The slumping bills whose problem is clearly more than just a coach, maybe management welcome the dismal browns, who have clearly given up on the season. It's a battle of the toilet teams one in which the Bills should come out ahead. Denote though the Browns last win was against the Bills. With questions abounding is this jauron's last game, who do the bills have to replace him as an interm coach. would you want a current assistant to take over as coach? its time for another week of football.

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/articl ... d628803dcc

Gameday Tipsheet - Week 5
By Chris Brown, Lead Journalist
Posted Oct 10, 2009

Top 3 Individual Matchups
1. Aaron Schobel vs. Joe Thomas – Regarded as one of the top five left tackles in football Thomas will be the stiffest challenges Schobel has faced this season. Thomas is rarely given pass protection help so this will be a true one-on-one battle worth watching.

2. Geoff Hangartner vs. Shaun Rogers – The Browns behemoth nose tackle was effective in stuffing Buffalo’s run game last season in the Monday night matchup, at least for the first half before wearing down. While the no huddle has had its drawbacks if Hangartner and Trent Edwards can keep things moving at a good clip, Rogers could be worn out sooner rather than later.

3. Lee Evans vs. Eric Wright – The Bills wideout should have some opportunities against the good-sized corner. Wright makes plays, but can be caught gambling too much at times. That could translate into a few big plays for Buffalo’s deep threat wideout.

Top 2 Bills Advantages
Good advantage – pass rush – Buffalo has had some success getting pressure on the passer ranking 11th in the league in sacks per pass play. Coming off a six-sack performance last week the Bills could have even better success at home against the Browns who ranked 27th in the league in sacks allowed per pass play.

Best advantage – run game – One of the few parts of Buffalo’s offense that has been relatively consistent, the Bills rushing attack should be leaned on all the more in light of the pass game struggles. Buffalo ranks seventh in the league in yards per carry average and Cleveland is a disappointing 31st against the run. The two-back tandem of Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson should have success.

Bills Number One Must
Convert third downs – Buffalo is just 3-for-25 on third down conversions on their current two-game losing streak. That number has to improve significantly against the Browns if the offense is to generate enough scoring opportunities to get points on the board and give their defense a rest here and there through the course of the game. Cleveland ranks 18th in the league in third down defense.

Scouting Eye
Back to D.A.
After two and a half games of lackluster play from Brady Quinn, Browns head coach Eric Mangini yanked him and inserted veteran Derek Anderson at quarterback. The former Pro Bowl signal caller wasn’t all that impressive in his relief performance against Baltimore throwing three interceptions, but did play much better against the Bengals in his first start this season. Anderson threw for 269 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score as he helped Cleveland erase an early 14-0 deficit to take a 20-14 lead before losing in overtime.

Budding chemistry?
One of Anderson’s favorite targets last week was rookie Mohammed Massaquoi. The long and lanky receiver pulled in eight passes for 148 yards, which was the most by a Browns rookie in 15 seasons. Massaquoi is considered by many to be the team’s top receiving option now that Braylon Edwards has been traded to the Jets.

Jerome spells Jamal
The Browns are breathing a little bit easier even though they may again not have veteran back Jamal Lewis in their lineup again this week. Nursing a hamstring injury Lewis has been limited in practice this week and is questionable, but his understudy more than filled the bill last Sunday.

Jerome Harrison rushed for 121 yards on 29 carries to bring some balance to Cleveland’s offense. Lewis has averaged 99 yards rushing per game in his career against Buffalo.

Special teams excelling
Browns Pro Bowl returner Josh Cribbs is a well respected weapon across the league, but this season he’s not alone as Cleveland’s special teams units have been productive through the first quarter of the season. Last Sunday may have been their best all around performance.

Cribbs had three long returns in the game, a 58-yard kick return and punt returns of 39 and 50 yards that led to 10 points for the Browns.

Cleveland’s special teams also had a forced fumble on kick coverage that they recovered and led to a field goal, blocked a 23-yard field goal and an extra point.

Shaun Rogers blocked both kicks and now has 13 career blocked field goals and two blocked PATs.

Two-way Furrey
New England head coach Bill Belichick would often use wide receiver Troy Brown as a defensive back for his Patriot teams, and now his former assistant Eric Mangini is using one of his veteran receivers in similar fashion. Receiver Mike Furrey got some snaps at safety for the Browns last week registering a pass breakup, while also adding four catches for 37 yards on offense.
Furrey actually came into the league as a safety last playing on that side of the ball with the Rams in 2005.

‘D’ tightening up
Cleveland’s defensive rankings certainly aren’t anything to be proud of. Ranking last in the league in total defense and 31st in run defense and points allowed, the Browns look like an unimpressive group on paper. But last week their defense tightened up considerably.

