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***Official*** Ronnie Hillman bandwagon.... (4 Viewers)

'Nero said:
Hillman had a good game, but looks pretty average to me. Even when McGahee is done, I can easily see Denver turning the running game over to someone else. Doesn't have nearly the same outlook as Richardson IMO.
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If this is Daryl Richardson then the answer is no, Hillman doesn't have the same outlook....he has a better one. I've seen both backs at field level and the difference is staggering. Richardson is a speed back, faster than Hillman in a straight line. However, he's not as effective inside and gathers himself when he cuts. At the Players All Star Classic I thought Michael Smith (Utah State, Bucs) looked better because he could make cuts at speed.
 
Hillman is small. Handcuff, yes. RBBC? I don't think that will happen.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Old man Willis is having a great year. On pace for 1,650 total yards, 45 receptions and 9 TDs. FF wise, he's been RB3 two different weeks, RB5 another week, and in the mid teens two other games. Very solid consistency.

 
I talked to John Fox earlier today about Ronnie Hillman, here's what he had to say.



On RBs Ronnie Hillman and Willis McGahee fumbling on Sunday

“We’ll try to do whatever it takes. They’ll buy in. They’re prideful guys, too. It’s not something they’re doing on purpose either.”

On how RB Ronnie Hillman helps the offense, and what he thought of the rookie's performance against the Saints

“It was good. I’ve said all along, Ronnie’s a guy we thought very highly of and that’s why we drafted him. Unfortunately for him and us, he was injured in part of training camp, missed some preseason games so he’s catching up and he’s worked very hard at it. Eric Studesville, our running backs coach, has worked very hard with him as far as the extra time whether it be in the meeting room or on the field. Again, it was trying to bring him along and get him better each and every day and each and every week.”

 
'Cecil Lammey said:
I talked to John Fox earlier today about Ronnie Hillman, here's what he had to say.



On RBs Ronnie Hillman and Willis McGahee fumbling on Sunday

“We’ll try to do whatever it takes. They’ll buy in. They’re prideful guys, too. It’s not something they’re doing on purpose either.”

On how RB Ronnie Hillman helps the offense, and what he thought of the rookie's performance against the Saints

“It was good. I’ve said all along, Ronnie’s a guy we thought very highly of and that’s why we drafted him. Unfortunately for him and us, he was injured in part of training camp, missed some preseason games so he’s catching up and he’s worked very hard at it. Eric Studesville, our running backs coach, has worked very hard with him as far as the extra time whether it be in the meeting room or on the field. Again, it was trying to bring him along and get him better each and every day and each and every week.”
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So what Fox means is he doesn't trust him yet.

 
'ridleyman said:
So if you had to choose which one to trade away in a dynasty league, would you choose Hillman or David Wilson?
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Hillman if you want significant value in return. Now would be the time to trade him as it's possible his value is at a peak atm. Also possible it goes up...
 
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Where does Hillman grade out at this point, rb2 or rb3, would you drop someone like marcel reece or leshoure to pick him up.

 
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'workdog3 said:
This is a real gift if Hillman gets most of the reps as Denver's run schedule bal-year is nice.
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I've watched every Bronco game this year and will be shocked if they give Hillman "most of the reps". He will take over, but I see something like a 60/40 split with Ball. IMOPlease god keep Knoshow on the bench as your In Case of Emergency back.
 
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Hard to say where Moreno's head is at today - but he was playing better on the blitz pickups then Hillman IMO. His size alone may gives him that advantage and he is a better option there than Hillman at this point. But something has been up - and I by no means am advocating his ascendancy to the starting/feature role - but they might give him his last chance here. He may get some carries - but just be prepared for him to limp off the field at any given moment. Who knows maybe it all clicks for him - as a Bronco fan it would be a bonus.

 
As a McGahee owner, I am thinking of putting a waiver claim in for Hillman, then picking up Ball as a FA assuming he makes it.

 
'Ty_Webb said:
As a McGahee owner, I am thinking of putting a waiver claim in for Hillman, then picking up Ball as a FA assuming he makes it.
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I own both McGahee and Hillman in a dynasty and I'm thinking of sticking a claim in for Ball as well. I wouldn't be really comfortable staring any of them this weekend. Hopefully that will provide some clarity on the way this is going to shake out.
 
