Nice article, except at the end when Hillis says it doesn't matter to him whether he plays fullback or tailback.
Browns' Hillis explodes back onto the scene
By Nate Ulrich
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 10:28 p.m. EDT, Aug 09, 2010
BEREA: Peyton Hillis grabbed the ball, bolted to his left and played the role of a human steamroller.
Cornerback Chris Chancellor played the part of a flattened victim.
After sitting out a week with a strained groin, Hillis returned to practice Monday during the Browns' training camp.
Was he rusty? No.
Was he excited? Just ask Chancellor.
''When you're out for a week, you try to get back into practice mode, and sometimes it don't work out like you want it to,'' Hillis said. ''You want to take it easy on the guys. Today, I should be punished for [running over Chancellor].
''It feels good to be out there with the guys and the coaches again. It gets pretty boring and kind of heartbreaking to sit inside and watch your teammates practice.''
Hillis shined during his comeback. Aside from his bruising run that drew ''ooohs and aaahs'' from the crowd, Hillis caught a few deep passes along the sideline.
Sometimes, he lined up at fullback. Other times, he played tailback. Every time, he looked sharp.
''I don't think the injury I had this past week will hold me out at all,'' said Hillis, 6-foot-1, 240 pounds. ''It looked pretty good today, and [I plan to] slowly progress all week to where I'll be back full speed Saturday.''
Hillis won't need to feel guilty about leveling defenders Saturday, when the Browns visit the Green Bay Packers for their first preseason game of the year.
On March 14, the Browns traded quarterback Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Hillis, a 2011 sixth-round draft pick and a conditional selection in 2012. Last season, Hillis played in 14 games with two starts and finished with 20 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. During his rookie season in 2008, Hillis played in 12 games with six starts, compiling 68 carries for 343 yards and five touchdowns.
As he demonstrated Monday, Hillis can catch, too. Although he had only five receptions for 57 yards last season, he had 14 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown the year before.
''In college, I ran a lot of slot [receiver] and tight end,'' said Hillis, a former University of Arkansas standout. ''I ran the routes downfield, and coach [Mike] Shanahan my rookie year, he put me out there running some flag and post routes, so I've been kind of used to it. But with every new coaching staff comes a new scheme, and you've got to find your place wherever that may be. Sometimes it's throwing the ball downfield, sometimes in the flat, but you just try to give it the best you've got.
''[Browns] offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is an intelligent man. He knows how to work the playbook, and he's a terrific offensive coordinator. He knows how to put the guys in the right spots to make plays. As long as we keep working as a team and continue to do that, a lot of people will get the ball.''
Hillis will probably be one of those people. With rookie Montario Hardesty sidelined because of a twisted right knee, Hillis, Jerome Harrison, James Davis and Chris Jennings will likely split carries against the Packers.
Green Bay might even encounter Hillis while he's running behind a stellar lead blocker. In some packages, Hillis and fullback Lawrence Vickers, 6-foot, 250 pounds, have lined up together in the backfield.
''I think you can get the tough yards that way,'' Hillis said. ''Lawrence Vickers is a stand-up guy. He loves to put his head in there and get blocks. When a guy is willing to sacrifice his body like that, you want to play hard for him. With guys like that on the team, you can only win ballgames.''
Vickers also thinks he and Hillis can combine to create chaos for defenses.
''Peyton is another big-body guy,'' Vickers said. ''He's a versatile guy and a good, solid player.
''He runs very hard with the ball, and I block very hard. Then at the same time, you don't know if Peyton is gonna get the ball or if I'm gonna get the ball. It can be a bit confusing. It's something that can throw the defense off.''
Does Hillis have a preference between fullback and tailback?
''Not really,'' he said. ''Whatever gets me on the field. I love this game, and I love being out there no matter what position it is. Hopefully, no matter where I play will help this team win.''
Of course, he doesn't mind carrying the ball, either. Chancellor knows it.
''If you're a competitor, you want the ball,'' Hillis said. ''You want the ball in your hands when you need to put a touchdown in. Every winner wants the ball.''
