Hillis going to get cut?

[Kaylore]

I was looking at our rookie contracts and they've signed the bottom four - except for Hillis. They signed Barrett right away (a good sign) and then some time later moved to the more expensive rookies in Powell, Larsen and Torain. Why would they skip Hillis? He's only a seventh rounder.

My suspicion was piqued and then further substantiated when after watching a recent online interview of him he said "whether I play here or somewhere else" and seemed to be suggesting he wouldn't make the team.

I know a lot of people are high on him (and the way things work he'll get signed this Wednesday Ha!) but I wondered if this doesn't suggest something...

[Northman]

I thought i had read somewhere he was doing well in camp. I would be shocked if he got cut.

[Man-Goblin]

He wants Matt Ryan money.

[socalorado]

Meanwhile, the team is also happy with the progress of fullback Peyton Hillis, a seventh-round pick. Former San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal's name has been connected to the Broncos some this offseason but if Hillis proves he can compete with Cecil Sapp, the team may not have a need at the position.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-482/Tackle-battle-to-come-in-Denver.html

Hillis sounds like hes just fine last i heard.
Have not heard anything different since this post.

[bronco militia]

doesn't he have to sign before he can be cut?

[Kaylore]

That link is messed up. If they're so happy with him, then why isn't he signed? how hard can signing a seventh round fullback be?

doesn't he have to sign before he can be cut?

No he can be waived without a contract. That punter everyone wanted was cut by the Patriots without a contract (Dragosovich?)

[2KBack]

That link is messed up. If they're so happy with him, then why isn't he signed? how hard can signing a seventh round fullback be?



No he can be waived without a contract. That punter everyone wanted was cut by the Patriots without a contract (Dragosovich?)

maybe he feels he is more valuable than his 7th round status

[SonOfLe-loLang]

That link is messed up. If they're so happy with him, then why isn't he signed? how hard can signing a seventh round fullback be?

I wouldnt take this as a sign (perhaps he wont make the team) but he would have to look pretty awful in minicamp for them not to even offer a contract and all other reports have suggested otherwise. There could be hundreds of reasons why he hasn't been signed, but I'd assume his play on the field has little to do with it. Can we get any other example of them not signing a draftee?

[socalorado]

Fixed the link.

Heres the article it came from


<TABLE class=cols cellSpacing=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="75%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Tackle battle to come in Denver (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-482/Tackle-battle-to-come-in-Denver.html) http://assets.espn.go.com/profile/i/trans/icon_report_hi.gif (http://myespn.go.com/profile/violation?ou=hashmarksadmin&at=7&vid=1213028104885)
June 9, 2008 1:05 PM

Posted by ESPN.com's Bill Williamson

The word in Denver is that there will be a spirited battle at right offensive tackle between Chris Kuper and Ryan Harris.
Kuper has been getting all the right tackle reps in the OTAs. Still, the word is Harris has looked good and will be ready to compete with Kuper during training camp. Harris was a third-round draft pick last season and was expected to be a left tackle. Yet, Denver drafted Ryan Clady with the No. 12 pick this year and he is now the starting left tackle. The early talk is that the team is very excited about Clady's play thus far and the Broncos believe he'll be productive as a rookie.
Kuper, a third-year player, is a tough, experienced lineman. Harris is very athletic and bright, so this will be a fun battle.
Meanwhile, the team is also happy with the progress of fullback Peyton Hillis, a seventh-round pick. Former San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal's name has been connected to the Broncos some this offseason but if Hillis proves he can compete with Cecil Sapp, the team may not have a need at the position.


Broncos (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks?tag=broncos), Ryan Clady (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks?tag=ryan clady), Chris Kuper (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks?tag=chris kuper), Ryan Harris (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks?tag=ryan harris), Peyton Hillis (http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks?tag=peyton hillis)
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>




</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[Smiling Assassin27]

Meanwhile, the team is also happy with the progress of fullback Peyton Hillis, a seventh-round pick. Former San Diego fullback Lorenzo Neal's name has been connected to the Broncos some this offseason but if Hillis proves he can compete with Cecil Sapp, the team may not have a need at the position.

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/hashmarks/0-7-482/Tackle-battle-to-come-in-Denver.html

Hillis sounds like hes just fine last i heard.
Have not heard anything differant since this post.

cecil sapp at FB tells me we're not serious about filling the position.

[bowtown]

That link is messed up. If they're so happy with him, then why isn't he signed? how hard can signing a seventh round fullback be?


