This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
cvnpoka pointed out Hillis had 44 touches vs. only 8 for Hardesty before Hillis got sick. I don't think Hillis is some great talent. But I also think it's clear Hillis is going to get the bulk of the work this year when he's healthy.
Don't you think it's possible that when he gets healthy they'll want to keep him healthy by splitting carries?
Possible? Yes. Probable? No. Of course that's just my belief and it's the reason I bought low on Hillis.
This is a thread to actually discuss news pertaining to Hillis and his prospects for returning to the top of the RB rankings. I hope he practices today but it doesn't look good. He did run in the pool yesterday.
well that lasted for 3 posts'Clifford said:
I think you are playing it correctly. Hardesty's biggest problem is not the very low ypc he has posted so far. It is such an alarming inability to pass block that the injured Hillis, whose hammy was so bad that he isn't apparently even going to sniff playing this week, re-entered the game to try to keep McCoy from being killed. That scored big points for Hillis and spoke volumes about Hardesty too. Holmgren made it clear he'd like to have Hillis back. I think they will give Hillis every chance to show the form he had all last season and earn a new contract. They are dangling the carrot. I think Hillis will finish strong after he heals. I just hope he doesn't try to rush back too quickly to answer the criticism and ends up physically not able to play at the level he was at in '10.'Dr. Awesome said:
If you can't catch the ball and you may well get your QB killed you are unlikely to earn a whole lot of playing time. Hardesty needs to play well this week with Hillis out. I'm sure he feels pressure to perform.
As a FYI, the current back-up RB while Hillis is out is Chris Ogbonnaya, who is a fantastic pass catcher for a RB.
The coaching staff won't say it, and the media won't ask, but he was added and Armond Smith demoted to the practice squad because Hardesty is just that bad at all things passing related. Hell, Hillis tried to play through the injury last week to help in pass protection so it isn't like catching is Hardesty's only problem in the passing game.I'm on the belief that Hillis will get the rock again once he's good to go, he's the best passing downs option and his punishing style is exactly what this offense needs to open things up in the 4th quarter after the defense has screamed uncle. We have only done it once this season and it worked vs. Indy, stuff just keeps happening preventing us from doing it again. I'd say buy low, but that end of season schedule is brutal. If you can get him at $0.50 on the $1 do it, but otherwise I wouldn't actively pursue him.
Finally, a voice of reason. We Browns homers needs to come out stronger in some of these Hillis threads...The FA add was because of Hardesty, not Hillis, for passing downs if Hillis isn't healthy enough to come in. If Hillis can get healthy he will get the carries. But, with the state of the offensive line and the schedule, Hillis is not a lock to blow up even if he gets all the carries.
Pittsburgh has been very soft against the run this season (4.6 ypc and 112 yds/gm). Week 15 opponent Arizona is allowing 119 yds/gm (20th in NFL) on the ground and has given up 8 rushing TD's to date, which is the worst total in the NFL. You may have to make alternate plans in week 16 vs Baltimore but the first two rounds of the playoffs are pretty good matchups for Hillis. Weeks 9(HOU), 10(STL), and 11(JAX) aren't too bad either.