<HR color=#cccccc SIZE=1>
Nate Ulrich can be reached at
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<DIV =storytext>
BEREA: Peyton Hillis grabbed the ball, bolted to his left and played the role of a human steamroller.
Cornerback Chris Chancellor played the part of a flattened victim.
After sitting out a week with a strained groin, Hillis returned to practice Monday during the Browns' training camp.
Was he rusty? No.
Was he excited? Just ask Chancellor.
''When you're out for a week, you try to get back into practice mode, and sometimes it don't work out like you want it to,'' Hillis said. ''You want to take it easy on the guys. Today, I should be punished for [running over Chancellor].
''It feels good to be out there with the guys and the coaches again. It gets pretty boring and kind of heartbreaking to sit inside and watch your teammates practice.''
Hillis shined during his comeback. Aside from his bruising run that drew ''ooohs and aaahs'' from the crowd, Hillis caught a few deep passes along the sideline.
Sometimes, he lined up at fullback. Other times, he played tailback. Every time, he looked sharp.
''I don't think the injury I had this past week will hold me out at all,'' said Hillis, 6-foot-1, 240 pounds. ''It looked pretty good today, and [I plan to] slowly progress all week to where I'll be back full speed Saturday.''
Hillis won't need to feel guilty about leveling defenders Saturday, when the Browns visit the Green Bay Packers for their first preseason game of the year.
On March 14, the Browns traded quarterback Brady Quinn to the Denver Broncos in exchange for Hillis, a 2011 sixth-round draft pick and a conditional selection in 2012. Last season, Hillis played in 14 games with two starts and finished with 20 carries for 77 yards and a touchdown. During his rookie season in 2008, Hillis played in 12 games with six starts, compiling 68 carries for 343 yards and five touchdowns.
As he demonstrated Monday, Hillis can catch, too. Although he had only five receptions for 57 yards last season, he had 14 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown the year before.
''In college, I ran a lot of slot [receiver] and tight end,'' said Hillis, a former University of Arkansas standout. ''I ran the routes downfield, and coach [Mike] Shanahan my rookie year, he put me out there running some flag and post routes, so I've been kind of used to it. But with every new coaching staff comes a new scheme, and you've got to find your place wherever that may be. Sometimes it's throwing the ball downfield, sometimes in the flat, but you just try to give it the best you've got.
''[Browns] offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is an intelligent man. He knows how to work the playbook, and he's a terrific offensive coordinator. He knows how to put the guys in the right spots to make plays. As long as we keep working as a team and continue to do that, a lot of people will get the ball.''
Hillis will probably be one of those people. With rookie Montario Hardesty sidelined because of a twisted right knee, Hillis, Jerome Harrison, James Davis and Chris Jennings will likely split carries against the Packers.
Green Bay might even encounter Hillis while he's running behind a stellar lead blocker. In some packages, Hillis and fullback Lawrence Vickers, 6-foot, 250 pounds, have lined up together in the backfield.
''I think you can get the tough yards that way,'' Hillis said. ''Lawrence Vickers is a stand-up guy. He loves to put his head in there and get blocks. When a guy is willing to sacrifice his body like that, you want to play hard for him. With guys like that on the team, you can only win ballgames.''
Vickers also thinks he and Hillis can combine to create chaos for defenses.
''Peyton is another big-body guy,'' Vickers said. ''He's a versatile guy and a good, solid player.
''He runs very hard with the ball, and I block very hard. Then at the same time, you don't know if Peyton is gonna get the ball or if I'm gonna get the ball. It can be a bit confusing. It's something that can throw the defense off.''
Does Hillis have a preference between fullback and tailback?
''Not really,'' he said. ''Whatever gets me on the field. I love this game, and I love being out there no matter what position it is. Hopefully, no matter where I play will help this team win.''
Of course, he doesn't mind carrying the ball, either. Chancellor knows it.
''If you're a competitor, you want the ball,'' Hillis said. ''You want the ball in your hands when you need to put a touchdown in. Every winner wants the ball.''
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