Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis is definetely one of the top 3 most likeable backs among the fans, but I still think it is a little too early to call him a top 3 back based on production. He was great last year when he rushed for 1,177 yards, but it would be nice to see him have another one or two 1000 yard seasons. Then, I think he has a legitimate case as a top 3 back.

He is top 3 based on skillset. How can you rank him on production when his coach refused to give him the ball his 2nd season? and then it was only when 6 backs went down in Denver that he got a chance to start?

He has started 25 games (some at fullback) and has over 2500 yards from scrimmage along with 22 touchdowns. Thats 100 yards per game and almost a touchdown per game . 3 of the games he started were at fullback, 2 of which he was not used in the offense but the few games he had a few touches here and there but didn't start averages out for those 2 games

if it were a fair world he would probably have 3 1k rushing seasons under his belt, with his current average he would have over 4800 yards from scrimmage.

I really hate the direction that this Peyton Hillis saga has taken. The first white running back in 25 years rushes for 1000+ yards, has a borderline pro-bowl season and lands on the cover of the new Madden game. He's a hit with the fans and by all accounts, his teammates. The club puts his pictures everywhere as they promote season tickets for next (2011) season. He's the face of the franchise.

And now, it's all starting to go downhill, though the fan and some teammate support still seems to be there. He's had to share time with a scrub who has no business eating into his carries and touches. The idiot coach continues to call boneheaded plays which have little chance of success, thus keeping his numbers down. And this contract dispute soap opera seems to produce a new twist and turn everyday.

I think we can all agree that he has virtually no shot at getting the starting tailback job anywhere else, even though I can name 25 teams where he could be the undisputed starter. So, the best outcome to hope for is to sign the dang contract and start playing. We'll keep a close eye on his touches this Sunday to see if anything has changed.

If that Walrus is doing any of this on purpose to screw Hillis, then I wish very bad things to happen upon him. Like WL, I will refuse to watch the NFL if they deliberately destroy his career.

Things are just not lining up well for Hillis. He has a tough matchup vs. Oakland on the road this week, and you know they will be keying on him. The pressure is really on him now to produce, and given the restraints placed upon him by the idiotic play calling, misuse and underuse of his skills, then it will be a tremendous accomplishment if he succeeds.

Hillis is not doing himself any favors by talking at this point. He makes himself look a bit foolish by seemingly steering the blame for missing the Dolphins' game onto his agent, and thereby opens himself up to quite logical cynicism about just how sick he really was. I realize the agent accepted blame first, but that was another strategic error and serves to show that this agent is probably not top notch. Why would Hillis choose this guy? Then again, why has he switched agents so much recently? Does that indicate Hillis is difficult to deal with, or that he can't seem to find an agent who agrees on his worth as a player?

I've been checking a bunch of Browns' forums daily, and have noticed a disturbing trend over the past few days. Hillis at first had nearly universal support there, but there are a lot more doubters now, who question how good he is, and lots of DWFs are infuriated that he would want "Gore money" (of course, they don't even know what he's asking, but for some reason, they keep using this as a comparison). There are also too many posters claiming Hillis had "one decent season" and others bemoaning his "fumbilitis." I stand by my original prediction that, if Hardesty (or any other black RB) makes even one big TD run, then the Hillis era in Cleveland is effectively over. Most DWFs still love Hillis, but their memories are short and obviously we know he doesn't look like the athletes they normally love.

One huge game from Hillis can change the entire dynamic here. This is it, and Peyton must produce.

bigunreal said:

Things are just not lining up well for Hillis. He has a tough matchup vs. Oakland on the road this week, and you know they will be keying on him. The pressure is really on him now to produce, and given the restraints placed upon him by the idiotic play calling, misuse and underuse of his skills, then it will be a tremendous accomplishment if he succeeds.

Hillis is not doing himself any favors by talking at this point. He makes himself look a bit foolish by seemingly steering the blame for missing the Dolphins' game onto his agent, and thereby opens himself up to quite logical cynicism about just how sick he really was. I realize the agent accepted blame first, but that was another strategic error and serves to show that this agent is probably not top notch. Why would Hillis choose this guy? Then again, why has he switched agents so much recently? Does that indicate Hillis is difficult to deal with, or that he can't seem to find an agent who agrees on his worth as a player?

