Even though the Browns lost yesterday there were a few bright spots. For me it feels a bit like gloating because I picked Peyton Hillis as my sleeper player for the Browns this season. At the end of the day, every Browns fan has to be ecstatic to have Peyton Hillis (and two draft picks) in exchange for Brady Quinn. Even before Hillis’ big game against the Ravens it felt good to be rid of the QB controversy. It felt good to not ever have to hear a Browns fan utter the phrase, “Let’s just see what we have in Brady Quinn!” Who could have thought just how well it would turn out though?
I know it is just one game and I know that Hillis put the ball on the ground a few times earlier this year. The thing is that these were the Ravens. The Ravens with Ray Lewis and Haloti Ngata and all the rest. Ed Reed didn’t play, but even that can hardly tarnish the stats that Peyton Hillis was able to put together yesterday. We are talking about a historically stingy defense. It was the 6th most ever yards against the Ravens and the most since 2005. Hillis was the first ever Cleveland Browns player to post over 100 yards against the Ravens.
Hillis had 144 yards on the ground yesterday on 22 carries. He had over 6 yards per carry. He ripped off a long run that made every Browns fan scream in delight as he pounded his feet for 48 yards. And it isn’t just the stats. Hillis refuses to go down at first contact. He punishes defenders almost as much as his lead blocker Lawrence Vickers. He added 7 catches for 36 yards.
He was having such a good game that the mere thought of him running on 2nd and goal from the one to start the fourth quarter left Benjamin Watson so completely and utterly wide open on the play-action that it was insanity. It has been quite a while since the Browns have had a player who could scare the opposition like that.
Yes, the Browns still lost. Yes, the Browns still need more weapons than the one-man wrecking crew that Hillis was yesterday. Still, with so many question marks on this team, isn’t it nice to have a 24 year-old with some big play ability on the roster? These are the kinds of guys that can help turn the team around. They will need lots more help than just a Peyton Hillis, but doesn’t he seem like a piece to the puzzle? Certainly more than Brady Quinn.