Alex Mack Released From Hospital; Agent Advised That Peyton Hillis Not Play
by Chris Pokorny on Oct 5, 2011 7:43 PM EDT
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PrintCleveland Browns center Alex Mack was released from the Cleveland Clinic hospital today after having his appendix removed on Monday, according to reports. Per a quote from a Plain Dealer article, team spokesman Neal Gulkis said Mack is "resting comfortably at home and continues to progress well in his recovery."
Mack will be idle for awhile, but there are hopes that with the bye week, he would be ready to face the Oakland Raiders in just under two weeks.
The Akron Beacon Journal reports that Steve Vallos and John Greco are currently rotating in practice as the starting center. Vallos has been kept on the team as the primary backup center, and Greco is a utility man who primarily plays guard. Last year, Shawn Lauvao saw some work at center in practice, but it can be assumed that this is not an option this year with him being a starting guard.
In other news, the agent for Peyton Hillis spoke out saying that he advised the running back not to play against Miami due to his health. He disputed reports that it had anything to do with Hillis' contract situation. If you read the entire article, it pretty much echos what I was saying a couple of days ago: sure, frustration exists, but that doesn't mean every rumor out there is true.
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Disappointing news on Hillis – I had uber respect for him. How the heck do you say it is not contract related when his agent is weighing in on something that should be between Hillis, the team doctors, and the coaches. Is his agent a doctor?
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
I had uber respect for him
Why did you
haverespect for him? Why don’t you have it anymore.
Pittsburgh is just jealous. We got Cudi and they have Wiz.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 5, 2011 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Really loved his toughness and the way he played the game. Still love the way he plays the game, and still respect him – but I think this was a chickenshirt move. This wasn’t a knee, it wasn’t an ankle, it was a throat infection. Given he left practice on like Wednesday, 3 or 4 days on antibiotics and he should be good to go. I do not think there are many football players that would miss a game given these circumstances. True team guys play through flus and all kinds of stuff.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
His agent is looking out for Hillis’ best interest. He’s an adviser, and not just on contract matters.
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Oct 6, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
His agent is looking out for Hillis’best interestearning potential. He’s an adviser, and not just on contract matterson anything that might effect his bottom line.
Fixed.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
So what you’re saying is it’s not in Hillis’ best interest to make as much money as he can in the short window that is the career of a running back? Because it would seem to me that you didn’t really add to or change anything about NTNs statement.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 10, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
His agent is not a doctor. Niether is Shurmur, but that didn’t stop the media from hounding him on the topic.
I am not a physician, but I can guarantee you that it is not something to mess with. It can lead to further complications if not treated appropriately. I don’t have an issue with his agent advising him not to play. That is what a agent is their for. Team physician or personal physician likely weighed in on the topic. Hillis and the team made the choice to not play. Next topic.
I like Hillis. However it is apparent that the Browns and Hillis/agent have two vastly different opinions of value for there player/client.
vastly different opinions of value for there player/client
You can probably say the same thing for most players’ agents in the NFL.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 6, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t get the hand-wringing here. Hillis’ agent is just looking out for his clients’ best interests. Were I his agent I would have done the same thing. What’s in Hillis’ best interest is in his agent’s best interest as well.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 5, 2011 10:33 PM EDT reply actions
Right, I don’t understand the two above you. This is all that’s going on.
Pittsburgh is just jealous. We got Cudi and they have Wiz.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 5, 2011 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 6, 2011 9:28 AM EDT up reply actions
The only factor here that makes me nervous is that it is visibly affecting Hillis’s demeanor. He seems frustrated. Now, I don’t know if that’s from his new timeshare situation with Hardesty or his contractual issues or his personal belief that his timeshare stems from contractual issues, but I want the guy to be focused.
by chitown browns fan on Oct 6, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Holmgren and Shurmur definitely need to get this “situation” under control pronto. Hopefully the bye week will give them the opportunity to do so. We don’t need this kind of crap poisoning the locker room and plastered all over the national media going into the game at Oakland.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 6, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed. It’d be nice if they got a contract done early this week so that everyone’s focused both weeks in practice. That is wishful, but I’m feeling wishful.
