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By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 07:46 p.m. EST, Nov 13, 2009
BEREA: Anyone wondering whether running back Jamal Lewis was speaking for his Browns teammates Thursday when he accused coach Eric Mangini of overworking his players need only have witnessed the locker room scene 24 hours later.
While Lewis, surrounded by media, was trying to put to rest his scathing remarks, several teammates chanted, ''JLew! JLew!'' Among the loudest were tight end Robert Royal and fullback Lawrence Vickers, who climbed onto a chair next to Lewis to help lead the cheers.
Judging from the roar, it was clear that Lewis is their hero.
''I got support,'' Lewis said. ''Does this look like a divided locker room to y'all? Huh, does it? No.''
No one has ever questioned whether the locker room is divided, unless he's referring to a split between the 26 new Browns, including now nine ex-New York Jets, and the holdovers.
Royal insisted later that the outburst had nothing to do with Lewis' remarks.
''I think we had a good practice and guys were having a little fun messing around with him,'' Royal said.
Lewis took the same tack as he did last season after accusing his teammates of quitting in a Nov. 6 loss to the Denver Broncos. The co-captain said Friday his comments were ''kinda blown out of proportion. . .but that's how the media is,'' even as his sound bites were playing constantly on local radio.
Mangini and Lewis spoke after practice Thursday, following the captains' weekly meeting with the coach.
''We exchanged ideas and came up with certain things that can be done [and he] gave me his views on why we do certain things,'' Lewis said. ''It dealt with more miscommunication and not actually going to talk to him or bringing up different issues that you might be feeling. We agreed to disagree sometimes.
''We settled things in house. That's how it should've been dealt with from the start.''
Lewis, 30, who announced Nov. 1 that he is retiring after his 10th season, said Thursday that Mangini's 21/2- to 3-hour practices were wearing the players out and leaving nothing for the games. Lewis said he'd worked more in pads in the first eight weeks for the 1-7 Browns than in three or four years with the Baltimore Ravens.
Asked whether he was disappointed by Lewis' remarks, Mangini said: ''I think everybody expresses themselves in different ways. Everybody has the right to express themselves. What I'm always looking for is communication with me directly. The office is open. That's not a slogan. That's not something you check off your list. I've had a lot of great conversations with players. . .and the more you talk, the better you understand each other.''
Mangini defended the way he structures practice, saying he's watched different approaches during his 15 years in the NFL, including when he won three Super Bowl rings as an assistant with the New England Patriots. Mangini said practice rarely runs more than two hours unless plays are not executed properly.
''For the record, it's two hours,'' Mangini said. ''We have a half-hour walk-through. That's the facts, that's the reality of it. It's two hours a day. Two hours a day. On Wednesday, on Thursday and less on Friday.
''I've done all different combinations of practice. I've practiced in shells the whole week, shoulder pads and shorts on Thursday, multiple weeks in shells. There have been teams where we've had full pads on Friday. There are different approaches. You're always trying to find one that best fits. I think the two hours of work on the field is a very reasonable time.''
Mangini wouldn't say whether he would fine Lewis for conduct detrimental to the team.
''I'm not looking at it that way,'' Mangini said. ''What I'm looking for is if there are things that need to be addressed, being able to communicate them openly.''
Asked whether Lewis would start Monday night against the Ravens if healthy after being limited this week with an ankle injury, Mangini said, ''It's all based on the packages, so none of that's any different at all.''
Mangini confirmed that practice squad defensive end Keith Grennan was hurt in a post-practice opportunity period Thursday. Grennan ruptured his patellar tendon and will undergo surgery Monday. Mangini said Grennan was hurt during a position drill.
Mangini believes those sessions for young players are the only way for them to improve during the season.
''You never want anyone to get hurt. He's a good kid,'' Mangini said of Grennan. ''A lot of people have really benefited from it, the most recent being Marcus Benard.''
Benard, an undrafted free-agent linebacker from Jackson State, was signed to the active roster this week after shining during the opportunity periods. When Mangini announced his promotion from the practice squad, the team applauded.
Asked whether those periods increase the risk of injury, Mangini said, ''I think it increases the possibility of success.''
Zastudil ailing
Punter Dave Zastudil's long-sore right knee might not last much longer. He was limited and the Browns tried out punters after practice in full view of the media. The last time that happened, kicker Phil Dawson missed the first of five consecutive games. Zastudil is leading the league in punts inside the 20 with 25.
The only Brown to miss practice was receiver Chansi Stuckey (calf). For the Ravens, nose tackle Haloti Ngata (ankle) improved to limited.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
BEREA: Anyone wondering whether running back Jamal Lewis was speaking for his Browns teammates Thursday when he accused coach Eric Mangini of overworking his players need only have witnessed the locker room scene 24 hours later.
While Lewis, surrounded by media, was trying to put to rest his scathing remarks, several teammates chanted, ''JLew! JLew!'' Among the loudest were tight end Robert Royal and fullback Lawrence Vickers, who climbed onto a chair next to Lewis to help lead the cheers.
Judging from the roar, it was clear that Lewis is their hero.
''I got support,'' Lewis said. ''Does this look like a divided locker room to y'all? Huh, does it? No.''
No one has ever questioned whether the locker room is divided, unless he's referring to a split between the 26 new Browns, including now nine ex-New York Jets, and the holdovers.
Royal insisted later that the outburst had nothing to do with Lewis' remarks.
''I think we had a good practice and guys were having a little fun messing around with him,'' Royal said.
Lewis took the same tack as he did last season after accusing his teammates of quitting in a Nov. 6 loss to the Denver Broncos. The co-captain said Friday his comments were ''kinda blown out of proportion. . .but that's how the media is,'' even as his sound bites were playing constantly on local radio.