I've been checking a bunch of Browns' forums daily, and have noticed a disturbing trend over the past few days. Hillis at first had nearly universal support there, but there are a lot more doubters now, who question how good he is, and lots of DWFs are infuriated that he would want "Gore money" (of course, they don't even know what he's asking, but for some reason, they keep using this as a comparison). There are also too many posters claiming Hillis had "one decent season" and others bemoaning his "fumbilitis." I stand by my original prediction that, if Hardesty (or any other black RB) makes even one big TD run, then the Hillis era in Cleveland is effectively over. Most DWFs still love Hillis, but their memories are short and obviously we know he doesn't look like the athletes they normally love.

One huge game from Hillis can change the entire dynamic here. This is it, and Peyton must produce.

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Bigunreal and I are again in agreement. Hillis has to produce. This is what makes a player popular.

very well said. he needs a good, preferably over 100 yards game with a few TDs, decent ypc and couple of catches. that would exorcise a lot of demons, seems like it's been a while without a buck per game for Browns and all the media is talking about his low ypc. the line had some more time to gel now, Pashos will be back and apparently Moore will play more, as promised by Shurmur, and stretch the field. just give him the carries!

Hopefully the run blocking and play calling is good (and they let him get into a rythym instead of switching out him and Hardesty every other series). Oakland is ranked 22nd against the run in terms of yards, 29th when you go by how many ypc they are giving up, 5.2. Hopefully he can get over 150 yards and 2 tds. He will have to step it up if he wants to break the 1k mark again this year.

bigunreal said:

Things are just not lining up well for Hillis. He has a tough matchup vs. Oakland on the road this week, and you know they will be keying on him. The pressure is really on him now to produce, and given the restraints placed upon him by the idiotic play calling, misuse and underuse of his skills, then it will be a tremendous accomplishment if he succeeds.

Hillis is not doing himself any favors by talking at this point. He makes himself look a bit foolish by seemingly steering the blame for missing the Dolphins' game onto his agent, and thereby opens himself up to quite logical cynicism about just how sick he really was. I realize the agent accepted blame first, but that was another strategic error and serves to show that this agent is probably not top notch. Why would Hillis choose this guy? Then again, why has he switched agents so much recently? Does that indicate Hillis is difficult to deal with, or that he can't seem to find an agent who agrees on his worth as a player?

I've been checking a bunch of Browns' forums daily, and have noticed a disturbing trend over the past few days. Hillis at first had nearly universal support there, but there are a lot more doubters now, who question how good he is, and lots of DWFs are infuriated that he would want "Gore money" (of course, they don't even know what he's asking, but for some reason, they keep using this as a comparison). There are also too many posters claiming Hillis had "one decent season" and others bemoaning his "fumbilitis." I stand by my original prediction that, if Hardesty (or any other black RB) makes even one big TD run, then the Hillis era in Cleveland is effectively over. Most DWFs still love Hillis, but their memories are short and obviously we know he doesn't look like the athletes they normally love.

One huge game from Hillis can change the entire dynamic here. This is it, and Peyton must produce.

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bigunreal, forget the dwf's. As we all should know, they(dwf's) are getting input from BSPN and other media outlets to get their opinions. They know absolutely nothing about P. Hillis and his negotiations.

I care nothing about what they think, but I'm more concerned with what Peyton does on the field. I don't want to here any excuses, I agree he has to produce on the field.

Life is not fair, especially for white athletes, they have to take advantage of every opportunity they get or get chewed up by all the unbelievers period!

On this note; Tim Tebow will have to produce in 2 weeks also, or he's going to get screwed. I have all the confidence that he will.

If you're a dwf and you listen to the media and all the coverage Tebow is getting building up to his start at Miami, they're already saying he's going to have to win immediately, so he's going to have to win immediately in the dwfs' eyes or they will turn on him also. If he doesn't, his rise will be shorter lived than Hillis'.

Thus, as I said, any white skill position player that are put in these almost impossible situations will have to perform immediately, period!

dwid said:

He is top 3 based on skillset. How can you rank him on production when his coach refused to give him the ball his 2nd season? and then it was only when 6 backs went down in Denver that he got a chance to start?

He has started 25 games (some at fullback) and has over 2500 yards from scrimmage along with 22 touchdowns. Thats 100 yards per game and almost a touchdown per game . 3 of the games he started were at fullback, 2 of which he was not used in the offense but the few games he had a few touches here and there but didn't start averages out for those 2 games

if it were a fair world he would probably have 3 1k rushing seasons under his belt, with his current average he would have over 4800 yards from scrimmage.

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I don't think it is safe just to proclaim him a top 3 back based on potential. I am not gonna sugar coat his legacy so far just because hes white. Alot of backs in the league have potential, but they have to put up the stats to prove it. Benjarvus Green Ellis also had a 1000 yard season last year, and I would not even put him near the top 10. What I am trying to say is he needs to have a couple more consistent years(which he will get the opportunity too) in order to deserve being considered a top three back. Guys can rush for a 1000 yards, but the great ones do it consistently. In my opinion, Hillis needs a couple more seasons to prove he is top 3.

Fundamentally sound said:

I don't think it is safe just to proclaim him a top 3 back based on potential. I am not gonna sugar coat his legacy so far just because hes white. Alot of backs in the league have potential, but they have to put up the stats to prove it. Benjarvus Green Ellis also had a 1000 yard season last year, and I would not even put him near the top 10. What I am trying to say is he needs to have a couple more consistent years(which he will get the opportunity too) in order to deserve being considered a top three back. Guys can rush for a 1000 yards, but the great ones do it consistently. In my opinion, Hillis needs a couple more seasons to prove he is top 3.

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He has proven it every time he has gotten the ball. 2500 yards 22 tds in 25 games as starter isn't enough for you? How is he supposed to do it consistently when he didn't get the carries?

And yes you can say someone is elite after 1 season, people are saying it with Arian Foster (who is above average but benefits form a great zbs and great passing attack, id put him top 10 but not top 5, Slaton ran for 1k in the same system and fell of the map, but unlike Hillis, nothing really stood out about Slaton). People said it with Adrian Peterson (guess what, 1600 yards from scrimmage his rookie year and 13 tds). They said it with LT (1600 yards from scrimmage is rookie year 8 fumbles and 10 tds) 3.6 ypc, the list goes on. Once a rb has a great season in the pros, its pretty easy to evaluate him, its not like with a qb where defenses will make adjustments. The only thing that will keep Hillis out of the record books is the amount of touches he gets throughout his career, and whether he can stay healthy.

How can you compare him to a mid level talent in Lawfirm? Did Lawfirm also catch 61 passes in one season? Its obvious from watching film that he has an elite skillset. Its not just potential because when he gets the ball, he performs at a high level. People are writing him off after 2 games where he was getting hit by 2 or 3 defenders before he got to the line of scrimmage, he still managed to do a solid job.

25 games as a starter, 2500+ yards from scrimmage, 22 touchdowns. So based on that, if he had played 2 seasons as a starter he would have 3200 yards from scrimmage and 28 touchdowns, which is pretty consistent with his performance last year where he had 1600 yards from scrimmage and 13 tds.

Yes there were a few games where he touched the ball but wasn't a starter, he had 33 rushing attempts and 12 receptions which would make up for the two games he started at fullback but wasn't involved in the offense. Not to mention he only played part of the Chiefs game before landing upside down. Most of these attempts were short yardage which brought his ypc down and also include the first two games of last year.

and please tell me where you got this from

"he needs to have a couple more consistent years(which he will get the opportunity too)"

I would love to know, it would be nice to know that he has job security as a starter.

Your argument sounds similar to the arguments that the msm has used with every White skill player "won't translate to the pros" Well he did. "One year isn't enough", well he performed well with the Broncos for 5 or 6 games. Sounds familiar to the Welker thing, people didn't think he could do it without Brady, did it, can't do it without Moss, did it. "hes only succeeding because hes in the slot" No matter how well a player performs there is always something else for him to prove. Can't say that Hillis benefited from any type of system, at least with the Browns.

