NFL FanHouse

Pocket Presence: Bruce Is Loose

Bruce Ciskie — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, Browns, Raiders, NFL Quarterbacks

It's often said that a team with two quarterbacks really doesn't have any. With that spirit in mind, FanHouse will keep you updated weekly on NFL teams facing potential quarterback controversies.

It was a revelation in Oakland Sunday -- the starting quarterback struggled a bit, but didn't make dumb decisions or do more to beat his team than beat the opponent. Instead, he led his team on a late touchdown drive to tie the score, then got a break to pick up the win.

Oakland Raiders: Bruce Gradkowski and JaMarcus Russell

Gradkowski didn't remind anyone of Brett Favre in his performance against Cincinnati Sunday, but he was good enough to win. He didn't destroy his team with countless inaccurate throws or misreads. Instead, he allowed the Raiders to hang in there against a better team (Cincinnati), and he led a game-tying drive in the final minute to draw the game even.

It was something that it is hard to believe Russell could do at this point. Gradkowski played with confidence and poise, while Russell doesn't inspire much of either trait in his teammates.

It's only one game, but the Raiders appear to at least have a nice stopgap in place until they use another high draft pick and $30 million more to solve their lack of a franchise quarterback.

Status update: Warm

Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson

Yes, this came against the Detroit defense. Quinn threw for over 300 yards, launched some nice deep passes, and led the Browns to five offensive touchdowns. It was something Anderson never came close to doing, and it was easily as good as the Browns have looked.

Of course, Detroit's defense can do that to people.

That said, Quinn threw with poise, he threw long (something he hasn't done much in the NFL), and he looked like an NFL quarterback.

He'll continue to start for the Browns, and maybe they'll win a game or two.

Status update: Warm

Buffalo Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick and Trent Edwards

Fitzpatrick nearly led the Bills to a road win Sunday in Jacksonville. He found Terrell Owens nine times, including a 98-yard touchdown, and he used his skill position talent to make plays through the air.

Of course, the Bills scored 15 points and lost by a field goal. So there's that.

Fitzpatrick also threw two interceptions, and he blew three chances to get his team in the end zone from close range in the first half. That is a huge reason Buffalo lost the game late, and Fitzpatrick has to get better at executing his team's offense in the red zone.

It was, overall, a good start to the Perry Fewell era. His team played hard, and there is enough positive there to make one think the Bills can rebound and have a respectable finish. That will likely come with Fitzpatrick under center.

Status update: Lukewarm

Pocket Presence: Bruce Is Loose originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zebra Report: Mangini's Timeout Gaffe

Matt Snyder — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Cowboys, Lions, Redskins, Texans, Titans, Vikings, NFL Coaching, NFL Referees

Zebra Report is FanHouse's analysis of actual NFL rules and how they are to be applied ... because most fans think they could do a better job than the NFL officials, yet definitely could not. Click here for an introduction as to how we do things.

As the clock struck zero in the Lions-Browns game, there was a pass interference penalty called on Cleveland in the end zone. In the aftermath of the play, Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford laid on the field injured. The officials called an injury timeout for Stafford. Also, Cleveland head coach Eric Mangini took a timeout to seemingly do nothing more than lambast the officials for what appeared a pretty obvious interference call.

There are three rules that apply here. First of all, the Lions are definitely entitled to one more play.

Rule 4-8-2: At the election of the opponent, a period may be extended for one untimed down, if any of the following occurs during a down during which time in the period expires: (a) If there is a foul by the defensive team that is accepted, the offensive team may choose to extend the period by an untimed down after enforcement of the penalty.

Secondly, the timeout by the Browns is what enabled Stafford to stay in the game. Otherwise he would have had to sit out the final play.

Rule 4-5-4c: When an injury timeout is called, the injured player must leave the game for the completion of one down. The player will be permitted to remain in the game if (inside the two-minute warning): (iii) the opponent calls a timeout.

Finally, the Lions were out of timeouts. The officials initially announced Detroit would be charged a team timeout. The announcers were adamant there was some mistake by the officials herein, but they were mistaken (shocker, I know). The Lions were bailed out by two different factors here. First of all, Mangini called a timeout.

Rule 4-5-4b: If a team has used its three charged team timeouts, an excess team timeout shall be called by the Referee, unless: (iii) the opponent calls a timeout.

Also, the Lions would be afforded the luxury of one "excess" timeout which comes with a 10-second runoff, yet no yardage penalty. In this case, the clock was already at zero, but the Lions -- see above -- were guaranteed one final play due to the defensive penalty. Of course, Mangini took this out of play anyway when he called a timeout.

Finally, there is no yardage penalty for the first "excess" timeout. There would have been for the second and every subsequent one thereafter. The officials in the Browns-Lions game got this entire interpretation correct.

Other officiating nuggets from Week 11

o. In the Titans-Texans there were two supposedly subjective calls that seemed not-so-subjective. First of all, a horse-collar tackle was called on John Busing when he tackled Chris Johnson to open the Titans' eventual game-winning drive. Replays clearly showed Busing had a hold of Johnson's jersey in the upper back region and definitely was not a horse-collar. Also, on a previous drive, one of the Texans defensive linemen clearly tripped Vince Young on a pivotal third-down incompletion. Adam Gretz informed me there was a discussion in the FanHouse live chat during the game in which some were insistent you could trip a ball-carrier. You can't:

Rule 12-1-7: No defensive player may trip an opponent.

These two blown calls once again brings to the forefront the issue of what coaches may or may not challenge. Obviously, there are very few penalties you can challenge and complete judgment calls (such as holding or pass interference) cannot be challengeable under the slippery slope premise. But, if something is cut-and-dry -- like a horse-collar, tripping, facemask or contacting a receiver inside five yards versus outside five yards -- it seems that it wouldn't do any harm to allow coaches to challenge the ruling on the field. After all, it's not like they have unlimited challenges. They'd still have to pick their battles.

o. An anonymous reader submitted this question: "I would like to know why it is not intentional grounding when a QB spikes the ball to stop the clock. There is no eligible receiver at the center spot, the QB is not outside the tackles and the ball does not cross the line of scrimmage. To me it should be a penalty."

There's a special exception here. Under the intentional grounding rule (8-3-1):

Item 3: Stopping Clock. A player under center is permitted to stop the game clock legally to save time if, immediately upon receiving the snap, he begins a continuous throwing motion and throws the ball directly into the ground.

o. A reader submitted this a few weeks ago: "In the Giants Chargers game, Eli Manning rolled away from pressure heading to the sideline. With no receiver open, he threw the ball away before stepping out of bounds. Officials ruled he was already out of bounds and it was a sack. Replays clearly showed the he was not out of bounds but the missed call cost the Giants 5 yards in a very close game, giving them 3rd and 14 instead of 3rd and 9. My question is: why such an obviously missed call is not reviewable?"

