NFL NUGGETS : Hillis becoming Broncos’ battering ram
Posted on Tuesday, December 2, 2008
BILL KOSTROUN Associated Press New York Jets linebacker Eric Barton (50 ) reaches to tackle former Arkansas and current Denver Broncos fullback Peyton Hillis during the first quarter of play Sunday at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N. J.
Camouflage-toned Under Armor is coming into style in the Rocky Mountains.
His camo, cowboy boots and Central Arkansas accent aren’t all that sets Peyton Hillis apart from other NFL rookies. The seventh-round draft pick could be the next standout running back in the Denver Broncos’ zoneblocking ground game.
The 6-5 Broncos faced off against quarterback legend Brett Favre and the 8-3 Jets on Sunday. Denver wasn’t given much a of chance to win, which didn’t sit well with Hillis.
“The thing that really got me going was the ESPN analysis and they were all saying we shouldn’t get off the plane,” Hillis told the Associated Press. “That really got me fired up.”
And the fired-up former Hog took it out on the Jets, with 129 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. He was the first back to eclipse the 100-yard mark against the New York defense this season.
It could have been more. Hillis had a pretty 14-yard touchdown run called back on a holding penalty.
Hillis took every one of his team’s handoffs on Sunday. In fact, the Broncos’ only other running plays were three QB keepers by Jay Cutler, for minus-2 yards.
It was a bruising performance by Hillis, who had three separate 19-yard runs in the first half of the Broncos’ 34-17 upset.
Denver is the driver’s seat in the weak AFC West. Hillis’ running style should be perfect for January playoff weather.
Word out of Denver is that the fans love Hillis. They’ll really love him if he keeps producing like he did on Sunday.
It’s been an injury-plagued year for the other two former Hog rookie running backs.
Oakland’s Darren McFadden is playing himself back to full speed. The speedster had 3 catches for 50 yards in the Raiders’ loss to the Chiefs on Sunday.
• • • Week 13 Golden Nugget: Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia. Philly fans and media had started making plans for life after McNabb until he went off Thursday night against Arizona. McNabb bounced back from a horrible game against Baltimore with 260 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Cards. McNabb shares this honor with Eagles RB Brian Westbrook, who finally looks to be full-speed. Westbrook had four touchdowns of his own (2 rushing, 2 receiving) on Thursday.
Other powerhouses: Ravens WR Mark Clayton (164 receiving yards, TD, passing TD), Cowboys LB Bradie James (13 tackles, 2 sacks, forced fumble), Vikings WR Bernard Berrian (122 receiving yards, TD).
• • • Week 13 Chicken Nugget: Clinton Portis, RB, Washington. “ Dr. Do-Itch-Big” didn’t do anything big Sunday at home in a 23-7 loss to the New York Giants. Portis, who entered the game as the league’s leading rusher, was stuffed for just 22 yards on 11 carries.
Other powderpuffs: Bengals RB Cedric Benson (10 carries, 17 yards), Rams QB Marc Bulger (149 passing yards, 3 INT), Bills K Rian Lindell (1-of-3 FGs).
Joe West is the assistant sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.
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