Peyton Hillis: Is He a One-Year Fluke or a Legit Long-Term Dominating Back?
Peyton Hillis hit the highlight reels big time with his dominating performance against the New England Patriots.
Hillis has been a rock for the Browns this year and could he be the back of the future for the Browns? Inside I give you five reasons why this year is a flash in the pan and why it could be the start of a new era in Cleveland.
Your thoughts on Hillis and the Browns? Put it in the comments.
No. 5 Fluke: Media Hype
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Peyton Hillis has had a good year, there's no denying that, but there was no talk about Hillis until he ran wild on the Patriots.
He's a good running back, but he's going to be overrated after this performance just because it was New England and the media has a fascination with the Patriots when it's being ignored how young, inexperienced and well, weak the Patriots defense is at times.
Hillis isn't awful, but he's not the next Jim Brown either.
No. 5 Dominating: Receiving Threat
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While Hillis is a bruising threat in the backfield, don't forget that he's also a factor in the pass game.
This year, Hillis has 30 grabs out of the flat and even has a receiving touchdown this year. While he's not a Chris Johnson or a LaDainian Tomlinson, he can certainly hurt you if you don't account for him in the passing game.
He may be big, but it doesn't mean all he can do is fall forward.
No. 4 Fluke: Overlooked
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While Peyton Hillis has had some nice games for Cleveland this year, yesterday's game was his big coming out party.
The Patriots had the best record in the league and were rolling along until Hillis steamrolled them and shocked a lot of America by helping upset New England, who people thought was the best team in the league.
Now I think a lot more people will gameplan for Hillis and stack the box to slow him down and make Colt McCoy beat them.
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No. 4 Dominating: Enough Speed To Get By
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While Hillis is a bruising, grinder of a running back, it doesn't mean that he can't beat you down the field for a big score.
Just ask the Patriots, who were on the receiving end of a 34-yard scamper by Hillis during the Browns' rout of the Patriots on Sunday. Hillis isn't Mike Alstott, as good as Alstott was. He does have the ability to make big plays.
That's what keeps him from being a situational back.
No. 3 Fluke: Performances In Losses
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When the Browns lose, Hillis has struggled mightily, and while some of that is on the coaches, it's also because Hillis isn't the type of back to get you back into games.
In only one of the Browns losses, a loss to the Ravens, did Hillis break 100 yards and that was his 144 yard performance, which was his best of the year. In the Browns' last two losses, he gained a combined 110 yards on the ground.
Colt McCoy can't throw them back into games, he needs to help out. But again, the coaches have to help too.
No. 3 Dominating: Performances in Big Wins
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Excluding the Saints game I just mentioned, Hillis has showed up for some big games.
Hillis ran over the Bengals and the Ravens, both division rivals and games that are very important, even if the Ravens won that game. He also ran over the Patriots, which was a statement win and likely saved Eric Mangini's job.
He has been Cleveland's best offensive player this year.
No. 2 Fluke: Performances Against Good Defenses
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Peyton Hillis' two biggest games came against Baltimore and New England.
Those two teams are 13th and 20th against the run respectively. Not exactly what you'd call stout defenses against opposing running backs. On the other hand, against tougher run defenses like Pittsburgh and Atlanta, both of which are in the top 10, Hillis ran for 69 yards combined in those two games.
Hillis also struggled against the Saints, who are poor defense against the run. Not exactly numbers you want on your resume.
No. 2 Dominating: Past Success
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It's not like Peyton Hillis hasn't had a period of success before this big day against the Patriots.
Back with Denver, Hillis had a solid year taking over because of injury for the Broncos. Hillis had four games in a row in 2008 in which he found the end zone and was a big hit in Denver until he suffered an injury and missed the rest of the season.
He's done it before, the Broncos just had no faith in him I suppose. Either that or they love them some Brady Quinn.
No. 1 Fluke: Running Style
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Peyton Hillis has a bruising, contact-embracing running style. Those type of backs don't exactly end up staying around in the league too long.
Contact wears running backs down. Ask Shaun Alexander and Eddie George how they broke down after years of contact. While Hillis doesn't have as many miles on the tires as those two, it's a style that leads to injuries and wears backs down quicker.
Hillis isn't a great long-term investment, but then again that term doesn't go with running backs all too often with their career life spans.
No. 1 Dominating: Better The More He Gets The Ball
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When you give Peyton Hillis 20 or more touches, he's going to put up big numbers for you, plain and simple.
There's been three games where that's happened and he's had big games in all three. Combined, he rushed for 430 yards and four touchdowns. When he's gotten less touches, he hasn't performed as well and hasn't topped 100 yards in any of those games.
Hillis is the type of back that can ice games for you.
Conclusion
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Hillis is more of a fluke than a long-term solution at running back.
He's not a terrible back, he's proven that. However, he's not an every down back. The Browns need a speedy back to go along with Hillis. His running style will get him dinged up eventually and while he's performed well while going through a tough workload, I don't believe he can keep that up for years.
The Browns should try and couple him with a speed back and try to make that work.
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