<![CDATA[Peyton Hillis making an impression]]>http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/...ng_back_11.html

Browns running back Peyton Hillis is drawing some pretty lofty comparisons following his 144-yard outburst against the Ravens last week.

Ravens nose guard Kelly Gregg compared him to Tampa Bay mauler Mike Alstott, a six-time Pro Bowler. NFL Network's Steve Mariucci likened him to five-time Pro Bowl bruiser Larry Csonka. Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan thought of Csonka and "Earl Campbell, when he was running with those tear-away jerseys." Others have said Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP John Riggins.

"It's a complete honor to be mentioned in the same breath as those guys," said Hillis, who has rushed for a TD in each of his first three games. "I've always watched stuff from Larry Csonka and John Riggins back in the day, and I watched Mike Alstott growing up. I don't know if I'm as good as those guys, but I do think the sky's the limit for me."

Granted, it's only been one blockbuster game, but Hillis figures to get more opportunities, beginning Sunday against the Bengals.

"If Peyton is running the ball well, we're going to keep giving it to him," said offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.

During organized team activities in May, Hillis proclaimed that he wanted to be "the big steal" of the Brady Quinn trade, in which the Browns also received a sixth-round pick in 2011 and a sixth-rounder in 2012 that can improve to a third based on Quinn's playing time.

"I don't look at that as being cocky," said Hillis. "I like to be humble. It's just having confidence in myself."

It seemed outlandish at the time, given the fact Quinn planned to challenge for the Broncos' starting quarterback job and Hillis ran the ball only 20 times last year. But now, with Hillis plowing through defenses and Quinn on the bench, he may have been onto something.

"Peyton's obviously had a huge, immediate impact here," said left tackle Joe Thomas. "He's got a ton of talent and I'm shocked that anyone would let him go."

A seventh-round pick of the Broncos out of Arkansas in 2008, Hillis began as a fullback but was pressed into service as the Broncos' starting tailback midway through his rookie year following a rash of injuries. In six starts, he rushed for a team-high 343 yards (5.0-yard average) and five TDs. He quickly became a cult hero with his punishing style, his nose for the end zone and his post-TD Hulk impressions.

But the Hillis hysteria quickly came to an end when he pulled a hamstring and was placed on injured reserve Dec. 9. When Josh McDaniels took over for Mike Shanahan in 2009 and drafted running back Knowshown Moreno at No. 12 overall and added some free agent backs, Hillis was relegated back to fullback. Some say fumbling away the opening kickoff against the Browns in Week 2 did him in, but no one knows for sure. The Broncos won, but Hillis was mostly overlooked thereafter.

"What you see is what you get," said Hillis. "I don't think there was any mystery behind it. I didn't get many chances. But I came back to be a better man and a better football player because of it."

Shanahan, now with the Redskins, wasn't surprised by Hillis' 144-yard game.

"He's a tough, downhill runner, very intelligent, and probably had the best hands on our team," he said through the media relations department. "When he got the opportunity, he took advantage of it and was one of the main reasons we won four of our last five games. He was the difference between us going up or down that season."

Hillis still credits Shanahan for giving him a chance.

"Coach Shanahan kind of put me on the map," he said. "He was an amazing coach, a Hall of Famer. He knows what he's doing and he's a terrific offensive coordinator. I give a lot of thanks to him."

Ryan still remembers the pain Hillis inflicted on his Raiders defense in 2008.

"I saw him do some things that made me shake my head," he said. "I couldn't believe he ran Lawyer Milloy over one time, who I have the biggest respect for. Then he broke our kid's shoulder on a tackle, Michael Huff. I was a fan ever since and I was like, 'Man, this guy is pretty good.' "

Ryan was so impressed that he called New York Jets coach Eric Mangini, who were facing Hillis and the Broncos the next week.

"I said, 'Hey, watch out. They've got a back back there. He isn't pretty, but he hurts people,' " recalled Ryan.

The heads-up didn't help. Hillis dropped 129 yards on Mangini's Jets and helped prevent them from making the playoffs that year. It was the first of four losses in New York's last five games. Hillis was also the first back to rush for 100 yards on the Jets that season, in Week 12.

"Kill the guy with the ball? He's out there collecting his own hides," said Ryan. "He's fun to watch, God, he is."

For Hillis, becoming a featured back is a dream come true. He grew up idolizing Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders. His dad, a huge football fan, named him after Walter Payton. But because of his 6-1, 240-pound frame, coaches often pegged him as a fullback. In college, he paved the way for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons by tailbacks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, who were drafted in the first round. But Hillis started more games than either of them his rookie year.