by chitown browns fan on Oct 6, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
More media Hype
Of course the agent said sit, like North Coast stated that is his bread and butter. Hillis’s agent will throw out big numbers and the Browns will counter. Hillis will give 100% and I think he is more frustrated cause he wants the ball. I believe a deal will be made soon and the media is looking for every possible angle and will hype the rumor mill just like they do with every other story out there. Peace out GO Browns
GO BROWNS, GO TRIBE, GO BUCKEYES
To elaborate: I think Hillis is the quintessential blue collar player and not playing for contract reasons sounds like the opposite of Hillis.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 6, 2011 12:25 AM EDT reply actions
To me Alex Mack would be the quintessential blue collar player, or Joe Thomas. Mack played with appendicitis, Peyton sat with a sore throat. Big difference.
Change isn't good or bad it just "is". Don Draper of Madmen
Blue collar has nothing to do with playing through injury/illness.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 6, 2011 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Have you ever had strep throat? Have you ever played football?
"An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools" -Hemingway
by notthatnoise on Oct 6, 2011 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
No, describing a guy with strep throat as having a sore throat is like describing a guy with pancreatic cancer as being sick. Technically true, but does not begin to tell the story.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Oct 6, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ignorant.
Pittsburgh is just jealous. We got Cudi and they have Wiz.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 6, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
And just silly.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Oct 6, 2011 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Inddeb.
Pittsburgh is just jealous. We got Cudi and they have Wiz.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 6, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
You do know that before the discovery of penicillin that strep throat killed many of it’s sufferers right? It’s not just a “take an aspirin and some cough syrup” kind of thing.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 6, 2011 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
It still kills people.
Pittsburgh is just jealous. We got Cudi and they have Wiz.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 6, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Dawgs By Nature – A Cleveland Browns Blog – Where joining equates to graduating from medical school.
Resident Tim Couch Apologist.
by Dawg Nuts on Oct 6, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Not like anyone would know now. We all have to restate our information. Hopefully everyone remembered to copy their comments into Word!
Pittsburgh is just jealous. We got Cudi and they have Wiz.
by SpecialBrownie on Oct 6, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
You have to be around for about a year to get that degree.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 7, 2011 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Losing Mack for a game would be really tough. Obviously he is a gifted talent at Center and anyone behind him would be not as good, but I also think I am seeing him help out a lot with line calls.
If he’s out, Colt probably has to take more responsibility there.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
I would be worried about a game without Mack at this point. The loss of Steinbach was troubling. Pashos delay was disconcerting. Starting Pinkston was iffy and Lauvao starting was tenuous. Mack out would be down right ridiculous.
Anyone know how good Vallos is (presumable Mack’s backup…)?
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 6, 2011 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions
If I remember correctly from preseason, he’s a serviceable backup. I could be totally wrong, but he’s good for our 2nd string, nothing more.
Even Doug Dieken admits Joe Thomas is the real #73
I would agree with this.
2010 Official DBN League Fantasy Football Champion
by TheDriveStillHurts on Oct 6, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
This is something I have been wondering… I know Hillis is a beast and he adds so much to our offense. But how valuable is he to the team? In terms of dollars. Do we pay him CJ money? I’m pretty confident that is what he is going to ask for- but I’m not sure I want us to drop that kind of money into a running back in Cleveland right now since our offense is going to be built on the passing game instead of the running game.
It’s just too expensive. And honestly, I feel like we can pick up a middle of the road RB that can do a lot of the things Hillis can do. Obviously Hillis is rare in that you never tackle him behind the line, but should we pay bookoo bucks for him because of that? I’d say if we have/find someone that can do his job for a lot less money then we should trade him now while his trade value is sky high. Trade him to the NFC for a star WR (so we don’t have to play against him) and develop Hardesty as the feature back, or sign/ draft someone that can do the job alongside him. Those are my thoughts.
