Agent For Peyton Hillis Tells AP That He Advised Him To Sit Out Dolphins Game

[BernietheKid]

Agent For Peyton Hillis Tells AP That He Advised Him To Sit Out Dolphins Game

By TOM WITHERS, AP Sports Writer/DARYL RUITER, 92.3 The Fan Browns Beat Reporter
October 5, 2011 12:24 PM

CLEVELAND (AP/92.3 The Fan) — The agent for Peyton Hillis said that he advised his client not to play recently with strep throat.

In an interview with Tom Withers of the Associated Press, agent Kennard McGuire said Hillis was too sick to play in the September 25th game against Miami.

“I would give him the same advice to him or any of my clients as if he were my son,” McGuire said in a phone interview. “The game is physical enough, and the way Peyton plays the game, he needs all the elements of his physical game. Him being sick, and the level of his sickness, is the equivalent of being injured.

“Not only could he have hurt himself but he could have hurt his team. Nobody embodies Cleveland like Peyton Hillis. If anyone wants to point a finger, point it at me.”

Prior to Sunday’s game with Tennessee, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that some players in Browns’ locker room wondered if Hillis’ contract situation was a factor in him deciding not to play.

McGuire, like coach Pat Shurmur, was disturbed that if there were teammates who felt that way, they should have had the “courage” to speak out publicly.

“That shouldn’t be an issue,” Hillis said when asked about the report. “That’s not an issue in my brain. I’ll go out there and I’ll play. But if I know I’m not 100 percent and I can hurt my team, I’m not gonna risk myself.”

Shurmur said Monday that Hillis was not “punished” for missing the game after receiving 10 carries in a 31-13 loss to the Titans that saw Colt McCoy set franchise records for passing attempts and completions in a single game.

“I think there’s a lot going on with that question or comment, but that’s not the case,” Shurmur said. “He played and he was a contributor (Sunday). I think what’s being talked about is something that happened two weeks ago. In my mind, it’s not an issue and as we move forward I hope it becomes something that we don’t talk about.

“He’s our running back, we handed him the football, we threw it to him and he did a good job.”


When asked about his role within the Browns’ offense this season, after rushing for 49 yards against the Titans, Hillis politely deferred to the coaches.
“I’ve always found myself to be a rhythm guy,” Hillis said. “The game plan and what the coaches have decided, that’s what they want to go with. Being a player you have to follow the coaches’ orders and do what they tell you to do. You have to respect them.”
Shurmur spent much of his Monday afternoon press conference addressing the Hillis speculation.

McGuire also said that Hillis, who rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, has been affected by the ongoing contract talks and feels under appreciated.

“He’s human, of course it’s on his mind,” said McGuire, adding he has been in “constant contact” with the Browns. “Would it affect him being a pro? No. Does he feel underappreciated? Yes. He’s human. We all in life have a perceived value of our worth now, but we do believe that he’s deserving of something that mirrors his production of last year.”

Hillis also caught 61 passes last season and became the first player in franchise history to rush for more than 1,000 yards, make 50 catches and score 10 TDs in the same season.

In three games this season, Hillis has rushed for 197 yards and two touchdowns on 53
carries.

Shurmur said that the team would never limit Hillis’ role because of an on going contract dispute.

“Absolutely not, absolutely not. I think that’s a non-issue,” Shurmur said. “I think what you look at; you look at the game, you look at how it gets played out and at the end of the game you sit and look at a piece of paper that talks about what happened in the game. Well, the game changes as the score changes and we did some things where the score got stretched out on us, and you naturally now are trying to race yourself back into the game and a lot of times that involves throwing it. I would never think of throwing the ball 61 times. For some folks that might be fun, I would never do that if we’re in a situation where it’s different.”

Prior to the Browns’ season opener Browns President MikeHolmgren said that the team was “trying like crazy” to resign Hillis.

McGuire said both sides would like to reach a contract agreement “but are not aligned” on the value of a deal.

