Hillis contract issues: could this be a factor?

[hiwaygal]

From: Tom Heckert Has a History With Hillis Agent Kennard McGuire

File this under the category of things that might not mean much at all, but I found it interesting when going back through some archives.

Tom Heckert doesn’t talk to the media frequently, but one time he did was in February of last year after the Browns finished cutting a few choice veterans. He talked about a variety of topics including the communication gap between he and the head coach with regard to Jerome Harrison, Jayme Mitchell and the wide receivers. Then he said something that got Peyton Hillis’ current agent Kennard McGuire to pipe up.

Tom Heckert was talking about former Browns’ lineman Shaun Rogers after cutting him loose. Heckert called Rogers a “different cat,” while also hinting that the Browns had tired of his not practicing every week and being listed on the injury report all the time.

“Shaun’s whole thing — and he’s stated a million times — is that he’s never been on a team that’s any good. Every team he’s ever been on has been bad. Right or wrong, I think it’s taken a toll on him.”

Kennard McGuire was (is?) Shaun Rogers’ agent and he felt the need to respond in support of his client, specifically against the words of Tom Heckert.

“I am disappointed that he felt the need to state certain thoughts about Shaun after he was released, and I’m not sure what the statement ‘different cat’ really means. I’m also not sure Mr. Heckert and Shaun ever really conversed, and I’m not sure about the trade or release, because we were told that the Browns did not want to trade Shaun when they had opportunities to do so. As far as not being able to release him, we all know that the Browns could have released him at any time.”

Of course Kennard McGuire is now the agent attempting to negotiate the new deal between the Browns and Peyton Hillis. Of course, I have no inside knowledge of the negotiations or conversations other than what has hit the media, but it makes me wonder. What kind of pitch did McGuire give to Peyton Hillis in order to score him as a client? Did that include any scare tactics warning Peyton Hillis that he shouldn’t trust the Browns because of how they treated a 31-year-old Shaun Rogers?

It is hard to believe that McGuire wouldn’t have brought up his track record with the Browns at all in getting Hillis to join his roster of clients. Is this having an effect on the tone and timbre of the negotiations and the seemingly high level of mistrust between Hillis and the Browns?

It is also worth noting that McGuire and Heckert presumably also interacted during the Jason Peters trade from Buffalo to Philly when Heckert was still in the Eagles front office. The Shaun Rogers situation obviously happened after that though.

You be the judge.

[Jax Dawg]

Mmm, if Hillis really wants to be a Brown next year should he find another agent (for the 3rd or is it 4h time in the past year)?

[hiwaygal]

I'm not sure how big a factor this is - it could be nothing, it could be ego's talking and taking over a little.

I think Hillis hired this guy BECAUSE of his "familiarity" in dealings with Heckert. Although it may be backfiring on him.

All I know is, I don't want Hillis gone, but what are ya gonna do???

[nickers]

well Ive seen/heard rumours of him being traded to the cowboys today for a WR,RB and draft pick. Im not sure how much creedence can be lent to that,but I hope its not true.

[next2nothing]

Originally Posted by nickers

well Ive seen/heard rumours of him being traded to the cowboys today for a WR,RB and draft pick. Im not sure how much creedence can be lent to that,but I hope its not true.

I hope it's not true either and I want Hillis to stay but if we got all that for a guy who's realistically still unproven... I'd take it.

I want Hillis to be here because I think he can be a Top 10 RB but he has only had 1 year where he went over 1,000 yards rushing. Much of that is because McDouche didn't like him and gave him basically zero playing time in Denver till we traded for him.

However, Hillis still has to show he can be consistent and he hasn't done that so far this year. He's had injuries and the contract shit is making it worse but dang... 2 players and a draft pick for a guy who has a good chance of not being resigned anyway? It depends on the players but I think you jump on that if that's the case.

[OzDawg]

Originally Posted by nickers

well Ive seen/heard rumours of him being traded to the cowboys today for a WR,RB and draft pick. Im not sure how much creedence can be lent to that,but I hope its not true.

