Comments on: Joe Thomas unloads on Peyton Hillis for putting contract above team

By: tonyc920

tonyc920 — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:30:55 +0000

I’d love to have both of them in GB. Joe’s a Wisconsin boy and Hillis is the bruising back we do not have.

By: mrfrostyj

mrfrostyj — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 01:20:17 +0000

hikohadon says:Dec 6, 2012 9:42 AM

Plenty of other RB’s have held out in the past and their teammates didn’t universally turn against them. There had to be more than that going on that Joe still isn’t saying. As several players/coaches alluded to last year – you don’t know half the story.
———————————————————-

purposely no showing rehab for his “injuries”.

Being shown on camera doing random dumb things while being “injured”.

Doing a print interview saying how he’d take a hometown discount to stay in Cleveland yet admitting to turning down a $26 million dollar deal offered to him in the SAME INTERVIEW

and my personal favorite

no showing a heavily promoted charity event for kids.

That’s just whats publically known. The guy flaked out big time.

By: jackblackshairyback

jackblackshairyback — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:41:11 +0000

Browns offered Hillis 3 years $26 million before last season started, he turned it down. he pulled his stunts and wound up with a one year $3 million deal with Kansas City.

For anyone saying Thomas is wrong, yea he got a ncie fat contract and signing bonus as a rookie, but he backs it up on the field. Every year of his career he’s been a Pro Bowler. He hasn’t missed a single snap.

There’s ways to do things and ways not to. Acting like a queen and tanking your team just pisses off your teammates.

By: steelerben

steelerben — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:25:20 +0000

Who is saying that Hillis shouldn’t have tried to get his contract renegotiated? Thomas said there is a right way and a wrong way. Hillis went about it the wrong way and in the long run hurt himself and his team.

You want to get paid? Go out and play for your contract. You want to hold out? Go for it.

You want to be a poison pill and drag everyone down with you by acting like a primadonna? Here’s your ticket to Kansas City, one of the few places more disappointing to be than Cleveland.

By: hatesycophants

hatesycophants — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:59:41 +0000

I gotta admit, Factory of Sadness is an awesome nickname for a franchise/stadium. Hilarious.

By: hikohadon

hikohadon — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:42:37 +0000

By: bohste

bohste — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:07:05 +0000

Hillis undoubtedly received bad advice from his agent, who just so happened to be his brother. I think Hillis now realizes his mistake and he ended up dumping his bro in favor of a first rate agent. His peculiar behavior really did hurt the Browns last season and it really hurt Colt McCoy’s reputation as a QB since he didn’t have a running game to help him out.

By: contract

contract — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:04:55 +0000

I’m sorry but … did Joe Thomas just blame Peyton Hillis for all the other Browns players failing to get the job done?

This is why the Brown are the Browns.

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:16:44 +0000

The 3 year career number is a myth. It counts all the camp fodder that never make it which is about 20 to 30 guys per team per year. The average career for starters is longer. Hillis was not in poverty and his behavior was childish. The Browns did offer him a new contract but he wanted more and then had to settle for less money with the Chiefs.

By: chalkruz1989

chalkruz1989 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:09:21 +0000

It’s unfortunate what occurred between Peyton Hillis and the Browns but ultimately Hillis had to get his money. I don’t want to burst bubbles but most of these guys do not play the game because they love the game, they do it because it’s a means of financial security.

Hillis was a pleasure to watch but he led himself to his own demise. When later round draft picks, or undrafted players rise to stardom they feel like the window is only going to be open so long before the dream ends so they want to cash in.

At the end of the day, professional athletes are just like you and I. They want to get as much money as quickly as they can and will go to great lengths to do so. Fortunately for us, we do not have cameras in our face or make the front page when we make stupid decisions.

It comes with the territory though.

By: cubancigar10

cubancigar10 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:27:30 +0000

Said it before and I’ll say it again–until the owners structure the contracts to be performance based instead of what you did in the past we will continue to see this behavior. It’s how us working stiffs have the corporate structure in place—pay for performance now—not what you did for me in the past.

Several good points were made regarding Thomas’ security and how Hillis was holding out to achieve the same. Howard Cossell used to refer to the rookies playing with ,”Wreckless abandon” until they signed their BIG contracts. Then production went down!!

By: mrfrostyj

mrfrostyj — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:19:36 +0000

I can’t believe some of the comments I’m reading. ESPECIALLY the ones calling out Thomas for being a spoiled millionaire. Is it Joe Thomas’ fault that he played well enough at his position to get picked in the first round and Hillis was the 3RD BEST back on his college team? Also it’s not like Thomas is the the best left tackle in the NFL who’s made the pro bowl EVERY SEASON HE’S BEEN IN THE LEAGUE or anything (oh wait…he is). The guy is on his second contract and never had to pull what Hillis did because he let his play speak for him. He earned his money. Hillis was so valuable to the Broncos after his first 3 seasons they snuck him into a trade just to get rid of him. Then only had 1 productive year in Cleveland out of the two he was there.

On the other hand Cleveland fans should be thanking Hillis. He admitted to the Cleveland media the Browns offered him a 5 year, 26 million dollar deal despite him no showing the team and he turned it down and fired every agent that advised him to take it (which was ALL OF THEM). Browns pulled it off the table after that and used the draft pick from him no showing to get Trent Richardson. What’s the saying “Sometimes you’ve got to know when to fold em”. Fame made him a head case and he got what he deserved.

By: blogatron2000

blogatron2000 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 12:02:50 +0000

Question for Browns fans…

When Hillis was going through the contract dispute with the Browns, was Thomas vocal and on the record back then?

If not then doing it now is just blowing steam and giving the Chiefs bulletin board material.