“Both the Browns and I are in constant communication,” McGuire said. “The fact that the Browns are in contact sends a message that both sides want to procure an agreement. It’s just that we are not aligned at this time as to what that value is. Details of these talks will always remain between me and the organization.”

The Browns have already signed Joe Thomas, Ahtyba Rubin, Evan Moore and Chris Gocong to contract extensions.

Agent For Peyton Hillis Tells AP That He Advised Him To Sit Out Dolphins Game « CBS Cleveland

[Vegasdogg]

1. The fact his agent talked to the media about what Peyton is thinking and dealing with, while common these days, is a no-no with me. Don't like the media, and don't like people who spill the beans to the media. Rats talking to rats.

2. I am so tired of this entire soap opera. The dude dropped 12 pounds. That is not just sick, that is so sick you don't eat, have no energy, and lack the proper nutrition it takes to play in the NFL. Yeah years gone by those guys played, but they also didn't have 295 DE's running 5.1 slamming into them regularly.

3. Shurmur didn't do anyone any favors with his "it is my understanding" and "he said he couldn't play" comments. That was dumb right from the start. As soon as I read that he said that I knew there were bus wheel tracks all over Peyton.

4. His agent is talking about last years production, but I wonder what he is comparing the value of his client to for this contract. Does he want "elite" RB money? Because he isn't the typical "elite" running back. His style is neither hard to gameplan for nor does it project longevity. It is called return on investment.

5. Peyton is not going to sign a contract with the Browns. I just have this feeling 2 things will happen. a) he signs before the Raiders game, or b) he hits FA. But his agent did nothing in this interview but talk out both sides of his mouth: "Details of these talks will always remain between me and the organization.” Oh really Mr. McGuire, except the fact that you called the Browns cheapskates because as you say "Does he feel underappreciated? Yes"

This guy is like Baghdad Bob. "The Americans are nowhere near Baghdad, we have them surrounded, we're choking off the head of the snake."

[Riffer X]

I pin this drama debacle on Patty Shurms, he is starting to sound more and more like RAC 'n ROLLS in his interviews too, sounds like a complete idiot like he is purposely trying to be stupid and piss people off.

Clean it up Patty, you are better than this. Know who your core players are for goodness sake.

[Enigmatic Evil]

This is ridiculous. Shurmur's going to take the brunt of the blame too when, like Terry Pluto said, it's not up to Shurmur it's up to Heckert/Holmgren.

I can agree that Shurmur is far too passive in his confrences. One thing I learned in my call center job that I will take to the grave with me is that when you're dealing with anything on a "one-to-one level" (in a sense, press conferences are like that) you have to deal in absolutes. What you say, is the way it is. That's how the Head Coach needs to operate IMO. Shurmur is not handling things like that and maybe that will come with time. This is afterall his first season as HC in one of the most difficult football markets I can imagine. Fans and Media are like wildfire and a rookie HC could feel out of his element quickly unless he takes control.

I hope the Hillis situation gets resolved but if it wasn't a big deal to Hillis he would be standing up and saying. "Look, I'm here to play football and I will not discuss the contract situation." then its closed book on Hillis' end and everyone knows he just wants to play football. I may have missed something but "ask the coach" doesn't really convey that message. It conveys lack of confidence if anything. Shurmur needs the confidence of his core players.

[next2nothing]

I really hope we don't let Hillis leave here. Would be a huge mistake by this organization if that happens.

[Vegasdogg]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

It conveys lack of confidence if anything. Shurmur needs the confidence of his core players.

I agree. But that is why I did not understand his answer to the media when asked after the game about Hillis. "It is my understanding he couldn't play because he was too sick. That's what I was told." I am thinking 'look dude this isn't national security, just close the book on it - he was way too sick to play and we were not going to send him out there like that.' Take the lead on it and just be done with the issue. He didn't do that, so I am sure a clearing of the air needs to be had, and part of that is frustration on Hillis' part when he said "you'll have to ask the coach." Because when Hillis said that I was like come on dude, that shit isn't necessary either.

