OmarK: Ireland feels Hilliard could be a 1,000 rb

If we had a quality offensive line
-and were committed to the running game,
-and Hilliard was our starting RB, then I think he could get 1000 yards. But not in electrifying fashion. talking 250 carries for 1008 yards.

IMO, he's nothing special. he's a 4th string RB that could be serviceable in time of injuries.

 

I tend to think just about any competent RB in this league could reach 1000 yards if given enough carries.

 

Not sure if Ireland is off his rocker,
or that he is pumping Hillard up to get him off the roster.

 

Ughhh. Lets back him up with Jesse Chatman.

 

I think that Hilliard is more of a receiving back, a third down type. He’s not going to be the next Arian Foster, but Ireland’s position has merit. The few times Hilliard has actually been legitimately used, he excelled as a receiver out of the backfield.

If what Kelly says is true, then Sparano seems to be looking more for a Julius Jones type, a guy who just plows for whatever yards the offensive line clears for him. In that instance, I trust Ireland’s position over Sparano’s. Hilliard can’t be much worse the R&R Express, though he’s certainly not very deserving of, say, 300 carries a year. If we could get a workhorse like a LeGarrette Blount, then Hilliard makes sense as the 3rd down back, and Kory Sheets, if he still has his speed, could be a good #2.

 

Actually Hilliard would be useful in one way in particular. Hilliard placed on a spread offense is an excellent back to have. He's decisive, has burst, and he'll produce that consistent 4-5 yard gain and sometimes a bit more. He's a good receiver and a good blocker to have. In addition to say a DeAngelo Williams and maybe a rookie that's a good group.

In rush oriented offense Hilliard is a mistake.

 

Omar also tweeted that the fins have not ruled out a 1st round QB and that the QB position will be addressed.

Just as important a nugget as the hilliard one

 

I would say he made the most of his opportunities. Probably better that both Ronnie and Ricky of late but I also think that Mark Ingram can be a 1300-1500 yard back....

 

From what I saw of the kid in 2009 I would be much more worried about the Fins chances going into 2011 with Lex Hilliard as our starting RB than I would be with Chad Henne as our starting QB. He may be a 1,000 yard back but that's not an accomplishment in the least in today's NFL. You have to average 62.5 yards a game to reach 1,000 yards. Hilliard is not a starter.

 

not a knock on Lex, but this.

 

It is smokescreen season......can't believe much of anything you hear from any GM this time of year.

 

Garner surprises me. Two foot surgeries in less then 6 months ? I think their concern is him putting on more weight and his foot not holding up, not good. Hilliard rushing for 1000 yds ? Please, tell me what Ireland likes to drink at night, I want some. Then again, the news is from Omar so to me, its as reliable as a snowballs chance in Hell of not melting.

 

I bet no one remembers the epic battle I had with Boomer over Hilliard when I joined here.
I think Hilliard could still be that every down back. Boomer said back then he is nothing but a third down back.
Pod outlined some of his weaknesses. I think if you give him the ball more he would shine. Of course we didn't care about establishing a running game in '10.

 

That cuts both ways though, man. The kid got his chance to play in 09 and didn't impress. With the lack of production from Ronnie and Ricky both last year don't you think if the kid could be an every down back he would have gotten more than 0 rushing yards and 3 receiving yards on the season? Seriously, we're talking about a player who had 3 total yards for the entire season as being our starting running back next season. I could see if Ronnie and Ricky combined for 1800 yards and were tearing up the league and there was no chance for him to play, but the fact of the matter is he couldn't earn any playing time. ANY!

 

So he's part of a rotation as opposed to being an afterthought by Sparano and Henning. Its about taking the talent you have and using it, something our coaches have failed at.

 

Ingram and Hilliard and a QB thru FA as a rental for a year or two.

 

And where's that?

 

Actually bro, one of the things that got Hilliard benched in the first place is his inability to identify where the blitz is coming from and successfully make a block. He was horrible in that aspect every time we have tried to use him and its an essential part of the game now of you want to be a starting RB. Hes a decent 3rd running back and thats about it.

Reading through the thread I was like come on someone say this ^^^. Its still an accomplishment but come on, if your back is only averaging 62.5 ypg and that constitutes adequate production then what constitutes a good running game nowadays? 1200 is the new benchmark.

And no, Lex is not a starter. If Ireland thinks he is, i would tell him to re-evaluate how he identifies starting running backs. Hilliard is a grinder who can chip in but if hes this teams starter then its time for the "Suck for Luck" campaign to start.

 

With Odrick, McDaniel, Starks, Langford and Merling on the team I would be exceptionally pissed if we went DE at #15

 

Ireland is our talent evaluator and he thinks Hilliard is a 1000+ RB? I'm weeping for this team.

 

Yeah...um, wow. Thanks, Jeff.

I have SO much hope for our future with Ireland at the helm of personnel decisions.

 

Ireland is not a stupid man. Ireland does not say anything to give his competition an edge. In fact he goes to great lengths to disguise what he's thinking and what he's planning. To me this is just another misdirection, a smoke screen. To what end, I don't know. Maybe he does want Ingram and doesn't want teams to feel like they need to jump in front of us to get him if we think Hilliard can be a 1,000 yard rusher. Maybe that's not the case at all. But the fact of the matter is that it's unlike Ireland to make a comment like this out of sincerity. Grain of salt my friend, grain of salt.

 

McDaniel is a free agent...if there is free agency.

 

Hilliard could easily run for over 1.000 yards. All we have to do is NEVER throw the ball. I've seen him play, and aside from NO passes, he has No shot. Can we get serious?

 

You may cry. I am ROTFLMMFAO!!!!

 

I don't buy a damn thing they say this time of the year. He could write down his draft intentions in front of me and I wouldn't believe it.

 

I think that Hilliard could become a solid every down back, but aside from that I think it's a little more concerning that more and more disagreement between our coaching staff and front office is becoming made public; especially after our Harbaugh debacle.

 

The more public speaking they do, the more BS is said IMO. Its why I don't mind when they are quiet.

 

I smell smoke for a trade at some point...

 

What a damn joke Ireland is
Hilliard had ZERO carries last season...ZERO CARRIES
ZERO TO HERO IN ONE SEASON

 

Coming from Omar, this means nothing. He has no credibility.

 

Like several other posters have already stated, you don't believe anything Ireland or any other FO folks say, particularly at this time of the off-season. It means exactly zero. In speculating on Hilliard, like Boik14 brought up, if he can learn to block adequately, he might play enough to rush for 1000 yds; that's no big deal. More likely 1000 yds rushing and receiving though.

 

I thought Cobbs was the future......................
That was the consensus last year,wasn't it?