SJ_Browns Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 http://www.cantonrep.com/browns/x1512118639/Browns-Hillis-eager-to-work-win Peyton Hillis would just as soon work. The poster boy of the Browns’ season-ticket campaign said of his offseason, “After a while, you get really bored.” Hillis says he is working out 20 to 30 hours a week on his own. Normally that would be a lead-in to the offseason strength program at the team complex, but that and spring practice are up in the air. “You have to be optimistic about it,” Hillis said of slow-moving labor negotiations. “I’m sitting on my hands, waiting to see what’s going to happen.” Hillis spoke from the IX Center, two miles from the team complex. He is the most popular celebrity on hand to promote the Cleveland Auto Show. He spent an hour on the air with WKNR host Tony Rizzo, whose station ditched whole commercial segments when Hillis agreed to a prolonged interview. It was the latest nod to Hillis’ rising stardom. The interview was revealing, at times. For example, Hillis likes to take naps. “Some people eat,” he said. “I like to sleep.” He dreams about hunting. He said his alternative career would be pro hunter, if there was such a thing. He has killed wild boar with his hunting knife. Cleveland’s most eligible bachelor said he has a girlfriend. When Rizzo asked if she is living with him, he said, “No sir.” He said his parents remind him not to act like a rock star. “I don’t believe in getting a big head,” he said. “I try to stay as humble as I can be. That’s what the good Lord wants.” Hillis has set up a year-round residence in a suburb west of Cleveland, but he gets back to his home in Arkansas as often as he can. He has huddled with the Browns’ new head coach, Pat Shurmur. “He’s a great guy,” Hillis said. “You can tell he’s a leader, and you can tell he knows what he’s doing.” Will it be a problem for Hillis to carry his 2010 success into a new West Coast offense? Hillis seems to relish the change. Before the Broncos fired Mike Shanahan, Hillis said, he fell in love with the West Coast approach. In a three-game stretch as a Denver rookie in 2008, he averaged more than 5.5 yards on 47 carries. Then he got hurt and was pushed down the depth chart in 2009. Now he’s the face of the Browns, at least judging from jersey sales. One of his best friends is Colt McCoy. “I believe in my mind he’s the answer,” Hillis said. “I believe he’s the guy who can take us to the next step. “I think it’s great they named him the starting quarterback.” Hillis’ autograph lines at the Auto Show have been long. Fans are taken by the big, powerful back who from out of the blue finished sixth in the NFL in 2010 rushing-receiving yards. He looks each person in the eye and seems to make lots of new friends. Ohio’s style appeals to him. “Everywhere you go,” he said, “you get that little extra nudge, like ... thank you for coming to Cleveland. “Cleveland fans are amazing.” He saw his first Cavs game live the other day. Some people didn’t know anything about half the Cavs’ roster. Everyone knew Hillis. He’s not above capitalizing on his stardom. He says he and his family came up with a nickname, “Rhino Back.” It will be marketed as Hillis’ brand. He has made the NFL minimum for three years after collecting a modest bonus as a rookie sixth-round pick in ‘08. He’ll likely be offered a contract extension after the labor mess gets straightened out, but he has little interest in acting rich. When Rizzo assumed at the auto show that Hillis would love to buy the biggest vehicle in the show, Hillis corrected him. “I’m definitely not gonna buy a huge, expensive truck,” he said. “It’s just not who I am.” He said he had enough saved to make it for a while without football well before there was any talk of a lockout. Things could get really boring if labor trouble leads to missed practices and games. Hillis didn’t want to go there Friday. A crowd was there to see him. He was eager to play to it. “We’re bringing winners to the table,” he said. “We feel like we’re gonna win it all.” Rizzo told Hillis Browns fans need someone to say the losing will end. “Well then I’ll say it,” Hillis said. “We’re gonna win. There’s no doubt about it.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry Buffalo Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Him and his parents should have picked the name Albino Rhino, but whatever it's their choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJ_Browns Posted March 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 edit: i still like "the juggernaut" as his nickname. that sums up hillis' style of running to a tee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ballpeen Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Him and his parents should have picked the name Albino Rhino, but whatever it's their choice. They are Arkansan's ....you know...Razorback, Rhinoback. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheClevelandSound Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 “We feel like we’re gonna win it all.” Thank you football gods. This article is poorly written. No structure and there are 3 sentences in a row starting with "He". Great content. Fire the writer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffer X Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 “We feel like we’re gonna win it all.” Thank you football gods. This article is poorly written. No structure and there are 3 sentences in a row starting with "He". Great content. Fire the writer. Fire the writer and you fire one of the best Browns beat writers around for years in Steve D. By Steve Doerschuk He was writing very well about the Browns before you were born. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miktoxic Posted March 7, 2011 Report Share Posted March 7, 2011 who cares about the writer? thank god for people (yeah sj...you) for keeping football relevant at this time. hillis is no joke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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