March 2011 - Cleveland Browns Wiretap
Hillis Wants To Remain With Browns
Despite a poor 2011 season, Peyton Hillis doesn't want to go anywhere.
Hillis, who is eligible to become a free agent after the season, would like to return to the Browns.
Negotiations before and during the season did not produce a new contract for Hillis.
"I would love to come back here," Hillis said.
"I'm a Cleveland Brown at heart. Since I've been here, I fell in love with the fans, the city and the people that live here. They've been nothing but 100 percent supportive through everything when I talk to 'em. It's good to have a second family backing [you] like that."
Hillis Believes In Madden Curse
Browns running back Peyton Hillis resisted blaming his 2011 season on the Madden Curse, but he has finally relented.
After all the drama triggered by his battle with Cleveland management over a new contract, his controversial decision to sit out a game with strep throat on the advice of his agent, the nagging hamstring injury that caused him to miss five straight games, his awkward rapport with teammates and his perhaps too-little-too-late flourish to end the season, Hillis now thinks he may have been jinxed.
"Things didn't work in my favor this year," Hillis said. "There's a few things that happened this year that made me believe in curses. Ain't no doubt about it."
Following a breakout year with the Browns, he won a nationwide fan vote to be the cover figure for "Madden NFL 12," the best-selling video game that has earned a reputation for dooming any player who graces its cover.
Hillis is the latest to succumb to its spell.
Roethlisberger Expects To Face Cleveland
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger doesn't want his sprained left ankle to keep him out of Pittsburgh's regular-season finale Sunday against the Browns.
"As long as I can deal with pain, I'll be out there," Roethlisberger said. "I don't want to let the guys down, so I'll do what I can to be out there."
Browns Aren't Looking For Payback Against Harrison
The Browns will likely finish the season with Colt McCoy, but they won't look for payback this weekend when they face the Steelers.
The quarterback was injured by Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison back in Week 14. McCoy suffered a concussion.
Mohamed Massaquoi, who took a helmet-to-helmet hit from Harrison last season, politely declined to answer any questions about the linebacker, but fellow wide receiver Josh Cribbs didn't duck the issue. He was asked if the Browns "owe" Harrison.
"I would say so," said Cribbs, who was Harrison's teammate at Kent State. "But we're not going into this game thinking about getting even with him. We're going into this game trying to win it. It's nothing personal with him. We'd like to knock their guys out as well, but within the whistle, according to the rules.
"We just want to go into this game thinking about winning, we're not thinking about one particular guy."
McCoy Remains Out With Concussion
Colt McCoy hasn't completely recovered from the concussion he sustained two weeks ago on a head shot from James Harrison.
McCoy was flattened on an illegal hit by Harrison on Dec. 8. He hasn't practiced since and Thursday, McCoy was sent home after doing "a little physical activity," Browns coach Pat Shurmur says. McCoy will not travel with the team to Baltimore for Saturday's game.
Harrison: League Should Discipline Browns
Steelers linebacker James Harrison understands his hit on Browns QB Colt McCoy was illegal by the letter of the law.
He can also understand, grudgingly, why the NFL suspended him one game as punishment for a series of similar hits over the last three seasons.
What Harrison doesn’t quite understand, however, is why the Browns haven’t also been disciplined by the league for allowing McCoy to return to the game so quickly if the QB was in such bad shape.
Source: McCoy Nearly Recovered From Concussion
Despite not traveling to Arizona this weekend, Browns quarterback Colt McCoy is nearly recovered from the concussion he suffered against the Steelers two Thursdays ago, according to a source.
McCoy is expected to take and pass his concussion test early this week, putting him on pace to face the Ravens and Steelers in Cleveland's final two games.
Meanwhile, the NFL Players Association will decide early this week whether to file a grievance against the Browns for how they treated McCoy during the loss to Pittsburgh.
Seneca Wallace Will Start For Browns
Colt McCoy won't travel to Arizona because of a concussion, meaning that Seneca Wallace will start at quarterback this Sunday for the Browns.
McCoy was sent home from practice on Friday for the fifth time since suffering the concussion Dec. 8 against the Steelers.
With Kolb Out, Cardinals To Start Skelton
The Cardinals will start John Skelton at quarterback against the Browns on Sunday, according to a league source.
Skelton's backup is expected to be Richard Bartel as Kevin Kolb continues to recover from a concussion.
Seneca Wallace Likely To Start For Browns
With Colt McCoy still experiencing headaches and not practicing from a concussion suffered in Pittsburgh last week, Seneca Wallace, who has spent most of his career as an understudy, will likely start at QB when the Browns visit the Cardinals.
McCoy Not Checked For Concussion
Browns president Mike Holmgren says Colt McCoy was not checked for a concussion while he was on the sideline after being hit by James Harrison.
NFLPA Visits Browns To Probe Staffs
NFL Players Association executive director DeMaurice Smith sent representatives to Cleveland on Monday to gather more information about to the treatment of quarterback Colt McCoy.
Harrison Doesn't Expect Fine For Hit On McCoy
The NFL is considering a one- or two-game ban for James Harrison, and at least will hit him with a hefty fine, according to a league source.
Browns Say McCoy Seemed OK
Colt McCoy's father was sharply critical of the team on Friday.
McCoy's Father Says He Never Should Have Returned To Game
Colt McCoy doesn't remember taking a vicious hit from Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison on Thursday night.
McCoy Can't Recall Harrison's Hit
Colt McCoy remained out for two plays and the came back in the game, eventually throwing a deciding interception.
Josh Cribbs 'Fed Up' With Losing
Josh Cribbs has been with the Browns since 2005.