Browns news, features and notes
- Video: Browns rookie Barkevious Mingo praises Leon McFadden, says Ray Horton has strange personality
- Video: Browns rookie cornerback Leon McFadden discusses his bid for starting job
- Cleveland Browns rookie Jamoris Slaughter has eye on successful comeback, starting free safety job
- Browns notebook: Barkevious Mingo says fellow rookie Leon McFadden stacks up well against notable cornerbacks from LSU
- UPDATED: Three former Pilot Flying J employees plead guilty
- Browns notes: Jamoris Slaughter says he’s clear to practice after rupturing Achilles last year
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Maiava gets a chance
A second-quarter injury to Browns inside linebacker D'Qwell Jackson meant the first significant action of the season for rookie Kaluka Maiava, a fourth-round pick from USC.
Surprisingly, Maiava was the coaches' choice over David Veikune, a second-round pick from Hawaii. Although he's now listed inside, Veikune worked both inside and outside during training camp, which may have slowed his development.
Maiava finished with six tackles and a forced fumble, but had problems in pass coverage.
Asked the toughest part for him, he said, ''Just calming my nerves, I guess. Being a rookie and stuff, being out there with all the vets. After the first hit, it goes away pretty quick.''
Browns coach Eric Mangini was waiting for test results Monday on Jackson, but it seems likely Maiava will continue to see playing time.
''We’ll see how that goes,'' he said. ''It’s a week-to-week basis decision, how the coaches feel, how I perform and stuff. We’ll see.''
