Archives for December 9, 2004

‘But that begs the question is Robiskie forsaking his chance to win now for a chance to see if McCown is the quarterback of the future for the Browns even if that future doesn’t include Robiskie? "I’m not in a position to look ahead, I’ve got to look at Buffalo," Robiskie said. "I can’t say I’m going to start getting this guy prepared for next year. I’ve got to get him to try to win a game for me. It’s about trying to win and trying to win today."’

McCown named starter (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Davis and Soprano sing a very similar tune (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

Browns Insider (Cleveland Plain Dealer)

McCown still popular choice (Lorain Morning Journal)

The Suggs inching closer to return to lineup (Lorain Morning Journal)

McCown named starter (Akron Beacon Journal)

Robiskie liked Warren’s effort (Akron Beacon Journal)

McCown is back under center (Canton Repository)

Even Unck thinks he’s team leader (Canton Repository)

McCown to get second start (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

Robiskie seeks leaders as Browns finish season (Warren Tribune Chronicle)

Browns go with rookie over Garcia again (AP)

Inside slant (CBS Sportsline)

Strategy and personnel (CBS Sportsline)

Notes, quotes (CBS Sportsline)

Garcia takes seat again (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Faine rests, vows he’ll play (ClevelandBrowns.com)

McCown gets second straight start (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Bengals back in playoff race (ClevelandBrowns.com)

Holiday Shopping with the Pros (ClevelandBrowns.com)

‘”I don’t know if there are two better D-tackles in the NFL and then you add Ron Edwards into the mix, we really have a three-headed monster,” said middle linebacker London Fletcher, who leads the Bills with 117 tackles heading into Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns. “Sam has quickness, Pat has brute strength and Ron has a mixture of both.”‘

‘”No, it doesn’t surprise me,” Bills coach Mike Mularkey said of the apparent interest in Clements. “Tom’s a good football coach, he’s been very productive in whatever he’s done coaching quarterbacks or as a coordinator.”‘

‘”Our tight ends have played well for us this year,” said quarterback Drew Bledsoe. “It’s the facts of life in the NFL, you have to have guys step up and play for you. As with any position, a guy goes down, you have to have somebody step in.”‘

‘”We’re struggling as a team. It’s disappointing. We’re all in this together and we’re just trying to find a way to get ourselves out of this hole we’ve dug ourselves. It’s not an easy thing but we need to maintain our outlook and poise, and try to fight through it.”‘

‘Clements has no head coaching experience and may not be a sexy candidate, but he wants the job. That in itself is big news.’

‘Clements coached the Steelers’ quarterbacks, but Bettis still saw enough from the former Notre Dame quarterback during practices to be impressed. As a player, Clements led Notre Dame to an unbeaten season and the 1973 national championship.’

‘At 0-4, many figured the Buffalo Bills were already thinking ahead to next season. They thought wrong.’

‘”We finished No. 2 in total defense last year but it doesn’t mean much if you miss the playoffs,” strong safety Lawyer Milloy said. “The teams in the playoffs were plus-whatever in the turnover area. Coach Gray emphasizes it every practice. It’s our focus in practice and it carries over in the game.”‘

‘Backup Tim Euhus is doubtful with a sore knee, leaving only one healthy tight end on the roster (Ryan Neufeld). The Bills moved to shore things up by signing Rod Trafford to their active roster, but it’s not likely he’ll be able to help them beyond special teams duty on Sunday. Trafford was with the Bills in training camp and was on the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.’

‘If Clements were to leave, the Bills would be stuck searching for their fifth offensive coordinator in six years.’

‘Jason Peters had his number changed to 85. He’s practicing more with the tight ends than the tackles this week.’

‘ESPN.com has confirmed that Clements, a former Notre Dame quarterback, will meet Thursday night with Irish officials about the school’s head coaching vacancy. The timing of the session was set, in part, so that it will not conflict with Clements’ responsibilities as the resurgent Bills prepare for their Sunday matchup with the Cleveland Browns.’

‘The former NFL Europe standout is familiar with Buffalo’s offense, having spent part the entire 2004 preseason with the team before being released a week before the regular season began. "Rod has been out of the system for four months and we’ll get him caught up as much as we can with out overloading him and expecting him to do too much," Mularkey said on Wednesday.’