Calling an ex-teammate out in the media after the fact is not the sign of a team leader or even a good teammate. Hillis’ actions while with the Browns are well documented and I’m not trying to defend him, but I think that Thomas’ actions here speak to the overall team dynamic at the time and it doesn’t say anything good.

By: macbull

macbull — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 11:17:37 +0000

Joe Thomas telling the truth about what Hillis was really like his last year in Cleveland…it’s a breath of fresh air.

Many fans (including me) thought Hillis was faking his injury over his contract issues but it was never confirmed until now.

Thanks Joe…

By: lambeaufieldwest

lambeaufieldwest — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:30:59 +0000

Dear Joe Thomas,

Get out of Cleveland. You’re better than that.

By: patriottony

patriottony — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 10:24:24 +0000

YO JOE!! How about you give up part of your $50,000,000 security blanket YOU got when you were drafted? Guys like Hillis and welker etc,,,get the same money a car salesman make (undrafted or late round) 150,000. Meanwhile rock stars like yourself, put on a hat for the cameras,,shake the commish hand,,,and pick up a check that sets you for life,,,before you even step on the field. You talk about TEAM? Really? How far is your team gonna go without a good RB? Great tackles,,no RB. So you can block all the day long,,,to no avail. But be happy,,you got your money for your family. 15 years from now you will own a string of car dealerships,,,while 7th round picks like Hillis are parking cars or being a phys ed teacher at elementary school.

By: nashz84

nashz84 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:44:01 +0000

The guy was a one bit wonder !!! You let ur play do the talking = get paid & nice to see someone criticize someone and know who they are instead of ” anonymous person “

By: rraider

rraider — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 07:21:11 +0000

For those that are ripping Joe Thomas, remember that on every NFL team there are 5 guy that are under producing based on contract and 5 guys that were late round picks, undrafted FA’s, journeymen that are out playing their contracts.
Winning teams it’s everyman on board, losing teams it’s xyz is getting paid more than me so i ‘m not trying my hardest.

A Raider problem for years………..it’s called character.

By: djcoreylee

djcoreylee — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:56:40 +0000

Your financial security should be a COLLEGE DEGREE!

By: onebucplace

onebucplace — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:48:47 +0000

I never liked the wanta-be Mike Alstott — from being white to wearing 40 to dragging 7 defenders to down the field to being on a video game cover* he just wanted to be like Mike.

*Alstott was the coverboy for NFL Xtreme on the Playstation –remember that? Me neither.

By: mrpapadakos

mrpapadakos — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:23:16 +0000

Factory of Sadness, lol

By: bengalguy

bengalguy — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:19:02 +0000

Deb, what the heck are you talking about???? He’s coming back to play AGAINST Cleveland…..not FOR them!!!

By: eleventyeight

eleventyeight — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 06:11:42 +0000

Peyton Hillis was never going to be allowed to be the franchise RB for all the same reasons nobody seems interested in a 6′/234# 4.4 40 yrd dash bruiser of a back who is fantastic at pass-blocking, receiving, and averages 4.4 ypc and 8 ypc named Toby Gerhart.

The NFL doesn’t want “those kind” of RB’s anymore. Just ask Brian Leonard or Jacob Hester.

It took SIX injuries before Hillis was allowed to play regularly.

And all of these guys were forced to witch to FB from RB despite equal or better speed, size and strength.

Anybody remember who Jason Sehorn was?

By: rowdymon

rowdymon — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:59:14 +0000

Totally agree with dwatkins69′s post. Hillis turned down 5M a year. Thomas is right.

By: coseybedaman

coseybedaman — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:44:01 +0000

JOE THOMAS SHOULD BE DISGRACED TO GO AGAINST A FORMER TEAMMATE IN FAVOR OF MANAGEMENT! NFL teams are constantly looking for your replacement, especially at running back. For a player to take the side of management when a legitimate star player is playing for peanuts is such a lame move. Lets get the take from an undrafted free agent, and see if they feel the same way. Not 1st and 2nd round picks who receive bigger signing bonuses than Peyton Hillis’ career salary.

By: dawgtown86

dawgtown86 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:23:00 +0000

When Josh Cribbs needed a new contract Cleveland paid the man. Hillis would have gotten paid too if he wouldn’t have flaked out with shady injuries, and scampered off to Arkansas to get married during the middle of the season. As far as the Browns knew he was thinking about becoming a CIA agent the following year. Did he have 3 or 4 agents during the course of that season? Sound like a stable dependable place to invest money if you’re a GM?

Joe Thomas was drafted in 2007 and has not missed a pro bowl or even an offensive snap since the day he was drafted. If he’s not worth a high contract who is?

By: Chris Henry's Wild Ride

Chris Henry's Wild Ride — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:13:54 +0000

Say whatever you want about JT going off on Hillis and that it’s easy for him to say because he made his money before he even stepped on the field, but let’s be honest, Joe Thomas has earned every cent he has been paid. He got his money before he even showed up for his first practice and STILL put his heart and soul into everything he has done for Cleveland. Regardless of the fact that he has been paid well, he has also played near flawlessly and has earned every penny.

By: fm31970

fm31970 — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 05:09:20 +0000

He did everything right.

Sincerely,

MJD

By: devidisi

devidisi — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 04:53:42 +0000

Regardless of what Thomas earns, I think the point was that Hillis was taking the wrong approach to getting a better deal. You can see that reflected in his present contract. That he was hurting the team, just highlighted the irony of it.

By: zn0rseman

zn0rseman — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 04:51:55 +0000

Thomas lost a lot of respect in my book for that.

Thomas was a first round pick with a contract exceeding $43,000,000.00. Peyton Hillis is a 7th rounder making league minimum with no financial security. Ha he gotten hurt, the Browns would have cut him loose with nothing.

He was right to hold out. The Browns should have paid him.