I feel awkward writing about the Cleveland Browns two days in a row, but sometimes when you are 1-8, the headlines are pretty blog worthy.
Last night, I posted a blog about Browns quarterback Brady Quinn drilling Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. I think, the hit looked clean, but the NFL ruled other wise today, fining the pretty boy quarterback $10,000. Whatever. This is to me, is a joke. With all the complaints about the NFL favoring quarterbacks with certain penalty calls and “rules” that are exclusive to quarterbacks not getting knocked around, this almost seems like a “Ha, told you we don’t play favorites” move by the NFL.
So, I jump on ESPN today to read a headline that states: “Cleveland Browns would give LeBron James a shot”
While this sounds intriguing, it is not at all plausible. James, with his 6′8″ 260 pound frame would no doubt be a defensive nightmare and ideal talent at the wide receiver spot, the King needs to stick with what he knows : putting the ball in the hoop.
This whole saga was conjured up earlier this year by the marketing team at State Farm. They shot a commercial where James was wearing a Cleveland Browns jersey, making all sorts of spectacular plays.
James even said in an interview Tuesday “If I put all my time and commitment into it, if I dedicated myself to the game of football, I could be really good, no matter what team I was on.”
And this may not be a stretch–James WAS a high school football standout–the fact of the matter remains…football and basketball are two TOTALLY different sports.
So was the whole altercation with Braylon Edwards earlier this year a move to clear space for LeBron to make his NFL debut? No. It’s not.
Regardless, Browns coach Eric Mangini openly said : “I think he should come on down.”
While the idea may seem magical to Browns fans nationwide, the players have a mixed reaction. While Quinn indicated he would LOVE to have LeBron as a target, defensive stand out Shaun Rogers had this to say…
“I have mixed emotions about that. A great athlete? Yes. A football player? No. Yeah LeBron, I said it. 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.”
James seemed to agree with Rogers, later stating “I’d be in football shape during football season, then I’d go to basketball and feel like I was out of shape. It’s totally different. And another thing you have to get used to is getting hit again.”
Maybe James started backtracking after he realized hit body guard may not be able to take a blow to the jaw from Rogers?
So, my question to you is this…would you be okay with LeBron making the change from the NBA to the NFL? To my knowledge, it has never been done. Sure we saw Deion Sanders, Brian Jordan and Bo Jackson play in the MLB and NFL…but has anyone ever done the NBA and the NFL?
What are your thoughts?
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
They'd have to give him his own red flag to throw. lol.
LeBron couldn't play football – he's used to foul calls when anyone comes within 3 feet of him so he'd want a whistle on every play.
Coming from a female point of view, I don't know that I could wrap my head around LJ becoming a Football player – for mostly all of the reasons you pointed out, but also, why change a good thing? Fo realz!
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