Mangini’s Disagrees W/ Steptoe’s Agent Over Injury

Eric Mangini says he does not agree with Syndric Steptoe’s agent about his season ending injury:

Browns coach Eric Mangini disagreed Sunday with receiver Syndric Steptoe’s agent, who blamed Steptoe’s season-ending torn labrum on the team practicing full-speed in a driving rain. Specifically, agent Jerome Stanley said players thought they were going out for a walk-through, but found themselves practicing full tilt instead. The practice was conducted in shorts and jerseys with no pads or tackling, but at a regular practice tempo.

“The practice we had planned is exactly the practice we executed [Saturday] and 79 other guys were able to practice effectively,” Mangini said. “The play he was injured on, laying out for the ball, I don’t think it had anything to do with the elements. It was a great effort play, he just wasn’t able to bring the ball in. In typical Syndric style, he always gives that type of effort.”