What's going on with Hillis?

[next2nothing]

So is it just me or has it seemed, since the start of the season, that Hillis is getting kind of pushed out of the offense? I know last week he had the illness and that could have still been affecting him this week, but it just seems Shurmur designs the game plan around everyone but Hillis! I don't understand it.

Shurmur had Steven Jackson when he was OC of the Rams and Jackson got 300+ carries/1,000 yards both years Shurmur was there. Jackson and Hillis are the same type of hard-nosed running backs who can have that burst of speed when they need it... so why the sudden change? Is Shurmur trying to have McCoy do to much? Does he like Hardesty (who I think had a good game against the Fins but come on... don't start giving him more carries than our workhorse and emerging RB) more?

I know the team has also been down early these first four weeks and that is another reason why he may be getting limited touches. We're throwing more because we're forced to play catch up. I really hope that we get back on track with pounding the football after the bye. This is the AFC North, you run the ball to win in this division, especially in the winter months.

There were also rumors being circulated by Adam Schefter (imo has lost credibility since joining ESPN) that Hillis didn't play last week because of his wanting a new contract. I think this is total BS. From his press conferences, to the way he talks in articles and even from people I know who've had the chance to meet him, Hillis is not the divaesque RB that Schefter is trying to portray him as. He's a stand up guy and hasn't made one peep about a new contract at all. So I don't buy that.

I'd hate to see this organization make another huge mistake and force this guy out of town. I'm not saying that's the case but it sure does seem like it.

[damajuki]

I agree that it appears Shurmur is de-emphasizing Hillis.

He appears to be hell-bent on playing a true WCO, which emphasizes small, quick RBs, despite us not having ANY of those kind of RBs (Brandon Jackson was the tipoff of the likely future type of RBs in CLE, God help us).

I'd wager PH is not getting an extension; the Browns are going to pretend for PR purposes that they are interested in signing him but my gut is that he's done in CLE after this year.

Which would be totally typical of a Browns FO: get rid of the best player on the team because he's not "your guy" who doesn't fit "the scheme". Forget he was a breakout player and fan favorite. Forget the fact he is perfectly suited for helping win games in CLE.

More shallow thinking and planning.

[Neo]

Does it irritate anyone else that when we have these 4th and 1 situations that we run the smallest guy we have to try to get that extra yard? And we have a back like Hillis that would probably make most defenders wet their pants if he was coming full steam at them? This doesn't just "bother" me, it really irritates the shit out of me. I have no idea what is going on with Hillis, but he is on this team and they better start USING HIM!

[next2nothing]

Originally Posted by Neo

Does it irritate anyone else that when we have these 4th and 1 situations that we run the smallest guy we have to try to get that extra yard? And we have a back like Hillis that would probably make most defenders wet their pants if he was coming full steam at them? This doesn't just "bother" me, it really irritates the shit out of me. I have no idea what is going on with Hillis, but he is on this team and they better start USING HIM!

That's one of the things that fueled me into making this thread. Just makes no sense to me and especially in those situations, it's like Shurmur is doing EVERYTHING ELSE but use his power back.

[Listercat]

The whole situation is perplexing to say the least

[YtownBacker]

JMO, but did anyone ever realize that Hillis was down 5 or 6 days flat on his back, sick as hell. Have you ever been really, really sick that lasted about a week? You think after a few days back on your feet you could go out and carry the ball 30 times. The guy lost 12 pounds and had a 103+ temp for 3 days.

Maybe the coaches realize a guy can't just bounce back that fast. Maybe they figured they get 15+ touches out of him and 15+ touches out of Hardesty and that would be better for the team.

What's wrong with Hillis?............................most likely nothing except teams game plan for him because he is the heart of the Browns offense. Teams stack the middle. so, it really isn't what's wrong with Hillis, it's what's wrong with the offense that Colt an Shurmur can't exploit what teams are giving them while the defense is keying on Hillis. that and our offensive line has two new guards and they just aren't pushing guys off the line or creating holes to run through.

As soon as Colt can make a defense respect the passing game the running game will get better. Plus the line has to do a better job opening holes and moving people off the ball. IMO, it's not about anything Hillis is doing, it's about defenses keying on him and making Colt beat them another way.

