Cleveland Browns vs Jacksonville Jaguars

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

yahoo.com

12/1/05

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=750 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=560>Jacksonville (8-3) at Cleveland (4-7)

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR><TD class=yspsctnhdln>Jacksonville (8-3) at Cleveland (4-7)</TD></TR><TR><TD height=7><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>Preview - Box Score - Recap

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=ysptblclbg3 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2 height=5><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD> Game Info: 1:00 pm EST Sun Dec 4, 2005
TV: CBS </TD><TD noWrap align=right>Add to Calendar
Buy Tickets </TD></TR><TR><TD class=ysptblbdr2 colSpan=2 height=1><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR><TR class=yspwhitebg><TD colSpan=2 height=15><SPACER type="block" width="1" height="1"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>The Jacksonville Jaguars were dealt a potentially damaging blow to last week when starting quarterback Byron Leftwich broke his ankle.


Backup David Garrard hopes to keep the Jaguars on course for their first postseason berth since 1999 while Leftwich recovers when they visit the Cleveland Browns.

Leftwich suffered the injury last Sunday on the Jaguars' first offensive play of a 24-17 road win over the Arizona Cardinals. Leftwich said he will not have surgery to repair the ankle, and the Jaguars haven't placed him on injured reserve, meaning they hope to have him back at some point this season.

"(A month) is the most conservative outlook that I can give," said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio. "It could be more, I doubt it could be less. For the next two weeks, he'll be in a non weight-bearing state and allow the leg to heal.
"After that, we'll just have to see where he's at and take it from there. He has responded well to injuries in the past."

Leftwich believes his history of bouncing back following an injury may not repeat itself with the broken ankle.


"I know I've been fortunate enough in the past to move up a few weeks on certain injuries, but you're talking about a broken bone," Leftwich said. "It's not like a broken wrist. If it's a broken left wrist, I could still play. It's a broken ankle. It's hard to play on a broken ankle. How can you really rush that? You can't."

The Jaguars will now trust Garrard with their offense. He takes control of a team that has won four straight to put itself in good position to secure one of two AFC wild-card spots. The Jaguars are three games behind the undefeated Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South race.

Garrard will be making only his fourth career start Sunday. He is 45-of-89 with two touchdowns and one interception in his three previous starts.

Garrard filled in for Leftwich twice last year, but this time he may have to start for the remainder of the regular season.

"It's exciting," Garrard said Wednesday. "I feel sad that Byron's not going to make it back during the regular season because he got this team to where it's at right now. But I want to be able to take over and do what I can to keep the ship moving.
"I don't want to be Superman and try to go out and make every play. I just want to go out and make the plays that present themselves. That's all I'm here for right now -- to keep the ship going."

Garrard should rely on running back Fred Taylor to help carry the load. Taylor has rushed for 462 yards and five touchdowns in three career games against the Browns.

Browns quarterback Trent Dilfer injured his right knee in last Sunday's 24-12 loss at Minnesota, and an MRI showed tendinitis in the joint.

Browns coach Romeo Crennel says he plans to play Dilfer if he's healthy enough to go instead of turning to rookie Charlie Frye.

"You can drive with your wife who's been driving for say 10 years, or you can drive with your daughter who hasn't driven before," Crennel said Wednesday. "Who are you going to choose?"

However, even if Dilfer gets the start, Crennel knows giving Frye snaps this season may be a key for Cleveland's future.

"If we leave this year without knowing what he can do ... then that hurts us going into the draft and free agency," Crennel said. "We need to give him a couple of consistent series to see how he handles those.

"Maybe a full quarter, then I think we'll begin to find out what he can do." Two more Cleveland defeats would leave the Browns with their third straight losing season.
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

12/3/05

browns-jaguars matchups
Saturday, December 3, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Sunday, 1 p.m., Cleveland Browns Stadium (Channel 19)[/FONT]

QUARTERBACKS
Jaguars David Garrard (6-foot-1, 244 pounds) is built thicker than Browns inside linebacker Ben Taylor. Safety Chris Crocker says Garrard runs like Daunte Culpepper. The 2002 Round 4 pick out of East Carolina makes his fourth NFL start.
Browns Trent Dilfer’s passer rating was sub-80 on sound legs. It’s hard to argue a wobbly Dilfer whose team is 4-7 offers a better chance to win than Charlie Frye. If Frye makes his first NFL start, the Browns get interesting ... if Frye is any good.
The edge Jaguars ...
Garrard is healthier than Dilfer, more seasoned than Frye.
RUNNING BACKS
Jaguars Fred Taylor, pushing 30, isn’t the man he was in rushing 145 yards against the 2002 Browns, or even the man who rushed for 1,572 yards in 2003.

