Peyton Hillis was drafted to be a fullback, has played more than his share of tailback, and figures to be used occasionally in the future as an h-back, a la Dallas Clark of the Colts.
So what’s his favorite position?
“Quarterback,” said Hillis. “I can throw the ball farther than anybody on this team. … I just don’t know where it’s going.”
Hillis won’t be playing quarterback anytime soon, but he is entrenched as the Broncos’ starting tailback. At 250 pounds, he doesn’t exactly fit the mold. But with 203 rushing yards in the past two games, his productivity figures to keep him in the lineup even when Selvin Young returns from the groin strain that has 86’d much of his season.
Only in Denver could a seventh-rounder drafted to play fullback emerge as the starting tailback. His is the latest name on a long list of afterthoughts who have gone on to put up big numbers in the Broncos’ backfield.
Terrell Davis and Mike Anderson, both sixth-rounders. Olandis Gary, a fourth-rounder. Reuben Droughns, a backup fullback who ran for more than 1,200 yards in 2004. Young and Mike Bell, both undrafted free agents who landed in the starting lineup.
And now Hillis. It will be interesting to see how things play out once Young is healthy. He certainly would give the Broncos a breakaway element that Hillis doesn’t provide.
But it says here that Hillis, for the rest of the season anyway, is there to stay. There are any number of reasons to believe that, but let’s start with No. 1 reason.
The kid has earned it.
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He can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
