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Broncos' Hillis adds power back to running game

By Jim Hague, Special to the Rocky

Published November 30, 2008 at 7:02 p.m.

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Broncos running back Peyton Hillis, who gained 129 yards on 22 carries, is brought down by Jets cornerback Ty Law, left, and safety Kerry Rhodes in the first quarter Sunday at Giants Stadium. "I was real motivated, and I had a lot of confidence," Hillis said.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Broncos running back Peyton Hillis, who gained 129 yards on 22 carries, is brought down by Jets cornerback Ty Law, left, and safety Kerry Rhodes in the first quarter Sunday at Giants Stadium. "I was real motivated, and I had a lot of confidence," Hillis said.

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Doug Hillis turned 44 Saturday, so his son, Peyton, called his family home in Conway, Ark., to give his father a birthday greeting.

"I asked my dad what he wanted for his birthday and he said, 'I want 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns,' " said Hillis, the Broncos' rookie fullback.

Considering that Hillis entered Sunday's game against the New York Jets with all of 156 yards rushing for his NFL career, Doug Hillis' request seemed like a tall order.

"But I knew coming in that it was going to be a good game for me," said the 6-foot-2, 250-pound bruising back. "I was real motivated, and I had a lot of confidence. I always want to expect the best."

On his first carry Sunday, Hills broke through for 19 yards. It was only the beginning of some great things to come.

Hillis rushed for 129 yards on 22 carries and if it weren't for a holding penalty in the third quarter that nullified a 14-yard touchdown run, he would have made good on his father's birthday wish. His performance stood out in the Broncos' 34-17 victory.

In any case, the rookie will take the 100-yard game (the Broncos' first 100-yard performance since Michael Pittman went for 109 yards against Jacksonville on Oct. 12) and hope that there are more such performances in the future.

"You have to have confidence in yourself," Hillis said. "I bet about 99.9 percent of the people didn't think I could do it, but I definitely did. My teammates have confidence in me and so do the coaches. They believe in me as well. I did the best that I could out there, and that's all I can ask for."

The Broncos have had a litany of injuries in the backfield and have started five players at running back over the past six weeks. But maybe Hillis is ready to break that trend.

"He's sure looking like the man there," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "Peyton is a hard runner and he hits the holes hard. He breaks his share of tackles as well. It's going to be interesting to see what's going to happen, but I know he's not going to give up that position easily."

Coach Mike Shanahan, who has developed a ton of unsung backs and turned them into stars for the Broncos over the years, was impressed with the rookie's outing.

"You could see right away that Peyton had confidence," Shanahan said. "His confidence has been coming in recent weeks, and it was just a matter of time before he had a game like this. The game plan coming in was to develop more of a power running game, and that fits his style. I knew he would have some success running the ball today and this was an excellent defensive team we faced."

Hillis said that he didn't concern himself with the wet conditions.

"There might have been other guys fumbling the ball out there, but I made sure I had it every time," Hillis said.

Comments

  • November 30, 2008

    7:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyMts69 writes:

    Hillis deserves rookie of the week. With out a doubt!!! And Eddie Royal DEFINATELY deserves NFL rookie of the year!!!

    Awesome game!!!

    What's the status of Larsen?

  • November 30, 2008

    7:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Buddy6 writes:

    Ok, but don't over look Clady for Rookie of the year!

  • December 1, 2008

    7:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MrWright writes:

    Our rookies are just amazing, flat and simple....Hillis bustin moves and poundin' backers....Royal tight ropin' the sideline for a TD....Woodyard chasing down ballcarriers...and Clady protecting the Cutler like he is rare china.........SVEEEEEET! Go Broncos!!!

  • December 1, 2008

    7:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    AngelontheSidelines writes:

    Woodyard's play is better than one could ever expect, even after seeing the preseason games.
    Experience will have him covering the gaps better than the lone Jets successful run after Fox's fumble return for a TD. 9 tackles is great by anyone's standards.

  • December 1, 2008

    8:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronc4evah writes:

    I love how these rookies are playing -very non rookie like. The future is definitely looking bright for these guys.

  • December 1, 2008

    9:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    olsonmt writes:

    Hillis has gotten the tough yards when the Broncos have needed them the most. He's earned the job. I don't care who get's healthy the rest of the year.

  • December 1, 2008

    9:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coltgm56 writes:

    Hillis is the best we have and that is not a knock on our team or him. Power, heart and determination. What more can you ask for? I will take a player like him anytime, he will play all out for four quarters. Eddie Royal is also our best receiver and the best Rookie receiver in the game. Ryan Clady WOW!! Spencer, great job!! Shannahan is doing a great job on game plans to keep us in the games. The only thing that stops us are our own mistakes and that is just youth. Great job in the Draft also. What other winning team starts six Rookies??? GO BRONCOS!!!

  • December 1, 2008

    10:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SteveC writes:

    Hillis is a hard bruising runner who keeps his legs moving until he's on the ground. I love this guy! Young may have the speed but I've said it before, he's too small to every down back. IF young can stay healthy he can be a really good player but having 250lbs of Hillis barreling through the line is a whole new dimension. An I do mean THROUGH the line, he doesn't let anybody get in his way. Like Colt said, power, heart and determination. What else can you ask for? Oh yeah, talent. He's got it!

  • December 1, 2008

    11:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoMarco writes:

    Remember Larry Csonka?

  • December 1, 2008

    11:43 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BoiseBroncoFan writes:

    Man, I love this kid!!! I just hope Shanny doesn't mess this up and move him back to fullback. Smashmouth football is back in Denver!

  • December 1, 2008

    11:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jugdish writes:

    Broncos should use Hillis the way the Giants use Jacobs. Denver needs some reliable speedy but beefy cutback runners to complement Hillis. The Giants use Ward and Bradshaw but Jacobs carries the load, gets the short yardage and punches in the short yardage TDs. For the Broncos, Bell, Young and Co. are not the answer. Torian might be a nice complement to Hillis next year if he can stay healthy. Team also needs some backs with hands to catch and run the screens. The Jets had the most success when their RBs ran screens. But they can catch.

  • December 1, 2008

    1:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Deadwingsuck writes:

    HELL YEAH GO HILLIS!!! Even at yo old age man!! Kick some butt!!!

  • December 1, 2008

    5:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Deadwing*uck, Huh? Hillis is a young rookie? How do you have him as "old"?

  • December 1, 2008

    6:49 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyMts69 writes:

    Hillis reminds me of Tom Rathman, smashmouth football. What's really amazing is that ALL of these rookies have stepped up thier game to a veteran level.

    And you're right B6, Clady deserves a shot at rookie of the year. He's had too face some pretty tough opponents this year, and he has'nt allowed a sack all year.

    People can say what they want about Shanahan, but I give him an A+ on his job of hand picking these guys. Even the class of '06 is exceptional. Maybe not this year, but this team will probabally be in SB contention next year.

  • December 1, 2008

    10:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TYoungman writes:

    Hillis is a special player: Raw power,toughness, great vision, soft hands, quick feet - and smart to boot, playing multiple positions in his rookie year and playing them well. When you find one, you keep him (see Dallas Clark in Indy)