Why would you only mention his rushing yards from last season, do receiving yards not count when evaluating a back?

Its not just because he is White. You can see it with other guys, like McFadden that he has an elite skillset, despite one 1k season. Blount is top 10 runner (not runningback), despite only having 1 season with 1k, the only thing holding him back form being elite runningback is his receiving ability. Jamaal Charles, elite after 1 season (it was obvious he had an elite skillet during his first 1k season). Its just something you can tell with a player, he either has the skillset or he doesn't. Lawfirm could rush for 1k 4 seasons in a row and still wouldn't be a top 10 runningback. Cedric Benson 2 seasons in a row with 1k, not elite. Thomas Jones 5 1k seasons, not elite.

When the hell did I say he would not translate to the pros. He has and has done well so far, but you are getting way ahead of yourself in terms of his accomplishments. You are speaking highly of him as if he has been a starter in the league for several years. You say he should have been starting two years ago and so on, well you know what, he didn't and thats that. However, he has a great opportunity to prove he is a top 3 back in the near future. And, your right about guys like Foster and Slaton they should not be considered top 3 backs after one season of 1000 years. Just like Hillis who I do not consider a top three back after his first 1000 yard season. I just think that a guy has to prove through multiple seasons that he is in the top 3. Black guy or white guy, I don't care, he has to prove himself through the years and earn that title. I am just trying not to let bias triumph over actual accomplishments. He has great potential, but so do many other black runningbacks. With that being said, I hope to see him succeed in the future and prove through consistent 1000 yard seasons that he is the great runningback you say he is.

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its not bias, you can put on the tape and see that not many other backs in the league can do what he does. The same can be said about McFadden, Charles etc. So you didn't think Adrian Peterson was elite after his rookie year? Its obvious as to why he wasn't the starter his first two years, and its not guaranteed that he will be a starter in the future, its not even guaranteed that he will be on the Browns and it has nothing to do with his ability and everything to do with his race.

The only thing a few more 1k years would do is show the typical dwf that he is elite and make it hard for the msm to deny that he is great. Like I said, Thomas Jones rushed for 1k, 5 seasons in a row, but you can put on the tape and see he isn't elite, the same way you could watch Peterson his rookie year and tell that he was elite.

Again, where is this great opportunity to show that he is elite coming from? The Browns don't want to extend him, its not salary related, its contract length. They don't view him as the back of the future. He got 10 carries the last game. How is he going to show he is elite when the coach calls the same predictable running plays for him, dives right up the gut, while Hardesty gets some variety like the stretch play? This is much different than last year when they utilized quite a few plays, the stretch, the toss etc, even then the blocking wasn't the best and the box was stuffed it was better than it is now. I can see he is elite when he is met in the backfield (lined up 7 yards deep) and has to go through 2 to 3 defenders just to get to the line of scrimmage and then drags his way for a 3 yard gain, but the average person doesn't see that. They see that Hardesty averaged over 4 and think Hillis must be having a down year, but fail to take into consideration the circumstances. The game Hardesty started there were only a few plays where there were more than 7 in the box. This last game he averaged 3.1 ypc compared to 4.6 for Hillis.

We will see what happens next game. Hopefully they let him get into a rhythm and call a variety of run plays for him. Regardless he will have to fight for every yard. Very few backs would do well in his situation. Thats what makes him a top back. The only back in recent history that I can think of with a similar circumstance is Steven Jackson. For a while he was the only threat on his team and still made it work.

"earn the title" you are aware im talking about top 3 back in the league right now, right? based on what they are capable of, Like say for instance, LT was a top 3 back, but he has faded away and not even close to being a top back now.

btw do you consider Jones-Drew to be top 5 after only 2 1k seasons? or does he need 3 to "earn his title"? What about Jamaal Charles? or maybe Ray Rice in the top 10 after 2 1k seasons? or does he need 3 seasons as well? I'm just curious because Hillis has 1, and you said he needs "a couple more".

