggest play of the drive, however, was made by rookie RB Peyton Hillis, who caught a short pass from Cutler on 3rd-down-and-8 deep in Denver territory, and barreled his way to 14 yards, dragging defenders for the last couple. The play kept the drive alive, and it was pretty smooth sailing the rest of the way down the field.

peytonhillis1.jpg

Hillis flashing the great hands, er, hand.
smiley2.gif


hopefully, this is more than just a bunch of hot air, and we will get a chance to see a lot of Hillis getting his hand(s) on the ball this season.
 

lumsdenpower

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I don't want him turned in a ''chris cooley'' type h-back..

but I guess it's better than nothing

He could have runned for 1000 yards in that running back land that Denver is
 

backrow

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he may yet get a chance. as long as he gets some carries so they can see he's effective he should be ok.
 

lumsdenpower

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I hope so, I find him better than Leonard and Hester for running the football and we all know that these two are very good.
 

ToughJ.Riggins

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Leonard is a great athlete, but his vision doesn't overly impress me as a runner. Hillis has slightly more agility than Hester, but Hester's vision and initial burst when getting the ball are great. With Denver's current backfield problems, heres to hoping Hillis gets a chance to be a contributing runner this season as a HB as well as a FB!
 
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Hillis survives cuts, as Denver cuts Sapp instead!

Does that mean Hillis is the starter at FB?Edited by: 89Glory
 

backrow

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plus, Aldridge was placed on IR, so that's another one down. we may yet see Payton getting carries.
 

ToughJ.Riggins

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Hillis is perfect for a one cut and run zone blocking type system and you know he finishes runs! Hillis could probably do similar to how Terrell Davis did in Denver and in fact they are both fairly similar type players. Hillis= better than Mike Anderson and Reuben Drougns for sure.
 

backrow

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another good piece of news: Broncos reached an injury settlment with Sapp, thus releasing him! the only fullback on a roster is Hillis! Spencer Larsen is a backup now.
 

Gi-15

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Hillis replaced at FB :

from kffl.com

Broncos | Fullback will be decided on a week-to-week basis
Thu, 9 Oct 2008 17:41:32 -0700

Denver Broncos FB Spencer Larsen has replaced FB Peyton Hillis as the team's starter at fullback. However, Hillis is more natural at the position, and the team liked his work during the preseason. The coaches plan on evaluating the position on a week-to-week basis.


Peyton is a natural TB, what do you want from him? He can't and don't want to be a head-banging lead-blocker for a whole season without getting ANY touches. For all the bad Houston Nutt did to him while at arkansas, at least he kept him involved in the offense....

Spencer is a tough guy with a perfect FB/LB mentality, he'll do well.
 

ToughJ.Riggins

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I'd like to see Peyton Hillis moved to backup RB also GI. Maybe he'll even make 2nd stringer (fat chance in that being likely though).

We just gotta hope the Broncos running game doesn't look too good and then maybe soon they'll give Hillis some chances as the cut back change of pace guy up the middle and swing him out to catch passes. Hillis would do great as a HB in Denver, the system is perfect for him and he has just enough speed to get to the outside too!

Being a battering Ram, who isn't even used as a pass catcher isn't what Hillis was meant to do!
 

Don Wassall

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To treat an accomplished high school and college runner that way is despicable but normal for the NFL and its iron-clad race-based policies. It's the story of the NFL for some 30 years now with no relief in sight.
 

Colonel_Reb

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Congrats to Peyton for being the Broncos leading receivers this past week!
smiley32.gif
Although I won't hold my breath, I hope it will lead to some carries in the next coulpe of weeks.
 

Gi-15

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Cutler, Hillis Discuss Broncos' RB Problems

By Matthew J. Buettner, cbs4denver.com

DENVER (CBS4) ― The Denver Broncos' running game was nowhere to be found and the team suffered more key injuries in the 26-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Quarterback Jay Cutler discussed the setbacks on his CBS4 show Qwest Jay Cutler Live!

Though things are bad, Cutler is still optimistic.

"Obviously we're in a little bit of a skid. We aren't playing as well as we think we should," Cutler said. "I still feel confident in the offense. I still feel confident in the defense and the special teams. There's still a lot of football left."

Cutler said he thinks the team felt a little spoiled after starting out with three wins.

"The way everything was going, they way the offense was playing, we were putting up some big numbers and everyone thought we were going to go 13-3, 14-2," he said. "Well it doesn't work like that. The NFL is tough. You never know what's going to happen from week to week."

The Broncos only rushed 12 times for 14 yards behind a banged-up backfield. Cutler said he isn't exactly sure why the team can't run the ball, but offered some insight.

'There are a lot of variables to it. There are a lot of things that happen in this game. We get down a little bit early; we have those turnovers, which are my fault. It puts us in a hole and we have to throw the ball."

Cutler was 24-of-46 for 306 yards, two TDs and three interceptions in the game.

"I've got to take care of the ball early on and get the running game established," he said. "We've just got to stick to what we're doing and I've got to take care of the ball and play better."

Broncos fans let Cutler know they weren't pleased with the three interceptions and he took notice.

"Obviously there were some boos, some complaints, things in the paper about me and my performance, and rightfully so. Anytime a quarterback goes out and throws three picks and your first pass attempt is picked, that's going to happen."

On Monday, head coach Mike Shanahan announced that running backs Michael Pittman (neck) and Andre Hall (hand) were put on injured reserve and are both lost for the season. It's still unclear when running back Selvin Young (groin) will once again be available. Right now, rookie Ryan Torain is the only halfback on the roster that is relatively healthy, but he just made his debut Sunday and has only rushed the ball three times for one yard. Shanahan might have to look into rushing the ball more with fullback Peyton Hillis, who happened to be Cutler's guest on the show.

"(Hillis) did a little bit of both at Arkansas and he's pretty versatile with what he does, clearly. We give him the ball a lot in the flat and you know, we just have to find a way."

At Arkansas, Hillis was utilized as a halfback, tailback, tight end and even played as a wide receiver and kick returner at some point during his four years in college.

Against the Dolphins, Hillis became only the third running back in Broncos history to register over 100 yards receiving in a game. It was the first time since Floyd Little did it 34 years ago.

"When I came to the NFL, I didn't know what my plan would be, I didn't know what the coaches expected of me, but I think I was pretty much prepared for everything," Hillis said.

Cutler said he remembered playing against Hillis in college.

"We went to Arkansas my senior year and he was all over the map," Cutler said. "They were throwing balls at him out of the backfield and we picked him up in the seventh round and I was like, 'Hey, we've got a football player here.'"

Hillis said he wasn't sure if he's going to get more carries against the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, considering the injury situation at running back.

"I really don't know what to expect. It's pretty much a week-to-week deal with the way things have been going ever since the beginning of the year," Hillis said. "No matter what role they put my in, I'll be wanting to do it any way."

The Broncos (4-4) will look to win for their eighth-straight time against Cleveland (3-5) on Thursday in Ohio. Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. MST. After a stellar year at quarterback for the Browns last year, Derek Anderson has been benched for Brady Quinn.

The Browns are coming off a 37-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
 

backrow

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Peyton is one injury away from becoming pretty much their only option. even is Shanahan wants to avoid that, he is not going to go to the extreme and hold him out, not after the game he had. so here's to hope!
 
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