Denver Broncos blog, news and rumors


FB

[hype it up!]
[Share with Yardbarker]

Published on 04/06/2009 at Mon Apr 06 11:05.
Tagged: ,,,,,,.



Peyton Hillis Meet the Spread Offense

Posted Mon Apr 6th by

Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis

Peyton Hillis was 6 feet 2 inches tall, 240 pounds heavy, running a 4.57 forty entering draft day in 2008. Many draftniks had Hillis as their top fullback, and they projected he would be taken somewhere around round 4. Just like many great players do, Hillis fell to the 7th round where Denver gladly decided to take him. Due to the erratic injuries all several of the running backs took this season, Hillis landed himself a starting job. This southern gentlemen was the first back to rush over 100 yards against the Jets monstrous defensive line, and averaged 5 yards a carry before his fantastic catch against Kansas City, which lead to an injury. Many believe, including myself, that if Hillis never suffered that injury Denver would have found themselves in the playoffs. This would most likely have kept Mike Shanahan and Jay Cutler in the Mile High city. However this is not the case. Now Denver fans are left to wonder what will happen in the wake of a completely new team. Lucky for Peyton Hillis, Josh McDaniels’ spread offense is a perfect fit. Need more proof? Match Peyton Hillis up against New England back Kevin Faulk.

Hillis vs Faulk

Comparison Peyton Hillis Kevin Faulk
Drafted 7th round 2008 2nd round 1999
Speed 4.57 in 2008 4.57 in 1999
Strength 225×26 reps in 2008 225×34 reps in 1999
Games Played 12 15
Total Yards 522 993
2008 yards p/carry 5.0 6.1
Highlights Click here Click here

Statistically, Faulk was the better player in 2008. However, due to factors such as experience, injury, and a better suited system it is hard to truly rate the better. After watching the two highlight reels you see the similarities between the two backs. Hillis and Faulk both posses great catching skills for their position which makes them very dangerous in the spread offense. When players such as Brandon Marshall, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Stokley are covered Hillis in the screen is almost an instant first down. You will not find Peyton carrying the rock every down next season, but he will be used often enough to generate a lot dynamic plays. As you saw in the Faulk reel he has the capability to break one up the middle for a huge gain. You’ll see a huge hole on one of the plays, which Matt Prater could have ran through, but this is the style of the system. Denver’s offensive line is superior to New England’s, so look for this play to be more successful. Faulk was also put against defensive backs, something Hillis has shown skill at. This style of a back is the wildcard of this offense, when Hillis is in the backfield the defense will always have to be on edge because of his versatility. I believe Hillis to be the better player and he will flourish in this system.

What do you think Denver fans? Will Hillis have an amazing year next season? Will he be the Kevin Faulk of Denver?

←  Older Comments
 →
  • milehighs

    trade

  • broncoNM

    I agree with most posts that Hillis will flourish in this system…He has size and versatility and will be a great check down option for Orton. The kevin faulk comparison is interesting and i agree. This offense should be able to get him plenty of touches without having to just hand the ball to him in the backfield like a traditional HB/FB. Even at FB he will be an added weapon that can catch the ball out of the backfield. I think mr. east is right that we will see hillis have alot of games with 20-50 yards rushing and 20-50 yards receiving.

  • http://myspace.com/paraleipsis jchase8410

    Wow, I can understand Horvil Tiki’s post way easier than this milehighs person. Obviously English is not his/her first language, but wow!

  • jcampb72

    I think moreno would be a sick compliment to hillis, but with the crowded backfield I doubt we take him. Too bad too, we are going to need a special, game breaking rb this year. I think moreno fits the bill.

  • jcampb72

    Joe H. Jason Campbell was quoted as being “pissed.” so yeah he is a crybaby.

  • Joe H.

    Did he demand to be traded?? AHH that would be NO!!!!!

  • Joe H.

    Milehighs, I don’t know where you get your info at,but from what I’ve heard and read Hillis will not be traded!!

  • http://BroncoTalk.net Mr.East

    jcampb,

    Actually a source close to Jason Campbell said that he was pissed. Also Campbell supposedly said that he was going to user that anger to make himself a better quarterback. That doesn’t sound like a crybaby to me. A crybaby would talk to the local news channel and tell Sonny Jorgenson “I know what’s going on, I know what they’re trying to do, if they’re going to trade me so be it.”

  • Pingback: Predominantly Orange | A Denver Broncos Blog » Blog Archive » Pre Draft Broncos Links()

  • Estes2SD

    Orton is a really good QB. I went to Purdue the same time he did. He is a down to Earth guy that likes to drink beer and if he had the same team that Brees had they would have been Rose Bowl Bound as well. Cheer on Orton guys he did well living up to Brees’s legacy at Purdue I think he will do well living up to Elway’s in Denver. By the way Orton led Purdue to there first victory in South Bend over Quinn in over 40 years. Something that Brees was not able to accomplish.

  • http://broncotalk.net/2008/12/denver-broncos-to-draft-12th-in-2009-nfl-draft/ bronc nation

    Mr. East what do you think the chances are that quinn ends up in denver at the end of draft day?

  • the expert

    Yes you take a runing back especially if one of the top 2 backs Wells or Moreno at 18. Remember Emmitt Smith 17th pick first round. Hey how about Sanchez at 12 if there and Wells or Moreno 18 just like the cowboys after the Herschel trade back in the day…….

←  Older Comments
 →