View Full Version : Larsen to replace Hillis
Broncosmang
10-07-2008, 05:07 PM
There are lot of other things to consider this week, but I'm really not a huge fan of this move. Shannys logic that because a guy is a big hitter on special teams, he'll automatically be a good blocker really doesn't make sense to me.
Hillis is a much better option as a receiver and runner. I can't remember any blown assignments by him this year. Can we quit with all the needless tinkering for pete's sake?
From the post
Spencer steps up.
Converted rookie linebacker Spencer Larsen has supplanted rookie Peyton Hillis as the Broncos' starting fullback. There had been some question whether the move was temporary because Hillis, the No. 1 fullback through four games, missed practice last Friday and Saturday to attend his grandmother's funeral services in Arkansas.
"Someone had asked me if it was because of the death in his family, and I said no, we were giving it to Larsen," Shanahan said. "We want to give him the opportunity to show what he can do. Anybody that hits like that on special teams can hit those linebackers (as the lead blocker)."
footstepsfrom#27
10-07-2008, 05:09 PM
Agreed...stick him on D and wave a porkchop in front of his face.
FireFly
10-07-2008, 05:13 PM
Maybe this'll turn out great and prove me wrong but I'm completely against this move. Hillis isn't just a blocker, which he can probably still do better than Larsen, he has the potential to be a recieving and rushing threat out of the backfield.
I was/am as high on Larsen as anybody, but as a LB not a FB. Maybe all he'll be is a special teams gunner but that alone is plenty!
Bronx33
10-07-2008, 05:13 PM
I guess big hits impress.
to bad it didn't work for woodyard..
Rock Chalk
10-07-2008, 05:13 PM
Hillis > Larsen.
footstepsfrom#27
10-07-2008, 05:20 PM
I want to see Larsen at MLB and Woodyard at the SS spot in next years training camp.
gyldenlove
10-07-2008, 05:25 PM
I can see the positives and negatives in this move. I see Larsen as more of a thumper in the Lorenzo Neal mold, he runs into people and he runs hard. Hillis is more of a skill guy, he is a more complete player who can carry the ball, catch the ball, make blocks out of the backfield.
I think this is a move to motivate both players, with Scheffler out we may need some complementary recieving and Hillis could play an H-back type role with Larsen seeing the up the middle blocking plays.
Orange_Beard
10-07-2008, 05:27 PM
Another weapon. I don't really care who starts as long as each guy does what he is best at.
Anaximines
10-07-2008, 05:28 PM
Maybe my memory is off but I thought that Mr. Mike Shanahan said something right after that emphasizing that they're just trying Larsen out at FB for the Jags game. Anyway, I still can't imagine that Larsen is much of an improvement (if any) over Hillis at FB... seems like we could use his nose a lot more at LB, especially with this 3-4 stuff. It would be cool to have Boss, Webster, Larsen and DJ on the field at the same time.
Kaylore
10-07-2008, 05:28 PM
Larsen is natural linebacker. Let him be what he is!!!!!
watermock
10-07-2008, 05:31 PM
This is stupid with Shef, Royal and Young injured, and Torian not even close...
tsiguy96
10-07-2008, 05:32 PM
This is stupid with Shef, Royal and Young injured, and Torian not even close...
you're genius reputation is spot on.
ludo21
10-07-2008, 05:36 PM
Whatever to me as well. Let the best players play.
Get WW3 on the field more, I dont care if you classify him as a 4th LB, or Safety, just get him some PT.
ludo21
10-07-2008, 05:37 PM
plus with LArsen at FB, and Young hurt, Hillis could get some carries at RB this week. :strong:
yerner
10-07-2008, 06:03 PM
all the man crushing Hillis is sickening. he ain't blocking for **** and they don't seem to be using him in the passing game.
ozomulsion
10-07-2008, 06:11 PM
all the man crushing Hillis is sickening. he ain't blocking for **** and they don't seem to be using him in the passing game.
