More good value in the 7th: FB Peyton Hillis

[SoCalBronco]

Our resident Hog fans should like this. Not a super blocker, but a true weapon in the passing game for Jay. Classic WCO FB that can catch passes and be used in a variety of ways in the short pass game. I'm sure he'll be running alot of 5 yard option routes and be a great checkdown guy for this offense. We haven't had a FB that can catch 35-40 passes a year in a long time.

[CBF1]

CBF1 approves of this pick and the 7th round :thumbsup:

[Inkana7]

Love it. I would also have loved Mike Cox.

[TheChamp24]

Like the pick, just hope he doesn't fail at blocking.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Woooooooooo

Pig

Sooooooiieeeeeee!!!!

[cabronco]

Nice highlights of him on you tube. Would of linked them in , but not sure how to do that.

[FireFly]

Analysis
While Darren McFadden and Felix Jones have been the featured runners in the Razor-backs' powerful running attack the last three seasons, Peyton Hillis was a valuable contributor for Arkansas, and possibly its most versatile athlete.



During his time at Arkansas, Hillis was utilized as a fullback, H-back, tailback, tight end, wide receiver, kickoff returner and punt returner.



A punishing blocker, a powerful runner and a natural receiver, he's tied for seventh in school history in receptions (118), ninth in touchdown catches (11) and 15th all-time in receiving yardage (1,195). He added 12 rushing TDs, averaged 10.3 yards per punt return and amassed 2,624 all-purpose yards over 44 games.



A highly recruited player at Conway High School, Hillis was named the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Offensive Player of the Year as a senior. He was also selected to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Team as both a junior and a senior and was a member of the Associated Press Arkansas Super Team. He added Fox Sports Net "All-South" first-team honors and won the Landers Award, recognizing the top high school football player in Arkansas.




Positives: Lacks ideal size, but shows solid muscle mass, developed thighs and calves and a proportionate build...Good short-area receiver who might not have the speed to get into vertical routes, but does a good job of settling underneath and shows good vision working back to the quarterback when the pocket is pressured...Has a very good work ethic and puts in extra hours studying film...Does not have much hip wiggle to elude, but runs with good balance and body control, getting the bulk of his rushing yardage after initial contact...Tough competitor who will not hesitate to face up to the bull rushers -- will get pushed back when he fails to anchor well -- and is a good contact-seeker chasing down linebackers by taking proper angles in the second level...Alert to the blitz and stunts, doing a nice job in his kick slide when protecting the pocket...Efficient at spotting the crease and does a good job of keeping his pad level down and attacking the line of scrimmage with his shoulders squared...More quick than he is fast, but can break arm tackles...Might lack the speed for vertical routes, but you won't see him drift in his patterns...Has good first-step agility out of his stance, showing urgency getting to the line of scrimmage...Knows how to slip under defenders to get a clean release into his routes...Shows good body mechanics when building his acceleration through the hole...Has good plant-and-drive agility out of his breaks and while he is mostly a one-cut runner, he has the vision and instincts to adjust in his stride...Gets most of his initial yardage by running at a good pad level and pushing the pile with adequate power, as he can break arm tackles, especially when utilized in short-yardage carries...Has the body lean to gain additional yardage falling forward and shows good balance and determination to finish...When he drops his pads, he gets good movement and can move the chains...Uncoils and explodes on contact taking the ball up the middle and has a compact finishing style...Must improve his ball security, but is not a chronic fumbler...Used mostly on swing routes and dump offs, but has enough leg drive to create separation vs. second-level defenders...Also good at running stop routes with effectiveness, showing a good feel for the sidelines...Has good concentration adjusting to off-target throws and has the hands to reach and pluck away from his frame...Demonstrates good hand-eye coordination and, while he lacks deep speed, he can get upfield vs. linebackers and safeties...Can finesse block with good hand placement or hunker down and knock defenders back when leading on sweeps...Will get bounced around some lead blocking up the middle, but uses his shoulders well in attempts to widen the rush lane...Takes good angles into the second level to execute cut blocks...Can adjust on the move and is aggressive looking for targets to hit.



