Payton Hillis = Tom Rathman

[illbroncsfn]

It may just be me, but whenver I see Hillis play his game favorably compares to former 49er/faider FB, and current Lions RB Coach Tom Rathman. I do believe that Hillis has a little bit more burst than Rathman did, but if Payton could produce like Rathman did throughout his careers we have one of the steals of the 08 draft on our current roster

Peyton w/an E

[telluride]

pEyton.

[illbroncsfn]

my Illinois bias always slants in favor of Walter....my bad

[sixtimeseight]

Jesus... he hasn't played a down in a real game and you're comparing him to one of the best FBs of all time. Come on.

[illbroncsfn]

the verbage used was that Peyton Hillis compares favorably w/Tom Rathman's skill set- nothing wrong w/being excited about finally having a true FB in our starting backfield for the first time in a few years - (Kyle Johnson was never a thumper ala H.Griffith)

[CasinoRoyal]

Yeah man i dont know if hes a HOF yet but hes gonna be damn good.

[illbroncsfn]

Rathman was/is not a HOF player..... Hillis is Just a true west coast FB w/the size, speed, blocking, and hands skill set that we have been missing fow way too long!!!

[cutthemdown]

Hillis has potential but once again he's being crowned a steal way to soon. Let's see how he plays but I agree he looks very promising.

He did miss some blocks here and there but at least he makes a big collision when he hits people. That's something Sapp didn't seem to understand. You don't just run into the guy you have to try and blow him up 100% of the time.

[CasinoRoyal]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

Hillis has potential but once again he's being crowned a steal way to soon. Let's see how he plays but I agree he looks very promising.

He did miss some blocks here and there but at least he makes a big collision when he hits people. That's something Sapp didn't seem to understand. You don't just run into the guy you have to try and blow him up 100% of the time.

I watched Hillis pancake a few guys the other night consistantly.

Dude brigns the thunder

[Man-Goblin]

Crown his ass.

[cmhargrove]

If the Hillis pick was intended for a straight up "blocking back" ala Mack Strong or Lorenzo Neal, the pick was wasted.

Hillis needs to be the next Chris Cooley to be properly utilized. If Hillis catches 30-40 passes this year it will be a boon to our offense. The dude is a playmaker, not just a blocking back. We need to throw him the ball and see what he can do...

[illbroncsfn]

[QUOTE=cmhargrove;2060293]If the Hillis pick was intended for a straight up "blocking back" ala Mack Strong or Lorenzo Neal, the pick was wasted.

Hillis needs to be the next Chris Cooley to be properly utilized. If Hillis catches 30-40 passes this year it will be a boon to our offense. The dude is a playmaker, not just a blocking back. We need to throw him the ball and see what he can do...[/QUOTE

Solid point, We could have signed old Lorenzo Neal if we wanted, or drafted Mr. Mohawk Owen Schmitt earlier in the draft, but w/Hillis we have the opportunity to become a more diversified offense as he is a talented receiver that presents a more difficult matchup for LB's and S's than the typical FB.

[Popps]

It was only one play, but I'm fairly sure our staff learned a little something when he took that short pass from our own goal line and turned it into a first down.

Cecil Sapp is gone for a very good reason.

[CBF1]

Insert token Lombardi trophy picture here

[CasinoRoyal]

Im sure Shanny will utilize all of Hillis skill sets.

[Drek]

[QUOTE=illbroncsfn;2060297]

Originally Posted by cmhargrove

If the Hillis pick was intended for a straight up "blocking back" ala Mack Strong or Lorenzo Neal, the pick was wasted.

Hillis needs to be the next Chris Cooley to be properly utilized. If Hillis catches 30-40 passes this year it will be a boon to our offense. The dude is a playmaker, not just a blocking back. We need to throw him the ball and see what he can do...[/QUOTE

Solid point, We could have signed old Lorenzo Neal if we wanted, or drafted Mr. Mohawk Owen Schmitt earlier in the draft, but w/Hillis we have the opportunity to become a more diversified offense as he is a talented receiver that presents a more difficult matchup for LB's and S's than the typical FB.

That is the kind of FB Shanahan wants though. I just hope they put that kind of focus on him in the offense.

Hillis should be getting all those garbage TDs that Hape and Carswell used to pick up for us every year, that red zone sucker punch. At the same time he could also be an effective between the tackles runner and check down option for Cutler.

He's got all the skills to be a perfect compliment in this offense. He isn't likely to be a star, but if we put the ball in his hands 10-15 times a game between rushing plays and hitting him on slants and screens out of the backfield I think we'll all be very pleased with what we see.

Cooley isn't a perfect match up to me because I think Hillis is a much better runner while Cooley is a better in line blocker and down field receiver. Similar concept though, the jack of all trades back who fills a ton of holes for an offense.

