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.
"I haven't talked to Syndric Steptoe's agent,'' said Mangini. "I don't know what he said. But I know that the practice we had planned is exactly the practice we executed yesterday and 79 other guys were able to practice effectively.
"Really, the play he was injured on, laying out for the ball, I don't think it had anything to do with the elements.
He really layed out for the ball. It was a great effort play, he just wasn't able to bring t he ball in. In typical Syndric style, he always gives that type of effort. He was trying to go out and get the ball.''
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