Hillis believing in curses after strange season

Associated Press

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For the longest time, Peyton Hillis refused to consider he might have been cursed by a video game. Not possible, he insisted.

Well, Hillis’ strange season seems to have changed his mind.

After all the drama triggered by his quarrel with Browns 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.”

Blame it all on Madden.

Hillis began his second season in Cleveland atop the pro football word. 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 jacket.

Hillis is the latest to succumb to its spell.

Now, as he prepares for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Hillis faces an uncertain future. Throughout the turbulence of 2011, the soon-to-be-free agent has maintained he wants to come back to Cleveland.

The question is: Do the Browns want Hillis?

Browns coach Pat Shurmur was asked several times this week if Hillis, who ran for 1,177 yards last season and has only 557 this season, is part of the team’s plans going forward. Shurmur was noncommittal with each answer, saying the decision would be made following an offseason evaluation.

“As we look at our roster and we look at building our team, we’ve got to consider everything,” Shurmur said. “One thing you’ve seen about Peyton is that, in the last month or so, he’s gotten himself healthy and he’s performed well. That’s the Peyton everyone was used to seeing a year ago.”

In the past two weeks, Hillis has rampaged like his former self. He followed up a 99-yard performance against the Cardinals with a season-high 112 against the Ravens, averaging 4.7 yards per carry against one of the NFL’s best defenses. The outings have invigorated Hillis.

“I think people can see when I’m 100 percent, I am running hard. I can do pretty good,” he said. “That’s how I want people to see. I want people to see I’m not a one-hit wonder, that I can go out there and play well and run hard like I always do.”

Hillis is happy, finally healthy and hopes his days with the Browns aren’t down to a precious few. He said it has occurred to him that it could be his final game with Cleveland.

“It has,” he said. “But I have a big heart. I want to do my best for the fans. I really enjoyed my time playing in a Browns uniform and I hope I continue to be here. I know these past couple games I played my hardest and played my best.”