This story on Peyton Hillis is about — can it be? — running the ball like he did in days of yore as the Browns' best chance to beat the Raiders today.
The Raiders' pass rush can be as intimidating as a gang of dark-alley muggers, but five games into 2011, they are vulnerable to the run. The Raiders (3-2) have already yielded five touchdowns on the ground and are giving up an average of 5.2 yards on every carry.
"I think the natural reaction is because the two defensive tackles are playing so well, you run away from them," Browns coach Pat Shurmur said. "I think that's what people assume. Peyton Hillis is going to get the bulk of the carries. I can just tell you that."
What a chance for Hillis to get his season back on track. The 25-year-old running back has been caught in a firestorm since the Browns went public last month by saying they are trying to work out a new contract for him. There is no deal yet, but Hillis made news by missing the game against the Dolphins three weeks ago because he had strep throat and then saying he listened to his agent, who told him not to play.
Lost in the debate of whether his contract problems were a factor in missing the Miami game is Hillis isn't running the ball with the same authority he did last year. He is looking for his first 100-yard game and he is averaging 3.6 yards a carry. He averaged 4.4 yards a carry last season on his way to 1,177 yards rushing and 11 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 61 passes.
Hillis is healthy, so that isn't an issue. But Hillis is running behind a different offensive line, and that could be a factor today especially if Pro Bowl center Alex Mack cannot play. Mack is trying to beat the clock after his appendectomy on Oct. 3.
The Browns' offensive line has two replacements at guard — Jason Pinkston instead of Eric Steinbach at left guard and Shawn Lauvao instead of Floyd Womack or Billy Yates at right guard. Today Pinkston and Lauvao have to contend with Raiders defensive tackles Tommy Kelly and James Seymour.
"I think we're going to have to attack the whole front and run right at them at times and make them chase at times," Shurmur said. "I think that'll be the challenge. Then because their defensive tackles are playing at such a high level and they're a four-man front, that's the matchup with our guards. I think those guys have to show up and play well."
Another explanation is defenses have wised up to Hillis. Excluding a 24-yard touchdown run against the Colts, Hillis' longest run this season was 17 yards against the Bengals in the opener.
Hillis gained fame last year by running over tacklers. He also fumbled a league-high eight times with that punishing running style. He fumbled once in the first three games he played this year.Continued... 1 2 See Full Story
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He says he is running as hard as ever.
Of course, the Browns are not going to run the ball 60 times. Today marks the debut of Greg Little as a starting wide receiver. Shurmur also wants to use 6-foot-6 tight end Evan Moore more often. Colt McCoy will be looking for them if he can find some throwing lanes.
"Speaking receiver-wise, I'm excited for Greg. He's earned it," McCoy said. "All those guys are going to play a lot. They're all going to get their reps.
"But I'm thinking we can use Greg a little bit more and also Evan. Coach mentioned it and we talked about it, getting Evan involved a little bit more. He's a playmaker, and we need to try and get the ball in his hands, too. In order to be consistent, we need to start taking advantage of some of those things."
McCoy has thrown six touchdown passes and three interceptions in four starts. Last year, he needed eight starts as a rookie to throw six touchdown passes. He threw nine interceptions in 2010.
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