Browns LT Joe Thomas Doesn’t Hold Back When it Comes to RB Peyton Hillis
Browns left tackle Joe Thomas didn’t hide his true feelings on Wednesday in regards to running back Peyton Hillis, who will make his first trip back to Cleveland on Sunday as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.
According to The Plain Dealer’s Mary Kay Cabot, Thomas said that Hillis being on the team was “toxic.” After his breakout season in 2010, Hillis had a much different year in 2011. He wouldn’t (or couldn’t) play while sick – at the advice of his agent – and wasn’t exactly thrilled with his contract situation.
According to Thomas, the rest of the Browns locker room didn’t take too kindly to any of that.
"“I think it was better for both sides [that he left],” Thomas said of Hillis, returning Sunday as a running back with the Chiefs. “At that point, the situation with him here was toxic. He didn’t want to be here and players didn’t want him here and it’s better just for a fresh start at that point.”"
When the normally reserved Thomas throws someone under the bus, you know it’s serious. It looks like there will be an added level of motivation for the Browns – and Hillis – this Sunday.