Per RW:

The Denver Post expects Ronnie Hillman to "get the first call" in Sunday's game against the Chiefs.Hillman has been listed as Willis McGahee's (knee) top backup for weeks now. He's earned the job with explosive outside running ability and by showing well in pass protection. "(Hillman) has improved quite a bit," coach John Fox said Monday. "He's got excellent vision. He's got excellent burst through the hole." The third-round rookie also hasn't lost a fumble all year. We're expecting Hillman to push for 15-18 touches as part of a committee with Lance Ball Sunday.
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Read that article though - talks almost exclusively about how pass protection is first and foremost for Broncos backs. Even expresses concerns about a guy of Hillman's size picking up a LB blitz with a head of steam, or a missed assignment on a DE.

Ball is the bess in pass pro - I'd bet he's on the field a lot. And Moreno is a bit of a sleeper - tore his ACL last November, and is just now getting a year removed from that surgery. Has the pedigree - who knows... maybe it all clicks for him if he gets some opportunities.

Here's the article: Bang it Here

 
Thanks for posting the article. Since I own McGahee in a redraft league and have the top WW spot this week, I'm a little nervous about picking up Hillman. He will definitely get scooped if I don't, but I hate to waste it on a guy who has so much to prove - although 15-18 carries might just be enough. Sounds like all of the RB's are going to have some flex value, and the way Peyton is slinging it around, none of them may get a rushing TD.

 
I'm kind of leaning toward Ball myself, though I do think Hillman gets the biggest opportunity. I just believe Hillman is more effective as a COP back, and would do better with 1/3 of the carries while a bigger guy takes 2/3s of the carries between the tackles. With Ball being bigger, having the clear trust of the coaching staff in pass pro, and already having a bit of a third down role (and I've seen speculation he'll get goalline chances as well), I just believe he may be more valuable, though upside is probably with Hillman.

And again, I wouldn't be terribly shocked to see Moreno work his way into the early down mix... he's stout, solid in pass pro, was one of the best backs in college football a few years ago, and has the draft pedigree. Sure, some of those guys miss terribly, and maybe that's all he is. But he has shown flashes of production in the past... and he's now getting recovered from his ACL injury last November.

Just saying - I wouldn't be surprised if Moreno was similar to Dwyer in Pittsburgh - inactive because he doesn't play STs and isn't as good as a COP, but gets back into the early down mix with McGahee's injury. Fox did say Moreno has looked good in practice, FWIW.

 
Moreno also looked good early in the year on that one touchdown run he scored. I thought we were going to see a lot more of him to be honest, but it never happened.

 
I could see Ball getting more snaps, but he'll be in on the passing plays while Hillman will be in on running plays. The only issue with that is Hillman being in for a running play, followed by a Manning audible to a passing play and Hillman being required to block.

I hope it's Hillman, but he'll be riding my bench this week until I see how it plays out. Cannot afford to start him only to see him go 8-20-0 for the day. Have to see what he can do on a full work load first.

 
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'donkshow said:
I could see Ball getting more snaps, but he'll be in on the passing plays while Hillman will be in on running plays. The only issue with that is Hillman being in for a running play, followed by a Manning audible to a passing play and Hillman being required to block.
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Manning could also audible from a pass play to a Ball running play in these situations.
 
Willis owner with #3 priority tomorrow - should have a good shot as I suspect my league mates will be chasing WR points.

As I said upthread, this dude has is pretty small. I'm just not seeing how he gets more than 10-12 touches. I'll probably ride Spiller and Martin to the finish.

 
Cecil Lammey has stated he believes Hillman will at least get a legit shot if McGahee went out for some reason, so for a guy who follows the Broncos, I think Hillman has to be the pickup with some Ball/Moreno possibly thrown in. In PPR, Hillman will probably be fine, but red zone still seems to be up to Peyton.

It smells like another Reese/Jones debate to me, and Hillman just seems to be in the Reece role right now.

 
All fairness to Cecil here, and he clearly has a pulse on the Broncos, is around them, sees with his own eyes, etc.... he's biased about Hillman, and has been for a long time.