[goldengopher1976]

[QUOTE=Drek;2060319]

Originally Posted by illbroncsfn

That is the kind of FB Shanahan wants though. I just hope they put that kind of focus on him in the offense.

Hillis should be getting all those garbage TDs that Hape and Carswell used to pick up for us every year, that red zone sucker punch. At the same time he could also be an effective between the tackles runner and check down option for Cutler.

He's got all the skills to be a perfect compliment in this offense. He isn't likely to be a star, but if we put the ball in his hands 10-15 times a game between rushing plays and hitting him on slants and screens out of the backfield I think we'll all be very pleased with what we see.

Cooley isn't a perfect match up to me because I think Hillis is a much better runner while Cooley is a better in line blocker and down field receiver. Similar concept though, the jack of all trades back who fills a ton of holes for an offense.

Not enough to go around for him to see that much action. 5 touches should suffice.

[Drek]

[QUOTE=goldengopher1976;2060357]

Originally Posted by Drek

Not enough to go around for him to see that much action. 5 touches should suffice.

Probably not, but I think we'll see a few games like that here and there.

Its going to be tough on Jay to divvy the touches up between all his weapons. Marshall is an obvious target, Young is going to get a good number of carries as long as he stays healthy, and we get some free touches for Royal returning, but Scheffler, Stokley, Jackson, Graham, and Hillis are fighting over basically the same pool of receptions.

I wouldn't be surprised if we see a different hero every week. One week Scheffler goes for 5 receptions, 80 yards, and 2 TDs. Next week Hillis gives us 5 carries and 4 catches for a combined 90 yards and a TD each way, after that we see Stokely hit some bombs and break a hundred on only 4 or 5 catches with a TD or two.

That is what we should be hoping for. A solid 5-7 catches and 70 yards a game from Marshall, 18-22 carries and 80 yards a game from Young, and an ensemble cast of supporting heroes every week. That is how we'll develop a real high powered offense and keep opposing defenses on their toes from week to week.

[Paladin]

I don't remember who played FB in the old 49ers' O when Shanahan was there. That should cue the type of FB Shanahan wants in his O. Maybe Shanahan has thought of ways to expand the WCO and is trying to put together the elements of the better parts of that O.

To be honest, I don't think we saw much of the O that Shanahan thinks he has now during the preseson, and that is the basis fo his "Playoffs" talk. Hillis is one part of that.....

[Play2win]

He reminds me of Mike Alstott. Doesn't Hillis remind anybody else of him?

[Paladin]

Edit: It was Rathman....DUH!!!!

[cmhargrove]

[QUOTE=Drek;2060319]

Originally Posted by illbroncsfn

That is the kind of FB Shanahan wants though. I just hope they put that kind of focus on him in the offense.

Hillis should be getting all those garbage TDs that Hape and Carswell used to pick up for us every year, that red zone sucker punch. At the same time he could also be an effective between the tackles runner and check down option for Cutler.

He's got all the skills to be a perfect compliment in this offense. He isn't likely to be a star, but if we put the ball in his hands 10-15 times a game between rushing plays and hitting him on slants and screens out of the backfield I think we'll all be very pleased with what we see.

Cooley isn't a perfect match up to me because I think Hillis is a much better runner while Cooley is a better in line blocker and down field receiver. Similar concept though, the jack of all trades back who fills a ton of holes for an offense.

Just an argument about the receiver thing.
Last year, Hillis had 49 receptions for 539 yards. That's about 42 yards per game receiving.
Last year Cooley had 66 receptions for 786 yards in three more games. That's about 49 yards per game receiving.

I think Hillis is a major pass receiving threat. With him on the field as a starter, he might even become the undoing of Scheffler. I like Tony, but right now, he is the third TE. Hillis should see more plays than Tony in the short term, its up to him to make the most of it.

If they are really going to use him to his best, they will sometimes split him out in the slot when they empty the backfield. It will be a fun season to watch with so many weapons - and the fact that Cutler now has time to throw.

Sorry, here is my edit - Hillis pass catching highlights (we posted this one a lot right after the draft).

[cmhargrove]

Originally Posted by DS49

He reminds me of Mike Alstott. Doesn't Hillis remind anybody else of him?

Not yet.

[skpac1001]

I am with those who expect great things out of Hillis. He has some work to do still in blocking and needs experience, but I think he will make a much bigger impact then most expect. He has the perfect skill set to make an impact, and I think the our team is in a great position to make the most of those skills. Red zone offense and check downs should be much more fun then in the past.

[Play2win]

Originally Posted by cmhargrove

Not yet.

Right. But maybe with time... I will keep my hope high!!