There’s no way we give Hillis CJ money however he does deserve a sizeable pay increase, say maybe 5 years, 15-18 mil. garunteed with built in escalators. I would hate for this team to lose Hillis, he’s just too valuable to this team. Hardesty hasn’t proven that he can last a full season and there aren’t that many middle of the road rb that can run, block, catch, and beat the snot out of the defense the way Hillis can.
Five years sounds too long to me. I don;t necessarily disagree with the guarantee, but 5 is too long.
I know I’m assuming a lot but if Hardesty can stay healthy Hillis won’t be taken near the beating he took last year which means hopefully he stays healthy longer.
I agree he will be able to stay healthy longer. This is a “next man up” league and the way I see it. There is a kid somewhere as a senior in high school, being recruited to college right now who is going to storm on the scene and play 3 great years of college ball.
There is going to be someone else. I think they should pay Hillis. I think they should sign him to a great deal, but not if that means breaking the bank.
by SBP on Oct 6, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree 100%, the five year scenerio I mentioned above fits right into your senior theory. When this senior is ready to hit the big time Hillis will only be 28/29 years old and if he hasn’t been beaten to death he would still hold some trade value, maybe not as much as he does now but enough to get something for him. If Hillis stays productive for the first 3 to 4 years of his contract then the team has gotten their moneys worth and trading him in his final year wouldn’t hurt so bad.
I know Hillis is a beast and he adds so much to our offense.
And honestly, I feel like we can pick up a middle of the road RB that can do a lot of the things Hillis can do.
These statements are somewhat contradictory. There are not a lot of guys who have his combination of size, hands, speed, and bruising style that are middle of the road. There are middle of the road guys with one or more of those characteristics, but generally not the whole package.
If we paid Gocong, we have to pay Hillis, assuming we don’t overpay or overextend the contract. To your point, there is a number in there that is mutually agreeable based on other RB contracts and performance.
by chitown browns fan on Oct 6, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly I wouldn’t mind if they waited untill the end of the year/season before they hammer out a new deal. I’d be more inclined to wait and see how he fits into Shurmurs offensive scheme. Lets face it, no matter what he brings to this team, if he doesn’t fit into what the coach is trying to do, do we pay top dollar just so we can have a seldom used back. As much as I would hate to see Hillis leave, I don’t think I’d enjoy watching someone with his talent standing on the sidelines either.
I agree that watching him sit would be disastrous. I’m speaking from the point of view of someone who believes that he does have a valuable place in the WCO relative to his skillset, especially the hands. Also, if he’s not the guy, as a FO, is it even possible to legitimately believe that Hardesty is the guy right now considering his short professional career thus far, history of injuries, and four drops this past game?
The only other scenario that is reasonable is to trade him after we sign him for a proven back that better fits the coaching staff’s vision of the WCO. The FO coming to the conclusion that he’s not a fit and getting nothing in return because they weren’t able to sign him is unacceptable to me.
by chitown browns fan on Oct 6, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Thus the dilema the FO is in right now. No one knows for sure if Hardesty is the answer because of his lack of playing time and durability issues and at the same time does Hillis really fit into Shurmurs version of the WCO. I would love to see a Hillis & Hardesty tandem in the backfield, especially if they are used correctly, problem is I don’t have enough convidence in Shurmur yet to believe he knows how to use both of them at this poin in time.
I am surpised by these notes that Hillis does not fit the WCO. I am no WCO guru, but
1. Hillis can run the ball
2. Hillis can catch the ball
3. Hillis scores TD’s
I have not heard anyone tell me why this does not fit the WCO. I know I have oversimplified it, but thats’ what we are dealing with, right?
by SBP on Oct 6, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
The way you simplify it, yes Hillis fits the WCO, I guess I should be saying if Hillis doesn’t fit into Shurmurs plans, for whatever reason. I say this only because of his lack of touches last week. Certainly, we were down but I feel that had Hillis have gotten more touches and been able to get into some sort of rythum, it would’ve opened up the passing game more and the game may not of gotten so out of hand like it did. I believe that falls on Shurmur more than anything.
Probably making this out to be more than what it is but it does make for some decent conversation.
