For the first time all season, an opposing defense had trouble stopping the Browns.
Coach Eric Mangini believes that Brady Quinn and the boys were so unstoppable that the Lions may have faked injuries to slow down Cleveland’s surprise no huddle attack.
“There were multiple, multiple, multiple injuries throughout our no-huddle process,” Mangini said on Sunday.
Mangini brought the issue up again Monday. When pressed if he was really accusing of his friend Jim Schwartz of having his players fake injuries, Manigni said, “I’m just saying there were a lot of them.”
On Sunday, Mangini noted that all of Detroit’s players came back after they were hurt. “There was no penalty,’' said Mangini. “Maybe all of those guys were legitimately injured. I haven’t talked to [Schwartz] about it.”
After Mangini’s coaching performance late in Sunday’s game, we’d think he would be trying to look ahead. Or focus on the positives from the game. Instead, this looks like a panicked move aimed to deflect attention and blame.
The reverse is likely to happen.
Accusing the Lions of bending the rules will only result in more scrutiny for Mangini and his one win team.
UPDATE: Here are Mangini’s remarks: