Browns defense faces stiff challenge

10.09.2009

Though the Bills have been outscored 110-74 in their first four games this season, it has not been because of a lack of talent.

The Bills boast one of the most talented offenses in the AFC with Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed at the receiver spots in addition to the running back tandem of Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch.

With the talent they have, Coach Dick Jauron recognized the opportunity to become a quick-strike offense. He has worked to develop a no-huddle offense with quarterback Trent Edwards at the helm.

"At any point, they can take a shot," said head coach Eric Mangini. "You have to be able to balance those things. Marshawn Lynch will be a lot more involved in the offense this week than he was last week. It gives them two good options as backs. These are two guys that led the NFL in receptions for backs."

The Bills have ten players with at least 1 reception and six who have carried the football. Running back Fred Jackson leads the Bills in rushing and receiving.

Jackson has 70 carries for 333 yards, a 4.8 yards-per-carry average along with 18 catches for a team-high 160 yards. Jackson's lone touchdown was a 10-yard reception against Patriots on Monday Night in Week One.

Lynch returned from suspension to play in last week's 38-10 loss to the Dolphins. Lynch gained only 4 yards on 8 carries, but had 5 receptions for 43 yards.

"Lynch is really special," said Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. "I coached I believe it was his uncle Lorenzo Lynch, one of the toughest guys I ever coached. I coached him at safety and he led our team in tackles at Arizona.

"This guy runs the ball like he's a linebacker or defensive tackle," Ryan added. "He looks people up. Last week, he averaged 0.4-per-carry hitting linebackers, swatting d-linemen off of him. He doesn't even go down. This guy is a load."

The Bills have scored 8 touchdowns, including 6 through the passing game. They are still waiting for their first rushing touchdown of the season.

Figuring out how the Bills will score is one thing. Predicting who will get the ball is another. Each of the 6 touchdowns has been caught by a different player. Jackson, Reed, Evans, Owens, Ryan Denney and Shawn Nelson have accounted for the offensive touchdowns.

While Reed and Evans are listed at 5-foot-10, Owens presents a different challenge because of his 6-foot-3, 224-pound frame.

"He's one of the premier receivers in football," Ryan said. "He does an awesome job. He's a big, tall guy that can flat out run (and) looks like he loves to play. We're going to have our hands full with him."

THIRD DOWN IMPROVEMENT: Making plays on third down is critical for either side of the ball.

Coaches want their defense to hold on third down and force a punt. On offense, they want the team to make a play for a new set of downs.

In the Browns 23-20 overtime loss to the Bengals last Sunday, the offense converted 6-of-19 or 31 percent of their third downs. Defensively, the Browns held the Bengals to 5-of-18 (29 percent) on third down.

The Browns, who were 9-of-38 in third down situations leading up to the Bengals game, face a Buffalo team that converts on third down 23.4 percent of the time.

"I thought we made a lot of progress," said Mangini. "I want to make sure we are able to maintain that. This is a pretty good third down team. I know the numbers haven't been there, but playing Josh Reed over the years and his impressive production on third down, 70 percent of his catches are on third down.

"The coordination continues to improve," he added. "It's so important that everybody's in the right spots at all times. If you have ten guys in the right spot and one guy a little bit outside, maybe it's a defensive lineman, that hole that he goes through is where you bring some kind of pressure. Now it jams up three people. Even if the coverage is solid, you may not get the sack."

DABOLL RETURNS TO BUFFALO: Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is going back to his hometown of Buffalo on Sunday afternoon with the Browns. He has about 30 tickets reserved for friends and family who will be at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Since joining the Browns coaching staff, Daboll has noticed some similarities between Cleveland and Buffalo.

"It's a blue-collar community," Daboll said of Buffalo. "That's why I love it here so much. It's very similar to the style that I grew up in, in terms of the working class people. The fans from here to there expect a good product."

SECONDARY STEPS UP: The Browns used several different combinations in the secondary last Sunday against the Bengals.

Mike Adams, who usually lines up as a safety, started at cornerback and made 7 tackles, including 1 for lost yardage and defended 1 pass. Wide receiver Mike Furrey relived his days with the Rams when he lined up as a safety.

Furrey helped break up a pass in overtime. Safety Brodney Pool intercepted 1 pass and had another break-up.

"This is another group with outstanding receivers this week," Ryan said of the Bills. "We're counting on Brandon (McDonald), Mike Adams as well and Mike Furrey. Eric Wright leads this group and has played really well."

TRUSNIK BACK HOME: Thursday was linebacker Jason Trusnik's first practice as a member of the Browns since being traded Wednesday. Trusnik, a native of Macedonia and graduate of Nordonia High School, is also a special teams standout.

Trusnik came to the Browns with wide receiver Chansi Stuckey.

"We added a fine defensive player in Jason Trusnik," said Ryan. "We're looking to play him right away, give him some snaps early in the defense and see how he does with his new teammates."

Trusnik is looking forward to playing for the Browns, whether his time comes on special teams with assistant head coach/special teams coordinator Brad Seely or in the defensive scheme.

"My role in the past was special teams and I love playing special teams, all of them," Trusnik said. "I'm excited to get with Coach Seely, go out there and play for him and do my thing.

"There's a mentality," he added. "It's all about having the speed to run down the field and when you get down there, being physical with a guy. When you have those two things, you can make some things happen."