So by your reasoning, you don't even view Hillis as a top 10 back? please tell me where you rank him among other backs.

besides Hillis, Jamaal Charles, Jones-Drew, Steven Jackson, Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden, Chris Johnson and Ray Rice definitely have arguments to be in the top 10. Some would throw Michael Turner, Rashard Mendenhall, LeSean McCoy, Arian Foster into the argument (after the top 8 its a toss up imo). Only Peterson, Jackson and Johnson have 3 or more seasons of 1k. The rest have 2 or less. Does that take away from their worth? Since that many top backs don't have more than 2 1k seasons, its hard to keep Hillis out of the top 5 convo according to your argument.

From Loved to Hated in a Cleveland Minute

By BOB FRANTZ
frantz.media@yahoo.com

The speed at which a sports star in Northeast Ohio can go from beloved to hated is absolutely staggering.

That’s not to say, of course, that such shifts in public opinion aren’t warranted in many cases, but the sight of a fan-favorite morphing into a public enemy in this part of the sports world is truly something to behold.

Examples, you ask? Sure:

LeBron James: This is the most obvious case, for obvious reasons. Stabbing a franchise and a city in the back after refusing to do all he could to fulfill his promise of bringing a championship to Cleveland will certainly earn you a few hundred-thousand local enemies.

Jim Thome: Like James, Thome falls into the “He asked for it†category. After pledging his love and loyalty to the city and its fans, (“It can’t always be about money! It can’t!â€), Thome made it about money, bolting for a bigger paycheck and longer contract in Philadelphia. Only his end-of-career return to the Tribe this fall restored some of the respect Thome once commanded in Cleveland.

Braylon Edwards: When Edwards was catching 80 balls for 1,289 yards and a franchise-record 16 TD’s in 2007, he was the toast of the town. When he started dropping passes and blaming fans’ booing on Ohioans’ disdain for Michigan alumni, he was quickly on a rail out of it.

Terrell Pryor: When he was the most highly recruited prospect in the country finally committed to Ohio State in March of 2008, Buckeye fans were tucked into bed with visions of title rings and Heismans dancing in their heads. A few million needle pricks from a tattoo gun later, and he’s suddenly the hated “Man Who Brought Down Tressel.â€

Albert Belle: Running down trick-or-treaters in his SUV? Cursing out Hannah Storm in the World Series? Corking his bat? Didn’t matter to us. We all had his back, no matter how horrible his behavior, as long as he was mashing 50 homers and 50 doubles in a season and powering the Indians’ mini-dynasty through the mid-1990’s. Then he went to Chicago, and suddenly his abusive behavior was intolerable to us, and we were glad to be rid of the boor. Sure we were.

Fausto Carmona: The midge-covered right-hander with nerves of steel won our hearts when he locked down the Yankees in the 2007 Division Series following his 19-win regular season. Then came the roller-coaster of the past three seasons, and fans want him run out of town on the same rail as Edwards.

These are but a few examples of stars we’ve quickly discarded for one reason or another after living vicariously through their glory in Cleveland uniforms, and it appears we’re at it again.

One year ago, Peyton Hillis was the embodiment of Cleveland. His blue-collar attitude, his bulldozer running style, and his gentle humility made him the poster-child of this community in his first season with the Browns.

Quite literally, in fact, considering the Hillis “poster†on the cover of the Madden 2012 video game that has sold tens of millions of copies in a couple months.

With every flex of his massive biceps following one of his 13 touchdowns in 2010, Browns’ fans flexed along with him as their girlfriends swooned over the Arkansas good ol’ boy.

Today, after a series of ridiculous missteps by Hillis and his loose-lipped agent, those same fans are ready to dump him.

“Overrated. Please tell me what he has done. Nattttta. Worse thing that could have happened was Madden Football,†commented one reader on the News-Herald website.

“He wants to get paid guaranteed money as he knows his career will be a short one,†wrote another. “The Browns won’t pay him what he wants because they know his career will be short.â€

Sure, there were several supporters on the website as well, even following the article chronicling Hillis’ admission that his agent, Kennard McGuire, helped make his decision not to play through strep throat and high fever two weeks ago.

Many called for the Browns to end the contract extension soap opera by paying the man what he wants.

A growing majority of public opinions, however, seems to suggest Hillis should get ready to pack his bags.

From callers to my radio program to online message boards and social media postings, most fans seem ready to give the would-be working-class-hero the boot.

