a
blog entry from nfl.com Charles Davis (a black writer)
Don't let Peyton Hillis fool you
By Charles Davis |
Published: November 9th, 2010 | | Tags: Cleveland Browns, Mike Alstott, Peyton Hillis, Charles Davis
When it comes to Peyton Hillis, don't let appearances fool you.
When I had the chance to see the Browns first-hand a couple of weeks ago, they weren't ready to win consistently. But that seems to have changed in recent weeks, and one of the biggest reasons why is Hillis, one of the Browns I was very impressed with.
Unlock HQ Video HQ video delivered by Akamai When I first met Hillis, he shared that his father told him he would need to be the hardest-working player on the field if he wanted to make it. Hillis grew up on a farm and learned the value of hard work, and while his father never gave him anything, he carries this advice with him to this day. We can see it in the way he runs the football.
I can't help but think that if there has ever been a perfect marriage between a player and a city in recent seasons, we're seeing it with Hillis and Cleveland.
Hillis is a born and raised Arkansas boy, but you would swear he's from Cleveland. He fits the city perfectly. He's tough, gritty, blue-collar and doesn't ask for anything. He'll battle you in every way. He'll run over you, he'll run around you, he'll jump over you and will even run past you when he needs to.
A lot of people want to compare Hillis to Mike Alstott, who was a terrific player. Ultimately, I think if Hillis stays healthy and is blessed with a long career, he will prove to be better because he has a more versatile skill set than Alstott. That's no knock on Alstott.
There's something about Hillis that a lot of people are missing. When you look at him, what you see is a fullback. But to me, he's a feature back. The Browns can use Hillis in every situation and he should be a primary ball carrier. He can stay on the field on third downs, can catch the ball out of the backfield and is also terrific in blitz pickup.
Don't let him fool you, because Hillis is a tailback in a fullback's body. What's great to see is that the city of Cleveland has embraced him, and made him one of their own.
Follow me on Twitter @CFD22 and follow The NFL Network @nflnetwork.
101 CommentsSort By: Newest First | Oldest First | Most Recommended
the82spartans
Ha! Albino Rhino! Get out of the way!
10 minutes ago
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comebackkosar
I no right? my wife heard that somewhere and we are running with it! (get it running with it?)
15 minutes ago
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peytonsdisciple
The albino rhino... that is just awesome.
17 minutes ago
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stever114
I'm a eagles fan and i love this guy. a good old powerback with speed
21 minutes ago
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comebackkosar
Peyton "Albino Rhino" Hillis, Colt "Ur my Boy" McCoy, Josh "They call me MR." Cribbs WE HAVE HOPE BROWNSFANS!!!!!
22 minutes ago
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owerupoup
rebuildingsince57
and everyone thought that Holmgren had lost his marbles when he traded the Browns' former first-round QB for the Broncos' fullback.
37 minutes ago
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mcpd43
hahahahaha.... he pwned to patsies
40 minutes ago
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hostilebunch
I love to watch this guy play ball a good north and south runner with a punishing style and a very good demeanor! I wish him all the success he can obtain!
about 1 hour ago
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stix09
I think Hillis and McCoy will make this team so much better and possibly make a run to try and get into the playoffs
about 1 hour ago