Tryouts Can Mean Anything
July 23rd, 2013By now, many Bucs fans have heard unconfirmed reports of bad-attitude, 27-year-old running back Peyton Hillis getting a tryout with the Bucs today.
The guy hasn’t done squat since his strong 2010 season in Cleveland, other than alienate teammates and the rest of the NFL, which is why Hillis is unemployed.
Joe really can’t give much of a crap about this. First, the Bucs give all kinds of players tryouts all the time, and sometimes a tryout is merely rockstar general manager Mark Dominik doing an agent a favor — one Dominik can cash in on later.
Second, Hillis doesn’t make sense for the Bucs. Forget the fact that Hillis is a fumbling machine — a capital crime under the New Schiano Order. Rookie Mike James needs all the carries he can handle during the preseason, as does veteran back Brian Leonard, who is a total newcomer to the Bucs offense. And then there’s Michael Smith, who needs to stay, um, active. There’s also Spudd Webb rookie Matt Brown on the roster.
No, Joe’s not reading into a Hillis tryout. Even if they add him to the 90-man training camp roster, there won’t be much to it.
July 23rd, 2013 at 10:45 am
Why is Joe so negative?
Why does Joe selectively hate players?
Is this TMZ?
July 23rd, 2013 at 10:50 am
If he makes the team, I hope he doesn’t think he’s getting #40.
July 23rd, 2013 at 10:56 am
At least we have some news that isn’t bad even if it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense….but stranger things have happened.
I really don’t care how many try-outs we have….its who makes it that counts.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:02 am
I like the insight on how this could be a favor for an agent to get one in return. I never thought of it that way.
Yes Adam you are right because I don’t even think Hillis is qualified to carry Alstott’s jock strap.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:04 am
Brian Leonard and Hillis as bruisers
Muscle Hampster and our 6th round pick as true RB’s
Smith to the practice squad and Lorig as the FB
4 RB’s and a FB is a lot to carry. Matt Brown would be a returner is he makes the team.
more meat in the backfield aint a bad thing. We need a bruiser for goal lines and the end of the game and maybe change of pace.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:06 am
First, Alstott’s number was retired;so, no worry there. Additionally, if he is healthy, and has corrected his attitude problem, at 27, the kid could be a nice addition to a top heavy backfield. Let’s see what he’s got!
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:08 am
Better hide the coaches wives while Hillis is in town.
Agree James needs reps, Robert Smith too. As far as Leonard learning the offense, he’s known to be a cerebral guy and may have some familiarity with some elements of the offense from his Rutgers days.
I’m thinking we’ll wind up with him and James as they are both known have soft hands and versatile ST contributors.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:29 am
Would it be such a bad thing to bring in a 3rd and short HB to spell Doug? From the few times I’ve watched Leonard play he was a bruiser but didn’t necessarily look like the guy you’d want carrying the ball if it was 3rd or 4th and inches. This guy could be that and he certainly must be humbled from the way his career has taken a turn for the worst.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:31 am
Alstott’s number isnt retired. #99 is the only number thats been officially retired by the Bucs since the Glazers have owned them.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:35 am
I viewed this as a favor for an agent from the start. My question is whether Hillis has the same agent as a free agent the Bucs might be interest in?
My personal hope would be Abraham. But I don’t know if there is even a connection.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:36 am
I don’t think even # 99 is officially retired…..yet. They will probably do it during the throwback game this year.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:44 am
Perhaps we should give George Zimmerman a tryout. At least we know he could inflct damage to opponents when at the bottom of the pile!
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:49 am
All I can remember about his Hillis is that he fumbled twice against us in our opening day win in 2010 and has done nothing since.
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:57 am
@tampabaybucfan that was lame
July 23rd, 2013 at 11:59 am
That was my mistake.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Put him at fb lorig has no competition
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:01 pm
Quick bit of trivia… Hillis was drafted by the Broncos in 2008 with the 7th round pick the Bucs gave them for the rights to Jake Plummer.Remember that abortion? Ugh.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:16 pm
Just read were also taking a look at Shiancoe. The former TE from Minnesota.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:24 pm
Interesting that Joe hates Hillis but thinks Blount should still be a Bucs. Look at their careerstats. Pretty similar except Hillis has 111 receptions compared to Blounts 21. And both have a fumble for roughly 46-47 carries.
Blount = Hillis
PASS.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:25 pm
I love this,he can help keep Martin fresh for the playoffs!!!!!!!!!
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:26 pm
Look I the guy has pulled his head out of his A$$, then he surely can make the team and be productive. Sometimes guys egos get to big for themselves and they need to be brought back down to earth.
With our O-line healthy, Hillis could potentially prove to be a nightmare to a tired defense in the 4th qtr. Still with that in mind he will have a tough time making the team. Most teams keep 4 RBs, Doug Martin & Brian Leonard, have their spots secure. Rooking Mike James should make the team. Leaving one last spot and depending how things work at at the return spot. The
Bucs 4rth RB maybe a returner (Hillis is not) but is WR/CB get the return job I could see this team going for a power back.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:40 pm
BucoBruce, Cracked me up with that one.
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:52 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with you Joe. Don’t mind the tryout but I don’t want him and don’t think he brings much to the table.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:07 pm
He’s a big dude maybe he can play tight end.
July 23rd, 2013 at 1:50 pm
A hulking, caucasian RB with a bruising running style and a fumbling problem that is big enough to be listed as a FB? Hmmm, that sounds familiar… Choo choo part two!
July 23rd, 2013 at 4:02 pm
I do remember going on a mad Twitter tear the year Hillis was on the Madden cover because the finalists were him and Mike Vick. Hillis was my favorite player for about 12 hours.
July 23rd, 2013 at 4:17 pm
@Snook
So wrong on the Blount/Hillis comparisons.
Hillis can pass protect, can catch out of the backfield, and has a very fast release from his stance. He doesn’t dance in the backfield making him a solid short yardage back.
Other than open field running style they are nothing alike.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:24 pm
He has the steroid pimple arms going on.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:27 pm
Aren’t Hillis & Leonard pretty much the same guy??
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Signed to a Buccaneer contract this evening.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:52 pm
11-11,#99 will be retired Monday night Football game against the Fins. The only number currently retired in The Buccaneers franchise history is Mr. Lee Roy Selmon’s # 63.
July 23rd, 2013 at 5:56 pm
#99 will be retired this year when they put Sapp in the ring of honer on 11-11, Monday night Vs the Fins. Lee Roy Selmon’s #63 is currently the only retired number.