Browns rookie linebacker Marcus Benard received a standing ovation when coach Eric Mangini announced in front of the team Monday that the undrafted free agent from Jackson State was being promoted to the active roster.
"I was trying to keep my cool, keep composure, act like I've been here before. Then everybody starts clapping," Benard said.
Benard, 6-foot-2 and 256 pounds, apparently has earned the respect of the veterans with his attitude and work ethic. He earned the nickname "King Kong" at Jackson State, where he totalled 25 sacks in two years.
The move may signal that linebacker Eric Barton is headed to injured reserve. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported last week that Barton has a bulging disc in his neck that would threaten his season. Barton suffered what was announced as a shoulder injury late in the first half of the Browns' last game Nov. 1 at Chicago.
Mangini said an announcement on Barton may be coming as early as Monday afternoon.
Benard said he tried to stay positive as he languished on the practice squad, especially since ex-Jets brought in by Mangini told him that Mangini would give him a chance.
"It definitely keeps you motivated to know that," Benard said. "I'd always ask, 'Are they going to move me up? Do you think I've got a chance?' and all the guys were telling me, 'Mangini always moves up a rookie or a young talent.' That's motivation to keep working harder knowing there is a light at the end of the tunnel."
Now Benard must prove in practice that he deserves to be on the 45-man active roster for the Nov. 16 Monday night home game against Baltimore.
"When any kid dreams about football, he thinks about Monday Night Football. This is a big stage.
"I'm definitely going to call the family and tell them, 'Make sure you watch."'
When it was suggested that Benard can now dream about getting a sack on Monday night, he said, "There you go. A sack or a few."
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Now the question is will he be active Monday night. I would like to see him get some playing time (why not??).
Nothing wrong with giving young talent a chance 2 prove himself. He may be another Pro-Bowler, Letz see ???
There's a great video of this guy's college highlights on youtube.
Joe Blow at ESPN reported this, Louie Blow at ESPN reported that, FOX reported this, the Miami Herald reported that. It would be a novelty if just once during this calendar year, Marla Ridenour actually reported something instead of stealing everything. Sorry for being so blunt. But I'm one of the fools who actually spends money and buys the Beacon Journal. No need if I can just go to the original pilfered source for free.
And you'd think in this politically correct media world, a guy who went to an all-black school and was nicknamed "King Kong" would have his nickname involuntarily changed. Howard Cosell got fired for calling a black guy a little monkey, even though there was absolutely nothing racist when he said it. He called his grandkids little monkeys. But this black guy is called a gigantic 50-feet-tall gorilla, and nobody blinks. I guess if a black media guy gives the gorilla nickname to another black guy, then it's OK. But if a white media guy gives him the same nickname, the white guy would be thrown off of the Empire State Building.
I will call him Fay Wray from now on.
Alan, you are ready for your nap