The Browns tried to take Chris Johnson away by keying on him and got lit up for some big plays. They played man across the board and put a spy on Johnson. They were unsuccessful. Teams are doing the same with Hillis and Colt hasn't made them pay for that.

That said, they still underused him and threw the ball too much. When a team commits to stopping the run you should be able to hit some deep outs, deep crosses and wheel routes.

It's not Hillis, it's that we just aren't that good and Colt hasn't shown that he's that good yet. With Pashos back we still couldn't open up anything inside to get the running game going but Colt had a bit more time.

[next2nothing]

Originally Posted by YtownBacker

JMO, but did anyone ever realize that Hillis was down 5 or 6 days flat on his back, sick as hell. Have you ever been really, really sick that lasted about a week? You think after a few days back on your feet you could go out and carry the ball 30 times. The guy lost 12 pounds and had a 103+ temp for 3 days.

Maybe the coaches realize a guy can't just bounce back that fast. Maybe they figured they get 15+ touches out of him and 15+ touches out of Hardesty and that would be better for the team.

What's wrong with Hillis?............................most likely nothing except teams game plan for him because he is the heart of the Browns offense. Teams stack the middle. so, it really isn't what's wrong with Hillis, it's what's wrong with the offense that Colt an Shurmur can't exploit what teams are giving them while the defense is keying on Hillis. that and our offensive line has two new guards and they just aren't pushing guys off the line or creating holes to run through.

As soon as Colt can make a defense respect the passing game the running game will get better. Plus the line has to do a better job opening holes and moving people off the ball. IMO, it's not about anything Hillis is doing, it's about defenses keying on him and making Colt beat them another way.

The Browns tried to take Chris Johnson away by keying on him and got lit up for some big plays. They played man across the board and put a spy on Johnson. They were unsuccessful. Teams are doing the same with Hillis and Colt hasn't made them pay for that.

That said, they still underused him and threw the ball too much. When a team commits to stopping the run you should be able to hit some deep outs, deep crosses and wheel routes.

It's not Hillis, it's that we just aren't that good and Colt hasn't shown that he's that good yet. With Pashos back we still couldn't open up anything inside to get the running game going but Colt had a bit more time.

Good take YTown and yeah I figured this past week was due to the effects of having strep throat but even before that it just seemed that Shumur didn't want to use Hillis. The thread title was more geared towards the use of Hillis in the game plan, not so much why he hasn't been as productive.

I agree with you about the O-Line and it has to do a better job hands down in pass protection and run blocking.

Great input btw, I guess I'm just worried I'll see this organization get rid of another guy who, IMO, should play for this team till he retires.

[Riffer X]

Unfortunately, we got side tracked on another thread and discussed this in depth today. I posted most of my thoughts on that thread about what is going on. I am with Ytown mostly, and I also think there is a book out on Hillis now, especially when it comes to tackling him. Teams are going much lower on him when he has a crease and one guy is generally tripping him up when there is a hole.

I didn't expect anything to look any better with Pashos being back, he hasn't played since last October and he can't possibly be in any kind of playing shape or any chemistry with he rest of the line or Lauvao.

The Browns got behind because the defense shit the bed early, and against a team like Tennessee, you are screwed trying to throw downfield in windy conditions against cover two when the running game doesn't mean much anymore.

Then there is the fact that Hillis was sick as hell last week and shouldn't have been carrying the load anyway. I also think he doesn't like the competition from Hardesty one bit, but he needs to get over that and show that he is still the man. It can only make him better.

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by Riffer X

Then there is the fact that Hillis was sick as hell last week and shouldn't have been carrying the load anyway. I also think he doesn't like the competition from Hardesty one bit, but he needs to get over that and show that he is still the man. It can only make him better.

I think all of the above is true. I also agree that Hillis needs to stop getting tripped up and falling over for 3 yard gains. I know this kid is nimble enough not to be taken down so easily and he should be productive. Hopefully he has a horrible taste in his mouth for two weeks and comes out thumping.

[Sez.EJ]

I am hoping Shurmer sees the error of his ways and adjusts back to Hillis.. Maybe he was not completely better last week so he played him sparingly.. No evidence of that, but it's certainly possible ..they said he lost 10 lb's during that week of illness. That takes a lot out of you.