Peyton Hillis Part II

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 10:24 AM MST

This is a follow-up post to alvinfall's original post earlier this week. I had promised TSG and Styg a post on Ray Maualuga, but several things have happened since that point in time. One, I picked the wrong time to get an MBA and search for a new career. I never in my wildest dreams thought it would be this difficult to find a job. Times are tough for many people right now. Two, I'm not so sure I want Rey Rey anymore. In fact, I currently covet several players more including BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo and Brian Cushing (point for boydy on Cushing, he has been for him from the start).

I am so sick and tired of the McCulter soap opera that I am making a proclamation right here and now : I REFUSE TO ENTERTAIN ANY MORE BS ABOUT THIS TOPIC FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN PERSONS DIRECTLY AFFILIATED WITH THE DENVER BRONCOS. As Russ put it, this situation is fast becoming a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma stuck deep in a turd. OK, that last part was mine ;-).

With that said, how about some Peyton Hillis highlights (someone will have to show me how to insert a clip, or insert it here for me. Here is the link):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSjDe0WDuCg

After watching those highlights again, I am reminded of a comment by styg during a mid-season MHR radio broadcast. I did change it somewhat but most of the credit goes to him: "Hillis wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions."

I am hoping the Broncos see what I and many others here at MHR see from these highlights. Peyton has everything I want in a RB, which includes power running first and foremost, decent if not great speed for a 250 pound guy, above average pass blocking ability and great hands. If the decision makers don't see these attributes in Hillis, I don't know what they are looking at. In closing, let me say that I believe the Broncos should not spend a high draft pick on another back, especially since we have already signed Buckhalter from Philadelphia and continue to bring in other free agent RBs for visits.

How about a poll?

Poll

Who do you want to start at RB for the Broncos this year?

Hillis is the man!

74 votes

Ryan Torain should get a shot.

10 votes

Buckhalter should have a chance.

4 votes

Knowshon in the first round baby!

5 votes

Other (Please specify in the comments section).

1 votes

94 votes | Poll has closed

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

Tweet Comment 25 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Obviously I voted for Hillis

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 10:24 AM MST reply actions

I voted for Hillis

I like the idea of Hillis, Torain, and getting a back in the draft rounds 3-6.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"McDaniels must go!" - Broncoman

by Broncoman on Mar 3, 2009 10:33 AM MST reply actions

Couldn't agree more

Throw in Buck on third down periodically. And just hope noone gets seriously hurt like last year.

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 10:45 AM MST up reply actions

+1

My thoughts exactly Broncoman.

Love the new avatar btw. Who watches the Watchmen???

I don’t want breakaway speed. I want break-some-poor-fool-as-I-bowl-you-over power getting 6 yards off a play that should have been stopped for 2 at most.

by sadaraine on Mar 3, 2009 11:05 AM MST up reply actions

Absolutely, undeniably, without a DOUBT....It's Hillis as #1 RB, with an #1a to be determined!

I too have been converted from Maualuga to Cushings, not just in workouts, but information from those who follow. Maualuga’s an easy pick at 1st glance. However, this Cushings kid sounds like the reincarnation of “Bill Romanowski” hopefully w/o the “Roids”. I know Cushings is being tested far and wide, so his result should clear up any concerns.

As Im a “Razorback” fan and have been since graduation, and a bigtime SEC fanatic, I’ve told Boydy that while the SEC dominates, I love that USC defense and that group of LB’s. I’d take all 4!

"Attitude reflects Leadership" Hogblog...aka KSM

by Hogblog on Mar 3, 2009 10:36 AM MST reply actions

Someone has to fall.

Cushing, Orakpo or Raji will be available when we pick at 12. I wouldn’t be opposed to taking Clay Matthews in the second round if we get Raji in the first. Or get Cushing in the first and take Ron Brace in the second.

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 10:50 AM MST up reply actions

McD

has had a top tier running back in NE (maroney is a bust) I really think we stay committee based on his experience

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 3, 2009 10:45 AM MST reply actions

Thanks, 53, for the great link

Made my day. Hillis is the best RB in the NFL.

You can observe a lot just by watching. Yogi Berra

by bradley on Mar 3, 2009 10:47 AM MST reply actions

Sure...

but I think AP might have something to say about that.

Seriously, I truly believe he could be top ten or better if given a chance to start.

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 10:49 AM MST up reply actions

you made me guffaw...

love the Hillis, but he’s not even in the discussion…. :)

Beware the wrath of a patient adversary.