They held the Bengals without a first down on eight straight possessions covering the second and third quarters of the game limiting Cincinnati to just 21 yards in the second quarter and six in the third. It allowed Cleveland’s offense to overcome an early 14-0 deficit, which included a Bengals defensive TD, to take a 20-14 lead into the fourth quarter.

Safety in numbers
Last year Cleveland’s 3-4 defense dropped seven and eight players into coverage a good deal of the time and it stymied Buffalo’s passing game. This season however, under Mangini, the Browns are creating more pass pressure by blitzing safeties Brodney Pool and Abram Elam.

Elam, a former Jet, has been a Bills killer over the years. Just last season he had a 92-yard interception return for a touchdown that gave the Jets a 13-7 first half lead that proved critical in a 26-17 victory for New York.

Buffalo Chips
Quote of the Week
“I looked at 26 plays (from the Miami game) with the entire defense and there was a mistake made on every play. They did not do that in practice. For whatever reason, they didn’t fit it and didn’t get it done like we wanted to get it done and so I’m not going to stand there and say, ‘Well that’s okay fellas, we’re going to put the same guys on the field and do the same thing again.’ Bull crap. We’re going to get it right.”
--Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell

Stat of the week
Terrell Owens averages 95.3 receiving yards per game against the Browns and looks for his third consecutive game with a touchdown reception against Cleveland.

Milestones in reach
Lee Evans (33) needs one touchdown reception to tie Bob Chandler (34) for fourth on the team’s all-time receiving touchdowns list.

Terrell Owens (142) needs one touchdown to take sole possession of fourth place on the NFL’s all-time overall touchdowns list.

Josh Reed (295) needs two receptions to pass Elbert Dubenion (296) for sixth on the team’s all-time receptions list.

Final note
With a victory over the Browns the Bills will win their 350th game in franchise history.

_________________
"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Week 5 Bills-Browns preview
The Associated Press
Posted Oct 9, 2009

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -If the Cleveland Browns' decision to trade mercurial receiver Braylon Edwards was one of addition by subtraction, Terrell Owens did the math and came up with a far different answer.

``Hey,'' the Buffalo Bills receiver said, ``maybe we'll have a chance to win this weekend.''

T.O. certainly understands what happens to teams that part ways with their star receivers, considering the 2-2 start Tony Romo and the Cowboys have gotten off to this year. And Owens was happy to discuss Edwards because it allowed him a brief respite from weekly questions about what's wrong with the Bills' offense.

Not that he could escape that topic entirely.

``It's not for me to assess,'' Owens said.

Either way anyone adds it up, Edwards being dealt to the New York Jets provided the latest subplot in what's regarded as an early season Misery Loves Company Bowl on Sunday. Buffalo (1-3) and Cleveland (0-4) are two struggling franchises proving they have far more in common than sharing a Lake Erie shoreline.

It can't be the water, can it?

``I'm sure there's some conspiracy theorists out there that would want to tell you that,'' Browns offensive tackle Joe Thomas said, laughing. ``But I'm not one of them.''

``I hope not,'' added Bills receiver Lee Evans, who grew up outside of Cleveland.

And yet the similarities are eerily notable.

The Browns have lost 10 straight since a 29-27 win at Orchard Park last season. Their offense is sputtering - and that was with Edwards in the lineup - their quarterbacks in flux and first-year coach Eric Mangini's decisions being second-guessed.

It's no different in Buffalo for a team that's lost 11 of 14 and, barring a marked turnaround, is in jeopardy of missing the playoffs for the 10th straight year.

Buffalo's offense is anemic, having scored only five touchdowns - and none rushing. Third-year quarterback Trent Edwards' status as starter is being questioned because of a failure to show he's capable of running the no-huddle attack or incorporate Owens and Evans into the mix. And coach Dick Jauron is already on the hot seat in his fourth season.

``We've got plenty of incentive,'' defensive end Chris Kelsay said. ``With everything going on and what everyone's talking about ... it would be nice to hush up some of the naysayers.''

A win would be a start. The Bills' defense is banged-up and worn down because the offense can't stay on the field, losing the time of possession battle by an NFL-worst average of 4:34. As a result, Buffalo's run defense allowed 472 yards and six touchdowns in its past two games, including a 38-10 loss at Miami last weekend.

``That was unacceptable,'' defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said. ``I don't think 470 yards is an embarrassment as much as getting your butts kicked.''

Fewell is making changes by switching veteran outside linebacker Kawika Mitchell to the middle.

