Peyton Hillis Signs With Bucs
July 23rd, 2013Greg Schiano says he likes competition, and now he has more.
The Bucs signed troubled running back/fullback Peyton Hillis, per Schiano’s comments to Steve Duemig on WDAE-AM 620 this evening.
Schiano said Hillis looked great in his workout today and is chomping at the bit to get back on the field. Since his standout season in Cleveland back in 2010, Hillis has stood out for his bad attitude. And he’s also a fumbler.
Schiano said he’s excited about what Hillis will bring to the running backs corps that also added veteran third-down back Brian Leonard, a former Schiano guy at Rutgers, as well as rookie Mike James out of Miami. But Schiano made it clear that Doug Martin is not being threatened.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Ok Yesterday I said Running Backs would be a concern, scratch that I love the depth now. Ground and Pound Baby
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:49 pm
well lorig’s days are numbered as is captain inactive.
pretty apparent they are going the way of the bruisers as opposed to the small speed guys.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Doug Martin, Brian Leonard, Mike James, Peyton Hillis, Jeff Demps (He kind of counts) and finally Michael Smith. I believe 3 RBs is more than enough for the season, Martin, Leonard, and James. Martin is a no brainer, Leonard for his catching ability and Mike Jame….well i just like a bruiser running back and I don’t trust Hillis.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Like it. If he returns to old form he will make big contributions. If he doesn’t perform in camp he won’t make the team. Nice signing.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:53 pm
robert? Lorig…our Fullback ? days numbered ?? inactive ??? You mean Michael Smith…or I hope you do.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:57 pm
He better not get #40
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Lorig knows the system he isn’t going anywhere.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:00 pm
I doubt he gets 40 but it wouldn’t matter to me if he did, it would remind me of the good old days 🙂
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:02 pm
….And the Jake Plummer trade comes full circle
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:04 pm
AWESOME !
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:05 pm
He won’t survive the final cut. Personally I’d rather find a way to get John Conner.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:05 pm
Wonder if he will get Alstott’s number.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:05 pm
I love the signing, all upside, nothing to lose…very nice.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:10 pm
He’s not getting that number. I like him on 3rd and short though. Wow!
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:23 pm
^^^ @MVPFreeman crazy how things work
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:26 pm
Agreed bonsai…he doesn’t make the final cut.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:36 pm
If there ever was anyone that reminded you of Alstott, it would be this guy. Just to bad his heads been so far up his butt he got opticalrectimitus for awhile. Hopefully Schiano can rehabilitate this guys career. Is it me or does it seem Schiano and Dominik have been taking on a few reclamation projects here lately. Gabe Carimi and now Hillis. Pretty close to what Belicheat is well known for.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Riggins/Joe Don Looney attitude and talent…
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Great pick if he can play like he once did, for third and short especially
My only concern is whose carries is he going to take? Not Dougies I hope lol
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:54 pm
Buc’n Junkie Says: July 23rd, 2013 at 6:36 pm
“If there ever was anyone that reminded you of Alstott, it would be this guy”
Not even close.
July 23rd, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Joe should love this signing. He’s better than Blount. And fumbles the same amount. Look it up and do the math.
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Don’t do it Dom, dont let him think he’s coming in here getting #40…Only One A-train…….
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:02 pm
Hmmm….Blount was Bounced for a bowl of clam chowder?
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:15 pm
Like Hillis move but with a different number… Some guys mentally mature late but its hard to find a physical being like this dude he does have ability to hurt some defensive linemen 😉
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:36 pm
Hillis will be in the doghouse by the regular season for fumbling, if not he will have a decent year with us.
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:36 pm
This guy is the second coming of Jordan Shipley – i.e. won’t be here for long
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:40 pm
If he plays the way he can play (meaning to his potential) he will be a bruiser just like Alstott
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:44 pm
@lightningbuc
That’s Dominik’s MO during training camp and preseason.
Here today, gone tomorrow, back the next day.