There's a million reasons. Maybe his agent is tied up doing bigger deals right now. Maybe they are having more back and forth about language or terms. Denver is early on most of these other signings this year. I don't think it's an indicator of anything.

[Boss Man]

I highly doubt he would be cut before training camp, that just makes no sense.

I dont know when the last time i heard of that happening.

[TheReverend]

I can pretty much guarantee you the hold-up is in his versatility.

He's a 7th rounder but any incentives on the contract based off performance probably need to take into account whether he's an H-back, Fullback, runningback, to give realistic shots at achieving them.

[BroncoBuff]

??? I thought the optimistic people here had Hillis pegged as a starter?

[Beantown Bronco]

??? I thought the optimistic people here had Hillis pegged as a starter?

It's his position. FB is probably the only position, other than QB and kicker/punter, where teams would even consider only keeping 2. Not that I'm saying it's happening here, but it's pretty easy to be etched in as a starting FB one day, to not even making the cut the next IMO.

[Kaylore]

I can pretty much guarantee you the hold-up is in his versatility.

He's a 7th rounder but any incentives on the contract based off performance probably need to take into account whether he's an H-back, Fullback, runningback, to give realistic shots at achieving them.

That makes some sense except that Larsen was also a versatile player of sorts lining up on offense and defense. I guess they put his fullback experiment to bed, because if they can put together a deal for him, I don't see why they wouldn't be able to do so for Hillis.

[Traveler]

cecil sapp at FB tells me we're not serious about filling the position.

How very, very true!

[PRBronco]

I highly doubt he would be cut before training camp, that just makes no sense.

I dont know when the last time i heard of that happening.

What about that epic draft class where the D line was shored up for the future with Aaron Hunt, Bryant McNeil, Nick Eason and Clint Mitchell? Did they offer anyone other than Eason a contract?

[no-pseudo-fan]

New guy doing the contracts, might cause the irregularities.

I have given up on trying to figure out the Broncos F/O.

[Kaylore]

What about that epic draft class where the D line was shored up for the future with Aaron Hunt, Bryant McNeil, Nick Eason and Clint Mitchell? Did they offer anyone other than Eason a contract?

Oh man...I had selectively removed that even from my memory.:sickortir

[montrose]

I wouldn't be surprised in the least, although I still think Hillis is our best, natural FB - nothing surprises me with the Broncos at the RB position. It could be, however, that his agent is positioning for a bit more dough than a 7th rounder would get seeing Hillis seems to have a legitimate chance to step right in and start.

I was listening to Alfred Williams the other day and he said Hillis was the Broncos best pick and he'd make the biggest impact of any rookie this year - including Clady and Royal.

[TheReverend]

That makes some sense except that Larsen was also a versatile player of sorts lining up on offense and defense. I guess they put his fullback experiment to bed, because if they can put together a deal for him, I don't see why they wouldn't be able to do so for Hillis.

Because of the range of the two different spots both would find themselves in.

If Larsen ends up playing FB instead of LB, it won't make any impact on incentives which would probably be based off of playing time instead of gaudy stat numbers based on the nature of both thumping positions. I'm also certain his agent knows Larsen isn't going to be a threat receiver out of the backfield.

Hillis, on the other hand, being a back in Denver could end up being the starting fullback, or even the starting running back. If that's the case, they need to be prepared to grab fistfuls of incentive money if he throws a Rueben Droughns-esque 1200 part time season into the mix.

[Bladerunner]

Nice catch Kaylore...I'm not reading too much into it though...Josh Barrett specifically told his agent that he wanted a contract done immediately (i guess he wanted to keep Erickson at bay ASAP..lol)...so they did...the rest of them are probably getting done at the Broncos discretion (with respect to timing), since the player generally gains leverage as time goes on...

I do agree though that a 7th rounder shouldn't be much of a problem under any circumstances...but maybe Rev is right and he's looking to get some escalators in there for performance other than blocking.

[Bravo]

I wouldn't worry about Hillis, he will be signed. IMHO, when it all boils down Sapp will be the one man out. I feal they will work Pittman in as a FB also and keep Aldridge as a RB and special team player.

[ludo21]

He is surely going to be let go, this is a bad sign.

[Kaylore]

Nice catch Kaylore...I'm not reading too much into it though...Josh Barrett specifically told his agent that he wanted a contract done immediately (i guess he wanted to keep Erickson at bay ASAP..lol)...so they did...the rest of them are probably getting done at the Broncos discretion (with respect to timing), since the player generally gains leverage as time goes on...

