Updated: August 9, 2009, 3:24 PM ET Agent points to Mangini for WR's injury Comment Email Print Share ESPN.com news services Cleveland Browns reserve receiver Syndric Steptoe will miss the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder, and his agent says coach Eric Mangini's decision-making is to blame, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported. Steptoe The third-year veteran sustained the injury during Saturday's practice, a league source told the newspaper. Agent Jerome Stanley said a last-minute change of plans from walk-through drills, which the players had expected, to a full-speed practice in heavy rain was the root of the injury. "The coaches should more carefully weigh the risk of injury in practice decisions,'' Stanley said, according to the Plain Dealer. "My understanding is that the team was on the field for a walk-through the day before the scrimmage. The walk-through turned into a full practice in a driving rain." The newspaper said Steptoe, the Browns seventh-round pick in 2007 who started five of 16 games last season, was carted off clutching his shoulder, though the specifics of how he was injured were unclear. AFC North blog ESPN.com's James Walker writes about all things AFC North in his division blog. ? Blog network: NFL Nation Saturday's practice consisted of no-contact drills in shorts and jerseys with no pads and no live tackling. "Obviously, hindsight gives one a different perspective," Stanley said. "But if the practice had stayed a walk-through, Syndric wouldn't be preparing for season-ending surgery right now. The decision produced a bad result for the kid and the team.'' The Browns aren't confirming or commenting on injuries in training camp, the report said. Steptoe had been practicing as a backup wideout and a kick returner. Mangini, who ended the practice 20 minutes early because of the rain, was not available for comment, the report said.
Here's everything you need to know about Eric Mangini's personality, from si.com: Introducing yourself to your co-workers is shit that they literally teach you in first grade. I can picture Eric Mangini learning this life lesson. Eric: "Hi, I'm Eric, nice to meet you. I look forward to working together." (Oh shit! Way to go Eric, now you've committed yourself to this guy...) Jonathan Vilma: "Nice to meet you coach, I'm Jon. How ya liking New Jersey so far?" Eric: "Oh... it's... great! Great, I like it a lot." (Dammit, Eric you fool! You don't know enough about New Jersey to commit to that statement! What if this place is a cesspool?! Ah, jesus...) Jon Vilma: "Oh good, well it's nice to have you here." Eric: "You too, Jon, you too." (Holy shit, that was awful. I think I'm gonna have a panic attack. Note to self: wait for the middle linebacker to get injured and then trade him as far away as possible.)
Not a big deal, if the guy can't make it through one practice, who's to say it wouldn't happen in a pre season game. These guys have to practice at some point, and being this is football, god help them they may have to play in a drizzle.
Right, but you know Mangini's train of thought was to throw a surprise practice at his team to assess their "ability to adapt to unplanned scenario" type of bullshit. He is a smart guy, but too smart, he analyzes every fucking aspect of the game as if there is a concrete formula to success. I can appreciate the X's and O's type of coach, but the last two NYJ coaches were too extreme on each side of the spectrum (Herm was purely a motivational speaker, Mangini was strictly X's and O's). I'm hoping RR is the BALANCE between the two, which would make a pretty good coach IMO.
When does the full-fledged revolt against Mangini under and over thread begin? An injury can happen anytime, anywhere but Mangini does not get it when it comes to treating grown men like children by surprising them with a "pop quiz"
"If my client wasn't going full speed, in the rain, in pads, and getting hit he would not have been injured." So he should just not play football then?
Really I don't agree with the bashing here. What will the team do with a "pop quiz" during a real game this fall. Suddenly you are down by two scores and it starts pouring. Are you ready? Nothing wrong with teaching how to overcome adversity and suprise situations.
Sounds like this player, or his agent, were the type who grew up not wanting the team to keep score because it would lessen the loser's self esteem. Doug Flutie must like his old hometown since they decided NOT to keep score of little league games. Grow up. Take SOME responsibility for your actions. It's not always the other guys fault YOU got hurt. Did someone Steponhistoe?
It's odd that Mangini would be assessing his player's abilities to adapt, especially when one considers that Mangini himself has been criticized for not adapting well to game-specific issues.
"you ok little fella...did you get a boo boo?" "sniffle...i'm ok coach, thanks for asking, my boo boo doesn't hurt so bad now." "She's getting better"
This is not a college fraternity. It's the NFL. It's like treating men like men and not pulling little bullshit surprises out of your ass. Like I said, guys get hurt in practice. I'm fine with that part but Eric has to stop being this psychotic, paranoid, control freak. From the quotes I've seen, it looks as if he is going to have to work real hard to get the Browns on board to his adgenda.
