Former Browns running back Peyton Hillis has signed with the Chiefs. Hillis had an injury filled season last year after rushing for 1,177 yards in 2010. He went from a seventh round draft pick by Denver to the cover of Madden NFL 12. He also caused some ripples when he left work for a week to get married and missed a game with strept throat. Hillis was the fullback for Darrin McFadden and Felix Jones when Arkansas lost to Missouri in the 2008 Cotton Bowl. The Cowboys plucked a couple of Chiefs players away signing cornerback Brandon Carr and backup quarterback Kyle Orton, who will backup Tony Romo.
Hillis will be reunited with Brian Daboll, the Chiefs offensive coordinator who ran the Browns’ defense. Under Daboll, Hillis had a career-high 270 carries for 1,177 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. No other Browns rusher topped 31 rushing attempts that season. It was the most productive season of Hillis’ career who started as a fullback in Denver, but thrived as a running back when the Broncos were depleted at running back by injuries.
Hillis’ versatility as a fullback and tailback meets the Cheifs needs as Thomas Jones, Jackie Battle and Le’Ron McClain each hit the free agent market this week.
Carr agreed to a five year deal with the Cowboys and was Dallas’ top target. Orton signed a three year deal with Dallas. Carr was a fifth round pick in 2008 by the Chiefs and made 45 tackles and a career high four interceptions last season.
Orton was brought in last year after the injury to Mat Cassel and ineffective play of Tyler Palko. Orton has played in 71 NFL games over six seasons with Chicago, Denver and the Chiefs. He’s completed 58% of his passes and has 80 touchdowns and 57 interceptions.
