The One About Peyton Hillis’ Skills in Red Rover, Red Rover

If Peyton Hillis is out there trucking over linebackers and safties at 24-years of age, it is a safe assumption that the linked arms of his peers roughly 10-to-15 years ago would have provided little to no challenge.  Well, at least in the eyes of Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan…

“He’s a fullback that can tote the ball,” said Ryan on Friday afternoon. “He gets tougher when he’s got the ball under his arm and I bet he was a [b!@&$] in red rover, red rover.”

Excllent references, that Rob Ryan.

When asked who from the NFL record books he would compare Hillis to, Ryan dropped names like Larry Czonka, Earl Campbell, and Mike Alstott.  Hillis allegedly haunted the dreams of Ryan back when both players were in the AFC West due to the mismatches that the big-bodied running back provides.

Two plays which are fresh in Ryan’s mind both resulted in Hillis running over a defensive player; Lawyer Milloy was the first victim with Michael Huff being the second.  Huff’s play resulted in the would-be tackler leaving the game with a broken shoulder.

“Kill the guy with the ball?” asked Ryan.  ”He’s out there collecting his own hides.  He’s fun to watch, God he is.”

Needless to say, when partaking in recess on a Conway, Arkansas playground, every time Hillis was summoned to “come over,” he did not spend much time joining the opposition.  The current status of the other children’s arms, however, remains to be seen.

Is “detached” an option?

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(Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)