He may very well be right, but I certainly wouldn't expect him to jump ship now after hyping Hillman since the draft. I'm simply saying, we need to recognize the bias and try to view the situation as removed from all bias as we can. I'm not a Denver fan, don't own any of these guys anywhere... just don't see a between-the-tackles runner when I see Hillman with my own two eyes. And, the stats I've seen so far, support that conclusion.

 
'BobbyLayne said:
Willis owner with #3 priority tomorrow - should have a good shot as I suspect my league mates will be chasing WR points.As I said upthread, this dude has is pretty small. I'm just not seeing how he gets more than 10-12 touches. I'll probably ride Spiller and Martin to the finish.
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Same here but 4th priority. Crossing fingers.
 
Based on history, Fox likes his RB vets.

Based on common sense, you err on the side of keeping Manning healthy.

FWIW, I have Hillman in two best ball leagues and fully expect JStew to be my starter more often than Hillman going forward.

 
'BassNBrew said:
Based on history, Fox likes his RB vets.
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That is absolutely true, coming from a Carolina fan. That would point to Ball or Moreno, but Fox also drafted Hillman. He didn't draft these two.If I had the roster space and ability to, I'd probably try to roster all three. Even when Fox talks of a committee, he's almost always favored one guy to get 18-20 touches, and the secondary player to get 10-12. One of these guys will probably emerge with some solid value... just not sure which one.
 
Hillman is startable this week against the Chiefs, is he not? He will get first crack. He has shown the ability to make the big play. He looked great against the Saints. He can catch the ball and make people miss. Lance Ball and Moreno are not the answers. Hillman could be this year's Jamal Charles second half of the season win your league RB pickup.

 
'Leeroy Jenkins said:
Hillman is startable this week against the Chiefs, is he not? He will get first crack. He has shown the ability to make the big play. He looked great against the Saints. He can catch the ball and make people miss. Lance Ball and Moreno are not the answers. Hillman could be this year's Jamal Charles second half of the season win your league RB pickup.
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I disagree with nearly all of this.
 
'Leeroy Jenkins said:
Hillman is startable this week against the Chiefs, is he not? He will get first crack. He has shown the ability to make the big play. He looked great against the Saints. He can catch the ball and make people miss. Lance Ball and Moreno are not the answers. Hillman could be this year's Jamal Charles second half of the season win your league RB pickup.
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I'd pump the brakes here... I disagree with most of this as well.
 
'moleculo said:
'Leeroy Jenkins said:
Hillman is startable this week against the Chiefs, is he not? He will get first crack. He has shown the ability to make the big play. He looked great against the Saints. He can catch the ball and make people miss. Lance Ball and Moreno are not the answers. Hillman could be this year's Jamal Charles second half of the season win your league RB pickup.
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I disagree with nearly all of this.
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:goodposting:
 
'Leeroy Jenkins said:
Hillman is startable this week against the Chiefs, is he not? He will get first crack. He has shown the ability to make the big play. He looked great against the Saints. He can catch the ball and make people miss. Lance Ball and Moreno are not the answers. Hillman could be this year's Jamal Charles second half of the season win your league RB pickup.
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I agree with almost all of this.
 
Definitely on the bandwagon. I think Hillman has the skills to be an NFL every-down back. I know the concern is his size, at a listed 190 (though he was listed at 200 for the combine) but blitz pickup and pass protection for a RB don't require a huge back. Darren Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew do great work in pass protection. Frankly, with a QB like Manning and his release speed and vision, a RB needs to be able to give him an extra half second to a second. I think Hillman can handle that if he buckles down on learning the protections.

Been holding this guy since the draft, so I'm hoping he turns out to be what I think he is. Could be a real difference-maker in the fantasy playoffs.

 
You'd have to think that Manning will be able to run the stretch play with great effectiveness with Hillman. If he can get past the first level of those seven man fronts, he's going to be gone before you know it.

 
Bandwagon depends on a team's options. I had McGahee, my bench consists of Jennings, F Jax and Hillman (hopefully, pending a waiver claim). So yes I am on the bandwagon, don't really have much of a choice. Although there are a couple interesting other FA's, like Brown (Phi) and Parmlee. I just don;t think either of those guys hold down the job for more than a week, whereas Hillman has a chance to get 15+ carries from here through the playoffs.