Negatives: Undersized for a fullback at the professional level, but does show good power and aggression as a blocker...Bit of a "tweener," but shows just adequate elusiveness running with the ball, especially when asked to take the pigskin outside...Has good explosion off the snap, but lacks the leg drive to power through trash running between the tackles...Had some ball-security issues and needs to do a better job of distributing it away from the defenders when getting into the second level (susceptible to having the ball knocked out by leaving it exposed, especially on returns)...Has had good success as a receiver, but is not used much on upfield routes and is better served being utilized in the short area...Needs to play with better confidence (will get into a bit of a funk after a bad play)...Has had several injuries that lead to durability questions (back injury was the most serious)...Attacks the rush lanes at a good pad level, but needs to generate better leg drive to sustain those blocks, as he can get overwhelmed in tight areas trying to sustain the lane...Does not have the speed to separate past the line of scrimmage and has to rely on his strength to gain additional yardage after initial contact...Won't win any footraces in the open due to a lack of a second gear...Has been used as a punt returner in the past, but does not have the burst or lateral range to be effective in that role at the next level...Hands are smaller than ideal (eight-inch width), which could have led to some fumble issues as a sophomore (four in two games).



Compares To: BRIAN LEONARD-St. Louis-Leonard has better speed, but both are underrated blockers who are better served not being used in the traditional fullback role. Hillis has good value as a short-yardage runner, but to have him carry the ball often would not be beneficial, as he does not have the second gear or speed to make big gains on the ground. He has natural hands for short-area tosses, but his speed issue will prevent him from being lined wide for the vertical passing game. Still, he's a good blue-collar type who can help in a variety of roles, rather than being utilized strictly as a blocker. Every roster could use a versatile player like Hillis, especially in the mid-to-late rounds.

[skpac1001]

Nobody put up the Lombardi trophy yet? Come on!

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Football player... period. I shocked we took him. Fantastic pick....

[socalorado]

Another solid pick. Needs to gain some weight without losing speed, but he should be OK. STer too.

[BowlenBall]

Finally -- a real fullback for the roster. I think Hillis is going to make a real difference for us, both as a fullback and as a special teams player.

Great, great pick to close out the draft.

[MechanicalBull]

http://www.espn.go.com/media/pg2/2006/0125/photo/a_lombardi_245.jpg

[REB]

I like it...


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[Rohirrim]

Bobby Turner will shape him up. He'll learn to block. Cutler has some new toys to play with.

[spdirty]

Wow. What a waste. Unbelievable reach. This guy is gonna be the worst bust since Ryan Leaf, and might set the franchise back 10 years. These are the types of picks that get coaches fired.

[SureShot]

Want to get better in the redzone? Get yourself some mean lineman and a versatile FB.

[Rohirrim]

Bobby Turner will shape him up. He'll learn to block. Cutler has some new toys to play with.

[Rohirrim]

Bobby Turner will shape him up. He'll learn to block. Cutler has some new toys to play with.

[MileHighMagic]

I freakin love this kid! Was really hoping we would get em. He is very athletic and plays his ass off. Fan fav at Arkansas.

[55CrushEm]

Wow. What a waste. Unbelievable reach. This guy is gonna be the worst bust since Ryan Leaf, and might set the franchise back 10 years. These are the types of picks that get coaches fired.

LOL

[55CrushEm]

Wow. What a waste. Unbelievable reach. This guy is gonna be the worst bust since Ryan Leaf, and might set the franchise back 10 years. These are the types of picks that get coaches fired.

LOL

[Old Dude]

GBN draft report had him listed as #2 FB in this draft, right behind Schmidt, and he's faster. Also, by all accounts, great team leader and big ST contributer.

What's not to like about this guy at pick 227?

[no-pseudo-fan]

I love the pick, thought he would be gone earlier. Great Value. Real FB!!! WOW.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

I would have be thrilled to take him in rounds 3-4. This is a friggin steal of a pick.

[loborugger]

Want to get better in the redzone? Get yourself some mean lineman and a versatile FB.

AMEN, brother. I posted it in another thread, but Griff anyone?

[cutthemdown]

Like the pick, just hope he doesn't fail at blocking.

I think Blocking is what this FB is most known for.

[cutthemdown]

Broncos finally looking for some versatile players that can help on special teams and be roll players. If we want ST to be better you have to make an effort to find players good at it and not just expect the guys who don't become starters to do it.

[watermock]

Excellent pick. Underrated...never got to touch the ball alot.

[cutthemdown]

I guess he is a little small but he is a willing blocker and very tough and strong.

[Malcontent]

I think hes every bit as good as Hester that went in the 3rd rd I beleive. Nice pick.

