NFLPA looking into Mangini complaints
November 16, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP)—The NFL Players Association is trying to set up a meeting withCleveland Browns players this week to talk about coach Eric Mangini’s practices,a person at the union told The Associated Press on Monday.
The person, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity to protect theBrowns players’ confidentiality, said the union is looking into what has beengoing on in Cleveland this season because of concerns about health and safety.
Two Browns players have been injured during post-practice drills Manginicalls “opportunity periods.” A member of Cleveland’s practice squad, defensiveend Keith Grennan(notes), hurt his knee on one such drill last week. Rookie runningback James Davis went on injured reserve last month with a season-endingshoulder injury.
The NFL examined what happened to Davis and determined the Browns did notviolate any league policies. The league reviewed video of the practice sessionand interviewed Browns players, coaches and team staff.
Last week, veteran running back Jamal Lewis(notes) said he thought Mangini wastiring out his players by overworking the Browns, although Lewis then reversedfield a day later and blamed the media for exaggerating his complaints.
In his first year with Cleveland after being fired by the New York Jets,Mangini ran a tough training camp, one with much more contact than any held byformer Browns coach Romeo Crennel. The Browns also have practiced in full padsmore under Mangini than in the past.
Cleveland was 1-7 heading into its game against the visiting BaltimoreRavens on Monday night.
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