Browns Injuries and Reuben Droughns have put Lee Suggs and William Green out of business. Over the previous two seasons, Suggs and Green totaled 560 carries for 2,177 yards. This year’s total: 78 yards.
The edge Browns ... Droughns looks as good as his numbers.
RECEIVERS
Jaguars From 1996-2004, only Marvin Harrison had more receiving yards than Jimmy Smith’s 10,976. In 2005, Smith ranks No. 23 in the NFL with 685 yards, including 70 (seven catches) last Sunday.
Browns Rookie No. 21 overall pick Matt Jones, 6-foot-6, has given the Jags 28 catches for 338 yards and three TDs. Rookie Browns No. 3 overall pick Braylon Edwards has 27 catches for 426 yards and one TD.
The edge
Browns ... Tight end Steve Heiden is built for cold weather.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Jaguars Rookie left tackle Khalif Barnes, a late second-round pick, can be confused. Ex-Michigan Wolverine Maurice Williams is an elite right tackle. Chris Naeole, who will turn 31 on Christmas Day, is a top guard.
Browns Left guard Joe Andruzzi (calf) might miss his third straight game. His absence was felt at Minnesota. Trench connoisseurs might enjoy watching center Jeff Faine, undersized but playing smart and with a mean streak.
The edge Jaguars ... Three former Round 2 picks and a first-rounder form talented group.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Jaguars The Browns had trouble with one big veteran tackle (Pat Williams) last Sunday. Now they’ll get a dose of two, John Henderson (No. 9 overall pick, 2002) and Marcus Stroud (No. 13 overall, 2003).
Browns A unit that was average when healthy has all three of last week’s starters (Orpheus Roye, Ethan Kelley, Alvin McKinley) on the injury report as questionable. That trio has combined for six sacks.
The edge Jaguars ... Ends Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer have 12 sacks, three less than all the Browns.
LINEBACKERS
Jaguars Middle linebacker Mike Peterson, who emerged with the Colts after getting drafted 36th overall in 1999, is in his third year as the Jags’ top tackler.
Browns Jacksonville’s Daryl Smith (No. 39 overall pick, 2004) and Cleveland’s Chaun Thompson (No. 52 overall, 2003) are physical specimens, both with three sacks.
The edge Browns ... This has emerged as a solid corps.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Jaguars Cornerbacks Rashean Mathis (Round 2 pick out of Bethune-Cookman, 2003) and Kenny Wright (Round 4, Vikings, 1999) have been made to look good by the pass rush. Deon Grant is a top free safety.
Browns In July, you’d have guessed young former Round 2 picks Sean Jones and Brodney Pool would be growing into starting safety roles. Young veterans Brian Russell and Chris Crocker, though, are the guys, and might be in 2006.
The edge Jaguars ...
Jacksonville is second in NFL in passing yards allowed.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Jaguars Rookie Derrick Wimbush (6-1, 220), undrafted out of Fort Valley State, has been a find at kick returner. Kicker Josh Scobee, 23, has been shaky on field goals tried between the 40 and 50.
Browns Rookie Josh Cribbs trails Wimbush, 26.1-25.2, in kick return average. Dennis Northcutt, who will turn 28 three days before Christmas, might be in his final days as a Brown, with 162 punt returns (10.3 average) on his résumé.
The edge Jaguars ... The Browns probably should have kept punter Derrick Frost.
COACHING
Jaguars Jack Del Rio, just 10 years past his NFL playing career, has a staff featuring older assistants with Browns backgrounds - Dave Campo, assistant head coach; Carl Smith, offensive coordinator; Ray Hamilton, defensive line.
Browns Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham frustrates fans with soft coverages, but his unit ranks 20th in total defense. Offensive Coordinator Mo Carthon is finding yards but not points. The edge Jaguars ... Romeo Crennel needs to clean up clock management. STEVE DOERSCHUK
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[NJ-Buckeye]

don't look now.. but we have a QB controversy...