I'd have to guess that he's referencing a sack in the game log at the 4:06 mark in the fourth quarter. That's the closest thing I can find to the explanation in the email. In a reply exchange, the reader told me Tom Coughlin threw the red flag and was told he could not challenge the ruling on the field. I haven't been able to find a replay, but -- if it happened as was explained above -- I believe the officials were incorrect. And we actually have proof from a Week 11 game ...

o. Because here is a submission from co-worker Chris Sesno: "Jason Campbell was scrambling out of the pocket with about 25 seconds left and just inside of field goal range. He ran to sideline and as he was stepping out of bounds (about a 10 yard loss) he also threw the ball away -- and the pass didn't reach the line of scrimmage while in-bounds. They initially ruled he stepped out of bounds, thus they stopped the clock and marked the ball down after the loss of yards. Jim Zorn couldn't challenge since it was under two minutes, so they let the clock run for delay of game. After the delay of game, the refs reviewed Campbell's scramble and ruled that he threw the ball before he stepped out, it was close but definitely the right call. Then they spotted the ball 5 yards behind the original spot of the ball (before he threw away, and tacked on the 5 for delay of game). Then they went back and nullified the delay of game and moved the ball back up to the original line of scrimmage. With 15 seconds on the clock and third down, the skins tried a field goal and Suisham missed it from around the 29."

OK, let's sort this out. First of all, this appears to be the exact same situation as the Manning play above was described and this one was reviewed. So why couldn't Coughlin challenge the Manning play? You got me.

On this particular play, let us recall an issue I discussed last week. A delay of game penalty -- much like a false start -- is a "non-play." So the previous play can still be reviewed. You might recall in my explanation a few weeks ago when I covered this question, I pointed out there was nothing specific in the rules as to what would happen to the penalty if the play was changed. I said my guess was the penalty would simply be ignored and that's what happened here.

As to a possible grounding penalty, Campbell was outside the tackle box, but the ball crossed the out of bound line clearly short of the line of scrimmage. Here is the rule in question:

Rule 8-3-1: Item 1: Passer or Ball Outside Tackle Position. Intentional grounding will not be called when a passer, who is outside, or has been outside, the tackle position throws a forward pass that lands at or beyond the line of scrimmage, even if no offensive player(s) have a realistic chance to catch the ball (including when the ball lands out of bounds over the sideline or endline).

This is a tricky one. From the language in the rule, I could see it going either way. Does the ball crossing the line of scrimmage once out of bounds mean Campbell's off the hook? Or was the last parenthetical statement only referring to offensive players? It seems to me it should have been intentional grounding, but it's entirely possible I'm reading this rule incorrectly (after all, I'm only trained in high school and we don't have the "outside the tackle box" exemption).

o. Finally, we had another tripping call for a blocker whipping his legs up at the defender. This time it was Jason Peters of the Eagles on Sunday Night Football. It was, again, identical to Jeff Dugan's trip in the Vikings' loss to the Steelers, but I've yet to hear anything further from all the Vikings fans who chastised the league and myself. Interesting.

Got a rules-related question? Whether it's elementary, high school or NFL, email TZR and he'll see what he can do.

Zebra Report: Mangini's Timeout Gaffe originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL Wildcast: Getting 'Mangini'd' and Ranting on Ravens Fans

Will Brinson — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:15:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Podcast

The Wildcast is NFL FanHouse's podcast formation. It's like the Wildcat, but better.

Matt Snyder and I got on the horn for this first edition of the (newly named) NFL Wildcast -- and believe me, did we have plenty to talk about. There are two undefeated teams in the NFL, the Vikings are surging and Brady Quinn is heavily involved in MVP chatter, so that shouldn't be a surprise.

All Quinn jokes aside, though, we do cover the spectacular Lions-Browns matchup and the rest of Week 11, debate who's on the hottest streak in the NFL right now (replete with cheesy segment music!) and discuss early MVP candidacies. Plus, Snyder gives angry Ravens fans a little flack in what will probably become a weekly ranting session. Take a listen after the jump.

Listen to the podcast above or click here to download mp3.

NFL Wildcast: Getting 'Mangini'd' and Ranting on Ravens Fans originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mangini Says Lions Faked Injuries to Slow Down Browns' Assault

Bruce Ciskie — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:10:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Lions, NFL Injuries

There was little on Sunday that matched the drama of the Cleveland-Detroit showdown. Yes, two 1-8 teams gave us a gripping game filled with highlights and lowlights from both sides.

After Matthew Stafford found Brandon Pettigrew for the game-winning touchdown on an untimed down that followed a defensive penalty, Browns coach Eric Mangini -- never one to shy away from controversy -- decided to accuse the Lions of faking injuries during the game.

Mangini brought it up after the game, then repeated the accusations Monday at his weekly press conference.

"There were multiple, multiple, multiple injuries throughout our no-huddle process," Mangini said Sunday.

Asked if he thought the Lions were trying to slow down the no-huddle, Mangini said, "They all came back. I have no idea."

Mangini brought up the accusation against Monday. When pressed on if he was really accusing the Lions of faking injuries, Mangini said, "I'm saying there were a lot of them."

The Browns were quite the offensive juggernaut Sunday. Brady Quinn threw for 301 yards and four touchdowns, and they did some serious damage with a 27-point first half. It was clearly the best the Browns have looked all season, which meant it was bound to go south at some point.

Mangini might have a point. Studying the official play-by-play for the game, there are six instances where play was stopped for a Detroit defensive injury. Four of those times, the Browns were working without a huddle. The play-by-play listed the returns of four players as "probable," and one was "questionable."

Jim Schwartz scoffed at the notion during his Monday meeting with the media.

"He's way out of bounds on that," Schwartz said. "That couldn't be further than the truth. There was no need to do that to slow the pace down, because the officials were doing a really good job of standing over the ball for us and them.

"We used a lot of no-huddle also, and I thought that the crew did a really good job of making sure that substitutes were allowed to come from either side if the offense substituted. So that game was under control that way.

"There was no need to do any of that stuff. That couldn't be further from the truth."

Reality is that it's hard to imagine a coach using such a tactic during a game. Schwartz is surely looking for an edge to help his team, but it doesn't make any sense to have guys faking injuries. The Browns were effective moving the ball in the first half, no matter if they used a huddle or not. After the Lions made some adjustments at halftime, they were able to hold Cleveland to a single touchdown in the second half.

The inability of the Browns to put the game away had more to do with their own limitations than any sandbagging being done by the Lions.

Mangini Says Lions Faked Injuries to Slow Down Browns' Assault originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Legend of Matthew Stafford, Part I

Dan Graziano — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Lions, NFL Quarterbacks, NFL Analysis

When you're the Detroit Lions and you're thinking about making Matthew Stafford the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft, you're a quivering Jell-O mold of fear and trepidation. Is the kid smart enough? Is he strong enough? Is he tough enough to not just play but thrive in the most crucial position any sport has? Will he represent the team well? Does he make a good impression? Is he a leader? You're risking dozens of millions of dollars and the future of your franchise on questions you really can't hope to answer by the end of April of his junior year of college, and it's scary.

But the flip side is what you know he can be, which is that rarest of NFL commodities -- a franchise quarterback. You imagine a day when he puts the team on his back, overcomes some ridiculous obstacle (an expired clock, say, or an injured shoulder ... or both!) and leads the team to an emotional, season-defining win. You believe he can be that kind of player, and so, you give him the money and hope. And then, in Week 11 of his first season, he gives you a glimpse.

