YING AND YANG
The Broncos’ Peyton Hillis and the Raiders’ Darren McFadden know a thing or two about one another. In high school Hillis was Arkansas’ leading rusher his senior season, McFadden was second to Hillis that same season as a junior. Hillis went onto the University of Arkansas where he played fullback and helped pave the way for McFadden for three seasons.
Last season Hillis finished with 886 all-purpose yards and blocked for Heisman Trophy runner-up McFadden, who ranked fourth in the nation in rushing with 1,830 yards.
The two college teammates both should see time at running back as their two NFL teams go at it this weekend at INVESCO Field at Mile High.
Though the two players admitted they haven’t been able to keep in touch as much as they would have liked so far this season they know one another well enough that they can paint a pretty accurate picture of what the other guy is up to.
“I imagine (Hillis) would have a button up shirt on with the top three buttons not buttoned,” McFadden said. “With his chest hanging out, his neck showing and some cowboy boots — he is always in some type of cowboy boot.”
Hillis laughed when he heard McFadden’s description of himself but admitted he wasn’t too far from the truth.
“That is pretty accurate,” Hillis said. “I can’t disagree with that. He knows me just as well as anybody.”
When asked what McFadden was wearing Hillis didn’t pull any punches.
“He would be in some FUBU jeans, OshKosh B’Gosh and some braids – that is how he would be dressed,” Hillis said. “I am just trying to get back at him for what he said about me. That was just not right.”
The two rushers might not have a whole lot in common in terms of fashion statements, however, the two seemingly different personalities meshed well with one another and they were able to develop a strong friendship.
“We are both people,” he said. “No matter where you grow up everybody wants to be respected the same and treated the same. No matter the color, the gender, everybody wants to be treated the same. I mean that is how God would want it. There are a lot of people with different backgrounds expecting things out of different people but I am not like that. I like people for who they are and for what they can teach me and what I can teach them. That is what it is all about.”
The two will have to set their friendship aside for 60 minutes on Sunday for one of the NFL’s most bitter rivalry games. Hillis also said he is looking forward to the opportunity of trying to outrush his college teammate.
“It would be an accomplishment,” he said. “You can’t lie about that, but you also want him to do well. Now that you are on different teams you want to win no matter what the obstacles are. You are going to go out there and treat him well because he is your friend, but you are also going to go out there and try to win the game.”
INJURY UPDATES
For Broncos fans wondering if Champ Bailey could be back on the field this weekend against the Raiders Head Coach Mike Shanahan said it is still a wait and see type of situation.
“Pretty much the same thing as last week,” Shanahan said about Bailey’s status. “He started loosening up and doing some drills. He was limited at practice. He is really a day-by-day scenario. We will see how he feels at the end of the week and make a decision right before the game.”
Marlon McCree, Nate Webster and D.J. Williams all are out for this weekend’s game. Selvin Young was suited up but did not participate.
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Here are some photos from today’s practice.
Tags: Champ Bailey, D.J. Williams, Injury, Jake Grilley, Marlon McCree, Nate Webster, Peyton Hillis
I really hope DJ and Champ get back soon
Good luck Hillis I hope you show up McFader I mean McFadden !!!!!
!!!SoCal Bronco Love Baby!!!
Lets go Hillis your a beast man keep running like you do i can tell your getting better each week and your game opens up so much for the RBs and WRs. Go Broncos!!! 805 Cali Babe
Well, I can’t wait till Hillis shows up McFadden and reminds him who’s the boss on Sunday. I have absolutely NO DOUBT that we’re going to get the win over Oakies but we will have to fight for it. If we play complete domination the score for us will be a complete blowout. I’m very excited to see these two teams face each again - never gets old. Go smoke ‘em Hillis!!!
As for Champ, I really want him to play ASAP but I don’t want him to further injure his injury. When he comes back I want him 110% at full speed - we can’t afford to have him come back and then go out like Torain did. When he comes back we need to stay not come and go like the wind. So if he’s not ready for Sunday, I’m fine with that, not really but with how the rookies/less-experienced have filled in so far - I can’t and won’t complain. Come back soon Champ but only when you feel 110%.
Broncos Country just ignore what I’m about to say… there’s only one person around here that knows who I’m talking to and about.
My football stud - this is my cry out for you. Not only do I need and want you to come back on here but I’m begging. I’m getting lonely on here.
Keep the faith…
GO BRONCOS!!!!
And to my other Broncos man we need you guys if were gonna finish off this season strong. #55, #58, #20, #24 GO BRONCOS!!!
07elway your trippin, we better show up to play i swear nothing pisses me off more when we give the game away, i kno the raiders record but its different when they play us its more of a pride thing, they always put up a fight.