[Kaylore]

I called this pick back in the Owen Schmitt thread (though I did spell his name wrong):

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpost.php?p=1920974&postcount=40

Peyton Hills makes more sense for what Denver does with it's offense than Schmitt. I wouldn't mind either one, but given that Schmitt is a big, physical, punishing full back with a nasty attitude that loves to put his nose in it, we can put odds on him not even being on Shanahan's radar at 20 to 1.

[dreasher54]

i still wanted a kicker.

[broncogary]

Excellent pick. Underrated...never got to touch the ball alot.

Did you get to scout him during your stay in Arkansas, Mock?

[Ziggy]

I guess he is a little small but he is a willing blocker and very tough and strong.

240 pounds of solid muscle. A little small? If you say so.

[Atlas]

I'm impressed. He shouldn't have any problem adding 10 more lbs. He has good feet and seems very athletic for a FB. Another weapon for Jay to play with. I also hear that he did block for a pretty good running game at Arkansas. That is just a rumor of course but i hear they were pretty good.

[Odysseus]

I cannot believe we drafted a real FB. I am shocked. This is going to be fun. We picked up some good football players this week.

[BlaK-Argentina]

Probably my favorite pick. FINALLY A FB!

[Taco John]

This is actually my favorite pick of this draft. Peyton Hillis is going to be the best thing that Jake Plummer ever did for this team.

[Kaylore]

This is actually my favorite pick of this draft. Peyton Hillis is going to be the best thing that Jake Plummer ever did for this team.

LOL He is going to stick too. Hillis is a football player. He'll do anything and won't care. He fits our system perfectly.

[enjolras]

I love the pick.. his blocking is really underrated. A large part of the success that Jones and McFadden enjoyed was on the blocking of Hillis. I wanted him in the 5th round, grabbing him this late in the draft is just an incredible steal.

[FireFly]

This is by far my favourite pick of the draft. :thumbsup:

[The Moops]

Kiper had him rated #1 fullback in the draft . . . the only Broncos pick he rated tops in his position.

[Odysseus]

i still wanted a kicker.

We might have some turnover in the kicker position for awhile. Let's see how this new guy works out. I hope the Broncos stop settling for 3's.

My hope is that our Special Teams figures out how to have both a solid return man and a top notch kicker.

[Hulamau]

Bobby Turner will shape him up. He'll learn to block. Cutler has some new toys to play with.

Hes already a good blocker .. but will get better. Felix and McFad didn't gain all those yards on good looks alone!

[broncofan7]

Peyton Hillis= Tom Rathman

[Killericon]

Peyton Hillis= Tom Rathman

Peyton Hillis = Larry Csonka.

:P

[SouthStndJunkie]

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/225383/

LIKE IT IS : Plenty to love about Hillis despite strange fall

On The South Stands, a Denver Broncos Internet forum, the 2008 NFL Draft has been a favorite subject.

South Stands Junkie wrote of Peyton Hillis: "I love this pick.... He looks like he should be playing tight end."

The next Broncos booster was Bronco Militia, who posed a very legitimate question: "How does a guy that blocks for two 1, 000-yard rushers in the SEC fall to the seventh round ?"

That question has been asked around Arkansas for several days about the former Razorback.

Consider that in the days leading up to the draft, experts thought Peyton Hillis was a third- or fourth-round pick, which would have brought him to camp with a much better chance of being an automatic to make the squad.

In his career at Arkansas, he rushed for 960 yards (4. 7 average per carry ) and scored 12 touchdowns, six as a freshman before Darren McFadden and Felix Jones arrived on campus.

He caught 118 passes for 1, 197 yards and 11 touchdowns, returned 12 kickoffs for 213 yards (17. 8 average ) and 25 punts for 257 yards (10. 3 ).

In his final regular-season game, he lit up eventual national champion LSU for 151 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns.

Some thought that might jump him up to the third round because he showed his versatility.

Hillis is a guy who in the NFL can play fullback, H-back, tailback and return kicks or punts (as a Razorback he also saw action at tight end and wide receiver ).

For his 6-1, 240-pound muscled frame, he has good speed and great hands.

A Parade All-American out of Conway High School, Hillis found himself primarily as a blocker his final three seasons for McFadden and Jones, both first-round picks.

Mostly he did it without complaint, but when you have been scoring touchdowns your entire life, there is going to be a period of adjustment.

