Trading running back Peyton Hillis was, in hindsight, a mistake. We know that now.
No matter how you look at it, the Broncos could use Peyton Hillis. The Browns’ running back has more rushing yards (644) and rushing touchdowns (7) than the entire Broncos team has (538 rushing yards, 5 rushing touchdowns) to this point in the season. His blue-collar, tougher-than-nails style is something the Broncos lack.
We also know now that the Broncos did not receive fair value in return. Shipping Hillis, a 2011 sixth-round draft pick and a 2012 conditional pick, to the Browns for quarterback Brady Quinn has turned out to be a bad trade. There are no two ways about it.
Yet, the after-the-fact criticism of Coach McDaniels for making the trade is at least a little disingenuous. It is always easy to come to a conclusion once we have time to see the outcome of a decision. There are, however, several key points that critics usually gloss over in their zeal to throw the spear at Coach McDaniels for trading Peyton Hillis.
1 – TYPICALLY A TEAM HAS TO OVERPAY FOR A QUARTERBACK. This is especially true with a young quarterback who was a former first round pick. That’s life in the NFL. Quaraterbacks are often a premium commodity, even if they are unproven. At the time of the trade, Brady Quinn had shown some flashes of good play with the Browns. Certainly he showed enough to merit Cleveland asking for a guy perceived to be a third-down running back and a couple of late round draft picks.
Given Hillis’ limited accomplishments and the fact he had yet to prove himself to be a legitimate first-string running back at the time of the trade, one could argue that the Broncos didn’t overpay to get Quinn. Even still, the prevailing opinion about Quinn was that at the very least he was an upgrade to the Broncos talent and depth at the quarterback position.
2 – AT LEAST THREE NFL HEAD COACHES FAILED TO RECOGNIZE HILLIS’ TALENT. Those three are Mike Shanahan, Josh McDaniels and Eric Mangini. In 2008, Hillis’ rookie season, he only got the opportunity to start when a litany of Broncos’ running backs went down with injuries. In other words, he got an opportunity to play extensively because a lot of other guys got hurt. And we’re not talking about star players. We’re talking about guys like Selvin Young, Michael Pittman, Tatum Bell and Ryan Torain all getting the opportunity to start before Hillis. Even Andre Hall, while not starting a game that year, was ahead of Hillis on the depth chart before Hall got hurt.
The bottom line is that Hillis was a last resort for Mike Shanahan. He had to give Hillis a chance to be the number one running back.
In addition, at the beginning of training camp this summer, Hillis was behind Jerome Harrison and Montario Hardesty on the Browns’ depth chart. It is pretty clear that Browns’ head coach Eric Mangini didn’t see Hillis as the top running back.
And, to further show what NFL coaches thought of Peyton Hillis, the Broncos selected him as the 20th player taken in the SEVENTH round of the NFL draft. Don’t tell me there was a concensus that this guy was going to be a great NFL running back. Please. Let’s be intellectually honest.
I give Hillis credit. He has shown that every NFL coach has had the wrong perception of him. He has proven people wrong. He is definitely capable of being the top running back on an NFL team and I am thrilled for him for his success this season.
3 – AS TALENTED AS HILLIS IS, I DON’T BELIEVE HE WOULD BE HAVING THE SAME SUCCESS THIS YEAR IF HE WERE WITH THE BRONCOS. Again, let’s be honest. The Broncos’ offensive line has been a mess. It is a group that has simply not played well. Maybe it’s because of injuries. Maybe it’s because of youth. Maybe it’s because of talent. Maybe it’s because of all those factors and more.
Football is one of the ultimate team games. If guys don’t do their jobs well, other guys have trouble doing their jobs well. Right now, the Browns’ offensive line is light years better than that of the Broncos. Hillis, while talented in his own right, benefits from running behind a really good line in Cleveland.
Could the Broncos use Peyton Hillis? Without a doubt. Would Hillis have the similar numbers if he were playing for the Broncos this year? I am highly doubtful of that. Buying into that logic lets the Broncos’ offensive line off the hook. Given what I’ve seen from the Broncos offensive front this year, I don’t believe Hillis is THAT good.
4 – WE DON’T REALLY KNOW WHY THE BRONCOS TRADED HILLIS. Josh McDaniels has never come out and talked in-depth about the topic. We know Coach felt he could upgrade the depth at quarterback, which we all know was something had to be done after last season.
But we don’t know if there were any behind-the-scenes issues going on. I’m not implying there were or were not. I have no idea. I’m just saying that we don’t know. It could have strictly been a football move. Or, there is the possibility that other factors could have influenced the decision.
Let me say it one more time just so the Coach McDaniels bashers know where I stand: It has turned out to be a bad trade. It has not worked out well for the Broncos at all. Would I have liked to see Coach McDaniels have given Hillis more of an opportunity to show what he could do? Yes, I would have liked that.
But it is time to get over it. NFL coaches make mistakes. Josh McDaniels made one in this instance.
It’s time to let it go and move on. Unfortunately, the Broncos have bigger issues to address as the second half of the season begins.
The second half of the season begins Sunday against the Chiefs. Feel free to post your thoughts about what you believe is in store for the Broncos.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
There’s no doubt Hillis was a stud and everyone in Broncos Country knew it. (He knew it, we knew it, the whole country knew it ! LOL). Tatum Bell was brought in after Hillis went down with an injury 2 yrs ago.
Fans were a rage last year when Hillis was available and was benched! Of course we’ll never know really why although Coach stated this year that Hillis didn’t fit the system.
Good to see Peyton do well… he deserved a chance, if not here – somewhere else.
Anyway, water under the bridge now.
Well said. Hear! Hear! You hit the bullet on the head. No bandwagoners here. Thats a disgrace.
Yeah 1nOnlyTRB it’s hard for me to do but I’m just looking at the facts ya know.
One fact is that KC is playing with way more fire than us. Also I have to vent to those who think telling the truth about our team is considered Bashing!
To Whom it may concern: We are all Denver Broncos fans 1st and foremost. Some may like certain players but we support the Denver Broncos! Not the Denver bailey’s, Denver Dawkins, Denver Tebow’s, Denver McDaniel’s, etc etc.
I don’t live in Denver and I was born and raised in New Orleans. I’ve been a fan since I was 5 years old when I spent a Christmas in Denver (I’m 35 now). There are many more like me who don’t live in Denver but support the Broncos deep inside the territory of other NFL teams. You must understand the frustration of every fan, especially those of us in another city. When we have to defend a team and coach who won’t even defend their home turf.
So yes everyone is mad and have a right to voice the pain they are feeling. They say we are always more critical of ourselves. Well this is our team whether you are in Colorado or not, and we should be very critical of it. The Saints just killed the Panthers last week and you should hear how critical Saints fans are of their team ( and they have a winning record). Well I’ve taken up enough time but again this is for those of us who aren’t affraid to speak reality about our team.
Great article Mr. Rice! Again and again I’ve voiced the fact that I think many fans oversimplify situations and don’t recognize the many factors that play into the decision making of an NFL Coach. I liked Hillis but I know that McDaniels made a decision that he thought was best for the team. Not so far we’ve appeared to be on the wrong end of some trades, but then again I feel that I’d rather have a guy like Orton here than Cutler (Like most of us I was truly distraught about the trade at the tim eit took place). Thanks, Mike.
2 wins
6 losses
need i say anymore?
i dont understand why people bring up youth as an excuse for the O-line. If i recall the 2008 O-line was young. Kuper, Clady, Harris all kids. Never played together before. Weigmann brought in and never played together either. yet they were the number 1 ranked O-line in the league…least penalized and only 12 sacks given up all year. they were kids…youth is not a valid excuse.
TRB, thanks for being a defender of the cause, well done.
We as Bronco fans have a right to be outraged and state our opinions about a coach that we think is not getting it done,and will never get it done,call us haters if you will,I don’t mind,I will call you a Kool-Aid drinker,but I will post my opinion,as long as I’m allowed to be on this web sight.As far as I know,that is what the blog is about…..
bronco-blaze,
Love the footage.. If you see TT makes the line a little better by allowing a triple effect either he could run or the the running backs run or he can pass and he gives plays time to develop. Honestly if we lose this game it is time to give up on the orton way and allow tebow to get some time he will develop as the season goes on and the line will improve with him in the huddle. Orton has been good but TT will be better as soon as he gets in there.
Again, thanks to you all for weighing in.
baylinorcrush…I respectfully disagree with this point you made:
“As for Mangini, he did what any coach does when you bring somebody new in for the good of the morale of the team, is you put Hillis down on the depth chart and let him earn his way up, anyone who thinks Mangini didn’t see he thought he got a great deal when he made that trade for Hillis is grasping at straws.”
When the Broncos traded for Champ Bailey, how come they immediately put him in as the starting cornerback? When the Raiders traded for Richard Seymour, how come they immediately gave him a starting spot?
I think you get my point. Here is what NFL coaches do. They put guys in the places they think they deserve to be on the depth chart. That’s what Eric Mangini did with Peyton Hillis. You are saying that Eric Mangini knew he was getting a number one running back but still put Hillis as the third-string back? Seriously? Come on, bay, you’re smarter than that.
If Coach Mangini knew he was getting what Hillis has turned out to be, then Coach Mangini would have put Hillis at the top of the depth chart immediately.
BeastFromEast92…thanks for your honesty. I applaud you for admitting what you did in your response.
CurtOU and Broncos Born & Raised…thanks for the props. I never mind it when people disagree. I am trying to have a discussion about what is understandably an emotional topic. Thanks for seeing the perspective.
Best to all,
Mike
We are still only about three calls from being 4-4 with the best ahead of us. I give the owner, management and coaches the benefit of the doubt and hope and expect to see improvement in the second half of the season. Go TEAM BRONCOS!
I never said you shouldnt be mad and upset at the way things are going all I am saying is there are a lot of positives on this team so why cant we look at those as well. I l be the first to tell you that I am dissapointed in the way this season has gone but at the same time I am seeing some good things to come from this team. Call it Kool Aid all you want. Get over yourself bro
Not tryin to be disrespectful to anyone but dont come at me like that
everyone is entitled to their opinions, but there is nothing positive about 4-14….no matter how you slice it.
Broncosforlife88, fans are just upset that in our last 18 games we are 4-14. There is NOTHING postive about that. I definitely get your point about not having “me first” guys on the team but there has to be a happy medium. And our coaching staff has not found it. Of course, many NFL players have egos but we need a coach that can push those types of players and get production out of them. Not just butt heads with them and give them there packing papers. McD just does not seem to have the personality to work with these big time players and head NFL coaches NEED to be able to do just that. Big time players come with big time egos. Unless we just want to build our team from NCAA Division II players. lol
Wow, well this was an interesting topic to bring up, especially with this crowd. lol You be very brave Mike, very brave.
You’re last point in your post is the most interesting of all… the reason why McD let Hillis go. I don’t think anyone knows but McD. The truth is, for whatever reason he let Hillis go, McD NEVER gave Hillis a chance. He inherited Hillis and never gave him the chance to prove himself to the new coach or in the new system. It’s pretty clear that because of that, he didn’t like Hillis for whatever stupid reason. This is a touchy subject with this crowd because everyone here knows Hillis had hidden talent but no one gave him a fair chance to show it, prove himself and then McD just got rid of him as soon as he could. Every player should at least get a chance and Hillis never really got that in Denver. And now look at him… making us look like fools and making the Browns look real good.
But I will go back to a statement I made awhile back that both you (Mike) and I agree on. It’s time to get over this trade. It’s done. It’s over with. We can’t change it. Too many bloggers on here have gotten too comfortable with holding grudges and that’s what this is. YES, it was a colossal mistake but what’s done is done. I can only hope McD realizes he made a mistake. We’ll probably never know. I will still give McD till the end of this season to make something productive of this team. It’s time for this team to revive themselves. It’s time to put past issues & mistakes behind and MOVE ON!! This team (and the fans) need to focus on what’s in front of us instead of trying to fix things from the past that cannot be fixed.
Have faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
07elway
the best way to fix things is look into the past and not repeat the same mistakes…ignoring it wont make the future better.
regarding hillis, i think most fans are fuming because there is no closure. nothing was addressed to the fans about his departure, or his time on the bench last year. What was told to us by McD was he was “looking forward to Hillis being more involved with our offense” . then poof gone. If McD came out and actually admitted he made a mistake, it would be easier to swallow for the fan base. Sweeping it under the rug and not answering why he was traded just fuels the fire.
Big D, when teams are low like this thats when I look to see if the pieces are being put together to correct the record. My best friend is a die hard Chiefs fan (sad I know) but for the past couple of years I have been telling him that the pieces are coming together this year we are seeing it come together for them. Thats the same thing I am saying about our team. I know this records sucks but everything could change on sunday and even if it doesnt I still think we have a very good team in development. thats the point I have been tryin to get across is all.
I hope you are right buddy.
the chiefs were a mess. only until herm edwards and their old GM was fired did they turn it around. Haley inherited a 2-14 team. McD inherited an 8-8 team. big difference. Haley had the same amount of time McD has, one hired a proven GM, the Goodman’s were that piece. Never understood why Xanders was promoted and the Goodman’s pushed out. 2008 chiefs were a mess, 2010 they are playoff hunt. 2008 broncos were playoff hunt, 2010 a mess…
lol thx Bay. since none of yall were on and i had a feeling we were part of who broncosforlife was talking about (even tho he named no names) i just thought, i would take up the mantle.
Broncosfolife, I dunno if u are refering to me (i am assuming since i am the only that responded to u directly). I did say I respected your opinion but just didn’t agree with the hater accusation. And that this was my opinion. If it came across to u as coming at u the wrong way, I am here to assure u those were not my intentions. While we get heated when talking about the broncos, my goal is to NEVER take anything personally.
As far as the positives, there are some, theres a silver lining in every cloud but just cuz the lining is there doesn’t mean its not a VERY dark cloud. so i agree with u on the fact that the team has talent, like i have said, mike rice i believe once said “when i look at the talent on this team, i dont see worst team in the NFL” I agree. Which means its the coaching. The same coaching that has ejected some players who they didn’t think could cut it, that are now succeeding very well. I will say this again, a coaching staffs job is to prepare, motivate, and realize the potential in their players and I dont believe this staff is doing that. This is just one aspect, havent even talked about how they draft. so once again, we are all fans bro, u ask us not to take your statements as an attack, so we ask u don’t do the same for our comments. A blog filled with people that agree all the time would be no fun. TRB out…
Bfl88…..You come on here and tell us how good this team is developing???
Where are the pieces you are refering to as being put together to correct the problems??
We see it falling apart at the seams.
As far as the Chiefs go,they know how to build a young team thru the draft,like it’s supposed to be done.Not with the shuffling of every other teams castaways.
And as far as the…don’t come at me like that remark,I don’t know if you were refering to me or TRB…but you called us haters,you are the one who needs to get over yourself!!!!!!!!!If you dish it out expect to get it throwed back in your face bro.
I have to comment on what caramello said about venting in telling the truth. Heck ya. Isn`t that what the fans do on this blog who really want to see the Bronco`s succeed? The answer. A resounding yes. Telling like it is. Man, I want to see my team win. And when we don`t, it simply hurts. And when people hurt, they vent. You better or something is wrong with ya.
Sorry TRB wasnt talkin to you I definately respect you opinion. And I agree a blog with people who agree would be no fun. The haters comment which got me in this shall we say discussion wasnt meant the way it came out to everyone. I respect everyone’s opinion whether you agree with with me or not. My comment was towards BFE92 (I should note that I also greatly respect your opinion BFE92 and in many cases have felt your posts make the most sense) I am just getting tired of the Kool Aid comments which is part of why I said the haters comment, just because I see things different than some I am the Kool Aid Guy lol might switch to that for the fun of it so dont steal it lol. I was simply trying to make a point. Everyone can think and say what they want here which is a part of why I love this organization. I hope you guys can recogize the point that I was tryin to make. Again no disrespect we all love this team and therefore we all drink the Kool Aid lol
GO BRONCOS SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY
Were all fans here, but some come across like there better and more loyal fans than others. Cocky I think. Like BFE said, there are some who need to get over themselves. you know who you are. If your gonna attack us take it somewhere else. We are on the same team for God sakes.
LMAO @ koolaidguy, OOOOOOOOOOOOOYEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. I believe thats what he says evertime a breaks through something. lmao, its all good man.
There are some fans that come across like they are a better or more loyal than others. You know who you are. Stop the attacks. If you don`t like it, go take your noise elsewhere. You do not have the right to call us haters or bandwagoners. We just want to see our team win. We have a right to criticize the team we all love. And like BFE said you need to get over youselves. Were in this together. Lets stop the bleeding.
Mike, over the blogs I believe it’s maybe the third time you are telling me I’m smarter than that, I’m gonna start believing you man, LOL.
Anyway, you are comparing apples and oranges comparing Bailey and Seymour to Hillis, come on I know you are smarter than that, haha. Of course you bring in some all pro of the stature of Bailey and Seymour and you make them instant starters, but in the case of the Browns, when they bring in Hillis they have to put him into the mix first, even if Mangini did indeed think highly of him as I believe he did, Hillis in no way shape or form had the stature and name recognition required to be put on top of the depth chart without first earning it, giving him the starting job right of the bat would of been detrimental to the morale of the other RB’s. That was my point and I stand by it.
On another note, you can back up your thoughts all you want but it won’t always make others see it your way and I believe that’s a good thing, we all need to keep this organization honest here with our disagreements. It sure would be counter negative in my opinion if we all agreed on one single view of our team, like if we all agreed that what the McD regime has brought to our franchise in the last 18 months is just what we need, we would be in a heap of trouble, not saying you think that way, just talking in general terms.
To make a long story short I have long ago given up on trying to talk others into seeing things my way, it’s much better and more productive to me to let bloggers say what they want as long as they give me the same latitude, that way everybody is happy… Am I getting any smarter yet? LOL.
bay…it’s a figure of speech.
I know you’re a knowlegdable fan but in some cases I am surprised by what you write. Over and over and over I tell people, you included, that I respect your opinions.
And I’m not trying to get you to believe what I believe. I’m simply discussing a point with you.
I understand the concept of making a guy work his way up the depth chart. But if a coach acquires a player, why would the coach purposely bury him on the depth chart when there is no guarantee the player would ever even get the opportunity to play? If a coach thinks a guy is the best player, he will play.
Hillis got the opportunity to regularly play in Cleveland when Jerome Harrison and Montario Hardesty were injured. I hope we can agree on that.
You believe, if I understand you correctly, that Coach Mangini knew that Hillis was better than those two players all along but kept him down on the depth chart. I strongly disagree with that notion.
Maybe next time, I’ll say something like, “You should know better.” As always, thanks for the conversation.
Mike
So all you younger Bronco fans think the Hillis trade was a tragedy and one of the worst trades ever made by the Broncos. This trade, while a lousy one, doesn’t even register on the all time stinky Bronco trade list. Let’s compare the Hillis trade to the worst trade the Broncos ever made: Not 1 but 2 first round draft picks and HOF safety Willie Brown to the RAIDERS for QB Steve Tensi. Not even on the radar screen of bad trades.
Perspective.
Mike
you say the Oline hasn’t played well because of injuries,youth,or a lack of talent.Why did you not add coaching in the mix? or do you think it couldn’t be coaching?
The Lyle Alzado trade to the hated raiders was as bad I`d say.
Mike thanks for chimming in again, it is truly appreciated. One thing you probably need to know about me is aside from the fact that I have been a hardcore Bronco fan since the early 70′s, the main reason I am here is to have fun, and fun I have, often to the dismay of others may I add and one thing I do not do is take myself too seriously, so I say stuff as it rolls off my mind, sometimes probably saying stuff that surpises others or even makes no sense, specially to professionals like you, and I have no problem with that, just know that when I said that Mangini really liked Hillis and knew what he was doing when trading Quinn for him, that’s all that was, my opinion, whether it made sense to someone or not. The entailing detailed discussion that it got me into with you is honestly a bit much for me, I enjoy good discussions but when they get a bit too much on the serious side and kind of at a dead end they get to be no fun for me anymore and I have a tendency to bail and move on, kind of like this Mangini thing, it seems we are just playing on words and that we have exhausted that subject, so I respectfully thank you for the discussion and will leave it at that. Thanks again for all the time you spend here with us fans.
There is an article in the DP about the top 4 or 5 bad Bronco trades of all times, the Hillis one is in there, if that doesn’t qualify as one of the top bad trade in our history you must be McD’s dad, LOL.
Mr. Rice,
Of all the topics, why oh why was it Hillis? Haha. Its my opinion, you left out 1 important fact. At the conclusion of the season McDaniels mentioned he wanted to get Hillis more involved next season. (paraphrasing of course) The fact that the entire Broncos Country was calling for Hillis to play, McD flat out NOT playing him, then goes on record saying he was going to play him, only to end up trading him- well, that to me is a bold faced lie. Not to mention disrespecting of the fan base. Because Hillis IS the epitome of a fan favorite!
Another point I would like to briefly touch on is his draft position. Many players in this league get their opportunity because of an injury. Hillis got his and ran with it. Or shall I say ran OVER it. Lol. Btw, wasn’t Terrell Davis a 6th round pick? How about Mike Anderson? his draft position had no effect on his ‘heart’. Now he’s a Brown.
I’ll get over it- when we Fire McD!
I agree with the author that the trade was bad, but hindsight always makes it easier to judge a trade after it was made. Hillis was deep in the Brown’s depth chart because Jerome Harrison had a monster last 4 games in 2009, and they drafted Montario Hardesty high and traded up for him. Hardesty is now on IR with a torn ACL and Harrisonhas been traded. It was pretty clear to me when he was traded to the Browns that Hillis had real talent. As a Browns fan, I was pretty optimistic that he could be a good back, but I have to admit I didn’t think he would be this good. I think the Bronco fans would have a better read on Hillis at the time of the trade than I would. It appeared to me that he was well like by the fans, and a decent player when healthy and given the opportunity. If the roles were reversed, I would have hated to see Hillis traded to another team. In the locker room this year, Hillis has been humble, a good teammate, a tough guy, and seems to have gotten the respect of his teammate and the fans. I think it was a bit of a stretch for the author to say that because the Brown’s line is better than the Bronco’s line, then Hillis isn’t really that good. What I fear about Hillis is that he runs so hard, that he is bound to wear down and get injured or have a shortened career. That being said, if you want to see bad football, you should have been watching the Browns the last 10 years like I have.
Thank you for making me feel worse about Hillis, Brown fan, LOL, surprised I didn’t hear you say how glad you were to see Quinn go, since I hear that was kind of the consensus in Brown country.
Thank god for the bye week! I’m sure McD knows that Quinn for Hillis hasn’t paid off. Can’t change it now. Just gotta soldier on with what ya got! I for one am generally glad to see former Broncos do well with a new team (as long as they weren’t total jerks when they were here (i.e. Bmarsh, Jay Cutler) and as long as they don’t end up with the Chargers, Raiders, Chiefs or even the Sehawks for that matter! I am just excited that I’ll have my Broncos back on Sunday afternoon!
DrunkenBronc – of course LOOKING into the past is the best way to fix mistakes and problems. I said nothing about ignoring our problems. But reliving mistakes like the Hillis trade will do nothing for this team except make the fans madder the more we talk about it. We are all in agreement that it was a stupid move by McD but that mistake is not fixable. We have to find a way to move on without him seeing as how McD clearly didn’t want him on this team, for whatever blindsided reason. My post was about moving on over the Hillis trade. Of course, this team should be looking at old tapes to correct mistakes on the field. Seeing what you do wrong is only the start to fixing it.
Have faith Bronco Country…
GO BRONCOS in 2010!!!!
Hey Brown fan,how did it feel when we knocked the Browns outta the Superbowl twice??
Alzado was traded to the Brown, not the Raiders. The Browns later traded him to the Raiders. He was old and well over the hill when he was traded to trhe Browns. He, liked Rich Jackson, is another Bronco who will never be thought of as HOF material despite what those he competed against thought of him.
Mike,
Thanks for the response but it still doesn’t change the fact that you’re glossing things over.
You think Shanny didn’t recognize Hillis’s running ability because he didn’t start him until he ran out of other options. On the surface that sounds like a sane argument until you dig a little deeper. Shanny had 1 full back on the roster and that was Hillis. He needed someone to replace Hillis as a full back before he could make any moves which is why Shanny had Spencer Larsen moving back and forth from full back to line backer. That right there says Shanny did realize what he had in Hillis.
Mangini was the FIRST person to tell Hillis he had been traded to Cleveland (not McD or McX) and that he (Mangini) had plans for Hillis to be a big part of their offense. Again, I guarantee you that Mangini remembers that Hillis hung 129 yards rushing and a 5.86 yard per carry on his 2008 Jest team which is why he demanded Hillis as a part of the trade.
You’re glossing over McD’s mistake by insinuating that Shanny and Mangini made the same mistake and that’s just not true.
jcje, very well said, including your previous post (under older comments). I had the exact same argument, then I noticed that you already brought it up. And you probably articulated the point better than I could have. Hillis was a FULLBACK lol. Of course he is going to be buried in the depth chart as a halfback, because he wasn’t a half back. LMAO
But you are correct Mike, hind sight is always 20/20. But most of us fans knew Hillis had special talents that we NEED on our team. He runs hard, is athletic for his size, and is hard to bring down. I still can’t understand why we never used him in short yardage situations. Oh yeah, it was 100% the Olines fault. Sorry I’m not buying that. After 2008, I even was considering buying a Hillis jersey. And I usually do not buy jerseys because I’m afraid the player will get traded. I don’t want a Bronco Cutler, Marshall, Scheffler, Hillis jersey, because they are no longer Broncos. The only jerseys I would consider buying now is one of our old school jerseys like Elway, Mecklenberg, Smith, or Atwater (to name a few). And I do agree with jcje, maybe Shanny didn’t know he had a future tail back when he drafted Hillis as a Fullback. But I firmly believe if Shanny would have stayed we would have seen a lot more of Hillis, because the proof is in the pudding. Hillis showed everyone a glimpse of what he was capable of, and it was very promising indeed. McD chose to be stubborn and put Hillis in the McDoghouse after fumbling a kick off. Just ridiculous if you ask me, and most fans seem to agree.
Thanks Big D44 and I agree with you. Shanny said at the end of 2008 that Hillis had earned a shot at the starting RB spot and I firmly believe Hillis would have won it.
Hillis started b/4 tatem bell came. I do believe he was our leading rusher his rookie year.He had 100 recieving then back 2 back 100 yards rushing and i believe won rookie of the week or fedx ground or both. Shanny said he earned the right to start and he did. anyone who saw him played knew he was good and had heart. McD must of saw the tapes too, but he had to give his #1PICK the job even with all the fumbles and no broken tackles. it was yet another terrible trade by Mc D
Mc D always said ly when the media & fan would ask why not use Hillis cuz he was worried about Larsens health. which was a joke. if larsen would of gotten hurt you put a extra lineman or TE in the backfield. Hillis look great at KC ly . Mc D never admits when he is wrong and is too stuborn to change. Look at the tebow goalline questions from the Indy game. weeks later tebow is scoring tds
we have the worst GM ,the worst HC , AND A 4- 14 RECORD TO SHOW FOR IT
Boy, things are hotter in here than they are on the field … I want to cry when I see Hillis running for big yards for Cleveland, and Quinn languishing on the bench … but I keep saying, we don’t have the talent right now to compete with the top teams of the league … so – everyone’s frustrations are in vain … the Raiders stunk for ten years, drafted a lot of athletes, some of them good football players and some not – and now appear to finally be able to compete in a football game, even with a pedestrian quarterback … our time will again come – I just hope we don’t have to wait as long as the Raider fans have had to … but, boy, how would you like to be a Cowboy fan … we’ve at least been competitive against some good football teams … and I don’t think anyone in the organization has given up … if they do decide to change quarterbacks (and who do you think they’d go to???) then you’ll know they’ve given up … is that what you want, all you TT fans??? … cause if they go to him, they’ve given up …