Cleveland Browns: The Best Part About Peyton Hillis Is Lawrence Vickers

While Josh Cribbs, Peyton Hillis and Colt McCoy are the poster boys for the new Browns, there is still one player that has been pushing this team forward. Lawrence Vickers is by the far the most underrated fullback there is the game today. He is also the best blocking fullback in the game and he is content with being the plow for the truck behind him.

I am not saying that Cribbs, Hillis or McCoy don't deserve the credit they are getting. They are very good players that I am happy are on this team. Yet all three of those guys would be nothing without Vickers. He gives McCoy time and sometimes an emergency dump off. Vickers opens giant holes for both Cribbs and Hillis.

Hillis is a tough S.O.B, but Vickers is tougher. Hillis is packing tape to Vickers' duct tape. I love Peyton Hillis and have been a fan since I heard of the trade, but every play that I see where he busts a big gain or pushes for those few yards to run the clock, 90 percent of the time you can see Vickers lining up right in front of Hillis to push would be tacklers away. When watching Hills highlights (yes, there are are some all ready), on almost every play you can see Vickers demolishing somebody. 

Vickers is in his fifth season, all with the Browns. He was drafted in the sixth round! For such a crucial part of this team, that is a steal. I hate mentioning this name, but he was the leading blocker for Jamal Lewis when he went for 1,300 yards in 2007. Ask any football guru and they will tell you that you do not get a running back over a thousand yards in a season unless they have a good fullback.

Vickers' career stats are dismal. He has 32 carries and 85 yards in five years. He may not be the best running fullback in the league, but man, can he hit. Watch the video of  Hillis' recent 35-yard scamper against the Patriots. You can see and hear big No. 47 seal off the end. After you see Hillis bust it outside where there is no D-End because of Vickers.

Vickers is the man. He is the essence of how the Cleveland Browns should play and hit people. I hope he stays on this team for many years and gets Hillis a couple thousand yard seasons and please, oh please, a ring.