Browns' Lewis slams Mangini

The Cleveland Browns are being beaten and beaten down by coach Eric Mangini.

That's Jamal Lewis' take.

Frustrated by another losing season, the veteran running back blasted Cleveland's first-year coach on Thursday, saying Mangini is pushing his players too hard in practice. But Lewis, who is one of Cleveland's six captains and intends to retire after the season, has not taken his complaints to Mangini.

"Hey, this is his show, it's not mine," Lewis said. "It's his show, it's not my show. Not anybody else around here's show. We're just the crop. You've got to take care of your crop. If you don't take care of your crop, when it comes time to harvest, you're not going to make no money because the crop ain't no good."

Lewis believes Mangini's rugged, lengthy practices of up to three hours have hurt the Browns (1-7), who have been outscored 209-78 and have lost four games by at least 21 points. By the time they get to kickoff, Lewis says, the Browns are tired and worn out.

"There's talent all over this locker room, young and old," Lewis said. "There's talent everywhere, but that talent has got to be able to be ready for Sunday and to be fresh for Sunday and be ready to go out and be efficient on Sunday. You can work all day, you can work seven days a week. But if you're going to work like that, on Sunday you're probably not going to get what you want out of your players."

Earlier, Mangini said he has changed his approach and adjusted his practices this season.

Lewis was asked to comment on the coach's stance.

"Next question," he snapped.

Portis sidelined: Clinton Portis' concussion will keep the Washington Redskins running back out of Sunday's game, one of many injury concerns for coach Jim Zorn as his team prepares to face the Denver Broncos.

Portis was hurt in a helmet-to-helmet hit in the first quarter of Sunday's 31-17 loss to Atlanta. He underwent tests this week and was not at the practice facility Thursday.

Portis is having a disappointing year by his standards, with only 494 yards rushing. He last missed a game in 2006, when hand and shoulder injuries ended his season early.

Portis' injury means Ladell Betts will get his first start since 2006.

Tennessee receiver Justin Gage has several broken transverse bones in his lower back, and he is unlikely to play Sunday against Buffalo.

The receiver was injured when he fell to the ground after making a leaping catch to set up the go-ahead touchdown in last week's 34-27 win at San Francisco.

Gage started hurting once the adrenaline wore off and the Titans ran a variety of X-rays and CAT scans.

Coach Jeff Fisher said Thursday the tests revealed the multiple fractures.

Ex-Viking pleads not guilty: A not guilty plea has been entered for former Vikings first-round draft pick Erasmus James, who is charged with disorderly conduct in a Madison bar fight.

James was arrested last weekend after police says he lost his temper when a bartender refused to serve him after closing time. Police say James punched a friend in the face.

The 27-year-old James stood silently Thursday in Dane County Circuit Court and a not guilty plea was entered for him on the misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge.

James also is charged with felony battery. A hearing on that charge is scheduled for Nov. 30.

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