Mangini: "I Think" LeBron "Should Come On Down" To Play Football

BEREA, Ohio — 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, smiling. "I know he's pretty busy right now, but if he wants to give it a shot, the guy is gifted. He's competitive and tough. I'm sure whatever he applied himself to, he'd probably be good in baseball or soccer or swimming."

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.

When the gist of Mangini's comments was relayed to James, he smiled – but didn't take the bait.

"I had what I had to say, and that was it," James said before his Cavaliers played at the Washington Wizards on Wednesday night.

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 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 heck of a tight end," Rogers said. "I'd like to see him out there running down the seam."

___

AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich in Washington contributed.

Comments

[Tmboy]

12:34 PM on 11/19/2009

1) I'm sure Mangini would love it. He needs all the help he can get.
2) Brady Q could hit a receiver the size of Yokozuna and the skills of Jerry Rice if his life depended on it
3) LeBron said as much as Shaun Rogers said. Getting in shape for football to take hits is much different than basketball. But everyone agrees that he could do it with time.

[dmsdzinr]

10:04 AM on 11/19/2009

Well WHY NOT! Mangini doesn't have a CLUE as to what to do to improve the Cleveland Clowns!

[ECB]

06:25 PM on 11/18/2009

ManGenius would turn the King, into a loser.

[kappa08]

03:45 PM on 11/18/2009

I doubt Lebron has ever been hit, like he would get hit in the NFL....they would cut his goofy a55 in half the first time he went up for a pass....

[OC4Obama4Pres]

10:12 AM on 11/19/2009

Not at that size and weight. Try again.

[EdCoughlin]

03:02 PM on 11/18/2009

Look at Antonio Gates, arguably the best tight end of the modern era, former basketball players can make great football players. I'd love to see LeBron on the field, it would be great for the sport and great for the fans.

There's no glory in American sports like football glory. Even playing in the Finals is nothing compared to starting in the superbowl. I hope he seriously considers it at some point.

Bo did well playing multiple sports, it can happen!

[ydrittmann]

10:44 PM on 11/18/2009

No NFL football player has a GUARANTEED 100 million dollar contract. LeBron aint crazy.

[OC4Obama4Pres]

10:12 AM on 11/19/2009

Say That!

[ladyvader]

07:02 PM on 11/21/2009

Bo also played both sports in college. Big difference there.