I do agree though that a 7th rounder shouldn't be much of a problem under any circumstances...but maybe Rev is right and he's looking to get some escalators in there for performance other than blocking.

If that's true about Barrett forcing the issue, then this much ado about nothing (still decent offseason thread, though. :)) I figured they were moving through them by the round they were drafted in and leap-frogged Hillis. It got me suspicious. By the way, how did you know Barrett asked for an expedited signing?

[BroncoMan4ever]

I wouldn't be surprised in the least, although I still think Hillis is our best, natural FB - nothing surprises me with the Broncos at the RB position. It could be, however, that his agent is positioning for a bit more dough than a 7th rounder would get seeing Hillis seems to have a legitimate chance to step right in and start.

I was listening to Alfred Williams the other day and he said Hillis was the Broncos best pick and he'd make the biggest impact of any rookie this year - including Clady and Royal.

i am truly thinking that his agent is probably checking the roster and seeing as there are no really huge talents in either the RB of FB position that Hillis has the ability to probably start, as well as get some reps at RB.

all around Hillis is probably the most complete back on this roster. so with that in mind his agent is probably thinking his client has the potential to be a starter and he is trying to get him more incentives in his deal

[Inkana7]

That link is messed up. If they're so happy with him, then why isn't he signed? how hard can signing a seventh round fullback be?



No he can be waived without a contract. That punter everyone wanted was cut by the Patriots without a contract (Dragosovich?)

Like Royal and the rest of our unsigned picks, right?

[fdf]

My suspicion was piqued and then further substantiated when after watching a recent online interview of him he said "whether I play here or somewhere else" and seemed to be suggesting he wouldn't make the team.

You're right. That's a really odd comment if there's not something off-kilter. Or maybe it's just a dumb kid who thinks hes 'gotiatin' by saying stuff like that. If the later, he should keep his mouth shut and let his agent do the work. He only hurts his case with stuff like that.

[Kaylore]

Like Royal and the rest of our unsigned picks, right?

Except that Royal and the others are higher picks and usually take more time.

Round 1: Ryan Clady
Round 2: Eddie Royal
Round 4: Kory Lichtensteiger
Round 4: Jack Williams
Round 5: Ryan Torain Signed
Round 5: Carlton Powell Signed
Round 6: Spencer Larsen Signed
Round 7: Josh Barrett Signed
Round 7: Peyton Hillis

That just looks odd to me...

[SureShot]

Quit trying to scare the Hillis faithful Khan.

[Kaylore]

Quit trying to scare the Hillis faithful Khan.

:haw!:

[dekers]

If hills can't beat out Cecil Sapp (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=5223) , then i don't want him. but really their is no way they cut him or release him before camp. He will get a chance so show what he can do.

[worm]

Hillis prolly saw that Josh Barrett 7th round signing money....and wants some of that cake too.

[Atlas]

I was looking at our rookie contracts and they've signed the bottom four - except for Hillis. They signed Barrett right away (a good sign) and then some time later moved to the more expensive rookies in Powell, Larsen and Torain. Why would they skip Hillis? He's only a seventh rounder.

My suspicion was piqued and then further substantiated when after watching a recent online interview of him he said "whether I play here or somewhere else" and seemed to be suggesting he wouldn't make the team.

I know a lot of people are high on him (and the way things work he'll get signed this Wednesday Ha!) but I wondered if this doesn't suggest something...

It doesn't make sense to cut him now. He is a 7th round draft pick and will get little if any signing bonus. Unless he just just a total asshole I imagine they will sign him and bring him into camp.

[Beantown Bronco]

I heard he slept with Shanny's wife.

[Drek]

Hillis had a rep for being a fairly confident person in college, aware that his abilities play at three different NFL levels (power running back, multi-purpose fullback, and near prototypical H-back).

I'd be willing to bet the hold up, and his comment about "here or somewhere else" or however it was phrased, are directly tied to the FO's new trend of 4 year deals on all the other late round picks.

He probably doesn't want to lock in on a 4 year deal for fear of being a secondary player here and not getting to reach the heights he aspires to, or worse, being a standout in one of those other roles while locked into a rookie salary. As a result that 4th year is a lot more valuable to him than the other guys. A 7th round FB could easily be the best FB in his draft class, unlike nearly any other position but kicker and punter. Also he could be a solid rotational power RB or even an H-Back, both get paid tons more than a FB.

He's got a much better shot than any of our other late rounders to get big money after his first three years. RFA or not. Hell, if he's even just a solid starter after three years at FB we'd probably give him a qualifying offer that'd get him more money in year 4 than he made in the previous 3 combined. If he winds up actually carrying the ball a lot or playing an H-back role he could make ten times that on the market with a 7th rounder as his lowest tier qualifying offer.

[RunSilentRunDeep]

Having gone to Arkansas, he can probably only write with a crayon in big, block letters. The NFL likes contracts signed in cursive with a pen. Give him time, he's working on it.

[Kaylore]

Hillis had a rep for being a fairly confident person in college, aware that his abilities play at three different NFL levels (power running back, multi-purpose fullback, and near prototypical H-back).

I'd be willing to bet the hold up, and his comment about "here or somewhere else" or however it was phrased, are directly tied to the FO's new trend of 4 year deals on all the other late round picks.

He probably doesn't want to lock in on a 4 year deal for fear of being a secondary player here and not getting to reach the heights he aspires to, or worse, being a standout in one of those other roles while locked into a rookie salary. As a result that 4th year is a lot more valuable to him than the other guys. A 7th round FB could easily be the best FB in his draft class, unlike nearly any other position but kicker and punter. Also he could be a solid rotational power RB or even an H-Back, both get paid tons more than a FB.

He's got a much better shot than any of our other late rounders to get big money after his first three years. RFA or not. Hell, if he's even just a solid starter after three years at FB we'd probably give him a qualifying offer that'd get him more money in year 4 than he made in the previous 3 combined. If he winds up actually carrying the ball a lot or playing an H-back role he could make ten times that on the market with a 7th rounder as his lowest tier qualifying offer.

Good post. If he is a standout then it will only work to his favor. He can just hold out saying he outperformed his contract. Especially if we use him on returns, like they said we wanted to, as well as an H-back and a plow, then people will see his value and understand his holding out after a few good seasons. The system is slotted, and while bonuses and escalators can affect that, he can't ask for THAT much more than he is expected to get in the seventh round....

[JCMElway]

You know what, the offseason is WAY too long. When there's no news to be had we start chasing our tail and start creating news where there isn't any. There's no point to discussing cuts until we get to training camp.

Hillis will be at least given the chance to prove himself in camp. Relax people.

[BroncoBuff]

:haw!:
http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/1337/obamakhantu4.jpg



I admit I amuse myself pretty easily ... but that's a classic.

[montrose]

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/1337/obamakhantu4.jpg



I admit I amuse myself pretty easily ... but that's a classic.

Rep!

[Bladerunner]

If that's true about Barrett forcing the issue, then this much ado about nothing (still decent offseason thread, though. :)) I figured they were moving through them by the round they were drafted in and leap-frogged Hillis. It got me suspicious. By the way, how did you know Barrett asked for an expedited signing?

I could have sworn that I read a one or two line quote from Barretts agent stating that he got him signed right away because that is what Josh wanted. I'm combing the desert to find the source, I ain't found shiat. So take what I said with a large grain of salt...I might just be making this all up. I'll keep looking though.

[cmhargrove]

Hillis had a rep for being a fairly confident person in college, aware that his abilities play at three different NFL levels (power running back, multi-purpose fullback, and near prototypical H-back).

I'd be willing to bet the hold up, and his comment about "here or somewhere else" or however it was phrased, are directly tied to the FO's new trend of 4 year deals on all the other late round picks.

He probably doesn't want to lock in on a 4 year deal for fear of being a secondary player here and not getting to reach the heights he aspires to, or worse, being a standout in one of those other roles while locked into a rookie salary. As a result that 4th year is a lot more valuable to him than the other guys. A 7th round FB could easily be the best FB in his draft class, unlike nearly any other position but kicker and punter. Also he could be a solid rotational power RB or even an H-Back, both get paid tons more than a FB.

He's got a much better shot than any of our other late rounders to get big money after his first three years. RFA or not. Hell, if he's even just a solid starter after three years at FB we'd probably give him a qualifying offer that'd get him more money in year 4 than he made in the previous 3 combined. If he winds up actually carrying the ball a lot or playing an H-back role he could make ten times that on the market with a 7th rounder as his lowest tier qualifying offer.

