In the Paint
LeBrown James?
If Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James truly believes he can help the Browns, then coach Eric Mangini has an orange helmet waiting for him."I think he should come on down," Mangini said.
The NBA superstar, who was an all-state wide receiver in his Ohio high school, said Tuesday night that he could be a good football player if the put the time into it.
Mangini agreed, calling James "a freak athletically" and saying that the 6-foot-8, 260-pounder could be dangerous at tight end, wide receiver, or outside linebacker.
Nose tackle Shaun Rogers disagreed.
"A great athlete? Yes. A football player? No," Rogers said. "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. . . . You have to weather and condition your body to take this punishment."
'Birdman' hurt
The Denver Nuggets say Chris "Birdman" Andersen is day-to-day with moderate patellar tendinitis in his right knee.Anderson underwent an MRI exam yesterday in Denver, and the test revealed no structural damage.
He is averaging 5.1 points and seven rebounds this season.
Surgery for Outlaw
Portland forward Travis Outlaw had surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot. The Trail Blazers said he would be sidelined for three to five months.- Associated Press