"I never thought I had any less ability than those guys," he said. "I'm a smashmouth, throwback style of back. I always thought I was a running back [not a fullback] and I always thought I could do a good job."

The Ravens found out the hard way that he was right. He hopes to show the Bengals, too.

"I'm usually not easily impressed, but he impressed me," Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs told the Carroll County Times.

Added Thomas: "You can see the defense doesn't want to tackle him. They don't want to come up in the hole and put their nose in there. I've seen where Csonka ran right through people. That's Peyton."

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/16061/peyton-hillis-making-an-impressionRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 02:36:40 GMTSat, 02 Oct 2010 01:19:41 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:34:14 GMT]]>

@clevelandbigdawg said:

^HAHA^ that made me laugh.

I think we need a scat back type player in next years draft. Not overly early, 4th maybe 5th round to kind of give a change of pace. Hardesty and Hillis are pretty similar. Hardesty may be a little bit more lightening than Hillis but not overly.

Really all I think we need is a dominant RG or RT. The right side when we had Yates and Womack looked good, then Yates got hurt and so did Womack so we went back to St Claire who is just awful. Pashos should be a solid backup if ever healty, and if he is even here next year (I kinda doubt it though I think him and St Claire will both get the axe).

Next year we will have Yates, Womack, and Lauvao at RG, and Womack can swing to RT in case of injury. I think really what we need is a RT actually.

I am thinking next years draft should look like

WR - Green or Jones

RT/DE(Note the DE probably played DT in college) - IDK really who is all there

RT/DE - Same^

RB - Scat back type player. Question: Where is Noel Devine projected to go? maybe we can wait on him.

I think Womack is a great offensive lineman and is what Holgrem and Mangini called a rare late bloomer. Even though he is older, he is playing the best football of his life and he does great at both guard and tackle. I'm not going to give up on Lauvao yet. He is a young guy and not everyone comes in and does lights out his first season. We can't all be Joe Thomas' and Alex Mack's.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211831https://brownsboard.com/post/211831Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:34:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:15:09 GMT]]>^HAHA^ that made me laugh.

I think we need a scat back type player in next years draft. Not overly early, 4th maybe 5th round to kind of give a change of pace. Hardesty and Hillis are pretty similar. Hardesty may be a little bit more lightening than Hillis but not overly.

Really all I think we need is a dominant RG or RT. The right side when we had Yates and Womack looked good, then Yates got hurt and so did Womack so we went back to St Claire who is just awful. Pashos should be a solid backup if ever healty, and if he is even here next year (I kinda doubt it though I think him and St Claire will both get the axe).

Next year we will have Yates, Womack, and Lauvao at RG, and Womack can swing to RT in case of injury. I think really what we need is a RT actually.

I am thinking next years draft should look like

WR - Green or Jones

RT/DE(Note the DE probably played DT in college) - IDK really who is all there

RT/DE - Same^

RB - Scat back type player. Question: Where is Noel Devine projected to go? maybe we can wait on him.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211785https://brownsboard.com/post/211785Tue, 30 Nov 2010 16:15:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:55:26 GMT]]>this is the new hillis endzone dance. U know what they call it? The hillis endzone dance!

post-2024-1291132516_thumb.jpg

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211783https://brownsboard.com/post/211783Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:55:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:43:10 GMT]]>If Hardesty is all he looked to be, and the Browns do a little tinkering on the right side, this team could be downright scary on the ground, which is great news for Colt McCoy. Add in A.J. Green to Watson, Moore, and Massoquoi, and it's an extremely versatile offense that can win games in different ways.

The ability to gain 4 yards or more on first down changes everything.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211779https://brownsboard.com/post/211779Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:43:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:33:49 GMT]]>

@usfbrown said:

Just imagine what he could have done if they didn't split time with Harrison early in the season. I can't wait to see what the guy will do next year.

How much is he getting paid and how long is his contract for?

His contract is up next year and he is getting paid league minimum right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see him get some extra money for next year, at least in performance bonus', but he won't get a contract/pay raise until they can see what role Hardesty is going to play into the offense.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211776https://brownsboard.com/post/211776Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:33:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:54:27 GMT]]>Just imagine what he could have done if they didn't split time with Harrison early in the season. I can't wait to see what the guy will do next year.

How much is he getting paid and how long is his contract for?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211731https://brownsboard.com/post/211731Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:54:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 06:15:02 GMT]]>

@brownsfan90 said:

ATT 13

Yds 54

Avg 4.2

Td 1

FUM 1

Your so right, He was given so many opportunites 😆

Fumble came against the Browns LOL

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211718https://brownsboard.com/post/211718Tue, 30 Nov 2010 06:15:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:54:54 GMT]]>

@curious said:

Ah. Because I don't like a player I don't know anything about football. All I see when I watch Hillis play is him screwing up all of his opportunities last year in Denver. The fact that he's one of the best players on your sorry team is just hilarious.