Just a glimpse, mind you. All those questions about Stafford, they're still out there, not fully answered. He's got bad games still to come, whether his left shoulder bounces back right away or not. And his big win Sunday did come against the Browns, who are as big a joke this year as the Lions were last year.

But of all the zany and incredible things to come out of the final moments of Sunday's loony Browns-Lions game, the most potentially significant was the first chapter in what could be the building of Matthew Stafford's legend.

"He's a smooth guy," Lions linebacker Larry Foote said of his quarterback. "He plays with a lot of poise."

Sounds cliche, but if there were ever a time to gauge poise, this was it. The final eight seconds of this game were a frenzy, and Stafford managed to keep his head about him while others (notably Browns coach Eric Mangini) were losing theirs.

The ball was at the Browns 32-yard line, and the clock showed eight seconds left. Detroit needed a touchdown. Stafford took the ball from center Dominic Raiola and began to run around. And then kept running around.

"We didn't draft him for his elusiveness," Lions coach Jim Schwartz said. "During that play I screamed 'Throw the ball!' about six times, but he just kept on making somebody miss and buying himself time."

Here's how Stafford described it:

"Just trying to buy some time. It wasn't going to be a timing throw. Just trying to look around. I knew when I was scrambling left, I wouldn't be able to get it off because that dude was bearing down pretty good, so I kind of ducked around. Then I think (running back) Kevin Smith came back and cut somebody down that was chasing me. Then I saw Calvin (receiver Calvin Johnson) -- he was the only guy I saw -- in the back of the end zone. It looked like he was tired as hell, running back this way, and I just threw it up and then got planted."

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Detroit Lions Photos

Detroit Lions Brandon Pettigrew celebrates his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won 38-37. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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Detroit Free Press

Detroit Lions Photos

Detroit Lions Brandon Pettigrew caught a pass for a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won 38-37. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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Detroit Lions running back Kevin Smith makes a touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns in the second quarter, Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was injured, is congratulated by Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn after the Lions' 38-37 win on Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who was injured, is congratulated by teammates Dominic Raiola, left, and Drew Stanton, right, after the Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns 38-37, Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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Detroit Lions kicker Jason Hansen is lifted up by teammates after his game-winning extra point against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won 38-37. (Kirthmon F. Dozier/Detroit Free Press/MCT)

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DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 22: Louis Delmas #26 of the Detroit Lions enters the stadium during player introductions before the game against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 22, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions came from behind to defeat the Browns 38-37. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Louis Delmas

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DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 22: A Cleveland Browns fan looks on against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 22, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions came from behind to defeat the Browns 38-37. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

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DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Eric Mangini of the Cleveland Browns congratulates quarterback Brady Quinn #10 after a touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 22, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions came from behind to defeat the Browns 38-37. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eric Mangini;Brady Quinn

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DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 22: Head coach Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions looks on against the Cleveland Browns at Ford Field on November 22, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan. The Lions came from behind to defeat the Browns 38-37. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jim Schwartz

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It was Cleveland DT C.J. Mosley who "planted" Stafford, driving him to the ground hard on his left shoulder. Lying on the ground, Stafford didn't see Cleveland's Hank Poteat tackle Johnson in the end zone. Didn't see the yellow flags hit the turf. Didn't imagine that anybody would ever call pass interference in the end zone on a Hail Mary play with no time left on the clock.

"I was content to lay there for a while," Stafford said, continuing his painkiller-aided rambling description of the play. "And then Dom (Raiola) grabbed me and told me that pass interference was called and I was like, 'Really? Come on.' I need to figure out which ref called it, because he's a good man."

It was pretty astounding. Nobody can seem to remember the last time such a call was made in such a spot. FanHouse's human pro football encyclopedia, Dave Goldberg, recalls a game on Nov. 29, 1998 between the Bills and the Patriots in Foxborough where Drew Bledsoe and New England got an untimed down after a Hail Mary pass interference call and the Bills were so mad they stormed off into the locker room before the extra-point attempt that followed the ensuing touchdown. It's possible that was the last time, but regardless, it's pretty unusual. It was the right call here, but Poteat said he never imagined it would be made.

Anyway, when Stafford got up, he walked off the field grabbing his left arm. He lay on a table on the sideline with Detroit team doctors examining his shoulder. Daunte Culpepper was frantically throwing to get loose for the final play, since the rules say an injured player has to sit out one play before going back in the game.

Unless...

Unless the opposing team calls a timeout. Which Mangini and the Browns did. And when Stafford found out that's what had happened, he sat up.

"I heard timeout over the loudspeaker and knew that was probably my only chance to get back in," said Stafford, an NFL rookie who apparently knows a rule that an NFL head coach does not. "It was my left shoulder and I don't really need it to throw."

Armed with such rock-solid logic, he raced over to offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and told him, "I can throw." Stunned, Linehan sent him back onto the field for the final play, which was a touchdown pass to Brandon Pettigrew. The extra point won the game.

"He made a great play to finish the game, but probably his best play was eluding four team doctors on the sideline that were all trying to stop him (from going back into the game)," Schwartz said. "It's a good thing our team doctors didn't play on varsity, because Matt had to work his way back onto the field."

Now, as much fun as it is to rip Mangini, it's hard to get on him for allowing Stafford back into the game when he didn't have to. Mangini said he called the timeout to get the right personnel on the field to defend a goal-line play. It likely didn't occur to him that he'd just done the only thing that could have brought Stafford in to run the play, because he'd probably watched Stafford walk off the field holding his limp left arm and figured he was maybe out for the rest of the season (which, technically, he still could be, right?)

Mangini was done in by over-coaching -- micro-managing from the sideline unnecessarily. But what else do you expect from a guy who fakes a field goal, converts the first down and then kicks a field goal on the very next play, as Mangini did at the end of the first half of this very same game? Mangini is what he is, and in this case he was a mere foil. If Stafford grows into the next great star NFL quarterback, they'll forever tell the story of that late-November Sunday his rookie year when he went back into the game with one arm and no time left on the clock and threw the winning touchdown. At the rate Mangini's going, he'll be long forgotten by then, and Stafford will have become a legend.

Which is what the Lions were hoping they were drafting No. 1 overall back in April. Nice of the kid to draw them a living-color sketch of their best-case scenario so soon.

The Legend of Matthew Stafford, Part I originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Entire AFC North Fell Apart Sunday

JJ Cooper — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:37:00 EST

Filed under: Bengals, Browns, Ravens, Steelers, AFC North

It was a rough day around the AFC North. A day when all four teams lost games they should have won.

Baltimore came into Sunday with more to gain, and more to lose, than anyone in the division -- beat the undefeated Colts, and Baltimore would stay right in the middle of the AFC playoff race. Lose and the Ravens would be in danger of falling out of the mix altogether.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, Baltimore looked ready to give Indianapolis its first loss. But with Baltimore needing only a field goal to take the lead, quarterback Joe Flacco was picked off inside the Colts 20 in the final three minutes of the game. The Ravens had one more chance, but Ed Reed lateraled into a fumble in the final 30 seconds. Now Baltimore sits at 5-5 with two games left against the Steelers and time quickly running out.

But as rough as the Ravens had it , it was even worse for the Steelers.