But, but, but. Look at our awsome rushing attack, and look at all those receptions Hillis has! Oh wait, you're correct sir!
Peoples Champ
10-07-2008, 06:33 PM
man i though hillis was doing a great job
Schism
10-07-2008, 06:45 PM
I trust Shanahan knows what he's doing here.
Hillis would appear to have the higher upside as an all-round FB, but he's not proven anything yet and if Larsen is impressing in practice then he should get a shot.
My guess is that they like Larsen better as a run blocker at the moment. Our run game needs to improve for later on in the season and hopefully Larsen can help with that.
It'll be interesting to see how this all plays out. Could be a way to motivate Hillis to play tougher? Can't hurt to have Larsen comfortable at the FB position either. One extra roster spot if we have a LB capable of playing as emergency full-back too.
Lolad
10-07-2008, 06:53 PM
But, but, but. Look at our awsome rushing attack, and look at all those receptions Hillis has! Oh wait, you're correct sir!
Hillis is effective in both the run and passing game. He was split out wide on a couple of empty sets. We were told by Cutler that Hillis had probably THE best hands on the team. It gives opposing teams something to gameplan against
FireFly
10-07-2008, 07:01 PM
Hillis is effective in both the run and passing game. He was split out wide on a couple of empty sets. We were told by Cutler that Hillis had probably THE best hands on the team. It gives opposing teams something to gameplan against
He's not slow either
ro_50
10-07-2008, 07:01 PM
I like Hillis a lot. But I don't watch practice. So I'll wait to see how this pans out with Larsen at FB.
But if Hillis is not the starter, will he become an inactive?
SureShot
10-07-2008, 07:03 PM
Sounds like message to Hillis from the little man upstairs.
I like having the rookies fight it out for PT. It will make them better. Maybe Shanahan thinks Hillis is better than he is showing on the field. When you have a young team it is important that the understand that every job is up for grabs.
SureShot
10-07-2008, 07:05 PM
I like Hillis a lot. But I don't watch practice. So I'll wait to see how this pans out with Larsen at FB.
But if Hillis is not the starter, will he become an inactive?
Maybe Shanahan is giving him a week off to grieve. Also, it has always been a rule that those who don't practice don't play.
Ratboy
10-07-2008, 07:15 PM
Larsen is natural linebacker. Let him be what he is!!!!!
This is the big problem I have with Shanahan. He tries to outsmart himself by taking players from their natural position and thinking they'll fit in at another position.
Larsen should be getting playing time as a MLB, throw him in there a few plays a game and see how he does. He's obviously good at shedding blocks, He makes the tackles on special teams, I just don't see the problem.
Atleast ATTEMPT to let him try it out.
Ratboy
10-07-2008, 07:18 PM
IMO, Hillis should be getting rep at the running back position. If you're not starting him at Fullback, let him try to run it 20-25 times a game.
broncosteven
10-07-2008, 07:37 PM
Hillis will move to TE, his Madden # at TE is ****ing 92!
montrose
10-07-2008, 08:39 PM
It's an "active" move as much as anything, IMO. Larsen is always going to be active because of his ST abilities anyway whereas Hillis has been exclusively a FB. If Larsen can be adequate at the FB spot, which we've been using less this season to the 3-WR and 2-TE formations, we can deactivate Hillis in favor of another STer like Louis Green or Vernon Fox.
Tombstone RJ
10-07-2008, 08:57 PM
This is the big problem I have with Shanahan. He tries to outsmart himself by taking players from their natural position and thinking they'll fit in at another position.
Larsen should be getting playing time as a MLB, throw him in there a few plays a game and see how he does. He's obviously good at shedding blocks, He makes the tackles on special teams, I just don't see the problem.
Atleast ATTEMPT to let him try it out.
