NFL Trade Deadline: Why Peyton Hillis Makes Sense for Detroit Lions

This has been one crazy year for fans in Michigan.

This has also been one great year to be a displaced Detroit fan. I have been treated to near perfection from my teams, something that gives me some serious pep in my step in the Pacific Northwest.

While Portland is engulfed by Timbers-mania (I struggle so hard to get into that sport, although the private box I was treated to by the good people at Coca-Cola sure was a blast) and the likelihood of a cancelled Blazers season, I have been treated to some serious props by fans in this town that like a winner.

No longer do people ask if I am being ironic for wearing a Lions cap. Instead, there is genuine excitement surrounding our teams.

The coup d' grat was last Monday night's game, and more importantly the second half. The Lions exploded on offense, breaking open a game that threatened to be very close until the end.

Perhaps the most interesting development as far as Lions fans are concerned was the breakout performance of running back Jahvid Best, who brushed off accusations by some (myself included) that he was injury prone and perhaps may never turn into the back the Lions thought he would be.

Best showed the home run ability that the Lions have not seen since the greatest running back of our time, Barry Sanders, retired over a decade ago.

Best exploded out of the line like he was shot from a cannon, breaking for two huge runs.

So why is this article calling for the Lions to add another back?

The problem was not the big play by Best. The problem is every other time the Lions try to run.

Best is a great change-of-pace back, but he is probably not suited for running on every down. He is a unique talent, not unlike Reggie Bush, who should be utilized to the best of his abilities. And that does not appear to be 20-plus carries up the middle.

This brings us to Peyton Hillis.

Why Hillis?

Hillis, to those that don't know, is a beast of a running back that calls to mind a faster version of Mike Alstott. He attacks the line of scrimmage with reckless abandon and seemingly searches out defenders for contact.

Hillis represents an every down back that can help the running game by getting the short gains that have eluded the Lions, and can help the passing game by further opening up the play action threats.

So why is he available?

Hillis is in the midst of a bitter contract dispute with the Browns. It has gotten so ugly that people are claiming that he missed a game two weeks ago due to his contract status, not the strep throat that was reported.

People are acting as though this illness was just a scratchy throat that was mildly inconvenient.

Sure, it is rare to hear of a player being sidelined by strep, but anyone that has had it knows it is no fun. Besides, Hillis has brought real excitement to Cleveland, why turn on him now?

The fact of the matter is that Hillis is a young, talented, powerful back that any team would be glad to have. And the Lions are uniquely set up to pursue him.

So what would it take to pry Hillis from Cleveland?

Cleveland likely will want at least one good draft pick for him, and probably a position player to boot. This is where it gets tricky for Detroit. They probably can spare a decent draft pick, probably a third-round pick, but the position player is another thing altogether.

The only place the Lions are truly deep is on the defensive line, and that represents a huge strength for the team.

Would it be worth it for Detroit to give the Browns someone like Sammie Hill? Perhaps the Browns would take a Nate Burleson and draft pick.

Regardless, the situation in Cleveland is such that Hillis likely will be moved and the Lions need to jump on this.

Hillis will immediately make this a better team, and could mean the difference between a good team on the verge of the playoffs and a great team in a prime position for a deep postseason run.