Eric Mangini calls out his defense, much the same as safety Sheldon Brown did the day before.
View full sizeEric Mangini unleashed a profane series of objections on Sunday when officials allowed Carolina to attempt a game-winning kick by John Kasay after receiver Brandon LaFell was ruled to have gotten out of bounds on his reception of a Jimmy Clausen pass. "I was glad the kids were actually at the game yesterday, so they weren't watching it on TV," he said. "It wasn't G-rated what I was yelling."BEREA, Ohio -- A day after cornerback Sheldon Brown said the Browns lack "killer instinct" and have had unacceptable meltdowns, coach Eric Mangini called out his defense for coming out flat against the Panthers.
"I feel like we should've played much better than we did defensively," he said. "And I felt at times during the game, we did that, but that's not how we play. It's consistency. That's what we need to do. It's consistent, good, smart football. Tackling is a huge component of that, just fundamentals."
Mangini said the lackluster performance began during the week.
"Defensively, I don't think we had as good a week of practice and I think it showed," he said. "They went down and scored [a touchdown] on the opening drive of the game, and that hasn't happened in 23-odd games. I don't think we came out playing with the right level of intensity. That's not what we do. That's not the way we approach it. In the running game, technique, run-fits and tackling needs to improve."
He lamented two consecutive weeks where the Browns have allowed a big play at the end of the game -- the 75-yard screen in Jacksonville and a 32-yard pass and run to Mike Goodson by the Panthers.
"We had the guy hemmed up there on the sideline and he gets away and it goes for another 20-odd yards," he said. "Can't happen. We have to work on getting that fixed immediately."
He acknowledged losing defensive end Robaire Smith for the season to a back injury and linebacker Scott Fujita for an extended period with a knee injury have hurt. Fujita will be out probably a few more weeks.
"It's significant," said Mangini. "Robaire is excellent against the run. He also sets a certain tone. He's got a tone similar to Matt Roth. He's a tough guy and we miss Robaire a lot.
"Scott's done great things this year. [He's] another guy that was voted as a defensive captain and his versatility, especially his role on third down, that's been missed, and for a lot of different reasons.
"Some of it's the way he plays and some of it is the way he sees the things and communicates out those alerts or adjustments defensively. When you lose two guys like that, it makes it hard."
He pointed at changing faces in the secondary, with injuries limiting Eric Wright and Mike Adams. Adams returned Sunday and Wright has a chance to play in Miami this week. It forced newcomer Eric King into action and Ray Ventrone into an expanded role.
"But everybody faces those challenges," said Mangini. "You have to deal with them and come out and put your best foot forward."
Wacky ending: The Browns sent in tape from the end of the game, when the officials apparently botched the ruling after Brandon LaFell's 28-yard catch that set up John Kasay's 42-yard field goal attempt.
First, the officials missed Sheldon Brown's touch of LaFell's elbow while the receiver was inbounds, meaning the clock should have kept running. Second, after the catch survived a review, the officials still left time to set up the kick. Mangini had been assured that if the catch was upheld, the clock would run out.
"I needed some blood pressure medicine," said Mangini. "I was glad the kids were actually at the game yesterday, so they weren't watching it on TV. It wasn't G-rated what I was yelling."
Mangini said he won't be permitted to share the league's findings on the play.
Rookie impact: Mangini said Joe Haden, with interceptions in each of his last three games, will likely start again in place of Wright, who has been out with a knee injury. Wright might be able to come back on a limited basis this week. Still, Haden has most likely earned a starting spot.
"Joe has done really well," said Mangini. "He's getting better as we go. He's making a strong, strong case for continued playing time."
This is Peyton's place: Peyton Hillis has exceeded Mangini's expectations this season.
"Yeah, he has," Mangini said. "I thought he was pretty good and a great addition, but he's been outstanding. I don't know how else you describe the things that he does. He shows up, works like crazy, is a great guy, loves being here and plays his heart out every week. Runs people over on the goal line, catches everything we throw to him, blocks well.
"Yeah, he's made for Cleveland."