But coach is the leader of the team and the voicebox. To me that is just Media 101 - don't throw your player under the bus, or put him in a position to answer awkward questions.

[Brown Warrior]

Vinny the Fly says there's fire under this smoke. The fact that the Browns believed Hillis was playing and then he showed up having decided not to did not sit well with all, according to a "source." They thought he could have dressed, played sparingly, got fluids, etc.

And Fly thinks the Browns did reward Hardesty a little for helping them win that game in Hillis absence. The general sense is a wash, 1-1, and moving on. But he says Hillis is getting pissed about his contract situation. They aren't on the same page.

[Brown Warrior]

Bottom line: It ain't a great time to be a running back looking for a huge, long-term deal.

[next2nothing]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

The general sense is a wash, 1-1, and moving on. But he says Hillis is getting pissed about his contract situation. They aren't on the same page.

Just pay the guy then. I mean come on...

Without a doubt our best player on offense, team first guy (I don't believe 1 word of the crap that he sat out the Fins game bc of his contract), and cares about whether this team wins or loses unlike some of the divas we've had in the past. Christ... they gave Cribbs, who is nothing more than a glorified return guy and has not shown anyone one reason to think he could be a game changer at WR, his money. They just gave Gocong an extension and he isn't an all world LB.

Settle this crap now and pay the man. If he doesn't produce on the new contract then do what you will with him but right now we can't afford to release this guy, unless Hardesty emerges, which is still undetermined.

[Brown Warrior]

Teams are gonna be careful with running backs and big, long-term deals. I love Hillis and believe he's special and versatile and sets a great tone... but he's a running back. They get hurt, they have shorter shelf lives, and their individual greatness doesn't seem to add up to wins in today's league. The running game basically supports the passing game and teams are winning with Starks, Woodhead, Indy's latest UDFA, and so on.

Like Masters has said, platoons are becoming the thang and running backs are getting drafted lower. Would Minnesota spend a high pick on one of the best backs I've ever seen again, knowing they'll only win if they get epic QB play from a Hall of Famer for one season?

What about the Titans? They're winning more (3-1) with Johnson doing less for way higher pay... because Hasselbeck is playing great football and their defense is terrific (for Veg!). What about Houston, who found out Ben Tate can run for a lot of yards, too, when Foster's out?

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by Brown Warrior

Teams are gonna be careful with running backs and big, long-term deals. I love Hillis and believe he's special and versatile and sets a great tone... but he's a running back. They get hurt, they have shorter shelf lives, and their individual greatness doesn't seem to add up to wins in today's league. The running game basically supports the passing game and teams are winning with Starks, Woodhead, Indy's latest UDFA, and so on.

Like Masters has said, platoons are becoming the thang and running backs are getting drafted lower. Would Minnesota spend a high pick on one of the best backs I've ever seen again, knowing they'll only win if they get epic QB play from a Hall of Famer for one season?

What about the Titans? They're winning more (3-1) with Johnson doing less for way higher pay... because Hasselbeck is playing great football and their defense is terrific (for Veg!). What about Houston, who found out Ben Tate can run for a lot of yards, too, when Foster's out?

What I worry is that Hillis and his agent believe he deserves anywhere near Chris Johnson money. Hillis was a nobody who had one good year in a system that pretty much relied on him being the only offensive weapon. I love him, I think he's 3x the RB Hardesty is right now, but Chris Johnson was arguably one of the best RB in the league for 3 years. There's not even a comparion in what thier contracts should be. And yes you are right, no team really should pay a RB what the Titans payed Johnson anymore.

[Greythan]

The Titans likely felt they had no choice. Imagine the fan backlash if they'd not resigned him and Hasselbeck had come in and laid an egg. Anarchy!

We are in a different spot. While fans love Hillis (why wouldn't they?), its not the same imperative for the Browns to "cave" with Hillis.

All that said, I fully agree with Golf in that Hillis is 3x the back of anyone else on our roster at this point. We're a better football team with him regardless of how the league values RB's.