BEREA - Apparently all is well between Browns coach Eric Mangini and Detroit Lions coach Jim Schwartz.

It wasn't quite that way earlier this week when Mangini suggested that some Lions players faked injuries to disrupt the flow the Browns had in their no-huddle offense. Schwartz felt Mangini's comments were out of line.

The two have had a conversation to smooth over matters. Mangini admitted he should have talked less about the injuries and more about the Browns' failure to hold a 21-point lead.

"We cleared the air. We've always had a good relationship," Mangini said. "The bottom line is we didn't do enough to win the game. Jim and I are fine."

Mangini first brought up the injuries in the immediate aftermath of the Browns' 38-37 loss to the Lions last Sunday. He didn't back off when pressed further on the issue at a Monday press conference.

MISSING IN ACTION: Mangini deactivated second-round draft picks Brian Robiskie and David Veikune against the Lions. Mangini is stressing the importance of patience when dealing with rookies.

"I look at it as playing the guys that do the best job during that week and give us the best chance to win," Mangini said. "(Linebacker) Marcus Benard was active and that's a positive. He's a guy that's worked his way up and made a case for himself and had a chance to play.

"(Receiver) Chansi Stuckey had been hurt the week before. He was back and he had a good week of practice. He had several key receptions during the game. It's no different for those two guys (Robiskie and Veikune) either. They're live during the week. Whoever makes the best case in practices will be up."

WISHFUL THINKING: Quarterback Brady Quinn is hopeful that Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is retained for next season, but that appears unlikely. It's widely believed that Weis will be given his walking papers after the Fighting Irish finish their regular season against Stanford.

"Personally, I think it would be a horrible decision if they do that," Quinn said. "There are a lot of circumstances that play into a season like this. Hopefully, he'll have another opportunity."

Notre Dame's strict academic standards have been blamed for the failure to produce national-championship caliber teams.

"You can say that, but again I think it plays to an advantage to have smart players on your team," Quinn said. "You're able to do more from a schematic standpoint and prepare for a team in better fashion than other teams."

REUNION TIME: Quinn and Bengals safety Chinedum Ndukwe have a close friendship dating back to when Ndukwe's family moved from Tennessee to the Dublin Coffman school district outside of Columbus, where the Quinn family lived. Both were roommates at Notre Dame and both were drafted in 2007 - Quinn in the first round and Ndukwe in the seventh round.

"We go way back," Quinn said. "I was one of the first persons he met when they moved to my hometown in junior high, and we played on teams together from there on out. They're like my second family."

ONE-WAY SERIES: Much has been written about the dominance the Pittsburgh Steelers have had over the Browns (18 wins in the last 19 games). The Bengals also have been successful against the Browns, having won eight of the last 10 games.

With a 23-20 overtime win earlier this season, the Bengals now have a 37-35 series advantage. The Bengals are 13-8 since the Browns returned to the NFL in 1999.

IN JURY REPORT: Unable to practice for the Browns were guard Rex Hadnot (knee), defensive lineman Shaun Rogers (ankle), tight end Robert Royal (thigh, finger) and fullback Lawrence Vickers (hamstring). Limited in work were linebacker David Bowens (knee), linebacker Blake Costanzo (shoulder), tight end Greg Estandia (shoulder) and running back Jamal Lewis (ankle). Those who were able to practice fully were tight end Michael Gaines (back), center Alex Mack (thumb), defensive lineman Robaire Smith (shoulder) and Stuckey (calf).

Not practicing for the Bengals were running back Cedric Benson (hip), receiver Laveranues Coles (chest), linebacker Rey Maualuga (foot) and defensive tackle Domata Peko (knee). Limited were defensive end Robert Geathers (hip), defensive tackle Tank Johnson (knee), cornerback Johnathan Joseph (foot), cornerback Morgan Trent (knee) and linebacker Keith Rivers (calf).

mmclain@tribtoday.com