BTW, your avatar is the one I'm using for my fantasy team.

ATT 13

Yds 54

Avg 4.2

Td 1

FUM 1

Your so right, He was given so many opportunites 😆

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211682https://brownsboard.com/post/211682Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:54:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:50:41 GMT]]>Well, Hillis is deserving, no doubt.

But I'll tell you who's more deserving on this team: Lawrence Vickers. If this guy doesn't make it as the AFC fullback, there should be a full-scale investigation. This guy just kills people up front. He did it last year for Harrison and he's doing it this year for Hillis. He showed it again yesterday when he just blew up Jon Beason on Hillis's first TD run.

I would love to see both of these guys in there in the same time while Roethlisberger hands off to them at the Pro Bowl (which means, of course, that the Steelers won't make it to Dallas -- see what I did there?).

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211681https://brownsboard.com/post/211681Tue, 30 Nov 2010 02:50:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:47:30 GMT]]>Did some noodling and it looks like Hillis is third among AFC RBs in yards from scrimmage:

Foster: 1,600 (whoa)

Charles: 1,380

Hillis: 1,319

Rice: 1,207

Pretty impressive. So many potential Pro Bowl backs in the AFC. How many get to go?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211677https://brownsboard.com/post/211677Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:47:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:35:27 GMT]]>

@curious said:

Ah. Because I don't like a player I don't know anything about football. All I see when I watch Hillis play is him screwing up all of his opportunities last year in Denver. The fact that he's one of the best players on your sorry team is just hilarious.

BTW, your avatar is the one I'm using for my fantasy team.

I wonder where is this guy... 😆

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/211543https://brownsboard.com/post/211543Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:35:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:50:18 GMT]]>

Dawgfanforever88 said:

hey Bicurious thats exactly what it means if you can't tell that he's a good player, theres most likely a lot more you have no clue about.

wtf are you here for anyhow?

If you had watched him last year you'd be wary to anoint him king too.

I came here in the preseason to actually ask Cleveland fans how Hillis was doing because he showed promise his rookie year but screwed it up last year. No one knew who he was except for a couple guys who attacked me for whatever reason.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200618https://brownsboard.com/post/200618Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:50:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:48:11 GMT]]>

@theclevelandsound said:

Just watch the Browns game tomorrow. It will be enough to change your mind.

I actually am. My brother is a Pitt fan (ridiculous) so I will be watching it. We'll see how he does.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200617https://brownsboard.com/post/200617Sun, 17 Oct 2010 14:48:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:44:49 GMT]]>

@curious said:

Ah. Because I don't like a player I don't know anything about football. All I see when I watch Hillis play is him screwing up all of his opportunities last year in Denver. The fact that he's one of the best players on your sorry team is just hilarious.

BTW, your avatar is the one I'm using for my fantasy team.

hey Bicurious thats exactly what it means if you can't tell that he's a good player, theres most likely a lot more you have no clue about.

wtf are you here for anyhow?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200528https://brownsboard.com/post/200528Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:44:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:05:12 GMT]]>

@curious said:

Ah. Because I don't like a player I don't know anything about football. All I see when I watch Hillis play is him screwing up all of his opportunities last year in Denver. The fact that he's one of the best players on your sorry team is just hilarious.

BTW, your avatar is the one I'm using for my fantasy team.

Just watch the Browns game tomorrow. It will be enough to change your mind.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200525https://brownsboard.com/post/200525Sat, 16 Oct 2010 21:05:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:56:26 GMT]]>

@blowe said:

Regardless, I would say its safe to say you don't know jack shit about football.

Ah. Because I don't like a player I don't know anything about football. All I see when I watch Hillis play is him screwing up all of his opportunities last year in Denver. The fact that he's one of the best players on your sorry team is just hilarious.

BTW, your avatar is the one I'm using for my fantasy team.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200523https://brownsboard.com/post/200523Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:56:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:19:59 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

Yep, I remember him and wore #30. Hillis wears #40 ... there's something about a running back wearing 30 or 40 that works for a white guy. I think it is a "slow" number, like a fullback or something, so the defenders see this white guy wearing 40 and they think he'll be easy to catch ... then he runs them over like a train.

Zombo

I forget who it was, but when I saw Hillis knock a Ravens LB backwards a few weeks ago I took notice. This guy reminds me of a John Riggins type of RB (I followed the Redskins after the Colts left Baltimore, what can I say?). If Riggins was called Diesel, then Hillis must be a snow plow*.

