http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/dec/04/pro-football-hillis-a-surprising-success/ Peyton Hillis' list of attributes is as long and varied as his resume. Great hands. Quick study. Fantastic blocker. Deceptively athletic. Versatility, though, is what's always been the greatest strength of this 6-foot-2, 250-pound Denver Broncos' rookie. In high school, Hillis played running back, fullback, receiver, cornerback and linebacker. "I pretty much played it all," he said. Same thing at the University of Arkansas, where he lined up at fullback, tailback, wide receiver and kick returner, always going anywhere his skills were needed and never turning down a chance to play another position. "I've always raised my hand and said, 'I can do it,'" Hillis said. "Especially in college. I knew that NFL teams would like that." Hillis made a name for himself at Arkansas by boring holes for first-round NFL draft picks Darren McFadden and Felix Jones, and when the Broncos selected him in the seventh round, he figured his moving days were finally done. "To tell you the truth, I thought that my whole career. But crazy things have always happened. I've always been a guy that's versatile and can play different positions," Hillis said. "When I came into the NFL, I thought that maybe I'd have a stable position. Because I never did in high school, I never did in college. Now, it looks like it's just going to continue that way. It looks like it's my path."When the Broncos lost their top five tailbacks to injury, an exasperated coach Mike Shanahan turned to Hillis, who had some key carries against Cleveland and Atlanta and a solid game against Oakland before his breakout performance Sunday at New York. Hillis became the first running back to top 100 yards against the Jets this season when he ran roughshod over them for 129 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in Denver's surprisingly 34-17 runaway. Hillis is the 14th -- and certainly the unlikeliest -- running back to top 100 yards in Shanahan's 14 seasons as coach of the Broncos. And he's also the first Denver player since Floyd Little in 1968 to record both a 100-yard rushing game and a 100-yard receiving game in the same season. "He's done a lot of good things to help our team win," said Shanahan, who suggested Hillis could one day be a tight end in the mold of India's Dallas Clark. Another position change wouldn't bother Hillis, that's for sure. "I'd be up for anything. If he thinks I will help the team win, then I'm more than happy for it," Hillis said. "No matter where he puts me I think I'm going to excel. "My coaches have put me in the right spot so far to help me succeed. If it's in the best interest for me to go somewhere else, then I'll be more than happy to go. Everybody likes touching the ball, everybody likes running the ball, gaining yards, making touchdowns, but as long as you're on an NFL team playing, I don't think there's any better dream than that." Last summer, Hillis was worried about just making the roster. But he quickly turned heads at camp by showing he had the best hands on the team, an attribute that came from countless hours of playing catch with his father. "I never was the fastest, strongest, quickest, but he always made sure my hands were good," Hillis said. Hillis joked Wednesday that he was 10th on the depth chart in training camp. Actually, he was sixth. But with Selvin Young (groin) out most of the last eight weeks and Michael Pittman (neck), Anthony Alridge (leg), Ryan Torain (knee) and Andre Hall (hand) all on IR, it's Hillis' spot now. "He's the man by elimination process," Shanahan said. "But he's done a good job. It took him awhile to get comfortable with the position. He's doing better and better. Obviously he played well against the Jets, and we'll get a chance to see what he can do this weekend against Kansas City." With linebackers D.J. Williams and Nate Webster close to returning to action, another flexible rookie, Spencer Larsen, moved back to fullback this week, further solidifying Hillis' role as tailback. And Hillis is just the kind of bruiser the Broncos (7-5) want in December as they make their final push for the playoffs. So, what's Hillis' favorite position? "Really, honestly?" he asked with a twinkle in his eyes. "Quarterback." He hasn't done that since middle school. "I can throw farther than anybody on this team," Hillis cracked. "I don't know where it's going, but I can throw it."
They might actually be the cutest full size bear out there! of course, Panda's could give them a run for their money but hey, you never know!
Where was this poll on draft day? If you knew something, you'd have credibility. Right now, you are a back seat driver with 20/20 hindsight.
Wow just wow it used to be Gdouche, runanddouch10 creating the dumbest, most pointless, most retarded threads. Now this jackass has taken his place. Kudos, as he has taken jackassery to new heights.
It would be ironic if the Jets let Vernon Gholston cover Vernon Davis all game tomorrow. Two freakish athletes who were drafted way high and have yet to prove anything in the NFL. What a boring matchup that would be.
If I were a polar bear I would be embarassed to be included in this thread. That being said. How bout those polar bears. Sure are a great bear.....yeeesh!
as horrible an idea as this is, if u want a young rookie running back Jacob Hester is your man. For some reason the chargers dont use him despite being a really talented player. He plays with a ton of heart and he is sort of like a smaller version of charless scott unless you are in position to make a perfect tackle Hester will power is way through you he's. Also he is a solid 3rd down back he is able at catching screen passes, his hands are great for a running back. Also he will basically play anywhere special teams, in the slot, as a fullback, running back, he is really like one of the most versatile players. If you want to see some of his second effort abilities search him on youtube and you should find some good stuff
Its nice to watch a post commit a complete self destroying week with yet another shitty thread. Really, the only reason people click on your threads anymore is for the comical responses, because the OP tens to be complete shit. You have done a wonderful job of replacing the MIA Raiderjoe. Thanks for that.
I'd still rather work with Caulcrick and see what we've got. The kid looked like a solid north-south prospect at TC last summer.
I actually was hoping we'd draft hillis or owen schmitt. I wanted hillis because of his versatiliy. Denver got nice vaule in the 7th round for him
I rated Hillis in the 3rd and liked him as one of the better full package fullbacks in some time, but liked Schmitt better as far as pure blocking went. My foresight at the time was pretty good. Once we signed Richardson I knew we should draft a fullback to learn from the guy. To my surprise we took Caulcrick who may have been the best power runner outside of Stewart, Mendenhall and Tashard Choice. Not much of a blocker, though, which I guess is something they figure Richardson can teach him. Who I'm looking forward to seeing in a few years is Mike Hart, because I thought that he was an amazing cutback runner with great vision. If he could bulk up and get a little faster in a pro strength and conditioning program, you could be hearing his name quite a bit in the future, but it will be in the future, mind you. He's buried on Indy's depth chart at the moment, but so was Hillis until the injury bug bit Denver hard. Denver got amazing value for him in the 7th. Hester is good at throwing his weight around, but he can't break tackles unless he gets a full head of steam. I wish I could start an overrated chant for him, but its a little late.
Last time I checked, we have the AFC's leading Rusher. Not only that, but TJ has a good 3-5 years left in him. Leon will probably be moved to starter in the latter years of TJ's career. We already have a superior return man in Leon. We've got arguably the best FB in the league. Hillis isn't a good enough receiver to justify giving up a developing rookie for. /Thread
