Beginning? This FO, all these football guys... I'm SO not impressed. We have ZERO chance of getting out of the basement with this FO IMHO. I don't have a man crush on Mangini but I at least felt like he was turning things around. I feel like we're heading down the ladder instead of up right now and I DON'T LIKE IT.
I wish I could find the interview of Holmgren right after he cut Mangini lose were he talked about bringing in a coach that could take us to the playoffs and the Super Bowl in a few years... LOL We got SHURMUR!
Not to mention we can't seem to keep or attract ANY Talent. If Holmgren is so great, where are the players lined up wanting to play here? ....
I love the Browns but they have been in BALTIMORE for two decades now. These guys are impostors and posers.
I have several reasons why I am skeptical of this FO, but cutting an overrated nut job like Hillis isn't one of them. This was the right move, and we should have gotten an upgrade last year. He isn't durable enough to be a feature back, and he was a cancer in the locker room this year. As Mour said, his own teammates had to have a meeting with him and were fed up with the drama.
This FO has done a lot of stupid things, but cutting this nut job was actually pretty smart and definitely the right thing to do.
+1
AND we offered him a three year deal that he turned down. We tried to keep him AND pay him well. He declined. Now, we don't know why he's gone, it could be one thing or a mix of things:
- The FO was put off about him turning down the longterm deal - The FO was put off about how he held himself out of games he probably could have played in - The FO saw him for what he was....a bruised+bruising back that fumbles a lot - The FO heard the teammate complaints about his effort and attitude - The Madden cover got to his head - Hillis didn't want to stay - Hillis wanted to play for Romeo - Him and his wife wanted to move to KC - He wanted a backup role - He knew we were looking for something else in a RB
Who cares?! Looks, he got a nothing contract from KC. That would mean there was little to no interest across the league. We're upset about losing a RB that had a decent year two seasons ago that NOBODY (other than KC) else wants.
The FO didn't let a big talent leave for nothing....after the year he had last year, I'm surprised KC offered that.
I think a lot of people are upset we're losing a "league known star". He was on the Madden cover (by a fan vote) and got us a lot of press two years ago. The White Rhino wasn't that great. He's gone. Get over it.
Again, we have 6 picks in the first 4 rounds. We can pick a RB up. And we can still sign one off the free agent heap.
“...Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!”
Quote: We should trade any RB that has a good year for us. Think about how many backs have had 1 good season for us since 99 and then blew chunks the next.
Green Davis Droughns Harrison Lewis Hillis
I know I am leaving someone off.
Maybe the last half-year that Lee Suggs had.
I just knew I'd come home to find people taking numbers to be the next to jump off the cliff.
Sooo many people are blaming the front office. Hillis had ALL KINDS of opportunities to return when the Browns offered him money. He refused. He hired numerous agents. He again likely refused. So the team had enough of him and his idiotic antics and now he's gone.
Good.
Here is where I'm at, and where I think far more fans are than they are willing to admit:
My heart wanted Hillis back, but my mind knew better.
Running backs can be had more than any other position, and they don't make or break teams. GREAT running backs are different, and Hillis was NOT great.
By the way, if people still wish to believe that Hillis was a "Cleveland kind of guy" they are in denial. No "Cleveland kind of guy" pulls the crap he did.
My 1 and 1A choices in the draft were Griffin and Richardson. I lost out on Griffin. Ok, not gonna cry over the water under the bridge. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, would shed another tear over Hillis if we drafted Richardson...
***Gordon, I really didn't think you could be this stOOpid, but you exceeded my expectations. Wussy. Manziel, see Josh Gordon. Dumbass.***
No running game.... No passing game.... But hey! We've got, uhm, err, ahh....
Did you know the bass bite at the crack of dawn? Looking forward to maybe listening to the games as I fish this year. Well, I might be tempted to come off the water and watch if we do something, like trade back (get an extra 2nd in the process), take a rb, wr and rt with 3 of our first 4 picks.
You've got to admit, things are looking pretty damn bleak.
I popped it up to play, and then pulled the site back in front, started to listen, "she" didn't sound like my kind of singer, so I went back to turn it off ....... then I saw that she was a he ......
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: No one should have been surprised when they heard the report from ESPN's Adam Schefter that Cleveland Browns free-agent running back Peyton Hillis had agreed to terms with the Kansas City Chiefs.