“This guy has one good season, not to mention no one even heard of him before last year, I think he should be grateful that he is getting what he is,†commented another fan on the newspaper website.

“The blue flu excuse for sitting out a game did not turn out too well for Hillis, posted a fan on the Morning Journal’s website. “His loyalty is not to Cleveland fans or his employer. He is loyal to his agent and his union. Another overpaid punk.â€

Incredible.

Cleveland sports fans have been begging for a true superstar to rally around, and thought they had found one in Hillis.

In a span of less than nine months, however, they’re ready to turn on him over a contract negotiation, a big-mouthed agent, and some poorly chosen words by the NFL’s 6th leading rusher/receiver from a year ago.

In this town, maybe — just maybe — we deserve what we get.

http://morningjournal.com/articles/...4e9631c224981713406628.txt?viewmode=fullstory

Fundamentally sound said:

When the hell did I say he would not translate to the pros. He has and has done well so far, but you are getting way ahead of yourself in terms of his accomplishments. You are speaking highly of him as if he has been a starter in the league for several years. You say he should have been starting two years ago and so on, well you know what, he didn't and thats that. However, he has a great opportunity to prove he is a top 3 back in the near future. And, your right about guys like Foster and Slaton they should not be considered top 3 backs after one season of 1000 years. Just like Hillis who I do not consider a top three back after his first 1000 yard season. I just think that a guy has to prove through multiple seasons that he is in the top 3. Black guy or white guy, I don't care, he has to prove himself through the years and earn that title. I am just trying not to let bias triumph over actual accomplishments. He has great potential, but so do many other black runningbacks. With that being said, I hope to see him succeed in the future and prove through consistent 1000 yard seasons that he is the great runningback you say he is.

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Well that's ridiculous. A rbs career is usually just a few years. Adrian Peterson, Michael Turner, Ray Rice, Arian Foster, and in fact every single running back in the league that had a break out year were considered an elite running back after just that one season. Peyton Hillis had a huge break out year last year. When he was healthy for most of the season he was the top fantasy football rb and he ended the season the fourth best FF runningback. He did this with the Cleveland Browns. No other RB could have done that - bar none. He's elite. Enough said.

Woody - Hillis not as good as Megayhe

From Woody Paige's mailbox:

Now that we got our QB, let's go get Peyton Hillis back from Cleveland. He's not appreciated there, but he sure as heck was in Denver. Am I overreaching?
---Manny, New Mexico
Manny, that horse (and he is) left the barn. Hillis is not coming back. He and the Browns will work out a deal. You think they'd trade Hillis for, say,Brady Quinn? No.
Let's face it, though. Hillis had one good season, but do you put him in a category with the top five running backs in the league? No way. Give me Adrian or Chris or Ray or Arian or, even, Willis over Peyton.
And I'm disappointed in Hillis. He was a good kid here as a rookie. But he sits out this year - on the advice of his agent - because of a strep throat. It wasn't a torn ACL. He should have shown up, tried to run a play or two to what happened. Now, he's caught up in a new contract controversy when he should play out this season, bust his rear and try to get a new, long-term contract. He's gotten a malcontent label, and his teammates can't love what he did



Read more:Woody's Mailbag: Ignore the hate, Tim Tebow ready to be Broncos QB - The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/woodysmailbag/ci_19097499#ixzz1af0CO5yV
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

I guess Willis Magayhee has better character than Hillis.

a recent report on Hillis:

Coach Pat Shurmur strongly said Thursday that Peyton Hillis will "get the bulk of the carries" in Sunday's game against the Raiders.

Shurmur was previously dancing around the issue a little bit, but he was very clear today. "Peyton Hillis is going to get the bulk of the carries, I can tell you that," he said. Backup Montario Hardesty can't be counted on for more than 8-10 touches, while Hillis is a strong bet for 20-plus.

white lightning said:

I agree with dwid that Hillis is a top 3 back. Even the haters should put him in the top 5 at the very least. I will say this. If he does not sign a fair contract and remain the starter with the Browns, I might just quit watching the NFL for good. The guy is a star and a fan favorite. He deserves better than this crap. Come on Cleveland. Sign the guy already!

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I'm thinking the same thing, if Hillis gets screwed I may just move onto Hockey. Hows the UFL/AFL/CFL ect, are those leagues any better?

By all looks Hillis along with most of the other white players on the soon to be Cleveland Blacks are being phased out I wonder who is next? Colt McCoy? The media is already hyping up some black quarterback as the #2-#3 QB in the draft this year, an apparent super afflete that "can play like Vick." I wonder if McCoy gets the shaft too and the new Browns complete the blackout next year?

what a surprise

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/10/cleveland_browns_pm_links_32.html

[h=1]Cleveland Browns P.M. links: Peyton Hillis tied for 1st in NFL in most yards gained per carry after contact[/h]

The Browns' running back isn't the most popular player in town after missing a game because of strep throat and averaging nearly one yard less per carry than last year. But he's still running hard. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Hillis is tied with Maurice Jones-Drew for the most yards after contact (2.8) among running backs with at least 50 carries. Hardesty has shown flashes as a backup, but Hillis is the more proven commodity. Ignoring him in the offensive game plan is only hurting the offense.

The only difference is Drew is actually getting enough blocking to get to the 2nd level, Hillis is getting hit by the los. 3.6 ypc with 2.8 coming after contact.

btw mattharper, still curious to see your list of top 10 backs

a recent poll on a cleveland website has a poll about Hillis and whether they still like him

http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/10/peyton_hillis_are_you_still_a.html

69.17 percent have said yes

Mack, Haden could be out for Browns

The Browns only have two good offensive linemen. With Mack sitting out, the Raiders will be in the backfield on every snap.
What a wonderful gift this is for Shurmur. He'll be able to place all the blame on Hillis.
"I put the ball in his hands and he failed to come through for us. Hardesty will be getting the majority of the carries from now on."

Also, Haden is a solid corner on an otherwise poor defense. This game will likely be a blowout.

Riddlewire,

Sir, don't be so pessimistic. A good offensive coordinator can even use his olmens ineptitude to his advantage. Many times, dlmen tend to overrun a play. If they do that, they can be had. Hillis'll do fine. Don't worry.

Tom Iron...

a quote from Raiders coach Hue Jackson:

Tom Iron said:

Riddlewire,

Sir, don't be so pessimistic. A good offensive coordinator can even use his olmens ineptitude to his advantage. Many times, dlmen tend to overrun a play. If they do that, they can be had. Hillis'll do fine. Don't worry.

Tom Iron...

Click to expand...

I agree not to be pessimistic but Shurmur is the offensive coordinator and head coach, and he isn't good at either. However, the backup isn't a sumo, hes decent in the run game, usually backups have a problem with getting the pass pro down, which leads me to believe that they might try to run it more.

Well Shurmur and Co certainly sent the message today that White RB's need not apply. Even after the soopa afflete Hardesty dropped a half dozen passes, multiple fumbles and a 1ypg average Hillis couldn't get meaningful play.

Peyton Hillis to undergo MRI on pulled hamstring Monday

My guess is that he pulled it trying to launch out of a three-point fullback stance that he shouldn't have been in in the first place.
Fullbacks are at nearly full contraction of the hamstring while in a 3pt. Rapidly lengthening those muscles, especially when it's not something you normally do, can easily cause great damage to the hamstrings.
So either way, Shurmur is to blame for the whole f#(&ing mess.

I don't recall him playing FB at the start. As a matter of fact he was given 4 or 5 straight running plays to start the game, then suddenly was out of the game. Then back in to catch a few passes. Then back out. Then seen on the sidelines trying to go back on the field to play while a coach kind of pushed him back and said no. Finally they let him back in as a blocking fullback for a play.

This is all bull****, all this coaching staff trying to make Hillis look like a pussy. Whatever happened to his hammy in the 3rd play as they claim it wasn't as serious as they made it, he wasn't limping and his play didn't diminish. In fact after this supposed injury he broke a 2 yard dump off for a 12-15 yard gain that was negated by illegal formation from one of the affletes.

This is on Shurmur and the morons running that team into the dirt no doubt and they're making it damn clear whiteboy isn't welcomed on their team anymore.