Browns Drama

Browns tackle Shaun Rogers reportedly wants off team, upset with new coach Eric Mangini
by Mary Kay Cabot / Plain Dealer Reporter

Browns Pro Bowl defensive tackle Shaun Rogers is so disgruntled with new coach Eric Mangini and the new regime that he's asked the team not to pay his guaranteed $6 million option bonus next month, nfl.com's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday night.

Schefter, according to a source close to Rogers, said the tackle would rather be released after only one season even though he's owed $15 million in guaranteed money. However, he hasn't asked yet to be released, the Browns told nfl.com.

Rogers is reportedly miffed about two off-season incidents in which he feels Mangini snubbed him. The first time, Mangini walked into the Browns' training room and didn't say hello to Rogers, the source said. The second time, Mangini and Rogers were together in the media room at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards on Jan. 23 and neither acknowledged the other.

Mangini said at a news conference Feb. 4: "I didn't even realize Shaun was there at the time. I know that's probably hard to believe considering how big he is and how big I am. It's like two destroyers missing each other."

Rest of the drama bullshit.

Another rumor:

We're hearing that the new power structure in Cleveland -- the combination of coach Eric Mangini and G.M. George Kokinis -- isn't sold on Brady Quinn as the starting quarterback. One source with knowledge of the dynamics in Cleveland says that the new power structure there is "lukewarm" on Quinn.

Salty's Thoughts: There's more drama here than a re-run of Saved By the Bell. I will blog more on this soon.