Frye just hit Edwards for the second TD of the day...
and if Dawson doesn't miss a chip shot earlier...
it'd be 17-3

 

[buckzip]

The score would be even better if Bryant didn't drop 2 first down catches.
He is replacing Quincy Morgan well.

 

[scarletngrey11]

Amazing how the fucking refs can ruin the whole fucking game. Thats four bullshit game changing penalties in the fucking second half and thats why we are going to lose this fucking game. We suck enough where its hard to win, let alone win with bullshit fucking calls. Its ridiculous.

They just fucking blew another challenge, and missed pass interference on the play after. Well, we all know whose dick the refs are sucking after the game, Jack del Rio.

EDIT: Wow. Another cleveland browns first round pick is most likely out for the year again, we are cursed.

 

[NFBuck]

This really sucks if Braylon is done. Him and Frye look like they could be quite a tandem. If I was entering the draft, I'd be terrified about being drafted by us. God truly hates the Browns.

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

12/4/05

UPDATE: [FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Jags rally for win over Browns, 20-14[/FONT]
4:51 PM, Sunday, December 4, 2005 <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer [/FONT]

CLEVELAND (AP) - The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't miss Byron Leftwich as much as they feared.

David Garrard, making his fourth career start, threw two touchdown passes in the second half and made a crucial scramble for a first down in the final minutes as the Jaguars rallied for their fifth straight win, 20-14 over the Cleveland Browns.

With Leftwich out at least four weeks with a broken ankle, the Jaguars (9-3) have put their playoff hopes in the hands of Garrard, a four-year veteran with no big-game experience in the pros. But he came through in the clutch against the Browns (4-8), tossing two TDs _ the second a 12-yarder to Jimmy Smith late in the third quarter _ as Jacksonville overcame a 14-3 halftime deficit. He finished 11-of-20 for 116 yards and one interception.

As the Jaguars were trying to run out the clock near midfield, Garrard took off on third-and-19, picking up 28 yards at the 2-minute warning. The Jaguars closed out their third straight road win as some Browns fans peppered the field with snowballs.

Jacksonville has twice gone 3-0 on three-game trips since 2001 _ the only NFL team to do so.

Browns rookie quarterback Charlie Frye, making his first career start in place of injured Trent Dilfer, threw two touchdown passes in the first half to Braylon Edwards.

But Frye was sacked five times after halftime, and Edwards was helped off the field in the fourth period with a right knee injury.

Jacksonville's defense held the Browns to 55 yards in the second half after giving up 243 in the first. Frye finished 13-of-20 for 226 yards.

Another bright spot for the Browns was running back Reuben Droughns, who became the first Cleveland back to break 1,000 yards in a season since 1985. He finished with 88 yards on 30 tries.

Trailing 14-3 at halftime, Garrard drove the Jaguars to a field goal on their first possession after halftime. The next time he got the ball, Garrard tossed a 9-yard TD pass to tight end George Wrighster.

The Browns went three-and-out, and following a 46-yard pass interference call against Cleveland, Garrard completed a 17-yard pass to Kyle Brady before hitting a wide-open Smith in the end zone.

Browns safety Brian Russell picked off Garrard's pass late in the second quarter, and Frye capitalized. He hit Edwards over the middle for 23 yards and tight end Aaron Shea for 13 more.

Droughns went over 1,000 yards on Cleveland's next play, and Frye capped the drive with his second scoring pass to Edwards, a 17-yarder that put the Browns ahead 14-3.

Two defensive calls against the Jaguars, one on a third-down roughing penalty, kept the Browns' first scoring drive alive. Facing a third-and-3 at Jacksonville's 34, Frye drew the Jaguars offside, but continued the play. Rolling right, he lofted a pass off his back foot into the end zone for Edwards, who fought off two defensive backs for the 34-yard touchdown.

Edwards quickly handed the souvenir of his first career TD pass to Frye, his roommate during training camp.

Josh Scobee kicked a 24-yard field goal in the first quarter and his 29-yarder in the third for the Jaguars.

Jaguars-Browns Stats

(AP) - Jacksonville 3 0 17 0_20
Cleveland 0 14 0 0_14
First Quarter
Jac_FG Scobee 24, 4:14.
Second Quarter
Cle_Edwards 34 pass from Frye (Dawson kick), 10:41.
Cle_Edwards 17 pass from Frye (Dawson kick), :44.
Third Quarter
Jac_FG Scobee 29, 10:13.
Jac_Wrighster 9 pass from Garrard (Scobee kick), 5:04.
Jac_J.Smith 12 pass from Garrard (Scobee kick), 1:11.
A_70,941.
___
Jac Cle
First downs 17 15
Total Net Yards 237 303
Rushes-yards 36-135 32-98
Passing 102 205
Punt Returns 3-21 0-0
Kickoff Returns 3-80 5-84
Interceptions Ret. 0-0 1-0
Comp-Att-Int 11-20-1 13-20-0
Sacked-Yards Lost 3-14 5-21
Punts 4-41.3 6-37.2
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 1-0
Penalties-Yards 5-50 7-97
Time of Possession 29:43 30:17
___
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING_Jacksonville, G.Jones 27-103, Garrard 7-26, M.Jones 1-3, Pearman 1-3. Cleveland, Droughns 30-88, Frye 2-10.
PASSING_Jacksonville, Garrard 11-20-1-116. Cleveland, Frye 13-20-0-226. RECEIVING_Jacksonville, J.Smith 3-49, Wilford 3-36, Wrighster 2-9, Brady 1-17, G.Jones 1-9, Pearman 1-(minus 4). Cleveland, Edwards 5-86, Bryant 3-63, F.Jackson 2-15, Northcutt 1-45, Shea 1-13, Heiden 1-4. MISSED FIELD GOAL_Cleveland, Dawson 34 (WL).
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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

scout.com (free)

12/5/05

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 width="98%" align=center border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3>Browns Drop Frye's First Start

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</TD><TD noWrap width=3></TD><TD vAlign=top>By Fred Greetham

Date: Dec 4, 2005

It started out so well. And ended so poorly. Fred Greetham recaps the Browns 20-14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Stadium this afternoon.
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Cleveland – It started well but didn’t finish very well.
1985 was a sort of new beginning for the Browns. Rookie Bernie Kosar took over for veteran Gary Danielson during the season when Danielson was injured. Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack each rushed for over 1,000 yards. The Browns won the division with an 8-8 record, but that season propelled the team to three AFC Championship games in the next four seasons.
Twenty years later in 2005, the Browns are hoping for a new beginning.
Rookie quarterback Charlie Frye made his first NFL start and Reuben Droughns became the first Browns running back since 1985 to hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark.
However, some things don’t change as the Jaguars scored 17 unanswered points in the third quarter to overcome a 14-3 deficit and win 20-14. To add insult to injury, the Browns lost rookie wide receiver Braylon Edwards to a possible season-ending knee injury after the rookie scored two touchdowns and caught five passes for 86 yards.
“We looked good in the first half, but didn’t in the second half,” Romeo Crennel said.
The Browns scored the game’s only two touchdowns of the first half as Edwards caught two passes from Frye to give the Browns a 14-3 lead.
The first touchdown was a 34-yarder as Edwards jumped up and beat three defenders for the catch. Edwards beat Deke Cooper, Deon Grant and Rashean Mathis to the ball as they drove 78 yards in 5:20. The Jaguars committed two penalties to keep the drive alive.
The second touchdown was a 17-yard slant with 44 seconds to play to give the Browns a 14-3 lead. The Browns went 59 yards in four plays and 30 seconds for the score.
Phil Dawson missed a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter.
After putting up 243 yards of offense in the first half, the Browns were shut down in the second half as they were only able to manage 60 yards in the second half.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars were able to get their offense going.
Jacksonville scored a field goal on their first possession of the second half to cut the Browns lead to 14-6.
The Jaguars cut the Browns lead to 14-13 with 5:04 to play in the third quarter when David Garrard hit tight end George Wrighster for a touchdown.
The Jaguars took the lead for good when Garrard hit Jimmy Smith on a 12-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 to play in the third quarter.
A 40-yard pass interference called on Leigh Bodden defending Smith was the big play.
The Browns had a chance to get the ball back late, but allowed Garrard to scramble for 28 yards on a third-and-19 to preserve the victory.

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