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Reuben Droughns is closing in on a milestone for the Cleveland Browns that he has a hard time believing ever existed. A converted fullback, Droughns needs just 59 yards to become the Browns' first 1,000-yard rusher since 1985. No, that's not a misprint - the franchise of Jim Brown, Marion Motley, Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner hasn't reached 1,000 yards rushing in a single season in two decades. Of course, the Browns didn't play from 1996-98 while getting the replacement for Art Modell's team ramped up, but even 17 seasons is an eternity in the NFL. No other team comes remotely close to the Browns' 1,000-yard futility. Droughns is averaging 85.5 yards per game in his first season since coming over in a trade with Denver, so chances are he could set the record today against a Jaguars' run defense that ranks just 14th in the league. MATCHUPS TO WATCHJaguars QB David Garrard vs. Browns MLB Andra Davis Garrard takes over for the injured Byron Leftwich, and he will pose a problem with his scrambling ability for a Browns defense that already is one of the league's worst against the run. Davis is Cleveland's leading tackler from his inside spot in coach Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defense, an alignment that could help the Browns contain Garrard on the outside if their linebackers stay disciplined. Jaguars CB Rashean Mathis vs. Browns WR Antonio Bryant Although No. 1 pick Braylon Edwards has gotten much of the national attention when it comes to Cleveland's receivers, Bryant has been the more dangerous target for Trent Dilfer this season. The former Dallas Cowboy leads the Browns with 44 catches, three touchdowns and a 14.5-yard average. Bryant is tough and has excellent speed, and Mathis will have to respond to the challenge after uncharacteristically giving up two touchdowns last week. Jaguars OT Khalif Barnes vs. Browns OLB Chaun Thompson Barnes is a rookie second-round pick, but his move into the starting lineup against Cincinnati in Week 5 has gone a long way to solidifying what had been a porous Jacksonville line in September. The 3-4 scheme used by the Browns will be an adjustment for Barnes because Thompson - who is tied for the team lead with three sacks - will come from different angles as a stand-up rusher. Scouting Report and more...
SCOUTING REPORT OFFENSE Rankings: Browns - 21st overall, 19th in rushing, 18th in passing. Jaguars - 18th overall, 11th in rushing, 22nd in passing. Breaking it down: Dilfer is nursing an injury, so rookie Charlie Frye might get heavy playing time behind a weak offensive line. If that happens, look for Cleveland to put the load on Droughns after giving him 30 carries two weeks ago in a home shutout of Miami. The Jaguars might do the same with Garrard making his first start in over a year. Garrard wasn't spectacular against Arizona but played mistake-free football, which is all the Jaguars are asking of him. EDGE: JAGUARS DEFENSE Rankings: Browns - 20th overall, 28th in rushing, 13th in passing. Jaguars - Third overall, 14th in rushing, second in passing. Breaking it down: Cleveland has forced 16 turnovers, including 10 interceptions, but doesn't have the horses on defense yet to remind Crennel of his Super Bowl days in New England. Opponents are completing 63 percent of their passes and averaging 4.0 yards per carry. The Jaguars' defense has been even more opportunistic, notching 16 interceptions, and has been much harder to run on recently. They haven't allowed more than 88 rushing yards during their four-game winning streak. EDGE: JAGUARS SPECIAL TEAMS Key rankings: Browns - 31st in net punting, 31st in punt return average. Jaguars - Third in kickoff returns, 28th in kickoff coverage. Breaking it down: Curiously, Cleveland's Phil Dawson has more missed extra points (two) than missed field goals (one) this season. Punter Kyle Richardson is averaging a net of just 33.4 yards, but rookie kick returner Joshua Cribbs has a 90-yard return for a touchdown. Jaguars kick returner Derrick Wimbush has a 91-yard return for a score last week, but the conditions will be difficult for specialists on both teams. EDGE: JAGUARS THE BIG NUMBER 4-0: The Jaguars' all-time record against the Browns in Cleveland, beginning with a 23-15 upset at old Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville's 1995 expansion season. The Jaguars' four road victories over the Browns have come by an average of 12.5 points, although they haven't played in Cleveland since recording a 15-10 victory on Dec. 16, 2001. The Jaguars' overall record against the Browns is 7-2. Never a dull moment The Jaguars' last trip to Cleveland four years ago ended up in NFL infamy as The Bottle Game after irate Browns fans threw thousands of plastic beer bottles on the field in the waning moments of a controversial Jacksonville victory. But that was just one example of the bizarre events that always seem to happen when these two former AFC Central rivals meet. In 1999, then-Browns offensive lineman Orlando Brown was nearly blinded by a referee's flag in a game in Cleveland against the Jaguars. And who can forget Quincy Morgan's Hail Mary catch at Alltel Stadium in 2002 that handed the Browns a 21-20 victory? Kickoff: 1 today. Broadcast: WOIO (Channel 19); WHBC (1480-AM), WAKR (1590-AM), WQKT (104.5-FM). Records: Jaguars are 8-3; Browns are 4-7. Injury Report: Browns -- G Joe Andruzzi (knee/calf), G Cosey Coleman (knee), S Brodney Pool (ankle), QB Trent Dilfer (knee), DT Ethan Kelley (knee), DE Orpheus Roye (knee) and Alvin McKinley (ankle) are questionable. RB William Green (ankle) is probable. Jaguars -- QB Byron Leftwich (ankle) is out. S Deon Grant (shoulder), RB Fred Taylor (ankle), LB Patrick Thomas (hamstring), T Maurice Williams (shoulder) are probable. Key stat: Plus 12 -- the Jaguars' turnover differential, which ranks third in the league. The Jaguars' 16 interceptions rank second in the league. This would seem to present a rookie quarterback a serious challenge. Matchup to watch: Browns guards vs. Jaguars defensive tackles John Henderson and Marcus Stroud. Browns coach Romeo Crennel called these two tackles the best pair the team has faced this season. If one good tackle could wreak havoc like Pat Williams did last week for the Vikings , two will pose a real threat. The Browns win if . . . : Charlie Frye starts and plays like a veteran and provides the missing link that the struggling offense has needed. Compiled from various reports |
