Questions I Would Pose to New Cleveland Browns Linebacker Eric Barton

CBS Sports asked us to put together a fictional feature interview of a Cleveland Browns player as part of a try-out to obtain a position as a correspondent for the Cleveland Browns.

I decided to interview veteran linebacker Eric Barton, one of several former Jets Eric Mangini brought with him from New York.

Barton is expected to shore up the Browns' porous run defense and provide leadership to a team that severely lacked leadership in 2008.

Good afternoon, Eric, let me first welcome to you to Cleveland.

You have been in the league 10 years now and are coming off, statistically, one of your best seasons. You had 119 tackles. How are you able to sustain your high level of play?

In your rookie year with the Raiders you recorded a sack on the first play of your first NFL start. What did that feel like?

Playing linebacker in the NFL, you have been in the middle of some pretty vicious collisions. Do any stand out in your mind?

When you came into the league with the Raiders, were there any players who took you under their wing or whom you tried to emulate?

You led your team in tackles in Super Bowl XXXVII. Even though your team (Oakland) lost that game, did you take away any positives from that experience?

I have to ask you about your experience with Al Davis. He has a well-deserved reputation for being eccentric. Do you have any good Al Davis stories?

The consensus regarding the Browns’ locker room last season was that the players lacked discipline under Romeo Crennel. What can you do to change that culture?

You have the reputation as a leader. Some players are very vocal on the field and in the clubhouse. Others would rather just let their play speak for them. How would you describe your leadership skills?

You obviously have a good relationship with Eric Mangini, who brought you with him from New York. What advice would you give the Browns' holdovers as far as what coach Mangini expects from his players?

There is a lot of talk about how Mangini likes to pull surprise quizzes on his players. Has he ever stumped you?

Now that you are working out with your new team, are there any players with whom you have bonded?

Are there any particular players from the Jets you are especially happy to see follow you here?

There was talk of friction between Brett Favre and his teammates last year in New York. Thomas Jones raised some issues he had with Favre. What is your take on what Jones had to say?

Cleveland fans are very demanding. But even if you lose, they will love you if they see effort. What can Cleveland fans expect from Eric Barton, the football player?

You were raised in Virginia, played college ball at the University of Maryland, and played professionally on the West Coast and then in New York—all completely different lifestyles. How did you manage to adapt?

Where do you live in the offseason?

What do you like to do to unwind?

You have a reputation of being intense on the field but also somewhat of a jokester with your teammates. Care to reveal any of your really good pranks?

Speaking of practical jokes, there was a rumor that Brett Favre left a dead animal carcass in your locker last year. If true, what went through your mind when you opened your locker?