You beat me to it Drek,
It seems the FO is taking the end of the salary cap into consideration with all our new contracts. That means the length and timing of guaranteed money will look a little different this year. That's probably the holdup.
Hopefully, they will give him some extra money in performance bonuses and incentives. I would love to see him succeed in Denver.

[BroncoMan4ever]

You're right. That's a really odd comment if there's not something off-kilter. Or maybe it's just a dumb kid who thinks hes 'gotiatin' by saying stuff like that. If the later, he should keep his mouth shut and let his agent do the work. He only hurts his case with stuff like that.

i think that is a player who just realizes as a 7th rounder on a team that has not been known to use a FB consistently, that he might not make the team and may end up elsewhere

[wolf754life]

i am truly thinking that his agent is probably checking the roster and seeing as there are no really huge talents in either the RB of FB position that Hillis has the ability to probably start, as well as get some reps at RB.

all around Hillis is probably the most complete back on this roster. so with that in mind his agent is probably thinking his client has the potential to be a starter and he is trying to get him more incentives in his deal

if thats the case then we are in BIG BIG TROUBLE!!!

[Memento]

The good folk of Arkan-sauce wonder about Hillis as well. Check out this link:

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

Hey, most fullbacks were super-stud tailbacks in hs and even college (see Howard Griffith), but judging from this article Hillis had a really, really, really (is that enough reallys?) hard time accepting the lack of spotlight that is the FB position.

He knows he's talented. The Broncos know he's talented, they just wonder where his head is: does he want to do the dirty work that FB requires, and is he willing to forego fame, fortune and the ability to steal Jessica Simpson away from Romo.

Makes me think the whole Spencer Larsen to fullback thing was a ploy to "incentive-up" this kid, as he once threatened to move himself to linebacker at Arkan-sauce.

Anyhow, here's the article (complete with all the glory and the white-hot celebrity spotlight falling on SS Junkie and Bronco Militia, who also want to steal Jessica Simpson from Romo):

****************
LIKE IT IS : Plenty to love about Hillis despite strange fall
WALLY HALL
Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008

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.

[Drek]

Good post. If he is a standout then it will only work to his favor. He can just hold out saying he outperformed his contract. Especially if we use him on returns, like they said we wanted to, as well as an H-back and a plow, then people will see his value and understand his holding out after a few good seasons. The system is slotted, and while bonuses and escalators can affect that, he can't ask for THAT much more than he is expected to get in the seventh round....

Sure, if he's a standout he's going to get paid regardless. But as you said, the slotting for a seventh rounder means he's getting pretty little cash for however many years he signs for. A qualifying offer on an RFA would probably eclipse his entire three years of combined salary.

If he's actually good that also means he gets to the payday that much faster.

I'm not saying there is no way he'd take a 4 year deal, but the other late round picks have been positively jumping at them. It isn't the least bit surprising to me that one of them apparently isn't quite so willing to lock himself in at sub-$500K salaries for the long haul. Maybe some performance escalators and/or a bit larger signing bonus is all it'd take to get him to sign a 4 year deal, maybe not. We'll see. Not being signed yet though isn't a good indicator however because your reference for him being late to sign is coming from a group of guys who all jumped at 4 year deals.

Also, holding out isn't always a good alternative and for all we know Hillis is very opposed to the idea of holding out period, from a moral standpoint. A lot of guys are, they see it as you sign the deal you play it out. He could be one of those guys.

Its a clear point of observation that if anyone on our team has the best chance to significantly change his pay grade within 3 years its Hillis. He's starting from next to nothing for an NFL player (7th round slotting) and if he gets a shot and makes it pay off like Droughns or develops into the next Chris Cooley we're talking about a huge difference.

If Cooley was on the market this spring what do you think his average yearly would be? $4M-$5M probably. That is almost 20x what a 7th rounder gets slotted. The potential for him to really cash in after year 3 is just too great for him to give up a 4th year when chances are he'll be at least a solid FB for multiple seasons in the NFL (i.e. little risk to go short term at this point).

[Merlin]

I could have sworn that I read a one or two line quote from Barretts agent stating that he got him signed right away because that is what Josh wanted. I'm combing the desert to find the source, I ain't found shiat...
I remember as well. If I had to bet, I would wager it was one of those articles cited in the threads about the signings a couple of weeks ago. Or maybe I'm easily suggestible ;)

[eddie mac]

What about that epic draft class where the D line was shored up for the future with Aaron Hunt, Bryant McNeil, Nick Eason and Clint Mitchell? Did they offer anyone other than Eason a contract?