 
'Ty_Webb said:
Bandwagon depends on a team's options. I had McGahee, my bench consists of Jennings, F Jax and Hillman (hopefully, pending a waiver claim). So yes I am on the bandwagon, don't really have much of a choice. Although there are a couple interesting other FA's, like Brown (Phi) and Parmlee. I just don;t think either of those guys hold down the job for more than a week, whereas Hillman has a chance to get 15+ carries from here through the playoffs.
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Agree with this to some extent. I think the ceiling is low for Ball. Moreno is a non-factor in the equation. Yippee, he'll be active for the first time since September, wouldn't expect much from a guy who has lost the confidence of the franchise. Hillman, on the other hand, has a higher ceiling than any of the three. He may not get enough opportunity, but if he produces like C.J. Spiller has in a time share, he stands a chance to get a heavier load. Don't see that happening with the other two.But it may be none of the Denver RBs will be fantasy relevant. This is a choose your man and hold situation, and we'll all just have to wait to see how it plays out. Great schedule but none of them are worthy of a flex play this weekend if you have other options.
 
'Ty_Webb said:
Bandwagon depends on a team's options. I had McGahee, my bench consists of Jennings, F Jax and Hillman (hopefully, pending a waiver claim). So yes I am on the bandwagon, don't really have much of a choice. Although there are a couple interesting other FA's, like Brown (Phi) and Parmlee. I just don;t think either of those guys hold down the job for more than a week, whereas Hillman has a chance to get 15+ carries from here through the playoffs.
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I'm in the same situation but I have the highest waiver priority which I guess is good and bad. I keep reading things like Hillman will be a flex play at best, splitting carries, etc, but I'm needing a long term play here instead of a one week wonder. Half of the fantasy sports writers make it sound like Hillman is the top add this week, and then reading this thread makes you pretty nervous about it. I guess if you are on the brink of not making the playoffs, you may have to go for the gold and get one of the other guys that have less competition for carries (this coming week). It will be my luck that I pick up Hillman and he gets hurt while someone else gets Parmele who is named the starter for the ROS after going for 125 and 2TDs against Tennessee!
 
'BobbyLayne said:
'Ty_Webb said:
Bandwagon depends on a team's options. I had McGahee, my bench consists of Jennings, F Jax and Hillman (hopefully, pending a waiver claim). So yes I am on the bandwagon, don't really have much of a choice. Although there are a couple interesting other FA's, like Brown (Phi) and Parmlee. I just don;t think either of those guys hold down the job for more than a week, whereas Hillman has a chance to get 15+ carries from here through the playoffs.
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Agree with this to some extent. I think the ceiling is low for Ball. Moreno is a non-factor in the equation. Yippee, he'll be active for the first time since September, wouldn't expect much from a guy who has lost the confidence of the franchise. Hillman, on the other hand, has a higher ceiling than any of the three. He may not get enough opportunity, but if he produces like C.J. Spiller has in a time share, he stands a chance to get a heavier load. Don't see that happening with the other two.But it may be none of the Denver RBs will be fantasy relevant. This is a choose your man and hold situation, and we'll all just have to wait to see how it plays out. Great schedule but none of them are worthy of a flex play this weekend if you have other options.
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Yes I know this is the wrong forum, but quickly before everyone gets on me about it... Do you see broyles, with Titus out, a better flex option than Hillman?? Otherwise ill be forced to flex Hillman. 12 team standard league.

