Five down...four to go...Hillis signed.

by sirsam on Jul 16, 2008 2:02 PM MDT Comment 20 comments

DenverBroncos.com reports that Fullback Peyton Hillis and the team have reached an agreement, and Peyton is now officially a Bronco.

I have heard Hillis be referred to as one of the most dominating fullbacks in University of Arkansas history. Last year he the led Razorbacks in recieving with 49 catches and 5 TDs and he also had 347 yards on the ground. Personally I am glad we got him.

Here is a short video courtesy of DenverBroncos.com, giving us a bit of information about our new fullback.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

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Yes!

Hillis is going to be Selvin’s new best friend.

I found a link to a old article before last years college season for Hillis. But it may provide some insight. It looks like Hillis’s girlfriend bought his domain name posted a couple stories and then he dumped her last year so she didn’t post any other news feeds. But it is a good read about his skills.

http://www.peytonhillis.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=1&Itemid=2

I like everything I see about this guy.

by YellowStoneBronco on Jul 16, 2008 2:47 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Great find on the Hillis article, YSB

Thanks – as always

Think where man's glory most begins and ends,
And let me say my glory was I had such friends
-Yeats-

by Emmett Smith on Jul 16, 2008 3:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

HIllis...

...is the only selection I actually verbally cheered for during the draft. I wanted a true fullback so bad I just couldn’t contain myself. I felt last year that a lot of our red zone difficulties had to do with our lack of a versatile fullback that could threaten as a blocker and pass catcher and add an element of deception to our attack in close. Coach took a lot of criticism for play calling, but execution matters more. In the Elway, Davis, Griffith era everyone knew the two plays we were gonna run in close and they could never stop’em. A lot of that had to do with the ability to execute those plays and Griffith was a HUGE part of that. I’ll be honest, I wanted Owen Schmitt more (I mean who wouldn’t want that guy crashing into LBs), but Hillis in the 7th round has a chance to turn into a big time steal.

by jaffe28 on Jul 16, 2008 3:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I am a huge

Schmitt fan. However, I’m also a big fan of Cecil Sapp, I may be wrong, but to me he seems like the jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none type. If anyone tells me, honestly, this Hillis guy is a master of all trades, I will change allegiance from Sapp to Hillis. (I never really liked Kyle Johnson… not sure why.)

"I could never quite get the hang of Thursdays..."

by FlaBroncoFan on Jul 16, 2008 3:31 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scouting Report

Here’s the scouting report from NFL Draft Countdown. This site actually has Hillis rated above Schmitt.

http://www.nfldraftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/fb/peytonhillis.html

When you look at the notes section you’ll definitely see jack-of-all-trades written on this guy. I liked Schmitt better because he’s a more powerful blocker. Then again, HIllis was the fullback for two first round RBs this year.

I’ve always like Cecil too, but his production just hasn’t matched his potential. I expect Hillis will beat him out and with our RB depth Sapp might be done as a Bronco. I love his grittiness but I think he’s got an uphill climb in camp this year.

by jaffe28 on Jul 16, 2008 3:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wright's scouting report

Scott Wright’s scouting report (he was a pro scout) depicts Hillis as exactly the type of player the Broncos were looking for in this draft, in addition to the fact that he seems to fit perfectly with what Shanahan wants from his FBs.

I’d like to hear from the “Xs and Os” people on this analysis, but it seems Hillis, who looks and performs like a FB, but also excels at pass catching like a TE, might be a logical choice for the FB position. Shanahan usually asks RBs to perform as FBs, like last year when Sapp and Bell were converted to FBs late in the preseason, wouldn’t it make more sense to use someone who already fits the hybrid profile? Hillis is well prepared and it should safely fit into his comfort zone.

Note: the 1st pre-season game, against Houston, is on Aug. 9th, just 3 weeks from this Saturday.

by Colinski on Jul 16, 2008 5:24 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

In that case

Is anyone else thinking H-back? If this guy lives up to his potential, I’d like to see him play some situational TE on singleback plays when Daniel Graham leaves. On third downs and in the red zone (once he’s starting, of course) this guy could be one hell of a boost. I’m excited about him now. How often did Arkansas use him in running plays?

"I could never quite get the hang of Thursdays..."

by FlaBroncoFan on Jul 16, 2008 5:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

His career running stats at Arkansas in 39 games played are:

193 Atts for 922 yards. Avg is 4.8 yards with 11 TDs.

Career receiving stats are:

103 receptions for 1,064 yards and also 11 TDs.

by jaffe28 on Jul 16, 2008 6:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not I.

But not because it isn’t a good thought. Denver would have to make radical adjustments to use a true H-Back in the scheme. While it would play to having Hillis on the team, I think he provides much more potential as a FB with multiple skills while leaving the rest of the current system intact, as-is.

I like the idea of throwing teams with both a versatile FB and two or three solid TEs (we’ll replace Graham when he maoves on, and still have Scheff).

This is, of course, all just my opinion. But only the Redskins have run a true H-Back centered system in the modern NFL, and it is a killer if the H-Back goes down and so much of the playbook is predicated on his talents. Good minds will differ on this though.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jul 17, 2008 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hillis should be a FB.

He’s a FB now, and a perfect fit for us at FB. That he can run and catch makes him great, but we expect that from a FB anyway. He will block like no other FB we’ve had recently (converted RBs).

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Jul 17, 2008 2:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

Senior Bowl

I found a link to a discussion of his senior bowl week performance from MVN:

http://mvn.com/nfl-broncos/2008/06/12/senior-bowl-analysis-peyton-hillis/

Think where man's glory most begins and ends,
And let me say my glory was I had such friends
-Yeats-

by Emmett Smith on Jul 16, 2008 6:18 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

Rivals.com

was also very high on him, and offered this:

“Hillis is the best athlete at this position (FB) this year with an interesting combination of size, speed, hands and intangibles.”

I can’t argue that ;-)

Think where man's glory most begins and ends,
And let me say my glory was I had such friends
-Yeats-

by Emmett Smith on Jul 16, 2008 6:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

I would like

Him to be the 2008 version of Howard Griffiin. Blocking for a 1500-2000 yard back and can catch the rock outta the backfield

by broncfanstuckinsd on Jul 16, 2008 6:32 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs

You may be tired of la-la-land but I live there. Don't hate me for....

believing that Selvin can go 2000 yards. This team is funny. A bunch of guys trying to prove they can play. I know we have this Sapp, a very good Full-back, and now we have this Hillis—maybe even better. I look at this team and try not to get too excited…but can’t help it. Selvin is going to be special, this team is going to be special, Sapp and Hillis will be part of that special thing we want. Hillis comes from a history of helping other runners meet their goals. How many ‘specials’ do we need to realize that we may have something special. I love this team…may regret that love next year…but I don’t think so!

I love this team. Hillis will be a special part of this team. He will do what is best for this team…and be very good at it.

I love la-la-land. In this land our team melds together just as we want. This year, for some reason, I think we are…..players like Peyton Hillis are a part of that part.

by Mike Clark on Jul 16, 2008 10:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs