by Eric Schmidt
his has been a strange year for Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis. In 2010, Hillis became a fan favorite with a cult-like following in Cleveland but in 2011, Hillis fell out of favor with the same fans and his coaching staff. The season started with the power back suffering a case of strep throat which led to him sitting out for a game, that led to rumors that he was advised to sit by his agent in order to gain leverage to gain a new long-term deal. The season went downhill from there. The offseason has been no easy go for Hillis either with ESPN reporting last week that he was contemplating retirement and joining the CIA.
The ESPN report was immediately dismissed by Hillis and he fired yet another agent, his third this season. Speaking to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Hillis said regarding the rumor, “That’s ridiculous. I never one time mentioned anything to any coach about retirement or joining the CIA or anything like that. It’s 100 percent false. I don’t know who came up with a story like that, but they should’ve come up with a better one to make it sound legit.”
Hillis has spent the season lobbying for a new long-term contract with the Browns but the franchise has stated that they are willing to allow him to test the free agent market. Free agency begins on March 13th.
Hillis said that he would like to remain with the Browns and that he’d be willing to take a discount in order to remain with Cleveland. “I’ve always loved this city, and I still love it, and I still want to play for the Cleveland Browns. ” In regards to taking a hometown discount, “Yeah, of course I would. It depends on what they want to do. When free agency gets here, I’d love to hear them out,” Hillis told reporters.
The use of the franchise tag on Peyton Hillis is out of the question now for the Browns. The club placed the franchise tag on veteran PK Phil Dawson.
Hillis is coming off a very disappointing season. He recorded his lowest yard per carry average of his career (3.6) and only recorded one 100-yard performance, 112 yards against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 16. If the Browns do not make an attempt to re-sign Hillis, they could pursue a new back in free agency or perhaps draft one in the upcoming draft.
Cleveland currently has three backs on their roster. The oft-injured Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson and Chris Ogbonnaya.
Eric Schmidt is the owner/editor of thepigskinreport.com.
http://www.thepigskinreport.com/2012/03/the-curious-case-of-cleveland-browns-rb-peyton-hillis/
No comments:
Post a Comment