Peyton Hillis Saga Continues for Cleveland Browns: More Contract Drama

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Daniel Wolf/National Football Authority Photo

By Daniel Wolf
Senior Writer

It's a new month, but the Cleveland Browns continue to face drama with their starting running back, Peyton Hillis.

Strep throat, missing games, injuries, Madden curse or whatever has been said—this drama will not go away.

The drama has resurfaced, even after team president Mike Holmgren had an impromptu press conference.

Related: Browns President Mike Holmgren Defuses Drama in Cleveland (Full Press Conference Transcript)

On Halloween, Hillis reportedly failed to show up for a benefit and co-host of the event, former Pro Bowl center LeCharles Bentley, sent out the following tweet.

Facebook.com/LeCharlesBent65

To clarify, Bentley was referring to the total amount of guaranteed money Hillis and his agent must be expecting in a new deal from the Browns. He was not referring to how Hillis wants $10 million per year. There has been a big misconception of this language in this tweet.

According to Cleveland's 19 Action News sports reporter, Tony Zarella, Hillis is looking for a deal that is at least $10 million in guaranteed money in a new deal. The Browns reportedly are looking at dishing out a contract that is similar to the one they gave linebacker Chris Gocong—three years for $16 million with $8 million guaranteed.

Hillis and his agent must feel they deserve more than what Gocong received—if these reports are true.

Is a running back, who has fought through some hamstring injuries in his NFL career and only has had one solid season under his belt worth $10 million or more in guaranteed money?

When you take a look at Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson or Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams—and the big money they received before this season began—it should be obvious the Browns are not sold on the value Hillis's agent has placed on his client.

This may lead to Hillis wearing different colors in 2012.

Tough for fans to hear, but this is how things seem to be trending.


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