Yet, while he could be outspoken at times and almost critical of some coaching decisions after tough, emotional losses, he's a young man who now always talks about God and how important he is in his life.

Still, why did Peyton Hillis fall to the seventh round, the 227 th player taken overall ?

Many Houston Nutt critics want to believe the former UA coach did not give him a good review to NFL scouts, that Hillis' honesty had rubbed Nutt the wrong way.

Josh Melton, a four-year letterman on the Razorbacks' offensive line, called Sports Animals on Arkansas Radio Network last week, unsolicited, to say he believed Nutt had told scouts there were character and injury issues and that Hillis is tough to have in the locker room.

That last one has a familiar ring because Hillis was not afraid to speak his mind going all the way back to his sophomore season, when he told the media he might move himself to linebacker, which caused a stir with fans and the coaching staff.

However, it would be ridiculous for anyone, especially Nutt, to say Hillis would not play with pain.

His playing hurt is well-documented.

He suffered a severe thigh bruise his junior season that developed into a career-threatening calcium deposit because he refused to sit out. When he finally was forced to sit, the Razorbacks did not win another game that season.

As a freshman, he played with a broken bone in his back.

Hillis is tougher than a claw hammer on a pecan.

As for character, Hillis might have made some missteps when he first arrived, but he certainly was not a featured name on the police blotter.

There might have been other issues that concerned NFL scouts. After Hillis was drafted, the Denver Post reported he was not a strong blocker.

Whatever it was that caused Hillis to slide to the seventh round in the draft will continue to be debated, but most likely, it will remain a mystery.

Yet, it is reminiscent of another former Razorback by the name of Jason Peters, who was not drafted and is now a Pro Bowler.

[SouthStndJunkie]

Funny thing is.....both those quotes should be attributed to Bronco Militia.

[Greybeard]

Bobby Turner will shape him up. He'll learn to block. Cutler has some new toys to play with.

I hope he can become a good blocker. In Shanny's offense, if you don't block,
you don't play. However, I'm sure Hillis has the work ethic to do so.

It intrigues me, with his running and receiving abilties, to imagine some
I-formation and H-back setups for him. He looks as if he can be a weapon.

-----

[elsid13]

I just wonder if makes the team or become stashed on the PS.

If he does make it I think we will se more to the classic WCO offense to force team to react to cover the short passing game.

[PLOWHORSE]

"He rubbed Nutt the wrong way"?? He could have phrased that a little better.

Great pick though.

[cmhargrove]

I hope he can become a good blocker. In Shanny's offense, if you don't block,
you don't play. However, I'm sure Hillis has the work ethic to do so.

It intrigues me, with his running and receiving abilties, to imagine some
I-formation and H-back setups for him. He looks as if he can be a weapon.

-----

Really, he doesn't need to be an all-pro blocker to succeed in Denver, he only has to be better than Cecil Sapp. I like Cecil, but he really hasn't set the bar too high.

As long as Hillis can open a hole, and he produces some hard yards (and TD's) for the offense, he should stick around Denver for a while. I hope they find ways to creatively use him, but were are starting to stockpile so many offensive weapons he might just have to wait his turn.

Hopefully, the O-line is what gels early so guys like Hillis can be running trick plays and catching passes. That would bring some excitement back to the Broncos.

Go Peyton!

[BroncoMan4ever]

AMEN, brother. I posted it in another thread, but Griff anyone?

true, think about this, in the past few years that our running game hasn't been completely up to par and not nearly as dominant as it used to be are the years we haven't had a decent FB.
TD had Griffith
Portis had MA and i think Droughns (both converted RB's but decent blockers)

and after that nothing.

Whoever is starting at RB this year will benefit from having a good FB leading the way for him

[bronco militia]

I'm famous all over again

[Cito Pelon]

I think Hillis will be on the opening day roster just because he likes to play football. He's a big strong kid that likes to play football. Dude has ST's written all over him.

[Inkana7]

And I think he'll be starting opening day.

[ohiobronco2]

GBN draft report had him listed as #2 FB in this draft, right behind Schmidt, and he's faster. Also, by all accounts, great team leader and big ST contributer.

What's not to like about this guy at pick 227?

Nothing. Only his injury history concerns me, but if it doesn't work out, it's only a 7th round pick.

