NFL Rumors: Cleveland Browns Foolish to Consider Franchise Tag on Peyton Hillis

The Cleveland Browns are flirting with foolish ends by contemplating a franchise tag on last year's bust Peyton Hillis. 

Mary Kay Cabot of the Plain Dealer reports this is exactly what is floating around the front office, as if it were a good idea that should get some sort of attention. 

In reality, it's a horrible idea that should be swept under the rug and forgotten before it can do anymore damage. Cabot writes. 

"

He (Pat Shurmur) said the Browns are willing to use the franchise tag one of several players. A source told The Plain Dealer they'll franchise D'Qwell Jackson if they can't sign him to a multi-year deal...If they do sign him, they have the option of using the tag on another player, such as...Peyton Hillis. 

"

If you thought that wasn't enough praise for Hillis, consider the quote the report cites from head coach Pat Shurmur. 

"

I really liked what I saw when he was in there playing healthy.

"

Injuries and quite possibly a Madden cover jinx may have played into Hillis' downfall, but there is no denying he took a few steps back after a remarkable 2010. 

In that year he ran for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns, but this past season he was only able to run for 587 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games played. 

The drop in production is concerning, but it's downright alarming when you consider the Browns' options regarding their running back. 

ESPN Jamison Hensley writes on the possibility of a franchise tag, and he is as befuddled as I am. 

"

While using the franchise tag on Jackson is a smart move, it would be a crazy one to put the tag on Hillis...you can't think it's the right move to put the franchise tag on him. It will cost the Browns $7.7 million for one year. Cleveland can let Hillis become a free agent and sign him back for less than that. It would be a classic case of overspending.

"

That is just one point, and a great one. The other possibility is the far better and younger option in Trent Richardson. 

The NFL Draft looms with a myriad of questions as to where the top teams will go, and the Browns are one of them. 

Most pundits have the Browns nabbing Robert Griffin III in what would be a clear sign that they have no faith left in Colt McCoy. 

Other think they are dead set on Trent Richardson, a running back built like a rock that is near impossible to bring down. 

With Richardson, there would be no need to lock up a player like Hillis whose brilliant season is well behind him. Now is not the time to hope for a rebound, rather it's a time to look forward to a bright future for this franchise. 

Follow @gabezal