LoKyBuckeye
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New diet, new spot for Browns' Lang
Associated Press
Posted: 12 hours ago
BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Before he could switch from defensive end to outside linebacker, Kenard Lang was told by the Cleveland Browns that he had to lose weight.
That meant big sacrifices. So Lang gave up some of the things he loves: fried foods, red meat and his favorite dish.
"The food I probably miss most ... I'm a country boy now ... is chitlins," Lang said. "You all ever had chitlins? Put some hot sauce on there, some yellow rice and you're good to go."
A slimmed-down Lang - he has dropped 20 pounds - appears good to go at linebacker, a new position for the nine-year veteran whose quickness allows him to drop off the line of scrimmage in Cleveland's new 3-4 defensive scheme.
It's a big change for Lang, who has recorded 20 sacks as Cleveland's top pass rusher the past three seasons in a 4-3 alignment. But along with having to learn a new position, Lang is competing for a starting job for the first time since he broke into the league as a rookie with Washington in 1997.
He's currently splitting time with Matt Stewart, who signed with the club as a free agent after four years with Atlanta.
Lang welcomes the challenge.
"You have to fight for the last biscuit on the table sometimes," said the always cheery Lang, who made 15 starts at right end in 2004. "But that's the way it has to be. Sometimes it's good for that to happen."
Following his success with the 3-4 in New England, first-year Browns coach Romeo Crennel decided that was the defense he would use in Cleveland despite a lack of depth or players like he had with the Patriots.
When Crennel proposed Lang move to linebacker, the 30-year-old player didn't give it a second thought.
"I said, 'Let's go,' " Lang explained. "I easily could have said that I don't want this or I want to be traded. I know it sounds repetitive, but everyone says that Coach Crennel has been there before and he knows what it takes."
There's still a learning curve for Lang, but it's getting straighter every day. His down-to-down responsibilities are different, but some of the basics remain: find the ball carrier and tackle him.
"It's been a little bit of an adjustment," Lang said. "It takes me back to my high school days when I played middle linebacker. They are about the same concept, but there are a lot more coverages. The main thing is I have to be more attentive to the guys around me who are my surrounding cast.
"It's a matter of listening rather than having my ears closed off."
One of Lang's new duties is to cover running backs and the occasional wide receiver who lines up in the slot. In practice, Lang has been matched up with Dennis Northcutt, the Browns' quickest player.
It's not the mismatch you might think. Lang has held his own.
"Sometimes I'm thinking that I have to get on my horse and start running, but I'd rather run with Northcutt any day than be hitting a big (330-pound) Ryan Tucker every down," Lang said. "You have your gives and takes, but it still comes down to the point of pursuing the football and making plays. That's what I plan on doing."
As he settles into his new spot, Lang is trying not to think too far ahead. Now that he's in his 30s, Lang realizes his playing days are numbered. However, in his mind, the end is still far away.
"I enjoy playing and that's the main thing," he said. "Coach Crennel has faith in what I can do and he has coached other players before in this defense. I know it's late in my career but people are playing until they are 38- and 39-years-old. Lord bless them, I hope I do, too, but I'm just enjoying the ride right now."
Associated Press
Posted: 12 hours ago
BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Before he could switch from defensive end to outside linebacker, Kenard Lang was told by the Cleveland Browns that he had to lose weight.
That meant big sacrifices. So Lang gave up some of the things he loves: fried foods, red meat and his favorite dish.
"The food I probably miss most ... I'm a country boy now ... is chitlins," Lang said. "You all ever had chitlins? Put some hot sauce on there, some yellow rice and you're good to go."
A slimmed-down Lang - he has dropped 20 pounds - appears good to go at linebacker, a new position for the nine-year veteran whose quickness allows him to drop off the line of scrimmage in Cleveland's new 3-4 defensive scheme.
It's a big change for Lang, who has recorded 20 sacks as Cleveland's top pass rusher the past three seasons in a 4-3 alignment. But along with having to learn a new position, Lang is competing for a starting job for the first time since he broke into the league as a rookie with Washington in 1997.
He's currently splitting time with Matt Stewart, who signed with the club as a free agent after four years with Atlanta.
Lang welcomes the challenge.
"You have to fight for the last biscuit on the table sometimes," said the always cheery Lang, who made 15 starts at right end in 2004. "But that's the way it has to be. Sometimes it's good for that to happen."
Following his success with the 3-4 in New England, first-year Browns coach Romeo Crennel decided that was the defense he would use in Cleveland despite a lack of depth or players like he had with the Patriots.
When Crennel proposed Lang move to linebacker, the 30-year-old player didn't give it a second thought.
"I said, 'Let's go,' " Lang explained. "I easily could have said that I don't want this or I want to be traded. I know it sounds repetitive, but everyone says that Coach Crennel has been there before and he knows what it takes."
There's still a learning curve for Lang, but it's getting straighter every day. His down-to-down responsibilities are different, but some of the basics remain: find the ball carrier and tackle him.
"It's been a little bit of an adjustment," Lang said. "It takes me back to my high school days when I played middle linebacker. They are about the same concept, but there are a lot more coverages. The main thing is I have to be more attentive to the guys around me who are my surrounding cast.
"It's a matter of listening rather than having my ears closed off."
One of Lang's new duties is to cover running backs and the occasional wide receiver who lines up in the slot. In practice, Lang has been matched up with Dennis Northcutt, the Browns' quickest player.
It's not the mismatch you might think. Lang has held his own.
"Sometimes I'm thinking that I have to get on my horse and start running, but I'd rather run with Northcutt any day than be hitting a big (330-pound) Ryan Tucker every down," Lang said. "You have your gives and takes, but it still comes down to the point of pursuing the football and making plays. That's what I plan on doing."
As he settles into his new spot, Lang is trying not to think too far ahead. Now that he's in his 30s, Lang realizes his playing days are numbered. However, in his mind, the end is still far away.
"I enjoy playing and that's the main thing," he said. "Coach Crennel has faith in what I can do and he has coached other players before in this defense. I know it's late in my career but people are playing until they are 38- and 39-years-old. Lord bless them, I hope I do, too, but I'm just enjoying the ride right now."
