BEREA — Browns coach Eric Mangini defended his practice methods this morning, a day after veteran running back Jamal Lewis criticized the length and physicality of the practices.

“I feel good about the way we practice, the time we practice,” Mangini said. “Two hours of work on the field is a very reasonable time.”

Mangini said he met with Lewis on Thursday afternoon after he sounded off to reporters as part of the weekly captains’ meeting. Mangini said Lewis stayed after for a few minutes, but wouldn’t discuss the specifics of the meeting or conversation.

Lewis said Thursday the Browns practice 2½-3 hours daily and aren’t fresh for game days. Mangini stressed the practices are two hours with a half-hour walkthrough.

“That’s the facts, that’s the reality of it,” he said. “Two hours a day, two hours a day. Less on Friday.”

Mangini, who’s come under fire with a 1-7 record in his first year with the Browns, said the only time practice goes longer than two hours is when they’ve made a mistake.

“We repeat the play because it’s important we get it right,” he said. “We only have limited time on the field, so we have to go out and execute the play correctly.”

The Lewis rant came hours before practice squad defensive end Keith Grennan reportedly tore a patellar tendon in a post-practice session. Mangini confirmed an injury but didn’t reveal specifics.

Mangini calls it “opportunity time,” a post-practice period designed to allow younger players a chance to get more repetitions.

Mangini defended the practice and denied that the extra sessions increase the risk of injury.

“No. It increases the possibility of success,” he said.

Read Saturday’s Chronicle for more on the Browns.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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