*I was going to say steam roller, but thought someone may take offense thinking it was a Cleveland Steamer reference.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200518https://brownsboard.com/post/200518Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:19:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:20:35 GMT]]>

@curious said:

You shouldn't assume things man. I'm not papa-pwn on the Broncos message boards. Good try though.

Regardless, I would say its safe to say you don't know jack shit about football.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200511https://brownsboard.com/post/200511Sat, 16 Oct 2010 18:20:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 17:54:42 GMT]]>

@roddoliver said:

Hello Browns Fans, I just want to give you a heads up. This guy, Curious, also known as Papa-pwn, member of the offical Broncos message boards, wrote the following crap about Hillis:

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread...405#post3073405

So, that's the kind of troll you're dealing with. It's just funny to see his work of art. He made a sig bet defending that Hillis would be gone from the NFL after leaving Denver, lost the bet (obviously) and ran away from the boards. Now he is a joke around there. Yep, he is not man enough.

Good luck Browns, I will keep rooting for Hillis!

You shouldn't assume things man. I'm not papa-pwn on the Broncos message boards. Good try though.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/200506https://brownsboard.com/post/200506Sat, 16 Oct 2010 17:54:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:47:43 GMT]]>

@curious said:

Will the idiotic nicknames for McDaniels never cease? The man is doing a great job, and just because he traded away his backup fullback you compare him to a notorious leader who killed millions? Lol, Hillis won't be in good graces for long, his fall is coming.

Hello Browns Fans, I just want to give you a heads up. This guy, Curious, also known as Papa-pwn, member of the offical Broncos message boards, wrote the following crap about Hillis:

http://forums.denverbroncos.com/showthread...405#post3073405

Papa-pwn;3073189 said:

Hillis is a scrub man. Get over it.

I'm sure you'll forget about Hillis when he's cut and out of the NFL entirely as soon as this offseason

Papa-pwn;3073402 said:

Hillis will be gone, and he will not be missed.

When he leaves denver, he leaves the NFL. Guarenteed. Nobody will waste a roster spot on a FB that can barely run the ball, can't block, and can't play special teams.

I suspect next year is his last season of pro football, if not this year.

Papa-pwn;3073794 said:

It is just absurd to think that any team would waste a roster spot on him.

However, I will give him this; I could see him maybe reappearing in the CFL or AFL as a backup or ST player, but even that won't last long.

So, that's the kind of troll you're dealing with. It's just funny to see his work of art. He made a sig bet defending that Hillis would be gone from the NFL after leaving Denver, lost the bet (obviously) and ran away from the boards. Now he is a joke around there. Yep, he is not man enough.

Good luck Browns, I will keep rooting for Hillis!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/198792https://brownsboard.com/post/198792Sun, 10 Oct 2010 15:47:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:16:13 GMT]]>

@armchair-bronco said:

Bottom line: Peyton "Dozer" Hillis is Da Man!

As a life-long Broncos with a deep hatred for our new little dictator of a head coach, Josh "McStalin" McDaniels, I couldn't be happier for Hillis or for the hard-luck Browns. Congrats on your win today, and nice job sticking it to McStalin with the trade of Brady Q-ster for Peyton Hillis.

peytonhillis2.jpg

Will the idiotic nicknames for McDaniels never cease? The man is doing a great job, and just because he traded away his backup fullback you compare him to a notorious leader who killed millions? Lol, Hillis won't be in good graces for long, his fall is coming.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/198781https://brownsboard.com/post/198781Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:16:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:23:18 GMT]]>

@brownsbacker said:

Its starting to look like the best trade Cleveland has made, I can't stand Quinn and I never understood the hype around him at all.

Nice of you guys to Ship him so much closer to San Fransisco , for Vacations an all 😎. .

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/197903https://brownsboard.com/post/197903Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:23:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:18:46 GMT]]>Its starting to look like the best trade Cleveland has made, I can't stand Quinn and I never understood the hype around him at all.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/197902https://brownsboard.com/post/197902Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:18:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Peyton Hillis making an impression on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:59:23 GMT]]>

@armchair-bronco said:

Bottom line: Peyton "Dozer" Hillis is Da Man!

As a life-long Broncos with a deep hatred for our new little dictator of a head coach, Josh "McStalin" McDaniels, I couldn't be happier for Hillis or for the hard-luck Browns. Congrats on your win today, and nice job sticking it to McStalin with the trade of Brady Q-ster for Peyton Hillis.

peytonhillis2.jpg

Man did we get a deal. You guys got xxxxed.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/197898https://brownsboard.com/post/197898Mon, 04 Oct 2010 19:59:23 GMT