This was inevitable. This was necessary. Hillis received a one-year, $3 million contract from the Chiefs. I can give you three million reasons why Hillis and the Browns needed a fresh start, and you don't need to be a member of the CIA to uncover those reasons.
Hillis has a great shot to bounce back and have another 1,000-yard rushing season in Kansas City, where he will reunite with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. The odds of that happening with the Browns were slim. Yes, Hillis showed flashes late in the season when he gained 99 and 112 yards in back-to-back weeks. And, yes, the Browns left the door open for Hillis' return, although nothing short of a bargain deal was going to make that happen. But you have to take into account everything that went down last season and realize that it was never going to be like a couple of seasons ago.
All the optimism that was built from Hillis' blue-collar 2010 season (1,177 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns) was ruined by a disastrous 2011 campaign (587 yards rushing and three touchdowns) filled with injuries and innuendos. The perception of Hillis went from a hard-working everyman to locker room diva in a matter of months.
[+] Enlarge Peyton HillisJason Bridge/US PresswirePeyton Hillis will get a fresh start in Kansas City after a disastrous 2011 season in Cleveland. It got to the point where Hillis didn't feel appreciated by the Browns because he didn't receive a contract extension like Evan Moore and Chris Gocong. And the relationship broke down to where the Browns couldn't depend on Hillis.
You can't put all the blame on Hillis for the Browns' disappointing 4-12 season. He was, however, the picture of how the year unraveled.
In addition to the contract mess, he missed a game early in the season with strep throat on the advice of his agent (which caused a controversy over whether he was really sick or protesting the lack of a new deal), failed to show up at a local Halloween party for children (which he blamed on a miscommunication) and went home to Arkansas on a Tuesday to get married during the season when he should have been rehabbing an injury. His relationship with his teammates became so strained by early November that the running back reportedly was "summoned [by eight veteran players] into a meeting room for an intervention-style, air-clearing session designed to restore his focus."
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” one Browns veteran told Yahoo! Sports' Michael Silver in November. “Last year, Peyton was such a positive, inspirational force on our team -- but now he’s like a different guy. It’s like he’s in a funk that he can’t get out of, and it’s killing us, because we really need him. And we’ve told him that. But we’re at the point where we just don’t know what to do.”
This was too much drama for an NFL locker room. This was too much drama for "Jersey Shore."
How bad did this situation get for Hillis? He eventually believed in the "Madden curse," a theory that trouble falls upon everyone who graces the cover of the popular football video game.
“Yeah, I heard about it,” Hillis said toward the end of the 2011 season, via The Akron Beacon Journal. “I really didn’t think it would affect me. But I can tell you it’s nagged at me a little bit this year. I can’t argue that.”
Hillis added, “Things haven’t worked in my favor this year. There’s a few things that happened this year that make me believe in curses.”
To top off the most bizarre season of any player last year, Hillis contemplated retirement over the past season and even considered joining the CIA, a team source told Schefter earlier this month. Hillis later denied that he considered either one.
Whatever was true or overblown can now be put in the past. Hillis can focus on running over linebackers in the AFC West, and the Browns can determine who will be the next workhorse of the running game (I suggest using the No. 4 overall pick on Alabama running back Trent Richardson).
Sometimes divorce isn't a bad thing. Sometimes it can be a welcome change for everyone.
***Gordon, I really didn't think you could be this stOOpid, but you exceeded my expectations. Wussy. Manziel, see Josh Gordon. Dumbass.***
So leave yourself in tact, cause I will be coming back.. In the phrase to cut these lips, I love you.
I feel like Peyton Hillis will be coming back and he loves us... I can't wait to see what happens with his return, cause ill be playing http://www.youtube.com/v/twIxvZjZq1E when he comes back, I love that man.
Good hands, breaks tackles, fun to watch at times.
I'd rather have someone with much better burst and no off the field problems.
Oddly enough it also sounds like the FO was trying to get him back anyways. Either Hillis or the FO is misrepresenting themselves; my bet is on Hillis (or the media in general).