 
'anicholsnj said:
'BobbyLayne said:
'Ty_Webb said:
Bandwagon depends on a team's options. I had McGahee, my bench consists of Jennings, F Jax and Hillman (hopefully, pending a waiver claim). So yes I am on the bandwagon, don't really have much of a choice. Although there are a couple interesting other FA's, like Brown (Phi) and Parmlee. I just don;t think either of those guys hold down the job for more than a week, whereas Hillman has a chance to get 15+ carries from here through the playoffs.
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Agree with this to some extent. I think the ceiling is low for Ball. Moreno is a non-factor in the equation. Yippee, he'll be active for the first time since September, wouldn't expect much from a guy who has lost the confidence of the franchise. Hillman, on the other hand, has a higher ceiling than any of the three. He may not get enough opportunity, but if he produces like C.J. Spiller has in a time share, he stands a chance to get a heavier load. Don't see that happening with the other two.But it may be none of the Denver RBs will be fantasy relevant. This is a choose your man and hold situation, and we'll all just have to wait to see how it plays out. Great schedule but none of them are worthy of a flex play this weekend if you have other options.
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Yes I know this is the wrong forum, but quickly before everyone gets on me about it... Do you see broyles, with Titus out, a better flex option than Hillman?? Otherwise ill be forced to flex Hillman. 12 team standard league.
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Violation of TSP TOS, etc.I do see Broyles as a better option this week because I don't think Mike Thomas has established trust with Stafford. It's not a no-brainer, though - freaking Tony Scheffler got 10 targets last weekend.

 
'Sabertooth said:
You'd have to think that Manning will be able to run the stretch play with great effectiveness with Hillman. If he can get past the first level of those seven man fronts, he's going to be gone before you know it.
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:goodposting: He should be great in the stretch hiding behind the oline and making cuts.
 
'Henry Ford said:
Definitely on the bandwagon. I think Hillman has the skills to be an NFL every-down back. I know the concern is his size, at a listed 190 (though he was listed at 200 for the combine) but blitz pickup and pass protection for a RB don't require a huge back. Darren Sproles and Maurice Jones-Drew do great work in pass protection. Frankly, with a QB like Manning and his release speed and vision, a RB needs to be able to give him an extra half second to a second. I think Hillman can handle that if he buckles down on learning the protections.Been holding this guy since the draft, so I'm hoping he turns out to be what I think he is. Could be a real difference-maker in the fantasy playoffs.
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Seriously? Do you not recognize the differences in body types between Sproles/MJD and Hillman? Those dudes are fire hydrants - rocked up all over. Hillman looks like a high school kid before he hits the weights in a college program (comparitively speaking). I just don't see the thick lower half on Hillman to suggest he can run inside. I thought he had talent to do so, but needed at least a year in an NFL conditioning program to add thickness to his lower half, as much as that's possible.Yes he'll be effective on stretch plays designed to run to the edges of a defense, but I don't see consistent, between the tackles production from him. I think he's best in his COP role... and I'd bet we see Moreno/Ball taking a healthy share of the carries inside, much like Willis.
 
'JFS171 said:
All fairness to Cecil here, and he clearly has a pulse on the Broncos, is around them, sees with his own eyes, etc.... he's biased about Hillman, and has been for a long time.

He may very well be right, but I certainly wouldn't expect him to jump ship now after hyping Hillman since the draft. I'm simply saying, we need to recognize the bias and try to view the situation as removed from all bias as we can. I'm not a Denver fan, don't own any of these guys anywhere... just don't see a between-the-tackles runner when I see Hillman with my own two eyes. And, the stats I've seen so far, support that conclusion.
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How am I biased?I'm not a Broncos fan. I just get to watch practice every week, talk to John Fox and the players each week, etc. My observations form my opinion. I'm also one of very few people on this board that have seen every carry from Hillman in college and as a pro. Hillman is the lead back, Ball gets short yardage/GL looks, Moreno gets a small handful of touches is what I believe will happen.

 
'Cecil Lammey said:
'JFS171 said:
All fairness to Cecil here, and he clearly has a pulse on the Broncos, is around them, sees with his own eyes, etc.... he's biased about Hillman, and has been for a long time.

He may very well be right, but I certainly wouldn't expect him to jump ship now after hyping Hillman since the draft. I'm simply saying, we need to recognize the bias and try to view the situation as removed from all bias as we can. I'm not a Denver fan, don't own any of these guys anywhere... just don't see a between-the-tackles runner when I see Hillman with my own two eyes. And, the stats I've seen so far, support that conclusion.
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How am I biased?I'm not a Broncos fan. I just get to watch practice every week, talk to John Fox and the players each week, etc. My observations form my opinion. I'm also one of very few people on this board that have seen every carry from Hillman in college and as a pro. Hillman is the lead back, Ball gets short yardage/GL looks, Moreno gets a small handful of touches is what I believe will happen.
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Cecil, any indication to Hillman's workload? Is 20 touches possible?
 
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