They were facing the inept Kansas City Chiefs -- a team that is just waiting for 2010 to arrive. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger came close to throwing for 300 yards in the first half, but somehow Pittsburgh found itself in overtime against the Chiefs. Then, after K.C. wide receiver Chris Chambers turned a short pass into a 61-yard catch-and-run that set up an easy field goal, the Steelers found themselves losers against a team they were favored to beat by 11 1/2 points.

Sure, the Steelers had a bad Sunday, but can their loss compare to the Bengals? With the Steelers losing a 1 PM game, all the Bengals had to do was beat the lowly Raiders in the late-afternoon slot, and they'd have the division sewn up -- effectively a three-game lead with six games to go. And for 59 minutes, the Bengals followed the script. But when Bruce Gradkowski connected with Louis Murphy for a game-tying touchdown in the final minute, all of a sudden the Bengals were looking at overtime. That is, until Andre Caldwell fumbled the kickoff return on the next play, leaving the Bengals on the wrong end of a 20-17.

As bad as the Bengals loss was, and it was bad, the Browns might have had it worst of all. There has been nothing to cheer about in Cleveland this year -- the team came into Sunday's game with five touchdowns this season. Most fans get to cheer wins, Cleveland fans have to get excited about first downs.

But with a chance to play against a Lions defense that is just as inept as its own, Cleveland finally started scoring some points. Brady Quinn threw four touchdowns in the game, after Cleveland QBs had thrown only three combined in the Browns' first nine games. It looked like it was enough, too, as Cleveland led 37-31 when Matthew Stafford's Hail Mary fell incomplete as the clock hit 0:00 in the fourth quarter. But Cleveland was called for defensive pass interference.

Even that wasn't too bad -- Stafford had taken a wicked hit on the Hail Mary pass, so Daunte Culpepper would have to quarterback the game's final play completely cold.

At least, that was the plan. Cleveland called timeout, which gave Stafford enough time to shake off the cobwebs and return to the field. He found Brandon Pettigrew for the game-winning touchdown on the rare untimed down, then walked off with an aching shoulder.

On Sunday, all four AFC North teams lost. All four lost in heartbreaking ways that might be remembered for months or even years to come. And all four have an argument for having the worst loss of the day -- it is one argument with no winners and four losers.

Entire AFC North Fell Apart Sunday originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:37:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stafford Injured in Lions' Incredible Win

Bruce Ciskie — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:35:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Lions, NFL Injuries

When two bad teams get together, sometimes they can produce some great theater. Such was the case Sunday in Detroit, where a pair of 1-8 teams gave fans one of the day's best games.

At the end, a penalty that was called on the game's last play gave the homestanding Lions one untimed down from the Cleveland 1. They made it count, as rookie quarterback Matthew Stafford hit tight end Brandon Pettigrew for six, and a Jason Hanson extra point gave Detroit a 38-37 win.

With Detroit on the Cleveland 32 and eight seconds left, Stafford scrambled and bought plenty of time before heaving a pass to the end zone. Receiver Calvin Johnson was undercut in the end zone, drawing the pass interference call with no time on the clock and giving Detroit one more play.

After the throw, Stafford was hit by Browns tackle C.J. Mosley, who drove Stafford hard into the turf. Stafford landed on his left shoulder and didn't appear able to lift his arm up.

Backup Daunte Culpepper lined up under center in relief, but when the Browns called a timeout, Stafford was able to return to the game. He then threw a touchdown pass to Pettigrew on the untimed down that followed Cleveland's penalty.

"He just said, I'm ready,''' Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. "He could walk.

"There was no one who was going to stop him from going back on the field. He had come way too far in that game to not finish it.''

After the pass, Stafford appeared to be in a high degree of pain -- reports said that X-rays on Stafford's shoulder were negative, but he would likely go for an MRI on Monday.

A successful extra point gave Detroit the win, and the crowd at Ford Field went crazy.

In helping Detroit improve to 2-8, Stafford set an NFL rookie record with five touchdown passes. He out-dueled Cleveland's Brady Quinn, who led the Browns to an early 24-3 lead before the Lions began their comeback.

Stafford Injured in Lions' Incredible Win originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:35:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mangini: Harrison Should Talk to Me

Michael David Smith — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:13:00 EST

Filed under: Browns

Early this season, running back Jerome Harrison was an integral part of the Cleveland Browns' offense. In Week 3, he had 21 touches (16 carries and five catches) and in Week 4 he had a whopping 34 touches, with 29 carries and five catches.

But Harrison's role in the offense has steadily declined, to the point where in Monday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Harrison never got the ball.

That has Harrison so unhappy that he told reporters he'd rather not talk to them -- because he's sure nothing good would come of him saying what he thinks.

Even if Harrison isn't going to talk to the media, however, Browns coach Eric Mangini wishes Harrison would talk to his coach.

"Anything that he wants to talk about, he can come talk with me at any point, just like all these guys can," Mangini said, per the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

As to the specifics of why Harrison isn't as involved in the offense as he used to be, Mangini said it's basically just a numbers game: Mangini says running backs Jamal Lewis and Chris Jennings are getting the bulk of the work.

'"It's not like some other positions where you can play multiple guys at the same time," Mangini said. "You can create some packages like that, but there's one. You have certain things that you like Jamal to do. You have certain things that Jerome does. You have certain things that you want to see Chris do."

Regardless of the specific reasons that Harrison has been phased out of the offense, it's clear that a whole lot of players in Cleveland aren't happy with the way Mangini is running the team. Some of them will say so, while others, like Harrison, don't want to say what they really think.

Mangini: Harrison Should Talk to Me originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:13:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NFL FanHouse Week 11 Chat

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Buccaneers, Colts, Lions, Ravens, Saints, NFL Fans, NFL Live Blogging

We still have two unbeatens in the NFL, New Orleans and Indianapolis. The Saints visit Tampa, so they shouldn't be threatened, but the Colts have a doozy of a game at Baltimore. Meanwhile, it's a clash of titans in Detroit, as the 1-8 Lions host 1-8 Cleveland. Join us at 12 PM ET to discuss all the Week 11 NFL action.

&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=b6a445c4bc&quot; &gt;NFL FanHouse Week 11 Chat&lt;/a&gt;

NFL FanHouse Week 11 Chat originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cribbs Says Quinn Called Final Play

Will Brinson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Injuries, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

One could forgive Cleveland wide receiver/return man Josh Cribbs if he was upset with the Browns coaching staff for extending Monday night's game against Baltimore long enough to land him on a stretcher, despite the fact that the Browns were down 16 points with just seconds to play.

But Cribbs, according to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer by way of PFT, has a different account of the final play of the game: the decision to keep the ball alive was made by Brady Quinn (as opposed to head coach Eric Mangini).

"It was a call at the line,'' said Cribbs. "It wasn't a call that came in from the coaches. Brady had let us know to keep the ball alive, that he was going to throw the slant to me at the line and to keep the ball alive. He gave the signal to keep it alive, but it wasn't a call that came in from the sideline.''

Cribbs added that Mangini apologized to the team -- he did call a pass -- but pointed out that he wasn't upset, which is a pretty impressive stance to take from a guy who was wheeled off the field and straight to the hospital.

"He told me it wasn't personal and he did apologize to the team,'' said Cribbs. "It wasn't nothing like he needed to apologize to me personally. It's football and injuries happen in football.''

Now, Cribbs could just be playing nice, but for some reason, he just seems to have no issue being the lone bright spot on an absolutely abysmal Browns team with no real hope of improvement. So, good for him. I guess.

As for the decision, given that Mangini was somewhat cleared (there was still no reason to keep passing when a knee would have been the healthy and most prudent play-call), if he can apologize, so can I -- I'm sorry I called for you to be fired based on your final play-call, coach.

There are probably a number of other reasons why it's justifiable, but on this one, I guess you're kind of safe.

Cribbs Says Quinn Called Final Play originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LeBron to the Browns: Why Not? Hundreds of Millions of Reasons

Dave Goldberg — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Browns

OK, I get it.

Cleveland's Eric Mangini wants to sign LeBron James so he won't have to endanger Joshua Cribbs on the final play of a game that's beyond his reach.

Unless, of course, LeBron pulls a hamstring in the fourth hour of a typical Mangini practice.

I guess that was the idea when Mangini, the coach of the NFL's worst team, said when asked about LeBron: "I think he should come on down.''

Sure. Why not? James was an all-Ohio wide receiver as a junior in high school before giving up football to concentrate on basketball. And at 6-foot-8, maybe he's tall enough to keep his feet in bounds when Brady Quinn throws him passes aimed at the cheerleaders 10 yards or so off the field.

There is precedent for it.

Tony Gonzalez and Antonio Gates were pretty good college basketball players who are doing quite well as NFL tight ends -- Gonzalez's prowess in the NCAA basketball tournament moved him up into the first round of the 1997 NFL draft. And Stephen Neal, New England's starting right guard, never played football at Cal-State Bakersfield but was an NCAA wrestling champion who once beat UFC champion Brock Lesnar.

So why shouldn't James, at 260 pounds or so, become a tight end?

Well ...

He will make (with endorsements) hundreds of million as the best player in the NBA. (OK Kobe, the best YOUNG player in the NBA). He would not make hundreds of millions in the NFL, even if he became the best tight end ever. Or the best wide receiver. Or even the best linebacker or defensive end. He'd have to be a quarterback to do that and ... well ... if he has a weakness at his own game, it's his outside shot. In other words, he's not Peyton or Tom.

He'd also be playing for Mangini.

A few years ago, that might have seemed feasible. That was when he was "Mangenius'' with the Jets. Going there would have allowed LeBron to wear his "NY'' hat every day.

Now?

Officially, Mangini is NOT the NFL's worst coach -- the Bills fired Dick Jauron on Tuesday, so I guess that makes Jauron the worst coach for this year. But Mangini's team is 1-8; he ran an ill-conceived "16-point'' play at the end of Monday night's 16-0 loss to Baltimore that ended up with Josh Cribbs, his best player going down with a concussion; and he runs those endless practices that the wise old Jamal Lewis suggested wears out the Browns before the games begin.

And finally, LeBron could be Jai Lewis.

You remember Jai. Or you don't.

He was one of the stars of the George Mason team that shocked the college basketball world by making it to the Final Four in 2006. He wasn't a top NBA prospect, but the New York Giants considered him a good enough athlete at 6-foot-7, 275 pounds (or 6-foot-5, 292 as they listed him) to give him a shot. An offensive tackle, they figured.

He didn't make it through mini-camp because he didn't take to hitting or being hit by NFL players.

So he went back to basketball. First with KK Bosna of the Adriatic League. Then with Ironi Ramat Gan in Israel; Strasbourg in France and now the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the Philippine Basketball Association.

We can see it now.

Mangini has Quinn throw LeBron the ball on the final play of a game in which the Browns are trailing 31-0. He tears up a knee.

When he recovers, he's not NBA material.

But he's good enough to join Jai on the Elasto Painters.

LeBron to the Browns: Why Not? Hundreds of Millions of Reasons originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terrell Suggs Has Partially Torn MCL, Brady Quinn Fined

Adam Gretz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Ravens, NFL Injuries

Week 10's punt-fest between the Browns and Ravens was one of the worst Monday Night games in recent memory. The Ravens' offense struggled to move the ball consistently, and the Browns' offense was nothing but two-yard dive plays into the middle of the line and wide receiver screens that Baltimore's defense blew up before they even had a chance to develop.

As a result, the only thing anybody still wants to talk about after the Ravens' 16-0 win is Brady Quinn's low-block on an interception return in the third quarter, when he knocked linebacker Terrell Suggs out of the game with a knee injury. According to Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times, early MRI results revealed a partially torn MCL for the pass-rushing linebacker, and he could miss the next two to three weeks.

In case you missed it, here's the play:

Naturally, it infuriated everybody on the Ravens' side of the field, from All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis, to Suggs' agent, Gary Wichard, who said: "That cat should be fined as much as anybody is fined that hits the quarterback. That's ridiculous. I don't understand what he was trying to do. It was blatant. It's absolutely criminal. It's about as nasty as it gets."

As far as the fine is concerned, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported on Wednesday that Quinn had been issued a "significant" fine from the NFL for the hit.

Assuming Suggs misses the next two games, it could be a costly injury -- the Ravens play host to the undefeated Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and divisional rival Pittsburgh the following week.

In nine games this season the 27-year-old Suggs has 3.5 sacks, 42 tackles, four pass defenses and a forced fumble.

Terrell Suggs Has Partially Torn MCL, Brady Quinn Fined originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pocket Presence: JaMarcus Russell May Keep Starting Job in Oakland

Bruce Ciskie — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Bills, Browns, Panthers, Raiders, Redskins, Titans, NFL Quarterbacks

It's often said that a team with two quarterbacks really doesn't have any. With that spirit in mind, FanHouse will keep you updated weekly on NFL teams facing potential quarterback controversies.

How would you feel if you were an ineffective starter who may only keep his job one more week because the backup is injured? Worse, what if you were so bad that you lost your job to a guy who was injured? Well, Oakland's JaMarcus Russell may be on the verge of finding out how that feels.

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski

Russell has been nothing short of miserable this season, completing just 46 percent of his throws over his first nine starts. The Raiders are 2-7, have no playoff hope, and they stand just a mathematical chance of finishing even close to .500.

Things are so bad in Oakland that they're considering giving the start Sunday to Gradkowski, who has a career passer rating of 58.7 and threw two picks in just nine passes last week against Kansas City. Oh, and he's injured, battling a hamstring strain.

It's entirely conceivable that Russell could actually keep his job only because his backup is dinged up. It would be the perfect way to continue this amazing string of futility by the former No. 1 overall pick.
Status update: White-hot

Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson

Quinn was awful Monday night, but let's face it: He didn't get any help. The Browns can't run the ball, they don't have any great playmakers on the perimeter, and they can't figure out ways to get their best player -- Joshua Cribbs -- the ball more often. Seven touches in 61 offensive plays doesn't seem like enough for Cribbs, especially when only one of those touches came on a reception.