Good Luck with that 07Elway
I believe that is good that everyone is out/innactive…first of all we have a young team and this time will allow our young inexperience player to gain some good reps and time out there… it already shows how our broncos have grown… we need depht and we need players that are going to step up. Preseason/practice sometime is not enough to deliver accurate reads on some players. last three weeks and next two will ensure that we are better and prepare come time for playoffs…
BronxFan87 - what are you trying to tell me? And they don’t ALWAYS put up a fight or at least if they do it doesn’t show very much. Like the games we’ve lost this season - against KC and New England we looked like we were giving it away. Yeah, some of the players tried in those losses but we weren’t playing like a team - that’s how you win games. Fighting for that win as a TEAM. If you got something to say to me at least be clear about it. I hate it when they give away a game - nothing is more annoying - but when you see Oakland’s record as of now and how bad it is usually teams that are ahead like we are tend to think we can slack off a bit because Oakland won’t put up much of a fight. But Sunday we can continue a huge losing streak for them - as of now Oakland has gone 13 consecutive quarters without an offensive touchdown - we need to make sure that doesn’t change on Sunday. We can make it 17 for them. But that won’t happen if we don’t completely dominate and fight them. That is mostly up to our defense and if we go another game without Champ who knows if that’ll happen. Our D has stepped up BIG time but they are still very young and not as experienced as Champ. We aren’t much of a very strong D without a little veteran help like what Champ can do for us and what he has done
pacohlgs78 - what are you talking about?? Good luck with what? And why is it when I say something sometimes, someone like pacohlgs78 comes on here and the only thing you comment on is me or my comments? Yeah I said something a little off topic up there but at least I kept most of my comment to football.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!
BronxFan87 you are the one that is “trippin” yo! Calm down home boy, I mean get off the girl’s back son! Go through and read what she actually said man and maybe you gain a better picture of what she is saying. Sound out those words buddy, you can do it! Just messin with ya, but really she didn’t say anything along the lines of what you think she did. She flat out says it in there, (I have absolutely NO DOUBT that we’re going to get the win over Oakies but we will have to fight for it. If we play complete domination the score for us will be a complete blowout.) Do I need to make it bold for you?
BUT WE WILL HAVE TO FIGHT FOR IT! She is not overlooking them, infact she is the one each week saying we HAVE TO FIGHT FOR EACH AND EVERY WIN! So gets some sense collected before you call what you read over.
That being said back to Hillis, I can not wait either for him to outrun McRaider the Fadden. I mean who would have the thought the most versatile, most complete, and most valued player to come out of the Arkansas backfield in the draft WOULDN’T BE IN THE FIRST ROUND, WOULDN’T BE A HB! Who could have called Hillis the FB paving the way for the two pre draft “studs” having he most impact and value for his team? Not only can he block for any of our make shift running backs now, but he can catch the ball and hurdle your defender or plow through them for extra yards, NOT TO MENTION BE PLUGGED IN AT HB AND RUN THE BALL EFFICIENTLY! Hillis for MVP of the game!
That being said the key to the W on offense will be Cutler being smart and not throwing the ball towards Namdhi Asomoughua to keep our drives going.
The first key to the W on deffense will be for Woodyard and Winborn to keep the edge and not let fat boy qb get out running!
The second key to the W on deffense will be for Doom, Ekuban, Moss and Crowder to keep position and take away the cut back lane!
pacohlgs: She doesn’t need good luck with it, she has the skill!
Maintain your gaps deffense,
Hold onto the ball offense,
Keep the faith fans!
Okay, big correction. They don’t always put up a fight (like in some of the games we lost) but sometimes they do. The games against Cleveland & Atlanta - that was this team putting up a fight to win the game. It does show when they play like a team. Its as TEAM effort and a TEAM fight to win a game.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Whoa! Calm down babe! Save some of that fire, that… passion, that energy for tonight!
07elway is not trippen hopefully The broncos dont think like most of you on here or were gonna lose……wake up people we still have to play the game and if the broncos get caulky over these last two WINS and think the raiders r jus gona lay down 4 us were gona lose PERIOD!! Just like the cheifs we went in their thinkin hey they lost their last 8 or 9 games we got this 1 in the bag and what happend we got SMASHED!!!! Broncos 30 Raiders 13 GO BRONCOS!!!!!
Bronxfan87 correction not 07elway
Hey all, well i’ve been reading the blogs on here all season and i finally remembered my password so it’s time to get on here and start joining you all on your comments and the blogs.
first off, Denver should win this game. i don’t say with ease because i know how Oakland plays us. they always play harder and they have played a couple good games this year. we destroyed them in their house at the start of the season and there is nothing they would like better than to do it to us in ours!
the way the team has been playing the past couple of weeks, it seems things are finally coming together. i’m loving how the young guys are stepping up and playing like vets. looking back i bet if they were to grade the draft now, Denver would get an A+.
this team has had to fight this year with some major losses and i believe they have stepped up nicely. Hillis should have a huge game on Sunday against a very poor Oakland run defense. Royal as you all know had a huge game to start the season off, now with BMarsh in this one. look to see them both have big days.
It’s nice to see that Hillis and McSputter are friends but it will be even nicer to see the stats come the end of the day and Hillis can call him up to say, “hey maybe you should start blocking for me now”.
Keep the love and support our boys.
GO BRONCOS!!!!
The Raiders will be difficult to beat IF we don’t execute and play our game. If we don’t turn the ball over, then I think we can win by 10. While Oakland will give it all they’ve got, they can’t contain Cutler, Royal, Peyton Hllis, Tony Scheffler and our secret weeapon Spencer Larsen! Marshall needs to have a big game seeing as he missed the opener in Jokeland.