Hillis fits any offense. We should use him.
by Roger Dorn on Oct 6, 2011 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
I am surpised by these notes that Hillis does not fit the WCO…
REC. I’m glad someone told it like it is about Hillis. Get the man signed and get him signed soon for Christ sake. Sheesh, if we let the guy go I swear I will drive my car into someone’s house. Holmgren and Heckert…
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 7, 2011 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Sheesh, if we let the guy go I swear I will drive my car into someone’s house.
How about B19K’s neighbor?
Resident Tim Couch Apologist.
Works for me. Think I’ll do a little paintwork on my old demolition derby jalopy for the ride. After I’m done with BK’s neighbor I can head out to Holmgren and Heckert’s houses – haven’t had a good midnight joy ride in quite some time.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 7, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
wait and see how he fits into Shurmurs offensive scheme
Hell, I’m still waiting for Shurmur to get past training camp mode and decide who (if any) current Browns work in it.
"Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened."
— Winston S. Churchill
I realize I was a little unclear about what I meant. I think Hillis is one of the best RBs in the league. I don’t think there’s anyone we could get, middle of the road or not, that can do the same stuff as Hillis.
What I am saying is that there are things that Hillis is capable of that I don’t think we absolutely NEED him to do. For example- he is capable of being the sum total of an offense (as we saw last year). He’s a guy you can hand the ball off to for 60% of your plays or more. He’s a guy that can be the #1 star of an offense and everyone knows that stopping the offense means stopping him, and even though you KNOW that you just can’t stop the guy.
We aren’t asking him to be that guy in this offense. What I’m saying is that if he’s going to command the kind of money that a #1 star of an offense would make, then I don’t think we should pay him because it doesn’t look like he is going to be the go-to guy in our offense. It would almost be like… buying a gaming PC when all you’re going to use it for is Microsoft Word and general web browsing.
I still don’t get the big deal on Hillis. I know that he’s not a guy that’s going to fake sick so he can’t play just because he wants a contract extension.
Also, I’ve had strep throat before, and there’s no way that he should be out on the field if he lost 12 pounds and didn’t feel 100%. His agent is right, he’d put himself and his team in jeopardy by trying to play when he’s sick.
Also, I don’t get to watch Browns games here in Michigan unless I find a good online link (which isn’t often). Is Hillis struggling this year, or is it the O-line more than him?
Peyton Hillis can smash through the Great Wall of China.... longways.
1. I don’t get the big deal either other than people trying to drum up controversy
2. Strep Throat definitely sucks and I would barely be able to play football with it (but I would be ineffective). Also when losing that weight, you have to learn how to carry your body differently and you can be more prone to injury by jumping back in the game.
3. Its part the O-Line and part of it is teams not respecting the passing game still. Its hard to run when your blockers aren’t great and there are 8 men in the box
I teach good life choices. That’s why I almost didn’t graduate High School.
Intensive Purposes? I could care less...
your whole argument is a fallacy!
We are often choosing to run the ball into a numbers disadvantage. Adding to that the fact that our guards usually don’t block the right way on the zone plays and Lauvao has poor chemistry with all of our RTs, and there’s not a lot of running room for Peyton. He’s still dragging people forward, and he’s still as fast as he’s been.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
Google first row sports on gameday.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 7, 2011 1:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Has worked for me so far – you just have to put up with the choppiness and “buffering…….” that typically starts by around half way through the game.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 7, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions
And make sure to full screen it so ads don’t pop up whenever you click over to the game threads.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 7, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
And don’t click over to a game thread until the end of a drive. Otherwise you’ll see a comment on the thread like “HILLIS!!!!! BEAST FOR THE TD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”, just as you’re watching them break out of the huddle in your stream, which is always about 10 or 15 seconds behind.
Go, I say go away boy, you bother me.
by burntorangeandbrown on Oct 7, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
If not a full two or three plays ahead at times.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 7, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
And by ahead I meant the game thread not the stream.
I really don’t really think... - Tom Heckert
by North Coast Flea on Oct 7, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
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