Contract Talks

The story this week out of Cleveland is that the Browns could be open to the idea of re-signing Peyton Hillis. The running back, who made a name for himself in 2010 by rushing for 1,177 yards, had a rough 2011 season that has been well-documented. With the controversy that swirled around Hillis, it was thought that the Browns might cut ties with him in order to avoid further complications. But, with a strong end to the season, free of any off-the-field distractions, the sentiment in Cleveland has appeared to change. A source has said that Hillis has worked himself back [...]

The issues surrounding Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis have been well-documented this season. It’s easy to dismiss him, to throw away the notion that he could be on this team next season. But in the last two games, returning from a hamstring injury that cost him five straight games, it has become abundantly clear that the Browns need to sign him to a new contract. That’s not to say that Hillis deserves the kind of deal that he would have received at the beginning of the season – the $6-$10 million a year ship has most certainly sailed. At [...]

When people describe the season of Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis as a never-ending saga, they aren’t kidding. Friday brought more drama to Hillis’ season, as he left practice early after re-aggravating his hamstring injury. Hillis tossed his helmet and the football in frustration, leaving his status for Sunday’s game very much in doubt. And that’s not all. A recent Yahoo! Sports article suggests that Hillis is losing support in the Browns locker room. That may not seem like news, as that rumor has been around since Hillis missed the game against the Miami Dolphins with strep throat. But now, [...]

It was thought that running back Peyton Hillis could test his injured hamstring in practice on Wednesday, but it turns out that he wasn’t able to do so and the Browns are once again left wondering who will be the starting back on Sunday against the Houston Texans. The team signed running back Thomas Clayton on Tuesday to back up potential starter Chris Ogbonnaya, assuming Hillis doesn’t play, but that’s obviously not an ideal scenario for the Browns. It’s obvious now that the Browns’ top two running backs – Hillis and Montario Hardesty - will always have a hard time staying on the field, [...]

The Peyton Hillis contract saga, which should essentially be a non-story but, typically, has been blown completely out of proportion, was given a new wrinkle this week. Hillis’ agent, Kennard McGuire, told the Associated Press that he advised Hillis not to play against the Miami Dolphins due to his strep throat and the fear that not playing at 100 percent could make matters worse. Matters really were made worse on Sunday, conveniently right before the Browns’ game against the Tennessee Titans, as ESPN reported (citing unidentified sources) that players in the Browns locker room wondered if Hillis’ decision not to play [...]

The Cleveland Browns have signed another core player to a contract extension, locking up linebacker Chris Gocong with a three-year deal reportedly worth $16.8 million. Despite missing a lot of time in training camp with a neck stinger, Gocong has started the Browns’ first three games of the season, and has played well. The 27-year-old was a third-round draft pick in 2003 by the Philadelphia Eagles (when current Browns GM Tom Heckert was vice president of player personnel), and was traded to the Browns last season for linebacker Alex Hall and 2010 fourth- and fifth-round picks. The deal also brought cornerback Sheldon Brown to Cleveland. [...]

Turns out there was some good news for the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, as the team signed defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin to a new three-year deal. Rubin is in his fourth season and was in the last year of a deal that paid him $600,000 in 2010. Last season, he led all defensive lineman with 82 tackles (Buffalo’s Kyle Williams was second with 77) and was third on the Browns. Rubin is the third core player to be signed to a new deal this season. First, it was left tackle Joe Thomas getting his extension. Then, the Cleveland Browns signed tight end Evan [...]

The Cleveland Browns continue to lock up players they consider key components of the team’s future, as they have signed tight end Evan Moore to a two-year extension that will pay him just under $3 million per year. The deal keeps Moore in Cleveland through 2013, as his current contract was up after this season. Despite having only 28 catches in his short Browns career, Moore has quite possibly been the most impressive player for the team throughout this preseason. His biggest highlight came in the second preseason game against the Detroit Lions, as he caught two touchdown passes.

Now that the Cleveland Browns have locked up left tackle Joe Thomas with a seven-year extension, the team will turn its attention to signing other core players. Running back Peyton Hillis would appear to be the next in line to receive a new deal, as he is entering the final year of his rookie contract that will allow him to earn the four-year minimum of $555,000. But is signing Hillis to a long-term deal the right move for the Browns to make? With just one solid season under his belt – a season in which he ran for 1,177 yards with [...]

Last week the Browns made a bang, resigning left tackle Joe Thomas to a seven-year, $84 million deal, essentially ensuring that Thomas plays for one team his entire career. Then came the reports yesterday, that the Browns may not be done yet.  That’s right, Madden NFL 12 cover boy, running back Peyton Hillis, could very well be the next Brown to receive a long-term contract.  Hillis is entering the final year of his rookie contract, which is set to pay him $550,000, the minimum for a fourth-year player.