The Browns have to solve that issue (assuming Cribbs is going to play after that nasty shot he took at the end of the game), and they have to convince Quinn that it's okay to throw a 40-yard bomb and give someone a chance to make a play -- even if the odds are against them. One thing should be clear by now, and that is that Anderson will only return if Quinn gets hurt. It would be a huge error for coach Eric Mangini to overreact and go back in that direction, though anything is possible.
Status update: Very warm

Buffalo Bills: Ryan Fitzpatrick and Trent Edwards

Perhaps a coaching change will turn the Bills around. On the other hand, the quarterback situation there seems to dictate that any coach will fail in Buffalo. Perry Fewell isn't going to magically make either of these guys any good, and he's not going to suddenly revamp a moribund offense into something passable. The Bills, despite their skill-position personnel, are a failure on that side of the ball. Fewell might rescue them from the abyss, but he's not going to get the offense averaging 25 points a game at the snap of a finger.

For now, it appears Fitzpatrick is the starter. That doesn't appear to be a bad call, given the situation and the competition he faces. However, Edwards could very easily end up playing again, as it's not like Fitzpatrick lit the world on fire while Edwards was out.
Status update: Very warm

Carolina Panthers: Jake Delhomme and Matt Moore
Washington Redskins: Jason Campbell and Todd Collins
Tennessee Titans: Vince Young and Kerry Collins

These guys are listed together because the starters are all playing pretty well right now after having been listed here earlier in the season. It doesn't mean they won't show up in the crosshairs again, but it looks like there are at least some teams who have answered questions at the quarterback position, whether it was by making a change or avoiding the great temptation to do so.

Pocket Presence: JaMarcus Russell May Keep Starting Job in Oakland originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Josh Cribbs Injured on Game's Final Play

FanHouse Newswire — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:30:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Injuries

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs was taken to a hospital for further tests after being injured on a hard hit on the final play of Baltimore's 16-0 win over Cleveland on Monday night.

Cribbs caught a pass from Brady Quinn on the final play and lateraled to Robert Royal. Following the pitch, Cribbs was hit near midfield by defensive end Dwan Edwards.

As Cribbs was on the field, players from both teams knelt in prayer around him.

After he was treated by Cleveland trainers, he was put on a stretcher and driven to the locker room. Cribbs was taken by ambulance to a local hospital.

Browns coach Eric Mangini said Cribbs had movement and feeling in all parts of his body when he left the stadium.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Josh Cribbs Injured on Game's Final Play originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ravens Win, Fume at Quinn 'Cheap Shot'

FanHouse Newswire — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:20:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Ravens

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Even after Baltimore had punished Brady Quinn, Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis got in one more vicious hit on Cleveland's quarterback.

Angered over Quinn's questionable chop block on Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs following an interception, Lewis accused Quinn of a dirty play.

"Heck yeah it was a cheap shot,'' Lewis snapped after Baltimore rocked Cleveland 16-0. "When you're running down and you're looking at the quarterback going at somebody's knees who doesn't even have the ball. I want to see if he gets the same fine I got or even higher. Now this man is out four or five weeks because of some baloney like that.''

More: Cribbs Injured, Hospitalized | Browns' Fan Protest Fizzles

For 30 minutes, the Ravens were inefficient, unproductive and disorganized.

In 17 seconds, they changed all that.

Ray Rice scored on a 13-yard run on Baltimore's first possession of the third quarter and safety Dawan Landry returned an interception of Quinn 48 yards for a touchdown on Cleveland's next play as the Ravens overcame a horrendous start and routed the hapless Browns.

The game also included two plays that could force the league to hand out fines, and it ended with Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs being carried from the field on a stretcher following another nasty hit. He was taken to a hospital for tests. Cleveland coach Eric Mangini said Cribbs was transported as a precaution.

"He's got feeling and movement in all parts of his body,'' Mangini said.

The Ravens (5-4) didn't score in the opening half, when they used up their three timeouts in the first 6:15, committed silly penalties, converted just one third down and actually made the Browns (1-8) look respectable.

"I guess I agree it wasn't pretty,'' quarterback Joe Flacco said. "It was an ugly win, but that's the way some wins are in the NFL.''

Following his second interception, Quinn dropped and rolled into Suggs' right knee, drawing a 15-yard penalty and incensing the Ravens.

Suggs limped to the locker room. It's not known how long he'll be out.

"That's an illegal blow,'' Lewis said. "I don't care how you want to look at it.''

Quinn said he didn't hit Suggs intentionally.

"I was trying to go for the ball carrier,'' he said. "Suggs came across at the last second in my vision. I would never wish that upon anyone. I was upset about it on the field. We worked out in Arizona together. I couldn't be any more sorry about that. That was never the intent. I'm sorry to Terrell and the rest of their team.''

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Cribbs is carried on a backboard after suffering an injury on the final play of the Browns' 16-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, left, talks to Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis after their NFL football game Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 in Cleveland. The Ravens beat the Browns 16-0. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn (10) talks with Baltimore Ravens safety Tom Zbikowski after the Ravens beat the Browns 16-0 in an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini, center, watches as medical personnel treat wide receiver Josh Cribbs after an injury on the final play of a 16-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in an NFL football game on Monday, Nov. 16, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Ray Lewis #52 and Paul Kruger #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after Lewis recorded a sack in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 16, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Lewis;Paul Kruger

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Brady Quinn #10 of the Cleveland Browns is sacked by Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 16, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brady Quinn;Ray Lewis

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after he scored a 13-yard rushing toucdown in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 16, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Rice

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 16: Ray Rice #27 of the Baltimore Ravens scores a 13-yard touchdown in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 16, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ray Rice

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 16: John Harbaugh head coach of the Baltimore Ravens coaches his team against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 16, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Harbaugh

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 16: John Harbaugh head coach of the Baltimore Ravens leaves the field after their game against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 16, 2009 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Harbaugh

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Despite being down by 16, the Browns, who never crossed Baltimore's 45, were fighting for yards on the final play. Quinn threw short to Cribbs, who then lateraled to tight end Robert Royal. After he got rid of the ball, Cribbs got drilled in the chin by defensive end Dwan Edwards as the clock expired.

As Cribbs laid motionless in the middle of the field, players from both teams knelt in prayer. Royal said Cribbs was making jokes and moving his arms and legs.

Ravens defensive end Trevor Pryce questioned Mangini's motive in running a dangerous play.

"I didn't see it, but I heard it,'' he said of Edwards' hit on Cribbs. "With five seconds left in the game, and you're down 16-0, to throw a hook-and-lateral, what's the point of that? I'm not trying to question their coaching, it's none of my business. But you see what the result was.

"You do a hook-and-lateral play with a whole bunch of guys that are big and run fast, people are running around crazy and someone is going to get hurt.''

Edwards said he wasn't trying to injure Cribbs and wasn't looking for retribution on Quinn for his hit on Suggs.

"I was just hustling to the ball,'' he said. "He had just pitched it and I reacted. It wasn't him that hit Suggs. I consider myself a hustle player and I tried to hustle and make a play - not let them get a score.''

The first time Baltimore got the ball in the second half, Flacco connected on a 41-yard pass to Derrick Mason, who spun out of cornerback Brandon McDonald's tackle and raced down the sideline to the Cleveland 13. Rice took it in from there to make it 7-0.

On the next snap, Quinn, making his first start since being pulled 10 quarters into the season by Mangini, threw high and wide to Royal and the ball bounced to Landry, who scampered in untouched to make it 13-0.