They were all signed to contracts. I dont remember the Broncos not signing a drafted rookie in recent history. Given the pittance ($50k-$60k) guaranteed in the form of a SB a 7th rd pick would get it would be idiotic not to give the guy a training camp to prove his worth.

[Killericon]

They were all signed to contracts. I dont remember the Broncos not signing a drafted rookie in recent history. Given the pittance ($50k-$60k) guaranteed in the form of a SB a 7th rd pick would get it would be idiotic not to give the guy a training camp to prove his worth.

Hilarious. The Broncos clean out some meaningless staff that do **** like manage the webpage, and people are screaming about financial doom, and yet 6th rounders who could get cut at any time get 60K guaranteed. What a world...

[BroncoBuff]

People, people ... this guy barely got drafted. Anointing him the next Howard Griffith seems incredibly premature. It would also appear now that he has an attitude problem. How about make the team first (or even the practice squad), then shoot for maybe a Patrick Hape level.

[Conklin]

just to add more fuel to the fire and since we all love henry around here, those from fayetteville also mention of Hillis having more than one child with more than one mother, the typical response is at the number 3!

[BlaK-Argentina]

People, people ... this guy barely got drafted. Anointing him the next Howard Griffith seems incredibly premature. It would also appear now that he has an attitude problem. How about make the team first (or even the practice squad), then shoot for maybe a Patrick Hape level.

Agree 100%.

BTW we could have used Hape in the redzone last year. ROFL!

[chaz]

there is no way a rookie FB gets cut before training camp when the staff can actually evaluate his blocking and physical play for the first time. it would be crazy to cut him before you even see everything he can do.

[BroncoMan4ever]

[/SIZE][/B]

if thats the case then we are in BIG BIG TROUBLE!!!

are u serious that you think it would be a bad thing if Hillis showed the team that he is the most complete back on the roster?

think about it, great hands, good hard nosed runner, powerful, can block, pick up the blitz.

sure he doesn't have the wiggle or elusiveness of Young but he can take the pounding of being the feature back, if it came down to it. i would rather Shanny use him as a FB though, but if he ended up as our starting RB i would be happy.

[Killericon]

People, people ... this guy barely got drafted. Anointing him the next Howard Griffith seems incredibly premature. It would also appear now that he has an attitude problem. How about make the team first (or even the practice squad), then shoot for maybe a Patrick Hape level.

He was the 4th FB taken; I don't think it's ridiculous to have some hope about the guy.

[Atwater His Ass]

Hope is one thing. Illusions of grandeur are another.

[Killericon]

Hope is one thing. Illusions of grandeur are another.

Well, yeah. But I don't think it's an illusion to imagine him beating out Cecil Sapp for the starting job at some point in the season...

[Conklin]

Broncos | Hillis signs
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:09:45 -0700 The Denver Broncos (http://www.kffl.com/team/15/nfl) announced Wednesday, July 16, that the team signed RB Peyton Hillis (http://www.kffl.com/player/18433/nfl). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.



there ya go

[TheReverend]

Clady, Royal and Lichtensteigerschuleglockenspeilhaus are the only ones left right?

[Paladin]

Having gone to Arkansas, he can probably only write with a crayon in big, block letters. The NFL likes contracts signed in cursive with a pen. Give him time, he's working on it.


Hilarious!

Actually, I thought that happened only to Nebraska grads, but Arkansas it is......


:~ohyah!:

[Inkana7]

People, people ... this guy barely got drafted. Anointing him the next Howard Griffith seems incredibly premature. It would also appear now that he has an attitude problem. How about make the team first (or even the practice squad), then shoot for maybe a Patrick Hape level.

Howard Griffith was a 9th round pick.

:thumbs:

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

Clady, Royal and Lichtensteigerschuleglockenspeilhaus are the only ones left right?

Don't forget Jack Williams.

[Paladin]

Jack M. F. Williams? Is he still around? I thought he had been cut???

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

Jack M. F. Williams? Is he still around? I thought he had been cut???

Had to double check if I spelled that right. Jack Williams 5'9" 180 Kent St. 4.35 in the 40 at his pro-day work out.

[Kaylore]

Broncos | Hillis signs
Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:09:45 -0700 The Denver Broncos (http://www.kffl.com/team/15/nfl) announced Wednesday, July 16, that the team signed RB Peyton Hillis (http://www.kffl.com/player/18433/nfl). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.



there ya go
Good news! That leaves just four.