That doesn't address the troubles on an offense that's produced 449 yards and 23 first downs in its past two games. Owens has been limited to eight catches for 158 yards and a touchdown so far. By comparison, he had more yards receiving in three single games over his past two seasons in Dallas.

Owens remains upbeat nonetheless, noting a renewed attitude among his teammates this week.

``For some reason, I feel a little better about this weekend,'' he said. ``Everybody is kind of loose, there's no reason to be uptight.''

It's difficult to immediately judge the mood in Cleveland, where numerous players expressed surprise upon learning Edwards had been traded for receiver Chansi Stuckey, linebacker Jason Trusnik and two undisclosed draft choices.

``We'll see, I don't know,'' said quarterback Derek Anderson when asked if the move improved the Browns. ``They made the decision and we roll with it.''

Stuckey and rookies Mohamed Massaquoi and Brian Robiskie are expected to fill the top three receiving roles on an offense that's produced more interceptions (seven) than touchdowns (three), and now features Anderson as its starter.

At least the Browns finally proved competitive in a 23-20 overtime loss to division rival Cincinnati last week - and did so with Edwards failing to make a catch.

``I think moving forward we're going to be a better team from the way we played last weekend,'' Thomas said. ``We really showed ourselves and showed some people outside this building what kind of team we are. We showed the desire that we have to win.''

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/articl ... 8147e4f22d

_________________
"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

_________________
"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

Browns 23

Bills 17

...I heard a nasty, nasty rumor that effectively goes like this:

Should the Bills lose to Cleveland tomorrow, at some point (early) next week, Ralph Wilson will call a press conference announcing that the Bills need a "shake-up" and a clearer sense of direction; appointing Matt Millen as the new General Manager, and Head of Football Operations.

I hope that this is a fabrication. The very thought of it makes me ill to my stomach.

Personally, I feel that if the Bills should get blown out by the Browns the following should happen, Ralph fires Russ hires Bill Cowher as the GM/Head coach. Or it that too crazy.

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The Lounge Rat

Unless Cowher is looking for an extreme challenge, and is granted almost dictatorial power and a kingly sum, he will not leave the comfort and regularity of his current semi-retirement - It was because of his devotion to his family, and the need to be with his children, uninterrupted and on a daily basis, that he left the NFL.

I don't think he can be induced to reverse his decision, by Ralph Wilson or anyone else.

Ralph is far too frugal and short-sighted to offer the money and power necessary to entice his return. It would have to be a carte blanche situation.

none of the big names would come at this time. they are all taking the year off. And shanahan was making around 7mil a year. to get a guy like cowher your going to be paying him something around 8 mill to be your GM. and then say a good coach near 7 mil. i mean they have that money but i doubt ralph is willing to spend the money. i mean they are paying jauron the most they've ever really paid a coach 3 mill a year. I know this much modrak needs to be fired. he and donahue where both a problem but modrak stuck around. that would be a start. the head coach end of this season, and the GM end of this season.

with that note Browns 17
Bills 7 (defensive touchdown)

_________________
"Tis The Season, Fa la la la la LaFontaine" - Rick Jeanneret

http://www.justin.tv/buffalo_bills_now

pw: beastmode


supposedly this will work sunday

Ha - ha ha. The biggest imbecile in NFL history - seriously; is funny.

Cowher isn't coming here, and neither is Gruden. Shanahan is a football mercenary, and would come here for the right money.

Ralph may have to fire Jauron if we lose Sunday; but it won't be for bringing in someone else. Nope. Bobby April, or Brad Van Pelt will be our new head coach...

_________________
"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

April for Head Coach

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mechaphil

Give him a trial run until the end of the year, without some moron trying to call the plays for him.

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"Call a cop he robbed Delmore blind!!!"
Rick Jeanerette after Marty Biron's diving save back in 2000.

"I'm going to go to the spa and have a hot tub and massage and relax," Miller said. "That's it, and it's back to work tomorrow." Ryan Miller after clinching the North East division.

...finally put Mitchell at MLB...brilliant.

It's Alex Van Pelt. ANd I agree, I think April would be interim head coach.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

That penalty was bullshit.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

What a clusterfuck of a call. Jesus Christ. 5 yards for being Buffalo, we get it, let's move on.

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

We don't even like us right now....

_________________
"I'll rap you with my cane; you pencil necked geek!!"

-Bowler, imitating Freddy Blassie, at the very first M & G.

Where the hell is the facemask flag?

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

Well that was a good series...

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Proud LGBTQQ Individual

I'm at Spot Coffee right now, listening to some incredibly-festive NOLA jazz. It's a 100% improvement over the shitshow that the Bills game must be.

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mechaphil