Quote: In addition to the contract mess, he missed a game early in the season with strep throat on the advice of his agent (which caused a controversy over whether he was really sick or protesting the lack of a new deal), failed to show up at a local Halloween party for children (which he blamed on a miscommunication) and went home to Arkansas on a Tuesday to get married during the season when he should have been rehabbing an injury. His relationship with his teammates became so strained by early November that the running back reportedly was "summoned [by eight veteran players] into a meeting room for an intervention-style, air-clearing session designed to restore his focus."
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” one Browns veteran told Yahoo! Sports' Michael Silver in November. “Last year, Peyton was such a positive, inspirational force on our team -- but now he’s like a different guy. It’s like he’s in a funk that he can’t get out of, and it’s killing us, because we really need him. And we’ve told him that. But we’re at the point where we just don’t know what to do.”
This was too much drama for an NFL locker room. This was too much drama for "Jersey Shore."
Hillis took his desire to get a new deal done to a level no NFL team would ever find acceptable (note, only one yr deal w KC)...he withheld his ability to contribute toward winning
Hillis turned his back on his own teammates who had all busted their behinds to help the team win. Strep throat, phantom hammy injury milked until time was right for Hillis to begin playing again.
Hillis' teammates didn't buy his excuses or they would never had the intervention style meeting in an attempt to get Hillis back on track. I believe it was Joe Thomas that told Hillis to go out show the team he was worthy of the money he was demanding. Hillis snubbed his teammates efforts and continued to milk the phantom hammy.
Hillis quit on his team...you don't reward that kind of behavior.
You yourself used to harp on a valid point about players... That all the measuarables in the world don't matter against production. How well a player produces trumps all other things. I would say the same is true for a front office. Ok, so you think the player in question is mediocre, he was though the unquestioned starter. We've lost a number of starters this off season for a number of reasons and replaced none of them. Weve locked up some rotation depth, ok. But we are remarkably thin at skill position starters regardless of how easy you think they are to replace (I think RBs with his skill set are not actually so easy to replace). It doesn't really matter that he wanted to test free agency, fact is we didnt keep him. We didn't retain talent, the FO didn't produce. We're letting Steiney walk, cutting pashos, letting Hillis and Adams walk and replacing them with...... Draft picks? Better be a home run derby in the draft. I have my doubts.
"Team Chemistry No Match for Team Biology" (Onion Sports Headline)
Quote: Yes mac, he gave himself Strep Throat, and caused himself to lose 10 pounds...
He then purposely injured his hamstring.
All so he could... get... more.. money...
Gee ........And it worked so well!
I won't be upset about losing Hillis as long as we replace him with someone better.
If we go through the year with Ogbonnaya and Hardesty at RB, and they perform as they did last year ....... I'll be "slightly" perturbed.
Last edited by YTownBrownsFan; 03/15/1207:02 AM.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
I think most of what was written about Hillis was a bunch of hooey stirred up by the media in desperate need of a story. The story quotes a "Browns veteran" hell they could have been talking to Ross Verba for all I know in that particular piece. Any way, if they felt Hillis was not worth the money he was asking for, I trust their judgement, but I sure hope they have a plan to up grade the position.Watching Hillis walk and being left with Hardesty, OB and Jackson is not an upgrade.
I almost got the feeling that if he had agreed to a deal with the Browns that they would have pulled it or something.
Heckert just really did not want him back. I don't know the whole story, and neither does anyone else, despite their assurances of certainty ...... but Heckert just really seems like he did not like Hillis for some reason.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: I almost got the feeling that if he had agreed to a deal with the Browns that they would have pulled it or something.
Heckert just really did not want him back. I don't know the whole story, and neither does anyone else, despite their assurances of certainty ...... but Heckert just really seems like he did not like Hillis for some reason.
maybe,, but they did make him an offer..he rejected.. sounds like he didn't want to be here to me....
I have no idea of the details (none of do I guess) but something was not right about how hillis handled things. No idea what was behind it, but it just seemed off...
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Well Hillis did say that the total value was what was reported, but that the deal itself was, in essence, a series of 1 year deals worth $1 million per year. (IIRC) Who knows what the incentives were. They could have been for a 1200 yard season ...... or they could have been for the team making the Super Bowl. We'll simply never know. All we do know is that whatever they were, he didn't find them acceptable.
Also, If that's true, then he very well may have done better with a 1year, $3 million deal.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: I really don't even know what your point is...
Sometimes I think that it's on top of his head.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Nope. There probably won't be until and unless the team is able to complete the trade.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
Quote: If you like Hillis rock the jersey... I still have a Winslow jersey with faded numbers, why does it matter.
Browns jersey + a player you like, why does it matter.
Because back in the older days (I'm 60) when a player played for a team he outlasted the jersey.Now they are only good for a year or two.Why would I wear a Browns jersey of someone who plays for the Chiefs?
Nice example... of course it would be a better example except shortly thereafter HE was gone and the player was still there with a renewed focus to become one of the best players at his position in the NFL and a key part of how the team transformed from worst to first...
But not here in Cleveland.. no way buddy... You get hurt.. you're "injury prone", get out. You have a bad season, you're a bust, get out. You want to be paid like others who play your position, you're greedy, get out. You have a little off field trouble or make some mistakes, your a cancer and a menace, get out. You can't play at a pro bowl level with crap for support, you're a bust, get out.
Vernon Davis started to save his career after Mike Singletary kicked him out of the game and ranted at him and then about him to the media. The renewed focus you talked about was directly there-in.
Vernon Davis has even said as much himself (he also said that after he started working hard Mike Singletary's downfall was that he couldn't acknowledge the positive and it eventually grated on everyone).
Quote: My username doesn't say osu, while It does have an o s and u in it... I've ignored you saying it for this long, no reason to start now...
os...I thought the OS stood for Ohio State...that you were an OSU guy...am I mistaken?
Quote:
They thought he was having problems, and as good teammates, were there for him...
os...try reading the story...
Teammates held intervention about Hillis’ attitude
Peyton Hillis‘ latest practice injury was not his most humbling moment of the week.
Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports reports that eight Browns veterans held an intervention-style meeting with Hillis on Wednesday to discuss the running back’s lousy attitude in an effort to improve his focus.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” one Browns player told Silver. “Last year, Peyton was such a positive, inspirational force on our team – but now he’s like a different guy.
“It’s like he’s in a funk that he can’t get out of, and it’s killing us, because we really need him. And we’ve told him that. But we’re at the point where we just don’t know what to do.”
Sometimes “distractions” get overplayed in the media, but this is a clear case where Hillis’ desire for a new contract has affected Cleveland’s season.
The latest annoyance came last Sunday in San Francisco. Hillis and quarterback Thaddeus Lewis were seen holding a contest during warmups to see who could throw footballs off the crossbar better. Hillis was inactive for the game with a hamstring injury.
“It was a bad look,” another player said, “and it did not sit well with any of us.”
The meeting with Hillis was reportedly positive, but it’s remarkable the players had to hold it. Silver describes a locker room that has grown weary of Hillis’ attitude and suspicious of his behavior.
“A few guys tried to talk to him, to make him understand the best way to go about things is to put your head down and do the best you possibly can,” said All-Pro tackle Joe Thomas.
The inference is that Hillis hasn’t been doing his best to this point. Fair or not, his latest injury isn’t going to Hillis’ chances of regaining the trust of his teammates.
Quote: Quote: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you believe Hillis teammates believed him? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Again, I ask YOU... Believe WHAT?
os...with the story above to reference, do you believe Hillis' teammates believed he was injured so badly he could not play?
Quote: “It’s like he’s in a funk that he can’t get out of, and it’s killing us, because we really need him. And we’ve told him that. But we’re at the point where we just don’t know what to do.”
I wanted to emphasis the above because it is the core reason why Hillis is no longer a Brown...
Hillis' teammates tried to reason with Hillis..even telling him how much the team needed him to play, to help the team win.
Hillis cared more about his contract than he did his "teammates" pleas or "winning".
Vernon Davis started to save his career after Mike Singletary kicked him out of the game and ranted at him and then about him to the media. The renewed focus you talked about was directly there-in.
Vernon Davis has even said as much himself (he also said that after he started working hard Mike Singletary's downfall was that he couldn't acknowledge the positive and it eventually grated on everyone).
I agree. Unfortunately there are many Mike Singletaryesque Browns fans who refuse to accept the positive when it happens and refuse to acknowledge that people can change... It's just easier to hold a dark cloud over somebody and run them out of town.
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