NFL Players Association Looking into Complaints About Browns Coach Eric Mangini

By Leader Staff. Published on 11/17/2009 - 10:20am


After the Cleveland Browns loss on national television Monday night, an anonymous source with the NFL Players Association revealed to the press on Tuesday that the NFLPA is trying to set up a meeting with Browns players this week to discuss coach Eric Mangini's practices. Speaking on conditions of anonymity, the source says that the union is looking into what's been going on in Cleveland due to concerns over health and safety.

Two players have been injured during post-pratice drills that Mangini refers to as "opportunity periods." Keith Grennan, a member of the team's practice squad, hurt his knee during one of these drills last week, and rookie running back James Davis was put on the injured reserve last month with a season ending shoulder injury.

The league looked into what happened with Davis and made the determination that the Browns did not violate any NFL policies. In this review, the league looked at videos of the practice session, as well as conducted interviews with players, coaches and team staff.

Last week, however, running back Jamal Lewis commented that he thought Mangini was wearing out his players by overworking the team. However, a day after those comments, Lewis backpedaled and then blamed the media for exaggerating complaints.

Last week, veteran running back Jamal Lewis said he thought Mangini was tiring out his players by overworking the Browns, although Lewis then reversed field a day later and blamed the media for exaggerating his complaints.

One thing is for sure though - practices aren't the same in Cleveland as they were when Romeo Crennel was at the helm. Mangini ran a tough training camp with far more contact that any held by Crennel, and he has had the Browns practice in full pads more than in the past.

Heading into the game against the Baltimore Ravens on Monday night, the Browns were 1-7. With that loss, they are now 1-8. With a record like that, one can't help but wonder how much longer it will be before Mangini is once again unemployed.

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