A year ago, when the Broncos were in the midst of losing something like seven running backs to season-ending injury, Bronco Fan fell in love with a young man named Peyton Hillis. The rookie from Arkansas was picked in the 7th round of the 2008 draft. He found his way into the starting lineup due to all the injuries and compiled 343 yards rushing on 68 carries in six starts, which was good enough to lead the team last year. Eventually, Hillis suffered his own season-ending injury.
Bronco Fan called into the local radio station repeatedly, insisting the reason the Broncos finished the season poorly was the fact that Hillis was sidelined, and therefore not able to carry the Broncos to victory. Bronco Fan seemed to think that Hillis was the second coming of Terrell Davis, and was surely hoping that Pat Bowlen would waive the requirement that a player actually be retired before joining the team's Ring of Fame.
I thought with the new season and the fact that the Broncos added Correll Buckhalter in free agency and Knowshon Moreno in the first round of the 2009 draft would put an end to the idea that Peyton Hillis was the key cog to the Broncos' future.
Hillis hasn't played much on offense this year: merely 12 carries for 54 yards. But whenever the Broncos struggle, you start hearing Bronco Fan bringing up his name in the newspapers and on the radio. Why isn't he playing? Surely Hillis will succeed where Buckhalter and Moreno fail. Josh McDaniels must hate him.
And who knows? Bronco fan might be right. But considering that Moreno and Buckhalter have combined for over 1,400 yards rushing this year, it's hard to imagine Hillis making that big of a difference.
The real reason Bronco Fan loves Hillis? I believe it is because he is the successor to John Lynch (and before him, Ed McCaffrey), as Denver's Favorite White Bronco.
1 comment:
I was listening to KOA this morning and someone sent an instant message about Hillis not getting playing time. I had to laugh.
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