I agree with you to an extent. I think Shanahan knows that the FB position is really up for grabs, and that right now, only a rookie (Hillis) is the other player competing for that position. It's not the same on the LBer side. There are vets who have alot of experience playing LBer and I don't think Shanahan is gonna upset that chemistry just to get Larsen p.t.
UltimateHoboW/Shotgun
10-07-2008, 09:22 PM
Anybody that hits like that on special teams can hit those linebackers (as the lead blocker
this is the key quote. this has happened before with another 6th rounf draft pick. Terrell Davis. Now I'm not saying that he's going to have the same thing that Davis did for us. But the process is the same. Shannahan is looking for football players and he's going to put every single one of them on the field.
BroncoInferno
10-07-2008, 10:12 PM
I wanted to see them give Hillis a real shot in the passing game. He has real talent as a receiver coming out of the backfield and they have given him no shot at proving that.
Popps
10-07-2008, 10:36 PM
He looked very solid on Sunday. It would be great to see a HoGo type back there for us again, not just a pseudo-FB pass-catcher.
BroncoMan4ever
10-07-2008, 10:36 PM
Why is Shanahan dicking with the offense. It is working just fine with Hillis kicking ass at the FB position.
Larsen is driving people through the ground on ST, put him in on defense, get rid of Nate and put him in.
And if Hillis isn't going to be our FB, let him run the ball. He is a better option at RB and could probably handle the load of 20-25 times a game more than any other guy on the roster.
UltimateHoboW/Shotgun
10-07-2008, 10:53 PM
Why is Shanahan dicking with the offense. It is working just fine with Hillis kicking ass at the FB position.
Larsen is driving people through the ground on ST, put him in on defense, get rid of Nate and put him in.
And if Hillis isn't going to be our FB, let him run the ball. He is a better option at RB and could probably handle the load of 20-25 times a game more than any other guy on the roster.
Are you really asking this question. Why do you think that the last 2 weeks we have only scored 19 and 16 point the the last 2 weeks. Its because people a playing cover 2 and and only 7 in the box. Nobody is afraid of our run. Now stats wise we are ok. We're like top 10 in the run right now. Shannahan knows that just ain't going to cut it toward the end in November and December. Shannahan knows that.
First off, Hillis doesn't have the best hands on the team, I don't care what Cutler said. If he did say that, it was probably just jibber jabber. It's easy to see that Marshall has the best hands. Just when a pass seems like there is no way Marshall can snag it, he does.
I think Larsen did a fine job last week. You have to give the man props, he hits that hole with nasty intentions. He probably isn't the pass catcher or runner Hillis is but to me, he's a guy that could run into a brick wall all day long and ask for more. Those kinds or guys are hard to come by. Well, the ones that can at least pick out a target, which I think he did very well last week. He made a few LB's take a step back after contact.
footstepsfrom#27
10-08-2008, 01:08 AM
First off, Hillis doesn't have the best hands on the team, I don't care what Cutler said. If he did say that, it was probably just jibber jabber. It's easy to see that Marshall has the best hands. Just when a pass seems like there is no way Marshall can snag it, he does.
I think Larsen did a fine job last week. You have to give the man props, he hits that hole with nasty intentions. He probably isn't the pass catcher or runner Hillis is but to me, he's a guy that could run into a brick wall all day long and ask for more. Those kinds or guys are hard to come by. Well, the ones that can at least pick out a target, which I think he did very well last week. He made a few LB's take a step back after contact.
This is the one salient point I agree with. It's been a long time since we had a bruiser at fullback who punished people. Even Howard Griffin was mostly a very good technique blocker who was also a nice safety valve option in the passing game. Old school fullbacks always seem to play for other teams, never the Broncos...finesse guys play here. The last bruiser I remember was Jon Keyworth in the 70's. So MAYBE this represents a good philosophical change...maybe it's just more tinkering with things, who knows?