The Ravens missed the extra point, but that hardly mattered against a Cleveland offense that has scored only five offensive TDs in its past 15 games.

It was Baltimore's first shutout since Nov. 26, 2006, and it came at the perfect time for the Ravens, who had dropped four of five and were in danger of falling too far behind Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the AFC North.

Pryce said the Ravens adjusted to Cleveland's no-huddle at halftime.

"You have to weather the storm when you're playing a team like Cleveland that has nothing to lose,'' Pryce said. "What they were doing was smart. They were running a no-huddle, quick substitution game plan. And that stuff messes with you badly. You waste more energy running on and off the field than you do in the game itself. That was the big thing we had to address in the second half.''

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Ravens Win, Fume at Quinn 'Cheap Shot' originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:20:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Monday Night Football Live Chat: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns

Adam Gretz — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, Ravens, NFL Live Blogging

After Sunday night's epic thriller between Indianapolis and New England, this game looks as if it might be kind of a letdown. But, hey, you never know what can happen in a rivalry game, so please join us for our Monday Night Live Chat as the new Browns host the old Browns in an AFC North showdown.

The Ravens come in having lost four of five, and the Browns ... well ... they're going back to Brady Quinn. Chat starts at 8:30 PM ET. Be there.

&lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&amp;task=viewaltcast&amp;altcast_code=26575276f4" &gt;Monday Night Football Live Chat&lt;/a&gt;

Monday Night Football Live Chat: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Source: Browns Player Hurt in Extra Drill

Dan Graziano — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Injuries, NFL Analysis

On the same day that Browns running back Jamal Lewis said he thought coach Eric Mangini was working the team too hard, a Browns practice squad player named Keith Grennan ruptured his patellar tendon during an "opportunity drill." Grennan, a second-year defensive end out of Eastern Washington, will have surgery Monday and will be out at least eight months. Grennan's agent, Cameron Foster, confirmed the injury.

A source with direct knowledge of the incident confirmed that the injury happened during the "opportunity drill" period -- a post-practice time when Mangini puts practice squad players and rookies through additional drills to give them the chance to impress coaches.

Browns running back James Davis suffered a season-ending shoulder injury during opportunity drills earlier this year, and ESPN reported that it happened while Davis wasn't wearing pads and the player who hit him was. Mangini and the Browns deny the no-pads charge, and were exonerated by the NFL in the Davis matter on Oct. 23, but Browns players have continued to grumble that something was amiss that day. And the fact that another player has been injured during the so-called opportunity period (though FanHouse's source said everybody was wearing pads Thursday) is only going to strengthen the belief around the team that Mangini's famously tough coaching methods are exposing the players to unnecessary risk.

"We'll look into it," NFLPA spokesman George Atallah said Thursday night.

Mangini has been the subject of much controversy during his first season as Browns coach. He received national attention for forcing his players to take an abnormally long bus trip during training camp and for fining a player $1,701 for failing to report a $3 water bottle on his hotel bill. These controversies, combined with the Browns' 1-7 record, have made it a rocky year. Cleveland recently fired GM George Kokinis, who had been Mangini's hand-picked choice for GM, and Browns owner Randy Lerner is actively looking for a "football czar" to oversee the team's operations a la Bill Parcells in Miami, leading to speculation that Mangini's job could be in jeopardy.

Mangini did return a phone call seeking comment late Thursday night but declined to comment for this story.

When the Davis situation happened earlier this year, Mangini was asked about the concept of the opportunity drills in general, and he defended them as a chance for young players who don't get to drill during the team's regular plays in practice to work directly with the coaching staff. He also said they were always supervised and a "controlled environment."

"I've been part of this everywhere I've been," Mangini said then. "Usually the rookies stay out, the young guys stay out. Often times, other guys will stay out if they want to. It's not limited to those guys, other people are welcome too, but it's nice because it gives them really focused attention. It's designed to help them have the best chance to bump up."

Mangini cites Tom Brady as an opportunity-drill success story, and points out that linebacker Marcus Benard recently jumped from the Browns' practice squad to the 53-man roster after starring in opportunity drills. And he's not the only coach who does them. It's a Bill Belichick coaching tree thing, apparently, that's done in places like Miami, Kansas City, Denver and has been going on in Cleveland since Belichick coached there in the early 1990s.

But some players have grumbled that players are pressured into the drills, and that they sometimes can feel like punishment. There was some sentiment among Browns players Thursday that the opportunity period was run out of anger over Lewis' comments from earlier in the day, in which he suggested that the length and intensity of the Browns' practices was part of the reason for poor Sunday results.

Source: Browns Player Hurt in Extra Drill originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pocket Presence: Browns Complete Quarterback Cycle

Bruce Ciskie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: 49ers, Browns, Raiders, Redskins, Titans, NFL Quarterbacks

It's often said that a team with two quarterbacks really doesn't have any. With that spirit in mind, FanHouse will keep you updated weekly on NFL teams facing potential quarterback controversies.

After weeks of embarrassing, historic, and somewhat hysterical futility under the guidance of Derek Anderson, the Cleveland Browns have finally completed their quarterback cycle.

Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson

Quinn gets the start Monday night, as the Browns host Baltimore. He has virtually no shot at contractual incentives now that Anderson has started so much of the season, so Quinn is just playing for the job now. Yes, the Browns are horrible, but there is still significance to these games. Cleveland is not a playoff team, but it needs to figure out what it have in Quinn, and whether or not he can be the Browns' guy moving forward.

Baltimore is probably not the best opponent for him to face in his first start back, but the Ravens aren't quite as dangerous on defense as they used to be. Quinn is likely to face a solid assortment of blitz and coverage packages, so we'll find out quickly if he has a chance to make things work.

He sure didn't play very well over his first three starts this season, but he didn't get a lot of help either, and he still managed to be far superior to Anderson.

Now that the Browns have gone full-circle this season, it's up to Quinn to show head coach Eric Mangini enough to retain the gig for the last eight games.

Status update: Very warm

Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski

As the Raiders come off their bye week, it will be interesting to see how much rope head coach Tom Cable gives Russell. At 2-6, there's no question the Raiders qualify as one of the truly bad teams in the NFL. They don't have anything to lose at this point, so why stick with Russell just because he makes a lot of money?

Gradkowski may not be anything special, but it's hard to imagine he leaves the team in a worse position than Russell has. When the Raiders host Kansas City this Sunday, it's one of the rare times they'll have a better record than their opponent. If Russell can't figure out a way to keep them in the game, look out.

Status update: Warm

San Francisco 49ers: Alex Smith and Shaun Hill

Smith got his second start of the season against Tennessee Sunday, and he did a respectable job. He showed a willingness to throw downfield more, which was needed in an offense that had become somewhat stagnant in recent weeks.

Where Smith showed the most need for improvement was in ball security. He threw three picks in the loss, and spent a bit too much time locking down on receivers, a huge no-no in the NFL. Smith did enough in these last two losses, though, to keep himself secure. Of course, if he continues to struggle with turnovers, coach Mike Singletary may be forced to do something.

Status update: Warm

Washington Redskins: Jason Campbell and Todd Collins

No, Campbell didn't come out of the game at Atlanta because he stunk -- even though he did stink. Again.

Instead, Campbell was banged up by the Falcons' pass rush, and Collins took over for a time, throwing five passes (completing four) for 12 yards.