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:52 pm
No one should ever wear 40 again ever. IMO
Same with Lynch, Ronde, Brooks, or Sapp’s number
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:52 pm
Dont give him 40. But in all honesty this can play some power football. Give him the ball when Doug Martin needs a quick breather. I like it I see this paying off as the season gets into November and December. Just wait…..bucs fans need to patient for real. I’ve been a fan for the past 15 years. This team is built the best I’ve ever seen it.
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:55 pm
he won’t make the team if he does not adjust attitude… no way does he wear 40 that would be a disgrace. I am ok with a class act wearing 40 but not a proven punk. to bad he is a mental midget he can play ball.
July 23rd, 2013 at 8:12 pm
Blount – Career – Rush – 426 – 1939 yards – 4.6 avg – 13 TDs
Blount – Careers – Rec – 21 – 164 yds – 7.8 avg – 0 TDs
Total Fumbles – 9
Total Touches – Fumbles every 49.67 touches
Hillis – Career – Rush – 597 – 2470 yards – 4.1 avg – 21 TDs
Hillis Career – Rec – 111 – 867 yards – 7.8 avg – 3 TDs
Total Fumbles – 13
Total Touches – 708
Fumbles every 54.5 touches
Soooo… basically, Hillis is a better receiving RB and actually fumbles LESS than Blount.
Why isn’t Joe happy about this signing? And why no mention of Blount’s fumbling history?
Both are GARBAGE, in my opinion. Just curious why the love for Blount but hatred for Hillis. Whatever.
July 23rd, 2013 at 8:13 pm
If we trade him away for a 7th round pick, will everyone cry about not having RB depth anymore?
July 23rd, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Remember last season when Schiano ordered four runs up the middle in a row on goal line and we couldn’t punch it in. Alsott has been gone a long time and if Hillis can sit on the side lines until 3rd and short and make something happen…I would be more than happy to see him wearing number 40. This team needs a nasty minded bruiser. Schiano will fix the fumbling. Like the signing. Mike James at return duties now.
July 23rd, 2013 at 8:56 pm
@ Snook
great work man, seeing those stats laid out like that gives you a better understanding of what Hillis brings to the table.
as for all the Hillis hate, it think has to do with that whole cleveland debacle. the way he treated that organization was despicable. hopefully hes learned from that and wont let it happen again.
July 23rd, 2013 at 9:12 pm
Found this one him. Sounds like a quiter to me:
“I think it was better for both sides [that he left],” Thomas said of Hillis, returning Sunday as a running back with the Chiefs. “At that point, the situation with him here was toxic. He didn’t want to be here and players didn’t want him here and it’s better just for a fresh start at that point.”
The Hillis saga of 2011 began when he left on the day of a home game against Miami in Week 3 with strep throat and the flu. His then-agent, Kennard McGuire, said he advised Hillis not to play.
“You guys tell me — you think strep throat and I don’t know whatever else injuries he had [a pulled hamstring] should keep you out of an NFL game? Or several?” Thomas said. “All I know is [center] Alex Mack had appendicitis. His appendix blew up, and he played.”
July 23rd, 2013 at 9:58 pm
The league’s full of people that have failed and succeeded elsewhere so I will give him a chance till he gives me a reason not to root for em 🙂
July 23rd, 2013 at 10:17 pm
I’m sure the contract probably has zero guaranteed money, so why not? Let him come in and compete. He and Brian Leonard are competing for one roster spot, may the best man win. Mike James was a 7th round pick, there is nothing guaranteed as far as a roster spot for him either.
July 24th, 2013 at 2:48 am
Second coming of the A Train and Dunn?
July 24th, 2013 at 5:22 am
Looks to me like Dominik is gathering guys that are powerful, physical runners to get behind that O-line and just keep banging. It’s just competition at this point. No way he gets # 40.
July 24th, 2013 at 8:44 am
I think they will keep both Hillis and Lenard…. And create some confusion with defenses like Hillis at TE and let Free run a bit or do some rollouts and hit Hillis underneath… Or either one in FB some old school power I formations and and up the gut runs hehe. Thats what I would love to see.
July 24th, 2013 at 2:32 pm
Camp fodder