Hahah. I got it! I don’t comment much but I always read. O7elway is a chick that’s whooped over 2champ4PickSIX. Come one you two this is football wrong blog for those comments but really funny to read. This might not be the right place to comment on this but I was criticizing Bly a little bit before. My complete apologizes to Mr. Bly. He saved us, twice!. He showed great effort even when getting beat that’s all you can ask for. Great young talent signed them ASAP! To long contracts we need them here to get some Super Bowls. Let’s crush those Raiders!!!!
Yes I’m a girl that LOVES football and Yes I’m head over heals for 2champ4PickSIX. And that’s why we traded emails - so we wouldn’t spend the whole time making small talk on here. I try to keep it strictly to football… since is bugs me when people don’t do the same. Glad we made you laugh though MileHighMagic08.
So I’m gonna stick to my words… I can’t wait for the game on Sunday. All the Broncos got to do is play smart, play as a TEAM and we’ll completely dominate this game. Oh and no turnovers. Just give these young guys a chance… if Shanahan can do that so can we. We owe it to them as fans to support them and what Shanny does.
Keep believing…
GO BRONCOS!!!!!
I agree fully with 07elway. We need to give these young guys a chance. they have all proven themselves thus far and i’m certain will continue to do so.
Even though the Faders are sucking we can’t play them like their record shows. we all know this is a huge rivalry and records mean nothing, (anyone remember week 4?)
Play tough guys, play smart and let’s move one more game ahead of San Diego this week towards our division title.
Keep the faith fans, good or bad, ups and downs, this is our team.
GO BRONCOS!!
These comments, what a blast to read.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing this game, will be an interesting one that for sure. Listen although I agree with some of you guys, you still have to take the “any team can win on any sunday” to heart. I’m not saying we will lose but every time people say we should win, or won’t be much of a game, we either have a close game or lose, and this has happened even before this year.
Ex this year: Chief, NE, and the fins.
The only way we can win for sure is to have a good game and play smart. No turnovers and dumb penalties. Also, come on guys, give the rooks some credit, I’ve read mostly all of these sites blogs, don’t give up on the team just because we lose, have faith, especially when were down. 07Elway, if i’m not mistaken, your the one who said chief fans are annoying because the cheer for there team as if they are going to win a ring, I think that’s cool, always have faith that they win.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing this game, will be an interesting one that for sure. Listen although I agree with some of you guys, you still have to take the “any team can win on any sunday” to heart. I’m not saying we will lose but every time people say we should win, or won’t be much of a game, we either have a close game or lose, and this has happened even before this year.
Ex this year: Chief, NE, and the fins.
The only way we can win for sure is to have a good game and play smart. No turnovers and dumb penalties. Also, come on guys, give the rooks some credit, I’ve read mostly all of these sites blogs, don’t give up on the team just because we lose, have faith, especially when were down. 07Elway, if i’m not mistaken, your the one who said chief fans are annoying because the cheer for there team as if they are going to win a ring, I think that’s cool, always have faith that they win.
Although I agree with what most of you say, we all should take to heart that “any team can win any given sunday” to heart. I’m not saying we’ll lose but most of the time us fans say we should win this game for certain, we end up in a close game or lose. It’s happened this years and years before.
The way to win this game is to play smart and with heart. No turnover or funny penalties. Also, come on guys, lets not give up on the team when we’re losing, that’s when we should cheer the most. 07Elway, if i’m not mistaken, you said chief fans were annoying because given their record they alway cheer as if they will win a ring. I for one think it’s cool, and better than giving up on them as some of us do when we lose.
Is it me or is Peyton Hillis the most humble guy in the NFL! I think this guy runs with Heart and Power. Could it be a bit premature to start making comparisons to another NFL great ..John Riggins..
His running styles seem very similar. Maybe we should follow that old blue print of the original hogs..and start playing smash mouth football with this guy…
Lets keep the streak going …GO BRONCOS
Just D, No I think you got it right, also our team is very humble, I love the way they act when they score, just total business not all that other stuff.
Peyton Hillis you are awesome. keep on running people over. And show Darren UP!!
I know that we aren’t the same team as week 1 against the Raiders and they aren’t the same team either. I believe that we are capable of running them over just like week 1. We have the injury situation but we’ve shown to skeptics that it doesn’t matter. We’ll get the job done no matter who’s in there. I also think that we can shut down the run. We did it against Turner and he may not have the speed that McFadden has he isn’t quite as powerful. This is also our CBs chance to get some picks. Russel will be slinging the ball around and if we’re flying around like wild horses we could get a couple of picks and help out the turnover ratio.
The Raiders are going to be lining Asomugha on Marshall so I see Royal having a big day. Marshall may have a big game too. I don’t think a lot of teams challenge Asomugha, he is the Raiders version of Champ, only Asomugha doesn’t provide as good as run support. Cutler will definitely throw his way too and challenge Asomugha and see if he’s as good as they say.
Go Broncos!!!!!!
Broncos 34 Raiders 10. GO BRONCOS!
Pig Sooey! Razorbacks!