John C. Calhoun --

by bcfunk on Mar 3, 2009 11:00 AM MST up reply actions

have to agree

RIGHT NOW. Who knows maybe if he just quietly rushes for a million yards this season Ill change my mind

"We should have kept Seattle and dumped San Diego from the Division"

Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!

by Jon Tollerud on Mar 3, 2009 12:24 PM MST up reply actions

I'm not sure we'll have a clear cut #1 back next year (unless we draft Moreno)

I voted for Torain, but really believe it will come down to a “survival of the fittest” battle in training camp with the victor getting most of the reps and the runner-up getting clean up duty….

Beware the wrath of a patient adversary.

John C. Calhoun --

by bcfunk on Mar 3, 2009 11:00 AM MST reply actions

Seriously guys?

I love Hillis!! Serious I do! But he isn’t a starting, 3 down running back. Hes a GREAT option for Full Back. I will even say that if used properly he could be the BEST OFFENSIVE FB I’ve ever seen. But he’s not a 3 down running back.

Their is some real homerism leaking into this subject.

by Kdo09 on Mar 3, 2009 11:29 AM MST reply actions

whoops

There, not their.

by Kdo09 on Mar 3, 2009 11:31 AM MST up reply actions

Why do you say he is not a 3 down back?

Doesn’t a 3 down back need power and great hands?

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 12:26 PM MST up reply actions

Hillis is a stud.

Average Raider Fan's IQ = 89
Bill Williamson's IQ = 75
Find yours by clicking here.

by kwool79 on Mar 3, 2009 11:35 AM MST reply actions

STARTER!!!!

I firmly believe Hillis can be a STARTING 3 down running back. Throw Buckhalter in there from time to time to mix it up and we become very dangerous…Come on Hillis go out there and win the job!! All I’m hoping for is that they give him a fair chance and the same amount of reps as the other backs in training camp and pre-season and he will prove us all right…That he’s a monster!!!

by gunnermc on Mar 3, 2009 11:36 AM MST reply actions

We will see how things shake out in Camp...

However, From the pick of the litter, right now my guy is Hillis. But this term we call starter is really irrelevant. We haven’t seen a Starter for years and I don’t think that is going to change this year. Once again we will be running back by committee. Hillis will be a big part of that. There is no deny he can punch the ball for first downs and that his hands are sticky out of the back field. He is a great option.

My image is the Circa 1960-’61 Broncos home uniform sock. Some what folk lore to me ... but referred to as the clown sock by my Dad.

by YellowStoneBronco on Mar 3, 2009 11:51 AM MST reply actions

Starter

I just want Hillis to get the first hand of of the game, so he can set the tempo from the get go…So he can ram into the LB’s and DB’s and show them what they will have to deal with for the game…There’s no way any backer enjoys trying to tackle that guy. And when he was playing the whole team seemed to have a little more spark.

by gunnermc on Mar 3, 2009 12:17 PM MST up reply actions

What I liked on the highlight reel

Was seeing the defensive lineman that tried to tackle him get run over and pound the ground with their fists in frustration.

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 1:29 PM MST up reply actions

That was hand off...

But I agree with you Starter really doesn’t mean anything anymore to this team…

by gunnermc on Mar 3, 2009 12:18 PM MST reply actions

I believe...

that Hillis is definitely a 3 down back. It’s just that he shouldn’t be used 30 times a game. More like 20.

by Kapiti on Mar 3, 2009 12:40 PM MST reply actions

I can agree with that

Maybe 25, but why split hairs?

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 3, 2009 1:36 PM MST up reply actions

The Rumblin' Redneck!!

Cowbell Hillis in ’09!! Super Bowl, here we come!!

Here’s how I see our backfield playing out:
*Hillis starts, and plays on all short yardage situations.
*Buckhalter plays long third down situations.
*Torain spells Hillis on every third or fourth series.
*Pinnock/ some draftee starts and plays FB.

FB is not really important in McD’s system anyway, so I don’t really care who plays there.

I picked the wrong weekend to quit sniffing glue...

by papigrande on Mar 3, 2009 3:00 PM MST reply actions

I hope you're right Papi-San

Especially since we are about to sign Lamont Jordan and Arrington. I don’t like these signings personally. Like adding boodybutter to a perfectly fine peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

Thanks to Mike Shanahan, a great coach who will be dearly missed.

Hillis for starter next year. He wears special thigh pads so his solid brass balls don't give him repeated thigh contusions.

by 53guys on Mar 4, 2009 5:39 PM MST up reply actions