Mangini praises rookie cornerback for "making a strong case for 'you can't take me out now.'"
View full sizeJoe Haden has interceptions in four consecutive games and five overall this season. But "what I really liked about Joe's game last week is the way he tackles," says Eric Mangini.BEREA, Ohio -- Eric Mangini spent part of Monday's press conference defending his decision not to make rookie cornerback Joe Haden a starter earlier in the season.
Haden, the seventh overall pick, was in the starting lineup Sunday in Miami, the 12th game of the season. He responded with a monster game, recording an interception, four passes broken up and five tackles.
Haden started the week before against Carolina, but that was in place of the injured Eric Wright (knee), who's struggled this season. His only other "start" came in the opener in Tampa when the Browns opened in the nickel package.
"Well, it's more evaluating his progress," said Mangini "Then, it's a function of what you do with your opportunities. Because he may have gotten in and not played as well and we'd be talking about you know, 'was it too early for him to get in?' It's really just a function of working and when you get your chance, going in and making a strong case for 'You can't take me out now."
Since taking over for Wright early in the Jacksonville game three weeks ago, Haden has been outstanding. He's had an interception in four straight games -- for the first time since Ernie Kellerman did it in 1968. He was tied for first among rookies with his five picks under New England's Devin McCourty got his sixth Monday night, and is fifth overall.
"What I really liked about Joe's game last week is the way he tackles," said Mangini. "That was something we liked in college.
"There were plays there where a missed tackle and the ball would have gone for a long way. Ronnie Brown's screen, if he doesn't make that play, it goes for a long way. An open field tackle, one-on-one against Ronnie Brown, that's hard to do.
"The other thing he does well is he wraps up. ... It's not block tackling, it's not submarine tackling where it looks like you're digging for worms trying to get the guy down. He goes and he wraps up and he likes contact. And you know, 'cover corner' is usually an euphemism for 'won't tackle.' But [Haden] will."
Mangini stressed that Haden and fellow rookie T.J. Ward need to eliminate repeated mistakes.
"I like the things they've done," he said. "Let's put [the mistakes] to bed and take another leap here."
Said safety Mike Adams of Haden: "I know he's going to stay focused and keep it going and he'll see a lot of Pro Bowls coming his way."
Heads up play: Mangini said it was Jake Delhomme's quick snap and sneak on third and 2 in the fourth quarter that showed his value to the offense. Miami was called for 12 men on the field.
"It's a big play, it's a smart play, it's a heads-up play and I love seeing that," said Mangini. "That one play right there, we could not get that last year, where they had too many guys on the field and we snapped the ball. Peyton Manning does it every other play and we could not do that last year."
Extra points: Mangini said tight Evan Moore (hip) might not be ready to practice Wednesday, but should be ready to play Sunday in Buffalo. ... He said Colt McCoy (ankle) would do some work Monday and be re-evaluated Tuesday. ... The Browns are one of four teams not to give up 30 or more points in any game this season. They've allowed four rushing touchdowns, tied for least in the NFL. ... The Browns have allowed 26 first-quarter points, tied for third-fewest in the league.