Peyton Hillis Could Be Busy Sunday
September 6th, 2013
Greg Schiano revealed today that starting fullback Erik Lorig is very much questionable for Sunday’s game.
So in Joe’s mind that means it’s likely Peyton Hillis will earn a helmet on Sunday and see meaningful action against the Jets.
Rookie Mike James is not a fullback, and veteran running back Brian Leonard readily admits he hasn’t been fullback-sized since blocking for Ray Rice in college.
Hillis told Joe this week that he’s been getting work at fullback and is healthy and ready to go. Hillis, a superstar with the Browns in 2010, is brimming with confidence. Joe had to ask Hillis if he was surprised to make the final Bucs roster, and Hillis was adamant that he’s not in Tampa as a hanger-on. Hillis said he believes he proved as much as the other backup running backs through training camp and preseason.
Fullback was Hillis’ college position, and he’s played the position in the pros and he definitely has the size. He’s also got proven NFL hands out of the backfield.
Yes, the Bucs lined up with tight ends in the backfield in preseason — that’s how Tom Crabtree got hurt (he’s out for Sunday) — but keep in mind that’s preseason, which doesn’t mean much.
Hillis might get quite an opportunity to revive his career and inject a surprise spark into the Bucs offense Sunday. If the Bucs play to their capabilities against a crappy Jets team, then it would be great to see Leonard and Hillis close out the game on the ground in the fourth quarter with Doug Martin getting valuable rest.
September 6th, 2013 at 3:47 pm
I truly hope Hillis plays lights out Sunday. If utilized correctly, he could be a fine addition to this roster all season long.
September 6th, 2013 at 3:54 pm
If he performs well…we don’t need Lorig…if he doesn’t, we don’t need him. We have depth at RB….we should use it!!!
Now we see why we kept 5 RB/FB….Lorig is not fully healthy.
September 6th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
i wonder who will be inactive sunday?
September 6th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
time to sign john connor and let never healthy lorig go.
September 6th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
I’m surprised we did not pick up the the “terminator”. He’s one hell of a blocker.
September 6th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
Never healthy lorig and sign conner? Turn off HBO and pay attention to the bucs please. Lorig was a complete stud for us last year and has been durable if anything. Muscle hamster is blessed when hes on the field.
Over under for how many healthy games Hillis will play this year? Im going with two.
September 6th, 2013 at 4:10 pm
Glad we Brought Hillis aboard. I am waiting for him to crash thru other teams.
September 6th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
the FB position isnt dead. neither is Buc Ball. I was at the game when Alstott and Dunn carved up the Vikings D, went over 100 yds each, and we handed them their only loss of the regular season.
I miss the Rhino backfield the most. Just pure smashmouth football. But Im optimistic about this move though. 2 days!!!!
September 6th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Hillis could be trade bait…invariably RBs go down & we could pick up a later round draft pick for him. We have enough depth to let him go if Lorig is healthy.
My problem isn’t with the players…but with the plan. We need to use the FB more in our offense….especially with the lack of quality & emphasis on our TEs…..
September 6th, 2013 at 4:16 pm
@ china… I’ll take the over thinking he can make 3
September 6th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
I am HUGE on the Peyton Hillis Bandwagon. I really want to see him take up the Alstott Mantle as the team’s complimentary power back to Doug Martin.
I want to see him plowing through tired arms with a 9 point lead and 7:00 on the clock in the 4th quarter.
September 6th, 2013 at 5:39 pm
@Tony2¢ – I know that game… I was there, too. Randall Cunningham was QB and was in the midst of resurrecting his career.
I don’t think Tony Dungy ever called a more PERFECT game than that one.
September 6th, 2013 at 5:59 pm
My only question as far as Hillis goes. Is why did they keep running him on the outside and not pound him up the middle during preseason? Of course though many of us had a lot of pre-season questions. Oh well.
September 6th, 2013 at 6:32 pm
My only guess, if you are to believe the myopic pro-Buc media’s theories on preseason strategy, they ran that because there’s no way you’ll see that during the regular season.
September 6th, 2013 at 7:32 pm
Lorig may be good at blocking but as an offensive weapon, virtually nothing. If Hillis can block well and add offense to the FB position I say let him be the primary FB. If he performs well at the position then trading him for a late round pick would be absurd. We’ll see what happens with all of this on Sunday.
September 6th, 2013 at 10:10 pm
If the jets have 8 in the box to rush Freeman, how does anyone expect the run to work? Until the offense proves they can handle the blitzes every team is going to do it.
That means 1..2…release.
September 7th, 2013 at 2:56 am
I guess you want me gone joe…Your website keep kicking me off.. I can take a hint. Im not the enemy..I dont make trouble. Its far more worst posters on the site then lil ol $acbuc$.
Hillis is Alsott jr.Im glad he dumped the 33 for 44. He will remind the buc how much we missed the A train.
NOW WE GOT THE H TRAIN…..KNOW IT ALLS!