Football Lewis: Mangini overworking players

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Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis said he's frustrated by another losing season and believes coach Eric Mangini is pushing his players too hard.

Lewis, who intends to retire after this season, said Thursday that he doesn't want to be a "babysitter" to Cleveland's younger players. He wants to win and expressed disappointment that two- and three-hour practices aren't translating into wins for the team, which has a 1-7 record.

"There's talent all over this locker room, young and old," he said before practice. "There's talent everywhere, but that talent has got to be ready for Sunday, it's got to be fresh for Sunday. You can work all day, but if you're going to work like that, you're probably not going to get what you want out of your players."

While Lewis doesn't mind working hard, he said Mangini is wearing out his players. The team captain said he hasn't approached his coach about making changes.

"This is his show, not mine," Lewis said. "You got to take care of your crop. If you don't, when it comes time to harvest, you're not going to make no money because the crop is no good. That's that."

Lewis said the length and intensity of Mangini's practices are not the issue, it's that the first-year coach's approach isn't producing wins.

"If I'm going to come out here and work the way I work, then I want results," Lewis said. "Right now, that's not what's going on. I feel like it's just a waste of time for me."

Earlier, Mangini said he has changed his approach and adjusted this season.

Lewis was asked to comment on the coach's stance.

"Next question," he said.

 

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Mangini: Browns not overworked

Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini has defended his practices one day after running back Jamal Lewis complained that Cleveland's players are being worked too hard.

Lewis asserted that Mangini was wearing out his players during the week with 2½- to 3-hour workouts and they had nothing left by kickoff on Sunday.

Cleveland's first-year coach maintains his practices are not any longer or more physical than ones he's conducted in the past.

"I feel good about the way we practice, the time we practice," Mangini said Friday. "Two hours of work on the field is a very reasonable time."

Mangini said that he and Lewis, one of six team captains, had a "good conversation" on Thursday and discussed their differences. Mangini did not provide any details of their meeting. He said he does not view Lewis' comments as detrimental conduct.

Mangini stressed that his workouts are rarely longer than two hours -- with a 30-minute walkthrough.

"That's the facts, that's the reality of it," he said. "Two hours a day, two hours a day. Less on Friday."

Lewis' rant came a few hours before Browns practice squad player, defensive end Keith Grennan, sustained a serious knee injury during a post-practice "opportunity period." Mangini confirmed Grennan's injury but did not specify its nature or severity.

Grennan is the second Browns player injured during one of the post-practice drills, which are designed to give rookies and backups extra time with the coaching staff. Earlier this season, rookie running back James Davis suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during one such workout.

Mangini defended the additional practice sessions as a chance for players to get more repetitions. He cited linebacker Marcus Benard, signed from the practice squad this week, as an "opportunity period" success story. Mangini said the voluntary sessions were also held when he coached under Bill Belichick in New England.

"I believe in this fundamentally," Mangini said. "Over time, so many guys have benefited from it. I think it increases the possibility of success."