[bronco militia]

http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/225383/

LIKE IT IS : Plenty to love about Hillis despite strange fall

On The South Stands, a Denver Broncos Internet forum, the 2008 NFL Draft has been a favorite subject.

South Stands Junkie wrote of Peyton Hillis: "I love this pick.... He looks like he should be playing tight end."

The next Broncos booster was Bronco Militia, who posed a very legitimate question: "How does a guy that blocks for two 1, 000-yard rushers in the SEC fall to the seventh round ?"

That question has been asked around Arkansas for several days about the former Razorback.

....

thanks boss!

[Drek]

I hope he can become a good blocker. In Shanny's offense, if you don't block,
you don't play. However, I'm sure Hillis has the work ethic to do so.

It intrigues me, with his running and receiving abilties, to imagine some
I-formation and H-back setups for him. He looks as if he can be a weapon.

-----

Be fair here. If you don't block as a WR, TE, or in pass pro as a HB you don't play.

We've trotted out more than our fair share of FBs in the last couple seasons who couldn't block. Sapp being the current flavor of the week.

Anderson was about a league average blocker when he played FB. He was the best we've had since Griffith. Johnson was a solid hole opener in the running game but was pretty worthless on passing downs in pass pro and in being a reliable passing target. Sapp isn't horrible at picking up pass pro blocks and is a pretty solid reciever, but he isn't going to bust a hole up the middle for anybody.

Hillis isn't a great blocker for a collegiate fullback, but he's a pretty good one. He's a step up over what we currently have at the position in basically every sense.

Of all the second day picks I think he's the best lock to make the roster, and the second most likely to start out of all our draftees, behind only Clady. The only thing that will derail him from being a legitimate contributor SOON is if he has some temper flare ups or off-field incidences of some kind, but I don't think that'll be real likely.

[Greybeard]

Be fair here. If you don't block as a WR, TE, or in pass pro as a HB you don't play.

We've trotted out more than our fair share of FBs in the last couple seasons who couldn't block. Sapp being the current flavor of the week.

Anderson was about a league average blocker when he played FB. He was the best we've had since Griffith. Johnson was a solid hole opener in the running game but was pretty worthless on passing downs in pass pro and in being a reliable passing target. Sapp isn't horrible at picking up pass pro blocks and is a pretty solid reciever, but he isn't going to bust a hole up the middle for anybody.

Hillis isn't a great blocker for a collegiate fullback, but he's a pretty good one. He's a step up over what we currently have at the position in basically every sense.

Of all the second day picks I think he's the best lock to make the roster, and the second most likely to start out of all our draftees, behind only Clady. The only thing that will derail him from being a legitimate contributor SOON is if he has some temper flare ups or off-field incidences of some kind, but I don't think that'll be real likely.

I can find nothing here I necessarily disagree with. ???

-----

[Breaker]

Wow. What a waste. Unbelievable reach. This guy is gonna be the worst bust since Ryan Leaf, and might set the franchise back 10 years. These are the types of picks that get coaches fired.

Ok I would have preferred Schmitt cause with a weaker offensive line a strong blocking FB would have been nice but its impossible for a 7th rounder to ever be labeled a bust. Ryan Leaf was #2 overall .... its not even close. You better be kidding about this.

[Merlin]

Ok I would have preferred Schmitt cause with a weaker offensive line a strong blocking FB would have been nice but its impossible for a 7th rounder to ever be labeled a bust. Ryan Leaf was #2 overall .... its not even close. You better be kidding about this.
Irony is becoming a lost art.

[Dr. Broncenstein]

Bump

[enjolras]

I remember sitting in chat on draft day begging them to take Hillis in the 5th :) I'm thrilled they got him that late in the draft. It was a huge steal.. I think his blocking is hugely underrated, he's thrown some tremendous blocks this year.

[bronco militia]

greatest thread ever

;D

[Kaylore]

Yeah this is pretty fun to read. Owen Schmitt is still a second string full back, by the way.

[ANIMAL24]

yup nice pick up... but instead of barret(i get hurt every other play) we could of got the safety from ucla. he is playing great for the redskins

[gyldenlove]

You can't win them all, Hillis was a great pick in the 7th round. He is a real team guy and he fits a lot of small holes, he is a better player out of the backfield than Sapp ever was and he looks like he is a much better receiver than Nate Jackson.

If he can get his blocking worked out a bit, and you would think somebody could teach him that given how our young offensive line is playing, he can be a really solid player.