I'd really like to see that article(any link?)
Not that I'd be that against it . (wouldn't mainly because I've learned that a RB is, well , not that high on the list of must haves.
Hopefully that WR would be Dez, and the draft pick part of the package for Luck. Who the RB is doesn't really matter ...

[golfer704u]

Originally Posted by OzDawg

I'd really like to see that article(any link?)
Not that I'd be that against it . (wouldn't mainly because I've learned that a RB is, well , not that high on the list of must haves.
Hopefully that WR would be Dez, and the draft pick part of the package for Luck. Who the RB is doesn't really matter ...

YEAH.....that WR will NOT be Dez Bryant.

[King of Kings]

Originally Posted by golfer704u

YEAH.....that WR will NOT be Dez Bryant.

OR Miles Austin... And that is the extent of their WR depth. The rest aren't any better than what we have.

[Tobalaz]

If all this BS is true about a contract being the root of the problem, then I'm sick and pissed off. The guy deserves a pay raise.
If the problem lies at the feet of Hillis's agent and Hillis themselves, then good riddence. He's a good back, but if they think he deserves qb money because of the Madden cover I want some of what they're smoking.
If the problem lies at the feet of our new front office, we're screwed to mediocrity for the duration of their reign.
If the problem lies at the feet of the coaches, because they don't have any idea how to use him, screwed again. Hillis is a bruiser that can block and catch, there's no excuse to keep him out over Hardesty who seems so one dimensional to this point.
I'm hopeful that this really isn't a contract issue and Hillis really did pull a hammy.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by hiwaygal

I'm not sure how big a factor this is - it could be nothing, it could be ego's talking and taking over a little.

I think Hillis hired this guy BECAUSE of his "familiarity" in dealings with Heckert. Although it may be backfiring on him.

All I know is, I don't want Hillis gone, but what are ya gonna do???

Hiway, Hillis is not bigger than the team. If he wants to stay fine, if he want's to be traded then so be it. I think that is one thing missing from this team is "TEAM" Good teams always put the team first, that should be the case here.

[hiwaygal]

I'm not sure where you got the impression I have determined that Hillis is bigger than the team?!?!?!

Fans questioned the motives about the extended contract negotiations with Cribbs as well. There were rumors of Hillis being on the trade block today, it didn't happen. There's a lot of posturing going on within the organization with thepotential result being that one of our best offensive playmakers is gone.

I found an article that seemed to indicate there may be other issues (i.e. egos) involved in these negotiations so I posted it. Thought other fans might find it interesting as well.

Yes, I like Peyton Hillis and think he's a solid contributor to the team when he plays.

I'm not sure how that makes me more of a Hillis fan than a Browns fan?

As I said in chat the other day, I was a Browns fan before Peyton Hillis (hell, before he was even born), and I'll be a Browns fan when he's gone.

SURPRISE! Not everyone who posts something or starts a thread has an agenda.

[Neo]

Originally Posted by hiwaygal

I'm not sure where you got the impression I have determined that Hillis is bigger than the team?!?!?!

Fans questioned the motives about the extended contract negotiations with Cribbs as well. There were rumors of Hillis being on the trade block today, it didn't happen. There's a lot of posturing going on within the organization with thepotential result being that one of our best offensive playmakers is gone.

I found an article that seemed to indicate there may be other issues (i.e. egos) involved in these negotiations so I posted it. Thought other fans might find it interesting as well.

Yes, I like Peyton Hillis and think he's a solid contributor to the team when he plays.

I'm not sure how that makes me more of a Hillis fan than a Browns fan?

As I said in chat the other day, I was a Browns fan before Peyton Hillis (hell, before he was even born), and I'll be a Browns fan when he's gone.

SURPRISE! Not everyone who posts something or starts a thread has an agenda.

Just sayin that I don't think anybody wants him to go. But if he is the one making a big stink over his contract and ends up leaving, I won't lose any sleep over it.