Photo: The Plain Dealer - Chuck Crow
- Troy BallardFollowing a season plagued with injury and illness -- legitimacy still in question -- Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis is an official free agent.
Hillis was able to make a guest appearance on the Madden 12 cover, but had an absolutely miserable follow-up season to his break out performance the year before. His numbers were abysmal, and he was non-existent for a Cleveland team that needed a running game desperately.
Throughout the season, Hillis fired and re-hired his agent, raising eyebrows throughout the entire NFL. Relations in Cleveland escalated from bad to worse between Hillis and the Browns, and for several weeks it seemed like a forgone conclusion that he would be traded, but it never ended up materializing.
There are reports that the Browns are trying to re-sign Hillis, but the team was unwilling to use the franchise tag on him, making it seem likely he will leave via free agency.
If that is indeed the case, which teams will be interested in Hillis' services?
The first team that comes to mind -- the Detroit Lions.
Overall, the Lions were a great team last season. Detroit shot out of the gates and looked like a serious contender, as the team didn't lose a game until week six. The offense was on fire with Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson Jr., and the defense was a talented core group of young players.
The Lions were solid.
Except in the running game. It started with a series of concussions to starter Jahvid Best, that sidelined him for the entire season, and the injury bug continued to slam Lions' running backs. It led the team to re-sign the same player they cut early the season before -- Kevin Smith. Another way of putting it -- Detroit's running game was essentially non-existent.
Boom -- in slides Hillis. Best has been cleared to play this season, but it wouldn't hurt the Lions to add some insurance to the roster along with a legitimate power back. Hillis' hard-nosed running style would make for an excellent addition in Detroit, and not only would he add depth, but also a great spark in a two-back system.
Another team that struggled with injuries last season and could look into Hillis as a possible alternative -- the Oakland Raiders.
When healthy, Darren McFadden is one of the best running backs in the NFL. The dude can flat out run over a defense and take over a game. The issue is, McFadden has been battling injuries and has struggled to stay on the field.
The Raiders' back-up, Michael Bush, is totally solid. In fact, he's solid enough to ask for big money, something Oakland really doesn't have to spare. It seems likely that Bush will leave through free agency and get the paycheck he deserves, leaving the Raiders in a tough spot.
Again -- Hillis. Both McFadden and Hillis were teammates at Arkansas, and the two could meet up again in the NFL and make for a nasty two-punch combo out of the backfield. It's almost too perfect not to happen.
The final team that could look into Hillis as a possible option -- the Philadelphia Eagles.
LeSean McCoy is beyond good. He's great. He fits perfectly with the Eagles system, and is one of the best in the business when he gets rolling. However, the issue comes behind McCoy, where the Eagles are lacking serious depth.
The Ronnie Brown experiment totally busted, and Dion Lewis isn't ready for an expanded role. Philadelphia has to locate and find an alternative to back-up McCoy, and Hillis could be the perfect fit. The power running that Hillis could bring to the offense would open up the playbook in short yardage situations -- widely known as the Eagles' Achilles heal. Not to mention, Philly hasn't had a power rusher in over a decade.
Even though most Eagles fans throw their hands into the air in frustration at the idea of signing more free agents after last season's failures, Hillis could make for an excellent pick-up.
Wherever Hillis ends up landing, he will be a risk. He brings with him a substantial amount of baggage and questions surrounding his maturity. The risk may be worth the reward, as he can totally change a team when he's rolling. But of course, if nothing else, Hillis still has the CIA as an option.
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