One thing I do know...that kid can hit. Unless he impresses the living crap out of people in the runnin game with his blocking, this experiement is likely to be short lived. We need this guy on D more than we need him as a lead blocker. We could always situation sub him on the goal line/short yardage situations anyway so I don't see why he can't move to LB where he belongs.
kappys
10-08-2008, 07:44 AM
IMO, Hillis should be getting rep at the running back position. If you're not starting him at Fullback, let him try to run it 20-25 times a game.
I am very curious to see what Hillis could do as a running back. Power backs on teams with top notch vertical passing attacks are very very dangerous.
lookin' glass
10-08-2008, 08:37 AM
I'm curious to see how Hillis handles this. Will want to play here or "somewhere else".
Broncosmang
10-08-2008, 09:41 AM
The Terrell Davis analogy is a complete reach. We didn't see TD make some huge hits on ST and decide to play him at safety or some other position he hadn't played since high school. That's what we're doing with Larsen. So maybe he gets his nose in there a little bit better in the run game.
How's he in pass protection, running the ball and as a receiver out of the back field. If we just wanted a classic bruiser at fullback we should have signed Lorenzo Neal, a guy who stated he wanted to play here.
And the speculation that because a guy is a solid special teams player, he then naturally is a starting caliber player has been disproven over and over again. See Keith Burns, Louis Green, and more recently Niko. We brought Niko here because of his great special teams play in Seattle, but the problem is that he's a liability against the pass. I see Larsen as having similar problems defending the pass.
Br0nc0Buster
10-08-2008, 09:41 AM
It's an "active" move as much as anything, IMO. Larsen is always going to be active because of his ST abilities anyway whereas Hillis has been exclusively a FB. If Larsen can be adequate at the FB spot, which we've been using less this season to the 3-WR and 2-TE formations, we can deactivate Hillis in favor of another STer like Louis Green or Vernon Fox.
Or Jarvis Moss
enjolras
10-08-2008, 09:42 AM
Dissapointing... I really really like Hillis.
montrose
10-08-2008, 09:47 AM
I am very curious to see what Hillis could do as a running back. Power backs on teams with top notch vertical passing attacks are very very dangerous.
With Young and Torain out, he may get that chance.
broncofan7
10-08-2008, 10:08 AM
With Young and Torain out, he may get that chance.
an ALL white NFL backfield???!?!?!?!?!? LOL --In all honesty, perhaps Hillis has some personality quirks that do not engender good will from the coaching staff or teammates? He did have a falling out with his college HC, Houston Nutt I believe............
cmhargrove
10-08-2008, 10:21 AM
People are sure making lots of assumptions about Hillis "losing" his spot.
Let's see how he is used over the next several weeks before we freak out about this.
telluride
10-08-2008, 10:44 AM
an ALL white NFL backfield???!?!?!?!?!? LOL --In all honesty, perhaps Hillis has some personality quirks that do not engender good will from the coaching staff or teammates? He did have a falling out with his college HC, Houston Nutt I believe............
I think every Ark player had a falling out with Houston Nutt.
And add me to the list of people who would like to see Hillis given some reps at RB.
uplink
10-08-2008, 04:16 PM
I agree with the overall sentiment, let Hillis play and use him more in the passing game. Try Larsen out at LB. I think both are going to be good NFL starters.
s0phr0syne
10-08-2008, 04:25 PM
There's no evidence to make believe this will come true, but...
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that since Selvin has been ruled out for this week against the Jags, Shanny lines Larsen and Hillis in the I-formation and pounds it up the middle a few times! Or, that at the very least Hillis gets some touches. He's made great plays for us so far when given the opportunity!
BroncoMan4ever
10-08-2008, 04:35 PM
I agree that Hillis should be given a shot at RB. He is stronger than every RB on the team and probably could handle the pounding of running the ball 20-25 times a game.
He was brought to Arkansas as a RB, but McFadden got there and he was moved to FB. He was great running the ball, catching, lead blocking, and even was a good return man. He would be a real upgrade to our running game because he would bring a power running style and a nasty attitude to our running game.
