Peyton Hillis is fresh off the first 100-yard rushing performance of his NFL career. When asked if he envisioned this happening back during training camp, Hillis said he has always set high goals for himself.
“It was just to get out there and be on the team and try to get a starting spot somewhere, no matter where it was,” Hillis said about his mindset during camp. “I always try to set my expectations kind of high, and I have to say it has exceeded my expectations.”
Hillis has been a versatile offensive weapon throughout his football career. At Arkansas, Hillis totaled 2,624 career all-purpose yards and 23 touchdowns playing fullback, running back, wide receiver and on special teams.
Hillis remembered back to training camp when he was the second-string fullback and way down the list at running back.
“I wasn’t in the top 10,” Hillis said. “But things happened and they need you to step up and play different positions – that’s what it takes to be a profession. That’s what I’ve done.”
Head Coach Mike Shanahan said that Hillis can continue to be utilized at multiple positions even at the professional level.
“He has proven that he can play tailback and fullback,” Shanahan said. “He is better with the ball in his hands at the tailback position running the football or catching the pass out of the backfield. He is going to get a chance to play more tailback because of what he has done and how he can break tackles. He also can play the fullback position which really gives us a lot of flexibility. I’m not sure, eventually, if he can’t go out there and be a “tiger” or a tight end-type guy with that size. We could either line him up as a fullback or on the line of scrimmage.”
Hillis, a humble guy to begin with, said he hasn’t slowed down to relish in his recent successes, instead he is constantly working, trying to do whatever he can to improve his play, which will in turn help the Broncos get better.
“I really haven’t let myself enjoy it at all,” he said. “It seems like once the game is over I’m ready to study the playbook for next week. My parents, my fiancé, everybody is telling me to chill out, take a day off, but that’s just not me. I can take a day off when the season’s over with and after we win the Super Bowl.”
The 6-foot-1, 250-pound fullback-turned-running back said he is gracious for the opportunity to play.
“My coaches have put me in the right spot here so far and helped me succeed,” he said. “If they feel that the best interest is for me to go somewhere else, no matter where that may be, then I’ll be more than happy to go. Everybody likes touching the ball. Everybody likes running the ball – getting yards, making touchdowns. As long as you’re on an NFL team playing, I don’t see a better dream than that.”
-Jake Grilley, DenverBroncos.com
Here are photos from today’s practice.
Tags: Jake Grilley, Mike Shanahan, Peyton Hillis
Way to go Hillis. Keep up the good work.
Coach Shanahan, Keep this man at tailback. He has proven that he can play the position and play it well.
wow is djw practicing a welcome sight
… taking nothing away from woodyard
Well, all I can say is this kid is a KEEPER!!!! He has really been fun to watch and a huge help to our offense. This guy can flat out play football and I hope he stays with us for a long time. Keep up the great work Hillis – you’re a star and you deserve every ounce of the attention you’re getting. You, my friend, deserve to be a starter on this team. I hope he gets another 100+ yd game on Sunday!!!
And I think he’s ready to be Super bowl bound… I would love to see it happen. But we gotta really step up our game if we even want to get past the playoffs successfully. I’m positive we’ll make it to the playoffs but getting through it and playing against the best teams in the league will be our biggest challenge.
As of now, I just want to see us completely wipe out the Chiefs and let the nation know there’s a reason why we’re #1 in the AFC West. We have to beat these guys for our sake alone and I have no doubt that we will.
Go get ‘em boys!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!
There has to be a way to keep Woodyard on the field when DJ comes back… There just has to. It’s just a damn shame that our two best linebackers are both natural weakside backers.
Has Manual Padilla suited up on Sunday yet? I would love to see him get a chance to be out on the field. If we have a meaningless game on week 17 I say let him play!
Manual can’t play. He is allowed to participate in practices and all team excercises, but isn’t allowed to play in regular season games.
looking at dj in that picture gets me excited. just look at him he looks mean as hell who wants to get hit by that guy not me
i agree dave but dj is our franchise player on defense we are building around him. I dont think they expected woodyard to be this good. i did! look at what he did in kentucky. i for one vote dj moves to strongside. i know another move for dj, but he has proved he can play all three thats the only way to get our best players out there cause woodyard cannot play strongside, maybe with some time. you also cant take away from what winborn has done in boss’ absence. i dunno about you but i like this problem lol with boss healthy we’d have too good strongside and too good weakside line backers, and with larsen and and webster were set. even though everyone knows webster is better at weakside he just had to move because we picked up boss. i think next year boss plays d end
I think Young and Hillis will be the perfect rushing duo. Young with speed and Hillis with power!
Peyton “Bam Bam” Hillis, It seems the guy would rather try and knock someone out then run out of bouds. I have waited a long time for the return of the versatile snot bubbler at FB. Knock em dead Peyton, well just out.
heres an interesting stat. Peyton hillis has more rushing tds than both 1st round draft picks darren mcfadden and felix jones. How about that mel kiper jr.
heres an interesting stat. peyton hillis has more rushing tds than darren mcfadden and felix jones (both 1st round draft picks) what do ya think about that.
hillis is definitely someone we want to keep. he has shown amazing versatility and strength running the ball and breaking tackles. he’s become one of my favorite guys on the team.
when selvin comes back i hope shanahan keeps peyton at tailback because hillis has proved he can get yards what has selvin done in the games hes played in….nothing
i can see a 3-4 coming we just have way to many stars at linebacker tha on the d line
i dont think you remember cause its been soo long broncoboyest95. selvin has done plenty in games. look at last year, why do you think they didnt care about cutting travis henry? cause selvin was doing just as good as him. pulled groins are difficult ask champ
“Whatcha talkin ’bout Hillis” – Saw you steam roll some ‘backers last year as you caught a few out of the backfield for the Razorbacks. It was great to see we got you in the draft this year. Wasn’t sure what was going on once you got back from the death in your family, as Spencer Larsen filled in for you after the Saints for 3 games. (my belated condolences to you). It’s very clear that you’re playing your heart out!! I’m so glad you got a chance to show Bronco Country who you really are, as you made a big impact in the Dolphins game. (over 100 yds receiving in that game). Keep it going Peyton !!
YOU’RE ROCK SOLID HILLIS — GO BRONCOS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Glad to hear Shanny is going to keep piledriver payton at tailback. He has to scare the crap out of defense. You want to stand in front of that bulldozer? He demolishes and more importantly demoralized defenses. If he had gotten more chances we’ed be talking about him ofr rookie of the year along with Eddie and Clady.
Saw you steam roll some ‘backers as you caught a few out of the backfield last year for the Razorbacks. It was great to see that we got you in the draft. Wasn’t sure what was going on as Spencer Larsen took over for you after the Saints for 3 games at FB. It’s clear that you’re playing your heart out !!! (My belated condolences with the death you had in your family back when Larsen took over). You had a big impact in the Dolphins game!! (over 100 yds receiving). After that day, everyone in BRONCO COUNTRY knew who you were….
Super Bowl or Bust !! – “whatcha talkin ’bout HILLIS” !!!
GO BRONCOS !!!!!!!!!!!
Hillis is the man. I love the attitude and the selflessness. These types of players make the Broncos as successful as they are. Josh Bell is swiftly becoming one of my favorite Broncos as well. With all of this heart and young talent and a quarterback like Jay Cutler at the helm, the Broncos shall be dominant in the AFC West for years to come.
i love to see some good ole smash mouth football again, running it up the gut and over defensive players. Hillis you are doing great and keep up the great work.
as we all know, Hillis is a FB and a “hybrid” at that. he is dangerous because of his size and speed. he will finish this year out at tailback but watch for next year. with Aldridge and Torain Healthy along with Selvin, Hall, and Pittman if he sticks around, our backfield will not only be full but powerful. with Hillis plowing the way and watch Shanny making a few new plays to include Hillis pounding the rock or rolling out into the flat for the quick read.
i’m loving what this team is doing, keeping everyone on their toes. we are dangerous and noone knows what to expect from this team.
We will take the division and move on to the Playoffs. if we play up to our competition than the playoffs will be very interesting to watch. I know i’m excited about it.
Now lets steam roll the chiefs this Sunday and show them just what this team can do.
Keep up the work guys you all are doing great.
Keeping the Faith
GO BRONCOS!!!
I have really been impressed with Wesley Woodyard and was surprised he wasn’t drafted. Next year i would like our LBs to be D.J. on the weakside Nate Webster in the middle and Woodyard on the strongside. Woodyard has been too good to not be on the field even when D.J. comes back this season.
hillis is the MAN!! he is a football player if i ever saw one!!! start him all day every day. sorry about your loss. keep up the OUTSTANDING work!!
i agree with big al, i like that starting line up i believe i have said that in previous blogs multiple times
WOODYARD!
WOODYARD!
WOODYARD!
WOODYARD!
WOODYARD!
WOODYARD!
WOODYARD!
Hillis can move the ball by pushing the pile, by catching and indirectly by blocking. He does not fumble, even in heavy traffic.
This season, no other Broncos running back has commanded that much respect from a defense, which in turn helps open the passing game.
What do you want more from a back?