Even though the Redskins are well on their way to the tank, it's hard to imagine they'd make this move. Were Collins a promising quarterback for the future, they'd do it almost immediately. Instead, he's on the downside of his career, and there's no point in benching Campbell, because it's not like Collins is good enough to lift this team back into contention.

Status update: Cool

Tennessee Titans: Vince Young and Kerry Collins

Young has been very good over his two starts. He's made pretty good decisions, thrown much more effectively than he did last year, and it seems the Titans have rallied around him.

Barring injury, the job has to be his from here on in.

Status update: Cool

Pocket Presence: Browns Complete Quarterback Cycle originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Mike Holmgren on Browns' Radar

Matt Snyder — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:50:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, AFC North, NFL Coaching, NFL Rumors

With a bevy of big name coaches likely ready-for-hire heading into the 2010 season, in addition to a lot of really poor NFL teams in 2009, we can expect rumors to be swirling all over the place for the rest of this season and on into the offseason. Thus, it's not surprising to see Mike Holmgren mentioned as a possibility. Of course, most thought he'd have to at least wait until next season to get involved.

According to Adam Shefter of ESPN, Holmgren may not have to wait. Shefter reports that the Browns want to hire Holmgren as their vice president of football operations -- similar to the role Bill Parcells has with Miami -- and that the job is immediately Holmgren's for the taking.

The only real question is if Holmgren wants to take the desk job, just for the sake of having a job in football as soon as possible, or if he wants to wait for a head coaching gig. Obviously, if Holmgren did take this job, it would be possible to fire Eric Mangini and take over as the Browns' head coach, but Browns owner Randy Lerner is reportedly content to give Mangini a chance to prove himself as the head coach. It would be a pretty bold move for Holmgren to take over and immediately fire the head coach.

If Holmgren doesn't take the VP job on the table, three others are reportedly being considered for the job: former Giants' GM Ernie Accorsi, Falcons president Rich McKay and former Packers GM Ron Wolf.

The Browns (1-7) have a bye this week and will host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.

Report: Mike Holmgren on Browns' Radar originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Before Retiring, Jamal Lewis Wants Wins

Thomas George — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Browns, NFL Analysis

Once Jamal Lewis returned to his hometown of Atlanta on Wednesday night, things looked the same from afar. Yes, he is retiring after this season. No, it was not an instant decision based on the Cleveland Browns' 30-6 loss at the Chicago Bears last Sunday -- after which Lewis announced his NFL exit plans.

He left the University of Tennessee after three seasons and the Baltimore Ravens after a Super Bowl XXXV championship and seven seasons. This third season with the Browns gives him 10 full NFL years.

Cleveland is 1-7, but Lewis said his choice would be the same if his team was 7-1.

And though the Browns have a bye this week and Lewis, 30, has quiet time to reconsider, he said he will not.

"Honestly, I had made up my mind before the season,'' he said via telephone from Atlanta. "I even contemplated whether to come back for this season with a new staff, new coach, not knowing if guys would buy in, hearing about what coach [Eric] Mangini brought to the table, not knowing if I could buy into that. It's a lot of moving parts. After that Chicago game, I didn't want to bottle it up any longer. I just put it out there. I want to hang up my cleats on my own terms.

"When you are 1-7, a lot of stuff gets magnified. That's the problem we have right now. Things happen. People get fired. People start self-evaluating, questioning themselves.''

Lewis said no one on the Browns coaching staff or in management has spoken to him about his decision to retire.

"I wasn't really looking for that,'' Lewis said. "They've got bigger concerns around there than me retiring. And I hope they figure them out, because I want to finish the season off right.''

Among those concerns are finding a replacement for recently fired general manager George Kokinis, igniting an offense that has a combined zero touchdowns from its wide receivers and running backs, and calming a fan base that is livid over this sloppy, putrid Browns season -- with plenty of voices insisting that Mangini should be fired, sooner rather than later.

Lewis said that would be a mistake.

"He [Mangini] came in and changed a lot of things around,'' Lewis said. "He was different from what guys were used to. There was a lot of philosophical stuff. A more physical approach from training camp on than we had before. The veterans got together early and said, 'We want to win. He is the coach and let's buy in.' We knew things could be rough. But things got bad, one loss after another. We put in the hard work. You want results. But you also realize that things take time to jell.

"He inherited a lot. I think we should keep him, see if it works after the first year. We should stick with him. He is a guy you can go talk to. What people think of him is not the type of person he is -- he is a very smart coach. He teaches intelligence on the field, how to be smarter than your opponent. I think there is a reason for everything he does.''

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It says a lot that Lewis still believes in Mangini.

But Lewis has long been a self-starter, a team player, a leader by example in his work habits. As a rookie in 2000, he was asked by Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome if he could run with the top backs in the Ravens' division (back then, the six-team AFC Central): Pittsburgh's Jerome Bettis, Tennessee's Eddie George, Jackosnville's Fred Taylor and Cincinnati's Corey Dillon.

Lewis ran past that crowd and eventually to a rushing championship, when he piled up 2,066 yards in 2003, joining Eric Dickerson, Terrell Davis, Barry Sanders and O.J. Simpson as the only backs to top 2,000-yard plateau in a season. Lewis also had the best single-game performance of his career in 2003, a 295-yard performance against, ironically, Cleveland.

With 10,456 career yards rushing, Lewis is a legit Hall of Fame candidate.

Some believe Lewis is retiring out of frustration over losing, much like Sanders did from the Detroit Lions in 1999.

Newsome, a former tight end who spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the Browns, understands.

"When I decided to retire from the game, we had gone 4-12, and when you are not playing for playoffs and championships and Super Bowls, your whole drive can be taken away," Newsome said. "I've been where Jamal is. I'm sure he is frustrated. But he has always had a level of maturity about things. When he came here as a rookie, he ran with part of the group of veterans that included Rod Woodson and Ray Lewis. Rookies can't always crack that group. I have no idea what is really going on in Cleveland; I have been gone from there for 14 years. Whatever Jamal does will be good for him.''

Lewis owns a trucking business and an investment firm. He said he listened to his mother when she said football was not the end, just a stepping-stone.

Lewis arrived in Cleveland in 2007 -- the Browns finished 10-6, their best record since the franchise returned in 1999. But a follow-up 4-12 year cost head coach Romeo Crennell and general manager Phil Savage their jobs.

In with Mangini and Kokinis. A 1-7 start. Out with Kokinis.

Much of the Browns' disarray -- which has included season-long confusion and ineffective play at quarterback -- will be on national display when they host Baltimore on Nov. 16 in a Monday night game.

Lewis is hoping the first of his final eight NFL games provides the start of a Cleveland turnaround.

"The only way I would come back to play again is if a team gives me part ownership; a player/owner, that would be something that would get me in,'' Lewis said. "I know it's not going to happen that way, but that's a dream I have, NFL ownership. Our team is not 1-7 just because of the coaching. We can still have something good happen. We can still come out and build a better foundation for the Cleveland Browns.

"I'm going to fight, practice hard, keep fighting. This is not the result we wanted. We can do better.''

Before Retiring, Jamal Lewis Wants Wins originally appeared on NFL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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