Mangini and Lewis spoke after practice Thursday, following the captains' weekly meeting with the coach.
''We exchanged ideas and came up with certain things that can be done [and he] gave me his views on why we do certain things,'' Lewis said. ''It dealt with more miscommunication and not actually going to talk to him or bringing up different issues that you might be feeling. We agreed to disagree sometimes.
''We settled things in house. That's how it should've been dealt with from the start.''
Lewis, 30, who announced Nov. 1 that he is retiring after his 10th season, said Thursday that Mangini's 21/2- to 3-hour practices were wearing the players out and leaving nothing for the games. Lewis said he'd worked more in pads in the first eight weeks for the 1-7 Browns than in three or four years with the Baltimore Ravens.
Asked whether he was disappointed by Lewis' remarks, Mangini said: ''I think everybody expresses themselves in different ways. Everybody has the right to express themselves. What I'm always looking for is communication with me directly. The office is open. That's not a slogan. That's not something you check off your list. I've had a lot of great conversations with players. . .and the more you talk, the better you understand each other.''
Mangini defended the way he structures practice, saying he's watched different approaches during his 15 years in the NFL, including when he won three Super Bowl rings as an assistant with the New England Patriots. Mangini said practice rarely runs more than two hours unless plays are not executed properly.
''For the record, it's two hours,'' Mangini said. ''We have a half-hour walk-through. That's the facts, that's the reality of it. It's two hours a day. Two hours a day. On Wednesday, on Thursday and less on Friday.
''I've done all different combinations of practice. I've practiced in shells the whole week, shoulder pads and shorts on Thursday, multiple weeks in shells. There have been teams where we've had full pads on Friday. There are different approaches. You're always trying to find one that best fits. I think the two hours of work on the field is a very reasonable time.''
Mangini wouldn't say whether he would fine Lewis for conduct detrimental to the team.
''I'm not looking at it that way,'' Mangini said. ''What I'm looking for is if there are things that need to be addressed, being able to communicate them openly.''
Asked whether Lewis would start Monday night against the Ravens if healthy after being limited this week with an ankle injury, Mangini said, ''It's all based on the packages, so none of that's any different at all.''
Mangini confirmed that practice squad defensive end Keith Grennan was hurt in a post-practice opportunity period Thursday. Grennan ruptured his patellar tendon and will undergo surgery Monday. Mangini said Grennan was hurt during a position drill.
Mangini believes those sessions for young players are the only way for them to improve during the season.
''You never want anyone to get hurt. He's a good kid,'' Mangini said of Grennan. ''A lot of people have really benefited from it, the most recent being Marcus Benard.''
Benard, an undrafted free-agent linebacker from Jackson State, was signed to the active roster this week after shining during the opportunity periods. When Mangini announced his promotion from the practice squad, the team applauded.
Asked whether those periods increase the risk of injury, Mangini said, ''I think it increases the possibility of success.''
Zastudil ailing
Punter Dave Zastudil's long-sore right knee might not last much longer. He was limited and the Browns tried out punters after practice in full view of the media. The last time that happened, kicker Phil Dawson missed the first of five consecutive games. Zastudil is leading the league in punts inside the 20 with 25.
The only Brown to miss practice was receiver Chansi Stuckey (calf). For the Ravens, nose tackle Haloti Ngata (ankle) improved to limited.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/. Follow the Browns on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ABJ_Browns.
Comments
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churchview, va
Posted 09:02 PM, 11/13/2009
are you paying attention Randy Lerner?
akron, oh
Posted 09:18 PM, 11/13/2009
Robert Royal and Lawrence VIckers. When was the last time we heard those clowns do anything?
Top THree people that have done stuff was cribbs, lewis, and harrison
Sagamore Hills, Oh
Posted 09:32 PM, 11/13/2009
So, let me get this straight. People who make millions to play a game. That is not play a game very well. Players that have won 1 game this year, are complaining because they have to work too hard. Obviously, from your reord, you haven't worked enough. Suddenly, I have some respect for Mangini.
Woodbine, MD
Posted 07:42 AM, 11/14/2009
I don't see how Mangini can last after this season. Despite his protests to the contrary, it's clear that he doesn't have the respect of his team
fostoria, oh
Posted 07:50 AM, 11/14/2009
i think the chant in the locker room for jamal lewis is the teams thanks for acting like a team captain and doing the only thing he could do. and talk to the press because to take a problem to mangini is not going to work mangini has no boss no one above him. the only way randy learner will react is if it is in the press. i say thank you jamal for standing up the only way you could.its time to fire king mangini and get rid of this clown once and for all. i hope bernie is calling the plays this week
Leesburg, Fl
Posted 09:29 AM, 11/14/2009
Just an observation..practice is wearing out the players and the lack of a Browns' offense is wearing out the punter. This circus is wearing out the fans.
Canton, OH
Posted 10:50 AM, 11/14/2009
Magini is lame duck. . I wonder if he ever played the game. . .He looks a little roly poly. . .like a Penguin. . .
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:10 AM, 11/14/2009
WoW wish I could whine about working two hrs. a day,
and still get paid..Millions..
I don't feel sorry for any of them,for the money your
making..you should have won more then one game..
an then whine that mangini makes us work to hard..
sure doesn't show it on game day,cause ya can't make a play to save your butts..
ya its all mangini's fault..he's not the one playing..
akron, oh
Posted 03:14 AM, 11/15/2009
get rit of mangini and pay top dollar for a real coach and let him coach and not the owner.
Akron, Oh
Posted 03:39 PM, 11/16/2009
for comparison, Vince Lombardi's practices were 45 minutes to an hour. He won 5 NFL championships in 7 years.