Stats-wise we are always a top 10 rushing team, but when our running game is at it's best is when we have 1 go-to guy. With Torain out he could be that guy, especially if Larsen is going to get reps at FB.
~Crash~
10-08-2008, 04:44 PM
It's an "active" move as much as anything, IMO. Larsen is always going to be active because of his ST abilities anyway whereas Hillis has been exclusively a FB. If Larsen can be adequate at the FB spot, which we've been using less this season to the 3-WR and 2-TE formations, we can deactivate Hillis in favor of another STer like Louis Green or Vernon Fox.
Hills plays St ..I do still get your point..
Br0nc0Buster
10-08-2008, 04:45 PM
Yeah I would like to see Hillis get some carries at HB. There was at least one time where he fielded a kickoff somehow and plowed forward for some nice yardage.
Maybe he could be like Pittman, except a younger version.
We would have Torain getting the bulk of the load, with Young or Hall spelling him, and Hillis getting the "tough yards"
cabronco
10-08-2008, 04:54 PM
I like Hillis and like him at Fb. The idea of him running the ball for us if Shanahan gives him the chance I wouldnt mind seeing either. Regarding Larsen I believe Shanahan has had wood for him to play FB for whatever reason. Before he was drafted Shanahan talked to Larsen on the phone and asked him if he minded playing or trying FB . Obviously he didnt have a problem with it. But if I remember correctly the last time he played FB was in high school ? I hope it all pans out for the better. If it improves the team Im all for it.
lazarus4444
10-08-2008, 05:14 PM
I'm all for sending Larsen BOOMING into the holes like a howitzer. If he continues to lay some serious wood in the hole then by the 4th quarter LB'ers won't want **** to do with him and that'll make our running game better.
SonOfLe-loLang
10-08-2008, 05:53 PM
I honestly don't understand how anyone here can question this. They see them both play day in and day out. I'll defer to the coaches on this one.
NeverBeenToDenver
10-08-2008, 06:04 PM
I honestly don't understand how anyone here can question this. They see them both play day in and day out. I'll defer to the coaches on this one.
As a Hillis homer, I agree. It's gotta be Larsen hitting those holes, gotta be.
footstepsfrom#27
10-08-2008, 06:19 PM
Somebody mentioned it already...but there's more to FB than smacking LB's in the head leading a runner through the hole. Pass blocking...running routhes...hands...how does Larson stack up in any of those areas? He has done none of that and now he's starting. As for Hilis moving to RB...i'm not sure. This O-line is built for cutback runners, not straight ahead power guys. It seems like their tinkering ought to be on defense right now.
Broncosmang
10-08-2008, 09:40 PM
As a Hillis homer, I agree. It's gotta be Larsen hitting those holes, gotta be.
I usually take that approach as well, but when the reason that Shanny stated as his motivation for the move was Larsen's big hits on special teams, it makes me wonder a little.
Atlas
10-08-2008, 10:29 PM
Wow all this over the FB position... Listen guys it ain't that big a deal. If Larsen sucks Hillis will play. WTF... Larsan is impressing in practice, give him a shot in the games what's the big deal? Hillis hasn't really stood out anyway. Larson has earned the right to at least get a shot. I like Larsun and his attitude. Larsin could be a real game changer for the Broncs.
Hogan11
10-09-2008, 06:33 AM
Give the man a chance
plus with LArsen at FB, and Young hurt, Hillis could get some carries at RB this week. :strong:
good possiblility, Hillis was if fast and agile for his size and looked great at times running the rock in Arkansas.
~Crash~
10-09-2008, 09:31 AM
All I care is the best man wins . I am a Hills homer by the way. but I am happy with both players they both will help the team . I agree with shanahan that larson could be special . I have seen some vidieo of Larson getting low and knocking the o-linmen on there ass on the way to the ball carrier . he looked like a wild pig rooting up some food . I can see why shanahan wants to try him at FB.