Tuesday, May 21, 2013

The latest local news, weather and high school sports in and around Columbia and Jefferson City

Browns would give LeBron a shot
by TOM WITHERS
Posted: 11.18.2009 at 12:28 PM
0

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — If LeBron James truly believes he can help the Cleveland Browns, coach Eric Mangini has an orange helmet waiting for him.

"I think he should come on down," Mangini said.

The NBA superstar, who was an All-State wide receiver in high school, said Tuesday night that if he put the time and commitment into it, he could be a good football player. Mangini agreed, calling James "a freak athletically" and said the 6-foot-8, 260-pounder could be dangerous at tight end, wide receiver or even outside linebacker.

Quarterback Brady Quinn also heard about James' football fetish. He would love to have a target to throw to like James in the red zone.

"That'd be great," Quinn said. "Tell him to suit up and let us know, we'll get him working. Obviously he's an incredibly talented athlete. If he wants to try to play a little bit now, we'd be more than willing to pick him up."

Browns nose tackle Shaun Rogers isn't convinced James, as great as he is, could step into the NFL and be able to handle the pounding.

"I heard that comment," Rogers said. "I have mixed emotions about that. A great athlete? Yes. A football player? No."

Rogers then looked into TV cameras.

"Yeah LeBron, I said it," he said. "It's a punishing game. I just don't think you can step off the basketball court after not going through this year in and year out and just play football. From that standpoint, I just don't think it's possible. You have to weather and condition your body to take this punishment."

So what if James had a year to train? Could he do it then?

"Yeah, he might make a heckuva tight end," Rogers said. "I'd like to see him out there running down the seam."

Popular Stories
Thumbnail
Severe storms moving into mid-Missouri
Zac Evans  |  Yesterday at 2:35 PM  |  2 comments
Thumbnail
Five Jefferson City residents arrested during possible burglary in progress
Newsdesk KRCG  |  Yesterday at 11:18 AM  |  2 comments
Thumbnail
Severe storms leave damage across Missouri
Jessica Troike  |  Yesterday at 10:45 PM  |  2 comments
Follow Connect Mid-Missouri
Get news and weather notifications on your phone by downloading the iPhone or Android app below
Sign up to get alerts and updates for breaking news, severe weather, and deals:
submit
ADVERTISEMENT
Special Features
Community Connection
Participate in great causes in the community!
Relay For Life of Cole County
Friday, June 7, at 6 p.m. at the Jefferson City Jaycees Fairgrounds
ADVERTISEMENT